14 October - Friday
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Owl & Lion Bindery
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Bookbinding demonstration
Four master craftsmen, Tom McEwan, Mark Powell, Matthew Simos and Isabelle Ting gather together for three days to bind a sumptuous full-leather book. Each craftsman will concentrate on his or her area of expertise: Isabelle and Tom will oversee book construction, headbands and gold tooling, Mark will concentrate on relief printing endpapers, whilst Matthew will do silver decoration. This is a rare chance to see the professionals at work. You’re welcome to drop by, ask some questions and see an age-old craft brought to life in front of you.
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St. Columba's-by-the-Castle
Sara Sheridan, Tracey S. Rosenberg and Iphgenia Baal
If the past is another country, then this event is a ticket to several at once, in the company of a triumvirate of fine historical fiction writers. Sara Sheridan’s books have spanned the British Empire and British abolition of the Slave Trade, Tracey S. Rosenberg’s first novel returns us to the final days of the Nazi Regime and Iphgenia Baal takes us to Old St Pancras' churchyard mid-nineteenth century. There’ll be plenty of time for meaty discussion, following readings from these three fabulous voices.
Some tickets on the door
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St. Columba's-by-the-Castle
New Gaelic Fiction
Ground-breaking, unusual, off-the-wall, even dangerous – Saorsa (Freedom), from Ur-Sgeul, features 13 new Gaelic short stories by 13 Gaelic authors who are embracing innovation and punching through boundaries. The renaissance in Gaelic fiction which began in 2003 with the Ur-Sgeul imprint is continuing apace. Come and listen to authors including Meg Bateman, Tim Armstrong, Gillebride Mac Ille'Mhaoil and others. Chaired by Aonghas MacNeacail. Time permitting, there will also be an open floor discussion about where Gaelic fiction is going.
Some tickets on the door
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Armchair Books
Wince!
Inspired by the ‘Cringe’ nights hosted by Sarah Brown, we’ve decided to do our own version – Wince! This is the chance for you to bring out those embarrassing old diaries, crap poems and desperately awful first chapters and read them in public. It’s cheaper than therapy and there is free ‘courage’ for all participants. Come on, you know you want to!
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Edinburgh Books
William Letford and Luke Williams
Roofer and award-winning poet William Letford has been felling audiences across Scotland with his matchless performances, while Luke Williams’ first novel, The Echo Chamber, was hailed as ‘Original, brilliant, inconceivable’ by West Port favourite Ali Smith, and shortlisted for the Newton First Book Award. What do you get when you cross two stylish young writers and put them in the splendid surrounds of Edinburgh Books of a Friday eve? An unmissable show.