Nicola Sturgeon, Val McDermid and Sally Magnusson are among the authors set to appear at Paisley Book Festival this year.
Now in its seventh year, the 2026 festival line-up will see even more talent from across Scotland in attendance at the event which has become a significant fixture in the national and regional literary calendar.
With this year’s programme centred around the theme “Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons”, the three-day event will take place from Friday, May 15 until Sunday, May 17 with tickets on sale Friday, March 6. Events will be held at Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Central Library.
Other guests include McDermid’s fellow Fun-Loving Crime Writers bandmates Christopher Brookmyre and Doug Johnstone, as well as David Keenan, Mollie Hughes, Graeme Armstrong and more.
Here is the full line-up of guests and authors for the 2026 Paisley Book Festival.
9. David Keenan
With his book Boyhood due out in April, David Keenan is also part of this year’s line-up. The former owner of Glasgow record shop Volcanic Tongue, he will discuss his new novel. | John Devlin
10. Professor Devi Sridhar and Gavin Francis
A discussion surrounding the future of healthcare is also part of this year’s line-up, with Professor Devi Sridhar (pictured) and Edinburgh GP and author Gavin Francis set to challenge myths surrounding the medical field and mental health in the UK. | PA/Edinburgh University
11. Elspeth Wilson and Tom Newlands
Elspeth Wilson, the author of These Mortal Bodies, will appear as part of the festival’s Neurodiversity Writers’ Salon alongside Tom Newlands (pictured) who recently won the Waterstones’ Scottish Book of The Year prize for his novel for Only Here, Only Now. | Contributed
12. Kirstie Buchanan and Christina Lessani
Kirstie Buchanan and Christina Lessani, the hosts of Glasgow’s highly successful midweek events will appear during the 2026 festival with The Book Club Scotland: Paisley Edition. The special occasion will see the pair dive into the Sarah J. Maas’ highly successful A Court of Thorns and Roses book series for one night only. | Kaitlin Wraight