Happy 21st Birthday to the Borders Book Festival

The Borders Book Festival has recently announced its programme for 2024, featuring well-known names from the worlds of literary fiction, politics, current affairs, sport, comedy, travel and children’s literature.

The 21st edition of the festival will run from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 June in Melrose’s Harmony Garden in Melrose. This year’s lineup proves that there something for everyone to enjoy, among those taking part will be Janey Godley, Clive Myrie, David Nicholls, Val McDermid and Booker Prize Winner Howard Jacobsen.

Ever eclectic, here goes with just some of the highlights from this year’s literary extravaganza.

Enjoy a conversation between fellow comedians Janey Godley and Jo Caulfield about their respective memoirs.

Bestselling author David Nicholls, of One Day fame, will discuss his latest novel, You Are Here.

BBC presenters Clive Myrie and recently retired Rory Cellan-Jones are set to attend with their own memoirs too. Whilst former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin will share female stories of courage and adventure.

From the world of politics, the festival features Labour Shadow Cabinet MP Wes Streeting with his autobiography and former MP Alan Johnson will be in conversation with political pundit Robert Peston about his move from politics into fiction writing. And James Naughtie will return to the Borders Book Festival with his take on the state of the nation in an election year.

Honouring the Olympics taking place in Paris this year, the festival will also host an event on the centenary of Scotsman Eric Liddell’s historic 400 metre win at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Sally Magnusson, Liddell’s biographer, will be joined on stage by Scottish athlete Allan Wells, who dedicated his 1980 100 metre sprint win at the Moscow Olympics to Liddell. It is a story which was immortalised in the 1981 classic Chariots of Fire.

Booker Prize winner Howard Jacobson will talk about his new novel What Will Survive of Us, while writer Charlie Higson will discuss his latest James Bond novel.

Also attending are fashion designer, The Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant, and comedians Fred MacAulay and Rory Bremner will discuss comedy writing.

The Borders Book Festival will see the announcement of the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, with six shortlisted international literary talents in contention for the £25,000 prize.

For crime writing fans, festival favourite Val McDermid will be joined by fellow authors Chris Brookmyre and Mark Billingham for both a conversation and a performance from their band The Fun Lovin Crime Writers.

History buffs can enjoy talks from Philippa Langley on the Princes in the Tower; Robert Hardman on King Charles III; and James Holland and Steven Veerapen on the reign of King James IV.

The Borders Book Festival will of course see the announcement of the annual Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, with six shortlisted international literary talents in contention for the £25,000 prize.

The four-day Borders Book Festival will also play host to live music, the Orchard tented food village and family activities. Book your tickets now https://bordersbookfestival.org/festival-info/booking-info/

Photos: Lloyd Smith Photography