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.
1. Nicola Sturgeon
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will appear during this year’s book festival to discuss her 27 years as an MSP, now that her time has come to a close. She will share stories about her life as well as how things have changed in the aftermath of her leadership from her best-selling memoir Frankly. Sturgeon will also close the festival at Paisley Town Hall on Sunday. | Getty Images
2. Doug Johnstone
As mentioned, crime writer Doug Johnstone, whose works include The Jump and Fault Lines, will be among the guests at the book festival alongside his Fun Lovin' Crime Writers bandmates. | Contributed
3. Val McDermid
Val McDermid is also set to appear alongside her bandmates, with another event discussing Silent Bones, the latest Karen Pirie novel, also part of the 2026 Paisley Book Festival programme. | LISA FERGUSON
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4. Christopher Brookmyre
Christopher Brookmyre is part of the line-up for this year’s Paisley Book Festival. The author, who is originally from Glasgow,will appear during a special event celebrating a collective 50 years in publishing alongside Doug Johnstone and Val McDermid at Paisley Town Hall. Brookmyre will also discuss the return of his rogue journalist character Jack Parlabane in new novel Quite Ugly One Evening. | Bob McDevitt