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Top 10 Authors celebrate 10 years of Aye Write!

Controversial literary giants, comedy superstars and extraordinary life stories are among the first ten big names announced for the 10th Aye Write!

Article Source: Aye Write
Last Updated: 4 February 2015 12:53

Guest programmer Bob McDevitt has unveiled some of the top authors who will appear at the city’s annual book festival, ahead of the full programme which will be revealed in March.

Scots literary legend Irvine Welsh will introduce what is being tipped as his funniest, filthiest book yet, Decent Ride, whose central character is a shameless misogynist hustler, but one who is also oddly decent. In true Welsh style, Irvine explores new ways of making wild comedy out of fantastically dark material by taking on taboo subjects.

Irvine Welsh said: ““Glaswegians; they are some of the funniest, most generous people you could ever wish to meet. I’m looking forward to reading from my latest novel Decent Ride in Glasgow and seeing what they make of Juice Terry.”

New Aye Write! guest programmer, Bob McDevitt, said: “This top ten is just a taste of some of the big names I am excited about bringing to Glasgow. Over the past ten years the quality of the festival has continued to grow, meaning we can attract celebrated authors and speakers to the city to entertain a wide audience.”

Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor Archie Graham, added: “We are excited about bringing so many renowned authors to Glasgow to help us celebrate Aye Write’s 10th birthday. This is a fantastic sneak peak at some of the big names set to come to the city and it leaves me looking forward to seeing the full programme.”

Glasgow will welcome Dr Stephen Hawking's first wife, Jane Hawking, author of the exceptionally open, moving and often funny memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen. Jane relates the inside story of their extraordinary marriage, showing incredible candour when talking about balancing his 24-hour care with the needs of their growing family and the high-profile marriage breakdown. This exceptional story, which was recently turned into an Oscar-nominated movie, The Theory of Everything, is certain to be an inspiration to anyone dealing with family illness.

Omid Djalili will return to the festival with his fascinating autobiography Hopeful, which begins with an unconventional childhood spent at his family's London guesthouse for visiting Iranians. Fellow comedian Helen Lederer will make her Aye Write! debut with her debut novel Losing It, a dry and merciless observation of a woman’s struggling to be fabulous. Several high profile celebrities, including Stephen Fry, Dawn French and Joanna Lumley have all given the book rave reviews.

One of the world’s most popular authors is no stranger to Aye Write! having appeared several times before. Keen to join in the 10th birthday celebrations Alexander McCall Smith will return to the festival with Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party. Aye Write! will also celebrate upcoming Glaswegian writer Kirsty Logan, author of The Gracekeepers, who will be appearing alongside another hotly tipped young, local writer.

The festival’s autobiographical theme continues with Scottish actor Alex Norton. He charts his journey through six decades from the streets of Glasgow's Gorbals to staring alongside Johnny Depp in Hollywood blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean. Affectionately known to many television viewers as DCI Matt Burke in Taggart, There’s Been a Life is an irreverent look behind the scenes of a showbiz life very well lived.

Aye Write’s diverse range of authors also includes Everything But The Girl singer Tracey Thorn, Patrick Gale and host of the BBC’s Beechgrove Potting Shed Theresa Talbot.

Aye Write! is a huge celebration of books and writing. The programme promises talks and events by literary heroes and award-winning novelists, ensuring the finest, most popular Scottish, National and International authors come to the city. By sharing their works with avid fans and new audiences the festival helps to raise the profile of reading in Glasgow. It also provides a platform for showcasing the best of Scottish writing by supporting emerging Scottish writers.

There has always been an exceptional programme of events for children, families and school pupils of all ages programmed throughout Aye Write! However, the success of Wee Write! which attracted over 17,000 youngsters and their parents to over 100 events in 2014, has ensured its return. Wee Write! Scotland’s first major book festival dedicated to children and young people, will take place from 2nd to 7th March, again hosting The Biggest Book Show on Earth as part of World Book Day celebrations. Tickets go on sale for the Families programme on National Libraries Day - 7th February.

The full Aye Write! programme will be announced in March 2015 when tickets will also go on sale. All Aye Write! events will take place in the iconic Mitchell Library, one of Europe’s largest public libraries.

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