BOOKLOVERS in the Borders are urged to have their diaries at the ready as the Borders Book Festival announces some of the big names heading to this year's event.
This year's festival aims to be a 'feel-good celebration of literature'
A favourite event for literary calendars of audiences and authors alike, the Borders Book Festival is again returning to its home at Harmony Garden in Melrose in June.
And organisers have already hinted at some of the famous faces.
On the back of the success of the Netflix series based on his acclaimed 2009 novel One Day, bestselling novelist David Nicholls will make an appearance at this year's festival.
Literary royalty, children’s author Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE returns to the Borders Book Festival while also celebrating 50 years since first being published.
The final announcement is BBC Scotland stalwart and celebrated author Sally Magnusson in conversation with fellow BBC legend Kirsty Wark about her 30 years on flagship BBC show Newsnight - an event celebrating brilliant women in the media and what this means for society.
Between Thursday, June 13 and Sunday, June 16, the literary "extravaganza" will welcome a range of voices from the worlds of literature, entertainment, politics, sport, health and lifestyle.
There are more than 100 events planned for the four-day festival catering to all tastes and interests.
Festival director Alistair Moffat said: “It’s spring at long last, and it’s that wonderful time of year when we open our June diaries and look ahead to four light, warm (hopefully rain-free) days, spent in a haze of bookish chat, food and drink village indulgence and long-overdue catch-ups amid the marquees.”
“This year the Borders Book Festival will offer literature alongside lively discussion, comedy twinned with quiet contemplation, political debate set against personal life stories, and sporting prowess on display alongside stars from stage and screen.
"There really is something for everybody, and we can’t wait to let you into the full line-up!”
The festival's line up and full programme will be revealed on Wednesday, April 24, when tickets will also go on sale.
Alongside the festival's main programme, the Baillie Gifford Children's Programme will return on the Saturday and Sunday (June 15 and 16) with an array of events to excite and educate youngsters and their families.
The winner of this year's £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction will again be announced at the festival. The award was recently taken under the wing of The Abbotsford Trust.
For more information on the list of titles nominated for the award, visit: www.walterscottprize.co.uk/news-and-media/
Tickets for the Borders Book Festival will be available from 12pm on Wednesday, April 24, and will be available to buy from www.bordersbookfestival.org or by calling 0131 290 2112.
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