The Edinburgh International Book Festival has today announced The Front List: its series of headline events at McEwan Hall during this year’s Festival (15–30 August), bringing together some of the most significant writers, historians, journalists and cultural thinkers working today.
Taking place in the Festival’s largest venue, and presented in partnership with Underbelly, The Front List offers audiences rare opportunities to hear from internationally celebrated voices whose work helps shape how contemporary culture, politics, history and society are understood.
From Booker Prize‑winning novelists and globally bestselling storytellers to frontline correspondents, historians and public intellectuals, the series places big ideas and major conversations at the heart of the 2026 Festival.
The programme spans fiction, media, history, politics and performance. It opens with a timely examination of the future of the internet, as Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and Cory Doctorow consider who now holds power online and whether the early days of altruism and optimism about the internet are gone for good.
Elsewhere, audiences can enjoy a rare appearance from Diana Gabaldon, marking thirty‑five years since the publication of Outlander, as she reflects on one of the most successful literary franchises of recent decades, credited – alongside its screen adaptations – with transforming both Scotland’s tourism and its film and television industry.
World-leading fiction sits at the heart of the series, with appearances from Colson Whitehead, the Pulitzer Prize‑winning novelist behind The Underground Railroad, who joins journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed; Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning writer of Shuggie Bain, in conversation with poet, novelist and former Makar Jackie Kay; Booker Prize winner Kiran Desai; Ann Patchett, the Pulitzer Prize‑winning and PEN/Faulkner‑winning novelist; and Elif Shafak, the internationally bestselling writer and global public intellectual. Together, these writers explore memory, migration, identity, belonging, race and the moral responsibilities of storytelling.
The Front List also places contemporary journalism at the centre of the programme. Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent reflects on decades reporting from conflict zones and geopolitical fault lines, while Edward Wong and Lewis Goodall examine how the US–UK “special relationship” is being tested and reshaped amid global instability and President Trump’s extraordinary tenure.
History and public memory are explored in depth, as ‘The Rest is History’ podcast’s Tom Holland examines the enduring fascination of the Roman emperors, and David Olusoga, appearing amid a new season of A House Through Time – and fresh from his role unpacking power, loyalty and betrayal on The Traitors – considers empire, memory and Britain’s contested past.
Scotland’s own history comes into focus as Val McDermid and Jo Sharp discuss their new work on the Darien scheme and the long shadow of Scotland’s early colonial ambitions, chaired by Allan Little.
Performance, warmth and joy also run through The Front List. Kae Tempest, the multi-award‑winning poet, novelist and musician reflects on language, identity and creativity across a body of work spanning poetry, fiction and performance.
Charlie Mackesy, creator of the global phenomenon The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – winner of the Waterstones Book of the Year and adapted into an Academy Award‑winning animated film – appears in a family‑friendly event centred on kindness, vulnerability and connection.
Mel Giedroyc, the writer, comedian and television presenter best known for co‑hosting the BAFTA‑winning The Great British Bake Off, is joined by Sue Perkins for a lively conversation bringing together fiction, comedy and reinvention.
At a moment when public debate can often feel polarised or diminished, The Front List reflects the Festival’s belief in the value of open, inspiring and nuanced conversation. Bringing together readers and audiences with some of the most compelling voices of our time, the series underscores the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s position as one of the world’s leading forums for literature, ideas and public exchange.
The 2026 Front List includes:
Monday 17 August – Jimmy Wales and Cory Doctorow chaired by Gabriel Gatehouse
(Supported by the University of Edinburgh)
A discussion examining how the internet has changed, who now holds power online, and whether it can be reclaimed as a force for public good.
Monday 17 August – Val McDermid & Jo Sharp: This Door of the Seas chaired by Allan Little
(Supported by the University of Edinburgh)
Val McDermid and Geographer Royal for Scotland Jo Sharp discuss their fictional retelling of the Darien scheme, Scotland’s failed 17th‑century colonial project in Panama.
Tuesday 18 August – Kae Tempest chaired by Michael Pedersen
A conversation reflecting on language, identity and the emotional demands of creative work, and discussion of Tempest’s new novel.
Wednesday 19 August – Diana Gabaldon chaired by Alisha Fernandez Miranda
Marking thirty‑five years since Outlander began, its creator looks back on the series’ evolution and enduring global readership.
Thursday 20 August – Tom Holland chaired by Jenny Niven
(Supported by Royal Bank of Scotland)
The historian and podcaster explores the lives of the Roman emperors and why these figures continue to resonate.
Friday 21 August – Colson Whitehead chaired by Samira Ahmed
(Supported by Claire and Mark Urquhart)
The Pulitzer Prize‑winning writer discusses history, race and the moral responsibilities of storytelling, as well as his new title.
Saturday 22 August – Lewis Goodall and Edward Wong
(Supported by the AEB Charitable Trust)
Two leading journalists examine the current state of the US–UK “special relationship” and how journalists report on a rapidly shifting global order.
Sunday 23 August – Charlie Mackesy
The author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse reflects on kindness, vulnerability and storytelling in a family‑friendly event.
Monday 24 August – David Olusoga
(The Frederick Hood Memorial Lecture)
A major voice in public history examines empire, memory and Britain’s past, bringing overlooked stories into focus.
Tuesday 25 August – Kiran Desai
(Supported by the Hawthornden Foundation)
The Booker Prize‑winning novelist reflects on migration, solitude and writing at epic scale, marking her first work of fiction in two decades.
Wednesday 26 August – Mel Giedroy chaired by Sue Perkins
The comedian, presenter and bestselling author discusses her new novel The Comeback.
Thursday 27 August – Lyse Doucet chaired by Sally Hayden
(Sponsored by the National Library of Scotland)
The BBC’s Chief International Correspondent reflects on reporting conflict and crisis and the human stories behind global headlines.
Friday 28 August – Elif Shafak chaired by Rosie Goldsmith
The acclaimed novelist reflects on freedom of expression, identity and writing across borders.
Saturday 29 August – Ann Patchett chaired by Roxani Krystalli
A conversation about memory, belonging and a life devoted to reading and writing, including her latest release Whistler.
Sunday 30 August – Douglas Stuart chaired by Jackie Kay
(Supported by VisitScotland)
The Booker Prize‑winning author discusses family, faith and place in his forthcoming novel John of John.
Tickets on sale to Book Festival Members: 10:00, Wednesday 29 April
Tickets on sale to the public: 10:00, Tuesday 5 May
Full event details and booking links: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/events/
