Article Source: Paisley Book Festival
Last Updated: 22 November 2023 10:03
The festival, which is delivered by OneRen, is set to run over four days from 25 – 28 April 2024 and will be the first time events are hosted in the newly renovated Paisley Town Hall overlooking Paisley Abbey, and the incredible new Paisley Central Library, creating a literary hub in the town’s High Street. The event will bring some of Scotland’s best writers to Paisley for discussions and events.
Jess Orr has been named programmer for next year’s event. She said:,i> “It’s exciting to be back programming for Paisley Book Festival in 2024, especially now that we have the Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Central Library to stage our events. These re-imagined spaces are a perfect setting to celebrate the power of stories and narrative to transport us beyond reality to imagine different worlds, different perspectives, and most importantly, different possibilities.”
Jess is no newcomer to Paisley, having programmed the festival’s first three editions, and elsewhere she has built a strong reputation working with literary organisations including the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Glasgow Women’s Library. She holds a PhD in Scottish literature from the University of St Andrews, and in addition to working with festivals she is also Operations Manager for the literature charity Open Book.
Now entering its 5th year, the festival still has Paisley Radicals at heart, with its trademark thread of edge and progressiveness continuing to run through the programme. The theme for Paisley Book Festival 2024 is Imagine Something Different and will incorporate two ‘new’ cultural venues which have been opened in recent months. The iconic Paisley Town Hall re-opened in September 2023, creating a new big stage for the town and one of Scotland’s premier performance spaces. The new Paisley Central Library is opening this month, creating a incredible library facility across four floors of what was a vacant retail space on the High Street.
Christine Martin, Arts Team Co-ordinator at OneRen, welcomed Jess to the team. She added: “Paisley Book Festival is fast becoming a mainstay of the festival circuit, attracting the most exciting writers and literary voices to Paisley. It’s great to have Jess on board and we’re looking forward to revealing the programme in the months ahead.
“We’re excited to welcome authors and audiences to our re-imagined spaces.”
Paisley Book Festival is seeking creative and inclusive contributions and ideas for events to be part of the programme for the 2024 Festival, with an Open Call for event proposals. The Festival seeks to showcase local writers, groups, and other contributors, and provide opportunities to develop local talent.
Here are some ways you could get involved:
BE A GROUP HOST / CONTRIBUTOR - are you a Renfrewshire based community and /or cultural organisation, project, or initiative that has an idea for an event to be part of the Paisley Book Festival programme?
BE A PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTOR - are you a Scottish writer / artist / creative / organisation with an idea or current strand of activity that fits the remit of the Paisley Book Festival? We welcome submissions from creatives working in a variety of
disciplines.
Proposals can be made until 8 December 2023. More details can be found at www.paisleybookfest.com
Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!
READ MORE
Crowds turned out in Linwood to see the town's Christmas lights switched on for 2025.
READ MORE
This year, Renfrewshire along with Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Ayrshire will join communities across the UK in hosting a 'Together at Christmas' Community Carol Service in Paisley Abbey.
READ MORE
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
Investment in Renfrewshire's play parks continues with work set to begin on a further six play parks.
READ MORE
The unique legacy of globally-renowned Paisley designer and artist Dr Pam Hogg will inspire the next generation of creative talent, her proud home community says.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
A brand-new programme of free fun activities and events returns with Renfrewshire’s praised Winter Connections.
READ MORE
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
A new civic plaza, garden and events space will be created in Erskine to provide a focal point for the local community.
READ MORE
The partnership is calling on the local community to donate new children's pyjamas, ensuring every child in Renfrewshire has something cosy to unwrap this Christmas.
READ MORE
Erskine's Christmas lights have been switched on for 2025 with locals turning out to enjoy the occasion!
READ MORE
Crowds turned out in Johnstone's Houstoun Square on Saturday to see the town's Christmas lights switched on for 2025.
READ MORE
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
Deco 2025, an exhibition celebrating the decorative arts, will take place in The Art Department's new home from Tuesday 2nd December until Saturday 20th December.
READ MORE
Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.
READ MORE
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
Crowds turned out in Renfrew town centre on Saturday to see the town’s Christmas lights switched on for 2025!
READ MORE
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire will have a brand-new active play for all ages in the heart of the town after a contract was awarded to create the new facility in the Lagoon Leisure Centre.
READ MORE
A popular tourist spot in Renfrewshire is set to benefit as more than £700,000 is invested in a new cycle hub, information kiosk, public toilets and landscaping improvements.
READ MORE
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Towns across Renfrewshire will officially mark the start of the festive season as the Christmas lights are due to be switched on over the coming weeks.
READ MORE
Crowds headed to Paisley town centre to mark the beginning of the festive season at the town's annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event.
READ MORE