EIBF 2008: Sunday 24th August

Two of Scotland’s finest and most perceptive poets. Tom Pow’s powerful collection Dear Alice: Narratives of Madness explores the imaginative legacy of a nineteenth century lunatic asylum. Dilys Rose draws on eerie medical history and myth for her original collection focusing on the human body, From Olga’s Back to Weaver’s Bottom.

The historic divisions between England and Scotland explored. Broadcaster, author and director of the Borders Book Festival, Alistair Moffat tells the story of Hadrian’s Wall, the largest single Roman monument in the world, and its impact on Northern Britain. Marc Morris presents a fascinating portrait of medieval King Edward I, conqueror of Scotland and nemesis of Braveheart.

Keith Gray, award-winning author for teenagers and young adults, Scottish Book Trust’s virtual writer-in-residence and teen fiction reviewer for The Scotsman, offers valuable practical advice on how to write for this most demanding, and also rewarding, of audiences. (Maximum 20 places)

Linda Cracknell has just published her long-awaited second collection of short stories, The Searching Glance. Join her for some inspiring perspectives and practical exercises on writing stories. (Maximum 20 places)

With the SNP coming to power at the last elections, an independent Scotland has come one step closer to reality; now is the time to properly consider the arguments. What will an independent Scotland really mean for the nation’s people? Will an independent Scotland be better, worse, or will we even notice the difference? Come and debate the issues with leading authors on independence Murray Pittock, Harry Reid and Paul Scott.

An hour of sublime poetry from two leading Scottish poets. Tessa Ransford, founder of the Scottish Poetry Library, takes inspiration from environmental themes in her latest work. Ken Cockburn’s new collection is sparked by inscriptions, graffiti and scribbled notes on the flyleaves of books – Ovid, a guidebook, a superhero comic.

Award-winning writer Martin MacIntyre brings a fresh contemporary sensibility to Gaelic fiction. His debut novel Gymnippers Diciadain centred on parents meeting while their children are in gym class and their friendship growing into love. Tonight he launches his second Gaelic novel, An Latha as Fhaide (The Longest Day). Gripping, lively and essential.