James Kelman is the single most influential Scottish novelist of modern times and Scotland's only Booker Prize winner. Listen to him discuss his groundbreaking early work in 2007, the year of its reissue.

A great favourite at the Book Festival and one of the most revered figures in English literature, Doris Lessing reveals the full force of her literary intelligence as she discusses her career and recent writings in this 2006 event.

Andrea Levy's Small Island has won the Orange, Whitbread and Commonwealth prizes. The author speaks in this 2005 event with intelligence and wit about the book and her career.

Rejoice in the wit, charm and warmth of a captivating poet and performer. Brimful of the most wonderful language, this Liz Lochhead event was the perfect conclusion to the 2005 Book Festival.

Unedited audio recording of the 2007 event in which Ian McEwan chats with chair Ian Rankin about his early work, influences and most recent publication, On Chesil Beach. Great fun!

Roger 'patron saint of poetry' McGough enchanted his young audience with a lively bit of chat and some fantastic poetry in this 2006 event for all the family. Suitable for children aged 7 and upwards.

A joyous return to Edinburgh in 2006 by the 'patron saint of poetry' - simply hearing him read his own work is a blissful experience. He has also written an autobiography filled with his usual idiosyncratic humour and humanity - growing up in Liverpool, overnight fame with The Scaffold, a life irresistibly told.

The first ever visit to the Book Festival by the BBC's Political Editor was our fastest selling event in 2005. Andrew Marr talks about his trade and brings inside stories from the world of politics - expect colourful descriptions of Westminster shenanigans!

The hugely admired Scottish broadcaster Andrew Marr talks to Iain Macwhirter about Scotland, politics and life in general in one of our fastest selling events of 2007.

Alexander Masters' biography of homeless Stuart Shorter, Stuart: A Life Backwards, has been hailed by critics as startling, remarkable, rare, haunting and uplifting. In this utterly absorbing event from 2006, he asks how a life can follow such a troubled journey and explores the reality all too often obscured by alarmist labels pinned on young people by society and the media.