Every August, the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s tents go up in Charlotte Square and more recently in George Street too. I kiss my family good bye and say ‘it’s only 17 days, I’ll be back soon’. That is, of course, a slight exaggeration (quiet at the back).
Chairing seven events with eight creatives, I knew this year was going to be special and it was. I got to see behind the scenes and meet all the wonderful people that make the festival go like clockwork – from the ticket sellers in the main entrance to the sound technicians who ensure you have a mic that works and the clicker will indeed get you to the next slide of your power point presentation without you having to resort to interpretative dance in front of a blank screen (not that this happened).
Thank you to those who I managed to get a photo of, there are many more not mentioned below who keep me safe in my little world, you know who you are.
In the order displayed below (l to r): Dr Sheila Kanani, Emma Lazell, Charlotte Guillain, AL Kennedy, Chris Close‘s photo of Justin, the Kelpies Prize giving, Mairi Kidd & Siobhán Parkinson, Oscar Silvas & Dougie Irvine, Ann Giles, Candy Gourlay, Elizabeth Laird, Chloe Daykin, Darren Shan, David Almond, Lauren James, Elizabeth Frattaroli, Patrice Lawrence (& childhood friends), David Solomons, Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet, Justin Davies and Jackie Kay & all.
Looks like you had a great time. So many great events and roll on next year x