Books within 5 miles of Edinburgh

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

The author behind Sookie Stackhouse and her sexy vampire friends introduces the thirteenth and final novel in the serise, Dead Ever After.

Andrea Dworkin: radical feminist. Alan Bissett: man. One microphone. Bissett plays himself, and one of the most original, reviled women in history, telling stories from his own life and from Dworkin’s. Expect an unflinching examination of porn culture, laughter and Led Zeppelin. From the team behind Fringe hits…

Local artists and producers set up their stalls with all sorts of fun stuff to riffle through in the Storytelling Court.

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

Poetry and music inspired by the Scottish racing bike.

Assembly. The ultimate once in a lifetime show. Never to be repeated! No reviews. No stars. No idea what's going to happen. No idea who's going to be on our stage. No idea what they're going to say. Welcome to the dangerous and unpredictable world of ad lib! You have been warned. Ages 18+.

Andy Kershaw. One of the UK's most decorated broadcasters, appearing in conversation about his life and widely acclaimed autobiography No Off Switch. Andy has won numerous awards throughout his career working for Radio 3 and for 15 years on Radio 1, where he shared an office with John Peel. More recently a presenter on…

Regular role-playing night.

A poetic version of the award-winning comic's set of personal travel tales. One week only. Contains traces of UFOs, truckers, bean festivals and the Dutch. A tale of redemption, forged in stupidity, alkaline memories laced with acidity. ‘Gorgeous, honest, effortlessly funny’ ★★★★ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘An hour of…

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

Celebrate the release of the first three books from Appletree Writers, a community that helps writers to develop and promote their work. First out the gate are the anthologies The Harbour and In on the Tide, along with Appletree founding member Hannah Lavery’s first short story collection.

Arthur Conan Doyle Centre. Arthur Conan Doyle Experience is a walk and talk exhibition in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, a magnificent example of an original Victoria town house which commemorates this great man of literature. Come and take a guided tour of the building and find out how it connects with one…

Mathew Horton. The story of the Sawney slaughter/ Is told in rhyme by Sawney's daughter/ Who has escaped her killer clan/ And found herself an honest man./ But her redemption and her fate/ Cannot escape her swinging fate./ Let her tale of woe appall./ Hear it all @ Surgeons Hall. Ages 14+.

Lakin McCarthy Entertainment Ltd / The Assembly Rooms. An ocean rowing, polar trekking, camel riding, Castaway, who has travelled the world in search of excitement. The accidental adventurer has been bitten by rabid dogs, chased by pirates and arrested by mutineers. His achievements include racing 160 miles across the…

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

Regular book group for teens, with separate sessions for ages 12–14 and those over 14 years old. The group reads everything from classics to contemporary and dystopian to historical, taking suggestions from members. Email schools.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk to sign up.

Neil O'Brien Entertainment Ltd. Two of the titans of UK cricket with a side-splitting show full of memories from within the Test Match Special commentary boxes from all over the world. The fun spills out from the most famous grounds to taxis, buses, beaches, deserts and hotels. Anecdotes never before heard of legendary…

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

Scottish Storytelling Centre. Enjoy oral storytelling, poetry by memory, music and song in the relaxed ambience of the Storytelling Café. Come prepared with a piece to perform or just to enjoy the evening. Featuring a special guest host and many friends. Ages 14+.

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

The science fiction writer launches his latest effort.

Lakin McCarthy Entertainment Ltd / The Assembly Rooms. Former Labour Minister, Chris Mullin talks about his widely acclaimed diaries. With his trademark wit and keen eye for the absurd Mullin offers an irreverent glimpse of life behind the scenes at Westminster. 'The most enjoyable and stimulating of all the political…