You may know all about the Fringe – but did you know Edinburgh has a thriving Fringe Book Festival too?
Independent radical bookshop Word Power Books organises the festival, hosting a free event every day 14th-28th August; writers, poets, activists and illustrators will offer sessions on everything from war, childbirth, life in today’s Middle East and the future of working class education to funny women and the story of what might have happened to William Hare. The full programme can be seen on Word Power’s website here – or you can pick up a paper copy in the shop on West Nicolson Street; highlights include Janice Galloway reading from Jellyfish: A Short Book of Short Stories, ‘An electrifying volume’ (Kate Wills: The Independent), Kirsty Logan (whose recent novel Gracekeepers was described by The Herald’s reviewer as ‘gorgeously melancholic’) sharing the stage with Nora Chassler and Regi Claire, and award-winning Bengali-born poet Bashabi Fraser launching her latest collection, Letters to My Mother: And Other Mothers.
At the festival’s opening event, comedian Mark Thomas will discuss 100 Acts of Minor Dissent, his ‘brilliantly funny account of a year spent living provocatively’. Some say of Thomas ‘he has remained uniquely relevant and agitated where others have mellowed and capitulated’; Thomas says of himself ‘(I’m) a confused liberal, activist anarchist, asthmatic rambler and fat Dad’; . In the course of performing his 100 Acts he has campaigned successfully for trade union recognition of cinema workers, persuaded a multinational to change its practices, brought four court cases and annoyed lots of people, especially estate agents. There; you like him already. Unless you’re an estate agent. Whilst in Edinburgh to perform his show Trespass at the Fringe, Thomas will also take part (with Mark Steel, Daniel Kitson and Ivor Dembina) in Free Gaza, (Assembly Ballroom, 16th August) raising funds for IMET2000, a charity bringing front-line medical relief to victims of last year’s bombings.
All events in this festival are free but donations very much appreciated. There is no booking, so get there early if you want a seat! Mark Thomas’s opening event is at 7.30pm on 14th August; most other events take place at 1pm but please check the programme carefully, as there are a few variations.
Word Power Books has been one of Edinburgh’s independent bookshops since 1994, when it was formally opened by James Kelman. It remains committed to promoting literature outside the mainstream and supporting small presses and new writers, organising Edinburgh’s Independent Radical Book Fair each October. ‘Part of the lifeblood of radical debate’ (Mark Thomas), ‘An inspiring and creative haven, (inviting) us to rediscover the world as a more challenging, changing and imaginative place’ (Kirsty Gunn), ‘Everyone should be glad that Word Power exists’ (AL Kennedy).
Word Power Books is at 43-45 West Nicolson Street (near the University of Edinburgh) and is open 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 12 noon-5pm Sundays.
