GLASGOW'S Aye Write book festival will not go ahead in 2026 – but organisers insist the event is being “reimagined” rather than scrapped, with a revamped return planned for spring 2027.
Glasgow Life, the charity which runs the festival, has confirmed that Aye Write will come back as a five-day celebration of books and ideas in March 2027, moving back to its "traditional spring slot" after its last full edition in November 2025.
The organisation says the pause will allow it to redesign the festival, introduce new venues and create a more “experience-led” programme for readers of all ages.
The relaunched Aye Write will feature dozens of panel discussions with local and national authors, alongside events revisiting highlights from earlier years and celebrating some of the public’s favourite recent books.
In the meantime, the brand will remain visible through an Aye Write Presents series running through 2026 and 2027, with year-round pop-up and podcast events.
This autumn, Aye Write events will include:
- September 29: Former first minister Humza Yousaf will open the series at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, discussing his book Under Fire: My Family’s Escape from Gaza and The Cost of Leadership.
- October 28: Sunday Times bestseller Chris Carter will talk about his first standalone thriller Hide and Seek.
- November 6: Journalist Laura Kuenssberg will appear at the University of Glasgow’s Debates Chamber to discuss Pay Attention, her account of two decades covering Westminster.
- November 11: Val McDermid and Geographer Royal for Scotland Jo Sharp at the Royal Concert Hall will explore their short novel This Door of the Seas about Scotland’s ill-fated Darien scheme and its role in pushing the country towards Union.
Events such as “The Books That Made Me” will return with a fresh twist, including new “The Books That Made Us” story cafes where readers can share the titles that have shaped their lives.
Organisers say a stronger focus on participation and emerging voices is at the heart of the new model. Creative writing classes and events for people with additional learning needs are being developed, while open mic sessions and themed showcases will offer unpublished and self-published writers a platform.
Sister festival Wee Write, aimed at children and young people, will also return in spring 2027 with a programme designed to spark a lifelong love of reading and storytelling.
Both festivals are set to feature expanded Gaelic and Scots language content.
Bob McDevitt, Aye Write festival programmer, said: “I’m really looking forward to welcoming some brilliant authors to Glasgow this autumn as part of our Aye Write Presents series. There’s a great mix of politics, personal memoir and thrilling fiction, with each of our four unique events offering audiences the chance to hear directly from the people behind the books.
“At the same time, we’re working on the planning and preparations for the main festival’s return in March 2027, which will bring together bestselling authors, writers, new voices and some well-kent faces for an immersive programme of great literature and lively discussion and debate.”
