Paisley Book Festival is seeking creative and inclusive contributions and ideas for events to be part of the programme for the 2026 Festival, taking place between 15th to 17th May 2026. 

The festival seeks to showcase local writers, groups, and other contributors, and provide opportunities to develop local talent. 

We would also like to hear from writers, creatives and artists who are making accessible and dynamic work for children and families (0 – 8 years) to be a part of our dedicated festival family day on Saturday 16th May 2026. 

Here are some ways you could get involved: 

• BE A GROUP HOST / CONTRIBUTOR – are you a Renfrewshire based community and /or cultural organisation, project, or initiative that has an idea for an event to be part of the Paisley Book Festival programme? 
• BE A PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTOR – are you a Scottish writer / artist / creative / organisation with an idea or current strand of activity that fits the remit of the Paisley Book Festival? We welcome submissions from creatives working in a variety of disciplines.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The Paisley Book Festival is a platform for the celebration of books, reading and writing in Paisley over the course of 3 days. It is a festival with creativity and innovation at the heart of its programme, seeking to showcase some of the best and most diverse voices being published today in Scotland and beyond. 

The festival will connect readers and writers with bold, contemporary ideas, engage established audiences, inspire new ones and be an effective marketplace for the writing and publishing world.

Now entering its 7th year, the theme for Paisley Book Festival 2026 is Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons. 

Who do you look up to? Here at Paisley Book Festival, we’re spoilt for choice with awe-inspiring authors breezing through our doors every day. This year’s no different, and we’re excited to welcome some of Scotland’s most iconic writers, thinkers and creatives to regale us with their latest stories, best-loved characters, and life-changing ideas. We’ll also be asking them who their role models are, and where else we should be looking for inspiration when the world feels lacking. Of course, not all heroes are well-known, and many of our favourite books feature ordinary people who go the extra mile to really make a difference. So, what really makes a hero? Join us at Paisley Book Festival and find out.

The festival has the following outcomes:

• To raise the profile of Paisley and Renfrewshire as a place where inspiring cultural events happen
• To increase visitor numbers to Paisley
• To inspire more people to engage with the written and spoken word, particularly those with barriers to accessing culture
• To develop the careers of local and national writers

TO MAKE A PROPOSAL

Please consider how your activity responds to the festival outcomes and 2026 theme and provide the following information:

• Idea/summary (up to 300 words)
• A Biography (you/your group) and the type of work you make / what you do (up to 300 words)
• Please be sure to indicate your approach to access, diversity and inclusion within your application.
• Please tell us how you will consider environmental sustainability in the creation and presentation of your event / idea. For example, choice of materials, minimising waste or through the subject matter of work you are presenting.
• Links to previous work/relevant supporting material
• Details on what technical and production support you might need to deliver your project. Please be clear about what you can provide yourself and what you need. Note: There is no guarantee that the festival will be able to provide/facilitate technical needs.

Our standard fee for authors/participants/workshop facilitators is £200. Our fee structure is informed by industry standard rates as set by the Scottish Artists Union and the Scottish Book Trust. We are able to provide funding of up to £300 to support successful applicants to the Open Call depending on the nature of your event.

Previous Festival programmes have involved innovative and site-responsive events of varying genres, so depending on the nature and length of the contribution, we are happy to have a discussion about something a bit out of the box, and whether we have the resources to support it. 

We welcome any questions and feedback you might have about the submission process.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

Please send your proposal material saved as one document (PDF or Word). Please ensure to include all relevant contact details (contact details, email address, location). We welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community.

Please submit to: OneRen_Programming@renfrewshire.gov.uk with ‘PAISLEY BOOK FEST 26’ in the subject line. 

Deadline:  Friday 7th November 2025 by 5pm. Late submissions will not be accepted.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Successful applicants notified by Wednesday 19th November 2025 

Event title, description and image to be provided to the festival by Friday 12th December 2025