ing being in the chair waiting for the questions from the audience. At the end of 2014 I got an invita- tion to come in for a chat about possibly programming what would be the tenth festival, taking place in April 2015. In many ways this was my perfect job, drawing on my experience in both events organisa- tion and publishing, plus it was an opportunity to programme a major literary festival in my home town, so of course I accepted.


SO, WHERE DO YOU start when putting a festival together? As with any creative project, it starts with a blank page. We have a very useful programme advisory committee made up of authors, publishers, book trade representatives and academics and together we talk through any potential themes for the festival. We take into account what has


worked well in the past and also if there are any audience develop- ment opportunities. It’s usually at this point where we decide if we are going to mark any anniver- saries or work with any external


“A GOOD PROGRAMME WILL PROVIDE GREAT DISCUSSIONS, MOMENTS OF LAUGHTER AND REFLECTION, AND THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHAKE THE HAND, ASK A QUESTION OR GRAB A SELFIE WITH AN AUTHOR WHOSE BOOKS YOU’VE LOVED FOR YEARS”


bodies (such as Amnesty, P.E.N. or any charities). I then tour round Scottish publishers and take a trip to London to visit the publicity departments and see what new titles they are promoting and to find out which authors may be available. And I begin the process of inviting and pairing up the authors into what will become the sessions. Tere are always lots of big names


and publishers are keen to get these authors promoting their titles. Along with these keynote speak- ers, Aye Write! has always had a commitment to new writers and it had been so gratifying to watch the careers of writers like Louise Welsh, Alan Bissett and Robert Douglas develop over the 11 years of the festival. Te early days of programming


are a joy when you have a nice clear schedule, but as the days fill up and you are trying to juggle author availability (especially when pro- gramming more than one author into a particular event) and travel arrangements, there can be a few stressful moments. No festival ever gets every single author they invite


and there are always disappoint- ments (ones to keep in the back pocket for the following year) but, after about six to eight weeks of negotiation, it’s done. My hope for each new festival is


that there will be something for a wide range of people with different interests. Book festivals can provide unique, never-to-be-repeated mo- ments of inspiration and entertain- ment. A good programme is the launchpad for great discussions and debates, moments of laughter and reflection, and that special opportu- nity to shake the hand, ask a ques- tion or grab a selfie with an author whose books you’ve loved for years.


Bob McDevitt is festival programmer for Aye Write! www.ayewrite.com


What: Aye Write! Glasgow’s Book Festival Where: Mitchell Library When: 10 – 20 March 2016


Same high quality service. Same great people.


Exciting new name. Scotland’s Conference Centre of Excellence


The Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Beardmore Street, Clydebank, Glasgow, G81 4SA Tel: 0141 951 6000 – Fax: 0141 951 6018 – www.goldenjubileehotel.com


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