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There is just a week to go until Aye Write, Glasgow’s book festival, makes a welcome return. The much-loved city-wide event is a celebration of books and literature with an exciting line-up of 130 events featuring 180 local, national and international authors set to mark its 20th anniversary. Taking place from November 6 until 16 2025, organisers Glasgow Life say renowned writers and the next generation of authors will take part in discussions and debates in some of Glasgow’s most iconic venues, from book shops and theatres to The Mitchell Library and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The festival arrives ahead of Book Week Scotland (November 17-23 2025), and features the likes of Irvine Welsh and John Niven, former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Best-selling author, journalist and broadcaster Sally Magnusson and guest stars like Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan. Irvine Welsh and John Niven will appear on stage at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday, November 7 (9.15pm) to discuss the themes and inspirations behind their latest novels, Men in Love and The Fathers . Nicola Sturgeon will also appear at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday, November 7 (7.45pm) alongside Reign podcast host Josh Smith to talk about her new memoir, Frankly – a deeply personal book which reveals the person behind the politician. Best-selling author, journalist and broadcaster Sally Magnusson returns to Aye Write on Saturday 8 November to share what inspired her to write her new novel, The Shapeshifter’s Daughter . Magnusson’s latest book reimagines the Norse myth of Hel and spans mythical Asgard and modern-day Orkney as its main character, faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis, returns to Orkney after 40 years to make peace with her past. Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan will join Fiona Shepherd, co-founder of Glasgow City Music Tours, on Thursday, November 6 (7.45pm) to chat about his aptly named memoir, The Fun Lovin’ Criminal , which covers his remarkable journey from ex-US Marine-turned-petty criminal to rock star. Husband and wife duo Greg Hemphill and Julie Wilson-Nimmo are also part of this year’s Aye Write line-up. The pair will appear alongside TV chef and broadcaster Julie Lin at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday, November 8 (4.15pm) to discuss their new book, Jules & Greg’s Wild Swim, an uplifting and hilarious companion to the hit TV series of the same name. Award-winning writers Charles MacLean and Gavin D Smith will toast the history, culture and global impact of Scotland's national drink in The Story of Whisky event at The Mitchell Library on Sunday, November 9 (4.15pm). To mark the occasion, guests aged 18 and over will be treated to a free dram of a limited edition, 15-year-old single grain whisky distilled in Glasgow’s Strathclyde Distillery and bottled by Fib Whisky. Other famous names on the bill at the 2025 Aye Write include Jeanette Winterson, Dougie Donnelly, Justin Currie, and Ambrose Parry ( Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman ). The festival also features Natasha Brown, Nigel Planer, Ted Kravitz, Len Pennie, Helen Lederer, Robert Elms in conversation with Stuart Cosgrove, Sarah Vine, and Sophie Gravia. Having appeared at the first-ever Aye Write in 2005, Denise Mina, Louise Welsh, A L Kennedy and Quintin Jardine will be welcomed back during its 20th anniversary year. This year’s festival spans various genres, including memoirs and autobiographies, poetry, crime fiction, true crime, LGBTQI+, historical fiction, and science fiction. Aye Write will also run ‘Getting Creative’ sessions for budding authors which give beginners advice on how to form a structure, develop a plot, create characters and use dialogue in novels. More experienced writers can get involved in Aye Write masterclasses on writing style and genres led by a panel of publishing industry experts, as well as University of Strathclyde Centre for Lifelong Learning taster courses on various topics. This year’s Aye Write also features the first airing of the Great Big Glasgow Poem. The poem is part of Glasgow’s 850th birthday celebrations and has been written by Glasgow residents of all ages who have each added a line to express what Glasgow means to them. The Great Big Glasgow Poem will be presented for the first time by Glasgow’s Poet Laureate, Jim Carruth, at The Mitchell Library on Saturday, November 15 (4.15pm). Full details of the 2025 Aye Write programme, including links to book tickets, can be found on the Aye Write website. Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox Join Glasgow Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
