EIBF 2008: Tuesday 12th August

Getting a contract is not the end of the story. Authors must then deal with a plethora of people and problems that can get in the way of writing. On the basis that knowledge is almost everything (a sense of humour is the rest), Nicola Morgan gives you the low-down on all the main issues. Bring your questions and problems for this informal, practical discussion. (Maximum 30 places)

Three Edinburgh poets foregather, each immaculately skilled in the sharpness yet gentleness of their observations. Both Stewart Conn and Valerie Gillies have held the post of Edinburgh Makar or poet laureate; while Henry Marsh is praised and published by Alexander McCall Smith.

The John Murray Archive, now housed at the National Library of Scotland, is a breathtaking treasure trove of some of Britain’s greatest thinkers. Seven generations of the John Murray family amassed this resonant collection – a story now told by James Hamilton. Another great enlightened mind was John Stuart Mill, Victorian philosopher and firebrand, as revealed by Richard Reeves.

Fearless Scot Craig Murray gave a no-holds-barred account of his years as British ambassador to Uzbekistan in Murder in Samarkand. Now he writes of his earlier Foreign Office posting to Ghana in The Road to Samarkand. With characteristic frankness, he reveals the paradoxes of the West’s involvement in Africa, peppered with wry anecdote. Chaired by Ruth Wishart.

Co-presenter of Newsnight, one of Britain’s foremost commentators, Scottish broadcaster and writer Gavin Esler knows better than most what goes on behind the scenes in politics. His new novel A Scandalous Man looks at a man hungry for power but undone when his private life is exposed through twenty four hour media. Timely, topical, pertinent. Chaired by James Jauncey.

Two complete masters of their genres. Clare Francis, former round-the-world sailor turned international bestselling crime novelist, creates taut and atmospheric suspense in Unforgotten. Scottish superstar Philip Kerr sets his thrillers on the world stage – A Quiet Flame questions the true extent of Argentina’s Nazi collaboration.

Come and join in the debate in the second of the day’s events on the highly emotive and controversial subject of euthanasia. Does it guarantee personal dignity or set us on a slippery slope? Distinguished moral philosopher Mary Warnock and clinical expert Elisabeth MacDonald are joined by trained nurse and lecturer-turned-novelist Hazel McHaffie ( The Right To Die ). Chaired by Richard Holloway.

Robin Jenkins was one of Scotland’s greatest writers. To mark the launch of the Robin Jenkins Literary Award, the first environmental literary award in this country to celebrate writing inspired by Scotland’s natural landscape, the author, journalist and broadcaster, Brian Morton, who was a close friend of Robin Jenkins and is one of the Award judges, will talk about Jenkins's life and writing.