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.
5. Jenni Fagan
Responsible for one of Scotland’s most anticipated book releases, Jenni Fagan will be at Paisley Book Festival to discuss her novel The Delusions. | Contributed
6. Sally Magnusson
Former BBC broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson will appear during Paisley Book Festival as part of the Reclaiming History’s Heroines strand of the festival by celebrating her novel The Shapeshifter’s Daughter. | Derek Prescott / John Murray Press
7. Mollie Hughes
The youngest woman to climb both sides of Mount Everest, Mollie Hughes is also on the line up for this year’s festival. She has published two books to date, including Breathe: Lessons from the Edge of the World which was released in 2025. | Contributed
8. Graeme Armstrong
Raised in Lanarkshire, Graeme Armstrong will appear to discuss his highly anticipated upcoming novel Ravehaeart. Marking his first appearance at Paisley Book Festival since the digital pandemic edition of the event, The Young Team author said that he was “delighted” to return. | Contributed