Stellar line-up announced for 2026 Paisley Book Festival

Big names including Christopher Brookmyre, Jenni Fagan, Val McDermid, Nicola Sturgeon, Graeme Armstrong and Sally Magnusson have been confirmed for the 2026 Paisley Book Festival.

The three-day festival will run from Friday 15th May until Sunday 17th May 2026. Events will take place at Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Central Library.

Organisers OneRen say this year’s theme is Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons. The programme will focus on role models, what makes a hero, and how stories shape communities.

Tickets go on sale from Friday 6th March 2026. Many events will be offered on a pay what you can basis.

One of the headline events will see Christopher Brookmyre and Doug Johnstone mark their collective 50 years of publishing in an anniversary night at Paisley Town Hall. The event will be hosted by Val McDermid, who will also appear separately to discuss her latest Karen Pirie novel, Silent Bones.

Photo: Doug Johnstone

Brookmyre will discuss the return of his journalist character Jack Parlabane. He said: “I am massively looking forward to giving Jack Parlabane a hometown event at Paisley Book Festival. I’ve hugely enjoyed my previous visits, but coming here with Quite Ugly One Evening, 30 years after Paisley’s most incorrigible investigative hack made his debut, promises to be special.”

McDermid said: “I love the audience in Paisley. They’re engaged, enthusiastic and never shy of asking the best questions. I’m looking forward to their warmth again”.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will appear with stories from her memoir Frankly, in what organisers describe as the period immediately after her 27 years as an MSP came to a close. Sturgeon is due to close the festival at Paisley Town Hall on the Sunday.

Graeme Armstrong will return to the festival to discuss his upcoming new novel Raveheart, which is inspired by Scotland’s underground rave scene.

Armstrong said: “My first appearance at Paisley Book Festival was digital during the pandemic and it’s gone from strength to strength since.

“Its radical tradition, strong community focus, and creative daring feel ever-present as hosts, writers and readers respond to compelling and challenging themes in an increasingly turbulent and fragmentary world, such as place, home, and masculinity.

“There is always a vibrant roster of literary talent and Scottish icons included, and I’m delighted to return with my new novel Raveheart for Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons.”

Other names announced include author and former BBC broadcaster Sally Magnusson, and explorer Mollie Hughes, described as the youngest woman to climb both sides of Mount Everest.

Photo: Graeme Armstrong

Photo: Sally Magnusson
Photo Credit: Derek Prescott

Photo: Mollie Hughes

There will also be a special Paisley edition of The Book Club Scotland. The event will focus on the ACOTAR fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas, with Kirstie Buchanan and Christina Lessani bringing their Glasgow club night to Paisley for the first time.

The programme includes events on football, neurodiversity, health, and poetry. The Hampden Collection Makars will host a session on the lost heroes of Scottish football, while a Neurodiversity Writers’ Salon will be hosted by Elspeth Wilson and Tom Newlands.

On the Saturday, the festival will also host a one-off event billed as A Paisley Flyting, hosted by Gubsmacked, Scotland’s poetry night. Organisers say poets Leyla Josephine, Iona Lee and Colin Bramwell will reimagine flyting as a modern poetry battle.

Health and the future of healthcare will also feature, with Professor Devi Sridhar and Edinburgh GP and author Gavin Francis set to appear.

Paisley Book Festival 2026 is supported by Creative Scotland. It also includes an extensive schools programme and a family fun day with free events on Saturday 16th May 2026.

OneRen chair, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, said: “We are delighted to announce another fantastic line-up for Paisley Book Festival.

“The strength and breadth of this year’s programme reflects the reputation the festival now holds among writers, artists and audiences.

“We’re inviting audiences to explore what heroism means – from iconic public figures to everyday people whose courage, creativity and resilience helps shape our communities. The programme celebrates established literary voices while championing bold new talent, creating space for powerful conversations about history, nature, language, identity and belonging.

“The festival is also a celebration of Paisley itself – its stories, culture and future. Through arts and cultural investment, we are not only honouring the town’s rich heritage, but helping to create opportunities and support our local economy. This festival is a vital part of that journey, bringing people together and showcasing the transformative power of words.”

At-a-glance: Key details

Programme highlights:

Schools programme dates and booking details: