Books within 5 miles of Edinburgh

Regular role-playing night.

A book club for gents with a lust for reading. All types of books considered.

Avant-garde spoken word, film and music fusion night describing itself as 'playing host to the sinister and the sanguine'.

Creative writers of all stripes – poets, short story scribes, script writers, flash fiction junkies – are invited to discuss all things writing, from procuring an agent to overcoming writer's block.

The prize-winning poet gives a talk about his experiences as a writing, including a look at his latest collection, A Hundred Doors.

Celebrate the launch of the new book from Patrick Joyce, Professorial Fellow in History at the University of Edinburgh, which looks at the social history of Britain since 1800. Three professors – Donald Bloxham, Simon Gunn, Liz Stanley – chair the event and look at how an understanding of history contributes to the modern…

As the Lions head off to tour Australia, former Scotland internationals John Beattie and Peter Wright talk about life on the rugby team. David Barnes, author of Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British and Irish Lions, also gets in on the conversation.

Informal meet-up and sharing of work for writers, followed by a pint or two, every Sunday.

A writing workshop suitable for writers at any stage in their career. Each session includes discussion, reading and writing of poems.

Writer, perfume expert and jogger Alex Musgrave talks about his life in poetry and scent (he's Business Manager of Penhaligon's), with a chance to smell the perfumes he mentions. Ages 16+. Booking is essential.

Massie talks about his new novel about a group of British expatriates in Rome, connected through their AA meetings. In discussion with author Chris Dolan.

The historian delves into the archive to share photographs, maps and memories of the area, and then leads a walking tour of Stockbridge the following Saturday.

The historian and writer discusses her classic autobiography of Mary, Queen of Scots, published more than 40 years ago.

Share the reading experience with a group of fellow booklovers, with an evening of friendly discussion.

Test your literary credentials in teams of up to five members. Please arrive for 5.45pm. Booking is essential.

An eclectic and experimental night of poetry, performance and spoken word, held on the second Friday of each month.

A relaxed session of oral storytelling, poetry by memory, music and song.

Scottish-born, California-based author Catriona McPherson launches her new Dandy Gilver mystery.

Danish author Juul and Scot Smith both read from their latest publications. Presented by the Danish Cultural Institute.

Celebrate the publication of the author's new book of quirky short stories, with a reading, Q&A and signing session.

The Edinburgh Book Fringe takes place in Word Power Books and brings together writers and activists from around the world for a host of daily events of readings and discussions, all of which are free.

The world’s largest public celebration of the written word takes place in the first UNESCO City of Literature in the beautiful Charlotte Square Gardens. As well as leading Scottish and international authors, the varied programme always manages to cover poets, politicians, historians, journalists and children's authors…