That’s a wrap for Paisley Book Festival 2026!
Thank you to everyone who came along to our 2026 festival. We celebrated record audiences with 2026 being our best seller yet.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, broadcaster Sally Magnusson and the queen of Scottish crime-writing, Val McDermid, were among the big-name writers who attracted the biggest number of attendees yet to book into the town.
Families enjoyed a fantastic fun day, schoolchildren were inspired to love reading and an exciting platform was given to emerging talent as part of a packed programme at the weekend with more than 2,200 tickets sold.
Events were inspired by football, global adventures, spectacular Scottish women and attendees even witnessed the courtly medieval Scottish tradition of Flyting – a poetry rap battle in all but name.
Centred around the theme Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons, the three-day event – from Friday until Sunday – welcomed leading writers, thinkers and creatives to explore who their role models are and what makes a hero.
Date for 2027 coming soon……
Paisley Book Festival 2027 – Freelace Writer in Residence
Paisley Book Festival seek to appoint a part-time Writer in Residence to support the festival’s strategic aims around creative development, community engagement, and amplifying diverse voices.
The residency will centre on Paisley as a lived environment, responding to the festival’s ethos and values, and will prioritise local storytelling, participation, and access to quality creative writing and / or literary engagement.
It’s so good for kids to hear stories from real life authors about how they got into writing. This type of event could inspire so many kids to read more and start writing.
Huge thanks to all the volunteers who made the festival run so slick and made the performers and guests feel so welcome. Very well done PBF, you pulled a blinder!
Fantastic event! Looking forward to next year’s
This event helps put Paisley on the map by attracting artists and writers from all over the UK.
An absolute tonic of a weekend Paisley Book Festival thanks for the invite and the warm welcome. We will be back.
Book lovers of the world, Paisley Book Festival is one to add to your calendars. I had the best sessions today, with the best staff, talking about books and creating stories.
