The 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival is now fast approaching, with almost 700 events lined up and 641 writers scheduled to attend.
Among these talented authors are a number of previous Booker Prize nominees and winners, including last year’s winner Samantha Harvey and the legendary Ian McEwan.
And with the 2025 Booker Prize longlist set to be announced on Tuesday, July 29, there is no better time to reflect on past nominees for one of the world’s most significant literature prizes.
With this year’s festival taking place from August 9 to 24 in its new home at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, tickets are now available with some already having sold out.
So if you’re ready to book and are in need of some inspiration, here are the 25 past Booker Prize nominees attending the 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival.
13. Abdulrazak Gurnah
Not only a two-time Booker Prize nominee, but also the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature, Abdulrazak Gurnah will appear to discuss his latest novel Theft at the 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival. Chaired by Richard Sennett, the discussion will take place on Sunday, August 10 at Venue T. | Leonardo Cendamo
14. Mark Haddon
Best known as the author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – which was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2003 – Mark Haddon will speak with Chris Power about his latest collection of stories, Dogs and Monsters, on Monday, August 18 at Venue T. | Getty Images
15. Sarah Hall
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2004 with her novel The Electric Michelangelo, Sarah Hall will discuss her latest book Helm alongside debut author Elizabeth O'Connor in an event called Fantastic Folklore at the Book Festival on Sunday, August 24 at Spiegeltent. | AFP via Getty Images
16. Elaine Feeney
Elaine Feeney’s novel How to Build a Boat was longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize, with the Irish writer appearing during the 2025 festival for a discussion of her latest book Let Me Go Mad in My Own Way. Title Writing What You Know, the panel will take place on Thursday, August 21. | Contributed