Aye Write festival returns with headliners including actress Celia Imrie and former Radio 1 presenter Annie Macmanus

Glasgow’s Aye Write festival have announced their headline acts for 2022, including Oliver Award winning actress Celia Imrie and former Radio 1 presenter and DJ Annie Macmanus.

Joining Imrie and Macmanus as headliners will be journalist Justin Webb, Scottish rapper Darren McGarvey – also known as Loki – and Channel 4 news correspondent Symeon Brown.

Each will be presenting their new books at the festival, which will run across three weekends this spring in Glasgow, from May 6-22.

TV legend Chris Tarrant also joins the festival cast this year, sharing stories from his fifty years in the business, as does TikTok sensation, ‘Wellerman’ singer and author of The Book of Sea Shanties, Nathan Evans.

Produced by Glasgow Life, the annual book festival will return this year predominantly with in person events at locations across the city, including the Mitchell Library, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Tramway.

The festival will see more than 200 author talks and panel events with speakers from all walks of life, including stars of stage and screen, celebrated journalists, veteran broadcasters, social commentators, politicians, musicians, new literary voices and stalwarts of Scottish literature, historians, archaeologists, explorers and naturalists.

Scottish crime-writing royalty will also be in attendance, including Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman as Ambrose Parry, Stuart MacBride, Brian McGilloway, Alex Gray and Douglas Skelton.

Aye Write programmer, Bob McDevitt, said: “There is no doubt in our minds that Glasgow is raring to get going with this year’s Aye Write festival.  It’s been a long two years since we were last allowed to gather at venues like the fabulous Mitchell Library to talk about the books we love – and the books we don’t yet know we love – with those who have ploughed their hearts and souls into creating them.

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“That is a special and unique opportunity, and one that we know our Glasgow audiences relish.

“I’m especially inspired, this year, by the mix of authors: those long-established and much-acclaimed; those who are just coming into our field of vision; those with their own personal stories to tell; and those whose mission it is to tell the stories of others.

“Storytelling is what we’re all about here at Aye Write, and we hope that our packed 2022 programme will be the next compelling chapter in our very own story.”

Wee Write, the book festival for children and young people, will also return from April 25-30.

The festival will feature Harry Potter cover illustrator Jonny Duddle, celebrating 25 years of Harry Potter Magic; Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon and Dennis the Menace illustrator Steve May with their new collaboration, Two Terrible Vikings and Grunt the Berserker; a draw-off event with author-illustrators Tom Morgan Jones and Sophie Henn; and a very special meet-and-greet and storytelling session with children’s favourite The Gruffalo.

Wee Write programmer, Fiona Haddow, said: “What could cheer us more this spring than finally being able to welcome back to live events Glasgow’s youngest book fans, and their families!

“We’re beyond excited to see the grins on little (and not so little) faces as they get the chance to share their love of books, and all the joy they bring, with their families, friends, and with other little bookworms.

“We’re thrilled to share in the celebrations of 25 years of Harry Potter Magic, and are honoured to be able to introduce so many Gruffalo fans to their hero. In fact, I think we’re already feeling a little star struck ourselves!”

https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/arts-music-and-cultural-venues/aye-write