It's that time again. The Edinburgh International Book Festival throws open its doors once more for two weeks of sheer literary goodness. To name a few out of this year's eclectic mix, best-selling authors Matt Haig and Marcus Sedgwick are chatting about their recent thrillers; the brilliant, Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman is discussing her newest novel Noble Conflict; and across a couple of events, Patrick Ness will be talking death, YA literature and his two latest books, A Monster Calls and More Than This.
Here are some of the festival highlights for teen and YA readers:
Saturday 9 August, 6:45pm: Transatlantic Kissing with Cat Clarke and David Levithan
Cat Clarke and David Levithan: two authors with two books on young love (Clarke's A Kiss in the Dark and Levithan's Two Boys Kissing). They will be meeting together to discuss romance, teen taboos and powerful stories. The pair are a dynamic combo so this event looks truly unmissable.
• Read site member helloitsheath's report of an evening with Levithan and interview
• Read Cat Clarke's top 10 books with teens behaving badly
Sunday 10 August, 4pm: Melvin Burgess and Matthew Quick: Pushing the Boat Out
Talking about his renowned novels Junk and Doing It, Melvin Burgess will be joined by Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook (also an Oscar-winning film). Quick is at the festival to talk about his latest book, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. Armed to the teeth with titles that tackle difficult subject matters, you'll be in for a thought-provoking and interesting discussion, spearheaded by two of YA's most prestigious authors.
Friday 15 August, 5pm: Claire McFall and Lucy Saxon: New Voices in Fantasy
Take Back the Skies, the stunning debut novel of 19 year-old Lucy Saxon, (pictured in her Captain America costume at the YA Literature Conference at Comic-Con this year) made waves in the YA community upon its release. Paired with Saxon is Claire McFall, whose second book, Bombmaker is very topical, reflecting on the forthcoming Scottish independence referendum and what might happen should Scotland vote 'yes'. McFall's dystopian epic looks like a must-read for any young adult who shall vote come September.
• Read Claire McFall's Guardian children's books quickfire interview
Saturday 16 August, 10:30 and 5pm: Patrick Ness
Patrick Ness is known for his profound, honest and occasionally controversial views, so seeing him chat about his most recent book, More Than This seems like an excellent way to start the day. To end the afternoon, head to his Siobhan Dowd Trust Memorial Lecture on A Monster Calls, a book he wrote based on one of Siobhan's ideas.
• Read Patrick Ness's Guardian's children's books quickfire interview
Thursday 21 August, 4:30pm: Geek Girl with Holly Smale
Holly Smale is a fantastic, sparky author with plenty to say. Here she will be speaking about her best-selling Geek Girl series and its heroine, Harriet Manners, who doubles as a school geek and a catwalk model. Smale is a dynamic, popular author to look out for in the YA landscape.
• Read Holly Smale's interview with the Benfield Reading Activists
Thursday 21 August, 5pm: Matt Haig and Marcus Sedgwick
Two of my favourite authors in conversation talking about what I think are their best books so far: Matt Haig on The Humans and Marcus Sedgwick on She is Not Invisible. The convergence of two fantastic thinkers and popular authors makes this event definitely one to look out for – get in before all the seats go.
• Read Marcus Sedgwick's article about his relationship with Doctor Who after writing a special e-book last year
• My interview with Marcus Sedgwick on his Doctor Who e-book
• Read Matt Haig's top 10 robots
Saturday 23 August, 12pm: Malorie Blackman
Malorie Blackman is somewhat unstoppable. In the last 12 months she wrote Noble Conflict, a breathtaking novel about a cataclysmic future rebellion, and The Ripple Effect, a Doctor Who e-book. She did this while winning The Kitschies Black Tentacle award and establishing the first Young Adult Literature Convention in London. With a popular back catalogue like hers, Blackman is sure to have plenty to talk about, especially on diversity in YA books.
• Read Malorie Blackman's article about why you should read YA books with pride
• Watch Malorie Blackman be interviewed by teenager Megan Quibell at this year's Young Adult Lit Convention (YALC)
Saturday 23 August, 4:30pm: Sophie McKenzie and Robert Muchamore
Gracing the stage are Sophie McKenzie and Robert Muchamore, two hugely successful writers who will be chatting about their most recent works. Muchamore launched his new series, Rock War earlier this year and McKenzie has returned to Edinburgh with Split Second, her latest gritty YA novel. A firmly-established duo, McKenzie and Muchamore's event about their two incredible books is definitely one event to book.
• Read my interview, along with site member Evil Mastermind, with Robert Muchamore
