Humza Yousaf will discuss his new book Under Fire: My Family’s Escape from Gaza and The Cost of Leadership at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in September
11 August 2026
Glasgow’s Aye Write book festival set to return in March 2027
Aye Write, Glasgow’s much-loved book festival, will return in March 2027 as a reimagined, five-day celebration of all things literary.
Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture, events and active living in Glasgow, is evolving the festival to create an even better experience for book lovers while welcoming new audiences.
The festival, which receives funding from Creative Scotland, will return to its traditional springtime slot having previously taken place in November 2025, and will introduce new venues and immersive experiences.
The programme will include dozens of panel discussions featuring local and national authors alongside events looking back at earlier editions of the festival and celebrating some of the public’s favourite books of recent years.
Popular Aye Write features will return with a fresh approach. ‘The Books That Made Me’ will be supported by new ‘The Books That Made Us’ story cafés, inviting people to collectively share the books that hold a significant place in their lives.
Creative writing classes and events celebrating people with additional learning needs will be developed, while open mic nights and themed showcases will give unpublished and self-published writers opportunities to share their work.
Wee Write, Glasgow’s annual children’s book festival, will also return in spring 2027 with a packed programme designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading, writing and storytelling among children and young people.
Additionally, Aye Write Presents will continue to bring the festival to audiences throughout 2027, with various pop-up and podcast events planned throughout the year.
Both the Aye Write and Wee Write programmes for 2027 will feature an expanded range of Gaelic and Scottish language content.
Ahead of the return of the main festival in March next year, Aye Write Presents will bring four headline events to Glasgow between September and November 2026.
The series will open with former First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, who will discuss Under Fire: My Family’s Escape from Gaza and The Cost of Leadership at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Tuesday 29 September at 7pm.
Under Fire tells the story of Yousaf’s month-long struggle to get his in-laws out of Gaza and safely home to Dundee.
Aye Write Presents bringing unmissable authors to Glasgow
Crime fiction fans can hear from Sunday Times bestselling author Chris Carter when the Aye Write Presents series comes to Glasgow this autumn 2026
Journalist Laura Kuenssberg will share details about new book, Pay Attention, at the University of Glasgow's Debates Chamber this November
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall will host an evening with award-winning Scottish author Val McDermid and Jo Sharp, Geographer Royal for Scotland, in November to round off Aye Write Presents
Sunday Times bestselling author Chris Carter will then appear at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday 28 October at 7pm to share insights into his first standalone thriller, Hide and Seek.
Carter studied psychology and criminal behaviour at the University of Michigan and, as a member of the Michigan State District Attorney's Criminal Psychology team, interviewed and studied serial killers.
On Friday 6 November at 7pm, Scottish journalist Laura Kuenssberg will talk about her new book, Pay Attention, at the University of Glasgow’s Debates Chamber.
The former BBC News political editor and presenter of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg draws on more than two decades of reporting on British politics, from the financial crash and Brexit to the rise of social media. In Pay Attention, she explores the political forces, personalities and events that have shaped the country and asks what politicians can learn by listening more closely to the public.
The 2026 Aye Write Presents series will conclude on Wednesday 11 November at 7pm, when award-winning Scottish novelist Val McDermid and Jo Sharp, Geographer Royal for Scotland, take to the stage at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to discuss their short novel This Door of the Seas. The book explores the story of Scotland’s only trading colony and how its pursuit of prosperity ended in financial disaster, helping to propel Scotland towards political union with England.
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations for Glasgow City Council, said: “Aye Write holds a special place in Glasgow’s cultural life and I’m delighted to see the festival enter its next chapter.
“Returning to its traditional springtime slot in 2027, the festival will offer a fresh, experience-led programme while continuing to champion great writing and opportunities for people across Glasgow and beyond to engage with books and storytelling.
“Before then, audiences can enjoy four fantastic Aye Write Presents events this autumn, bringing some of the biggest names in politics, journalism and fiction to the city. Each will offer a fascinating insight into the stories, ideas and experiences behind their books.”
Bob McDevitt, Aye Write Festival Programmer, said: “I’m really looking forward to welcoming some brilliant authors to Glasgow this autumn as part of our Aye Write Presents series. There’s a great mix of politics, personal memoir and thrilling fiction, with each of our four unique events offering audiences the chance to hear directly from the people behind the books.
“At the same time, we’re working on the planning and preparations for the main festival’s return in March 2027, which will bring together bestselling authors, writers, new voices and some well-kent faces for an immersive programme of great literature and lively discussion and debate.”
Glasgow Life was awarded £262,500 in January 2025 from Creative Scotland’s 2025-28 Multi-Year Fund for the delivery of Aye Write in 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28.
Tickets for the 2026 Aye Write Presents events go on sale at midday today (Tuesday 11 August). More information, including an option to buy tickets and a copy of each author’s book, is available on the Aye Write website.
Further details about the programme for Aye Write 2027 will be shared on the festival’s website, Facebook and Instagram channels in due course.