Edinburgh International Book Festival
www.edbookfest.co.uk
admin@edbookfest.co.uk

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is the world's biggest book festival and is now a key event in the August Festival season, celebrated annually in Scotland's capital city.  Today the Festival programmes over 650 events, including a highly regarded Children's Programme, which has grown to become a leading showcase for children's writers and illustrators. The Festival also runs its own independent bookselling operation – all proceeds from the sale of books are invested back into the running of the Book Festival, a not-for-profit charity organisation which annually raises 80% of it's own funds.

Leith Festival
www.leithfestival.com

This June Festival is now a major arts and community event featuring literature, poetry and drama, as well as music, dance, exhibitions and much more. As well as a full 10 days of performances, the festival also creates the biggest annual event on a single day in Leith with the Parade down Leith Walk and Gala on the Links.  Many of the events are free.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival
www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk
reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com

An October celebration of storytelling traditions from Scotland and around the world with special guests, music, song, exhibitions and events for all ages in diverse locations across South East and central Scotland. Guests from overseas join together with Scots-based tellers for a diverse programme of public events, workshops and schools visits. National Tell-A-Story Day at the end of the month also takes place during the festival with community-based events all over Scotland, co-ordinated by the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh.

Portobello Book Festival
http://portobellobookfestival.blogspot.co.uk/p/2012-festival-programme.html
Portobello Book Festival is now in its fourth year. It was started by a group of local people who are interested in books and reading and wanted to share this enthusiasm. It has always been based on the principle that everything is free and nobody is paid. That has been possible, partly, because of our fruitful collaboration with the local library, where many of the events are held. Last year they held 20 events and 2012 looks to be shaping up the same way.

West Port Book Festival
http://westportbookfestival.org/

The West Port is Edinburgh’s Soho, a heady mix of books, bespoke-tailoring, booze and bosoms. Six bookshops, one bookbinder, it would almost be churlish not to celebrate this profusion of pages…

The West Port Book Festival began in 2008 in August and in 2010 moved four days each June, boasting a diverse and exciting programme of events. There are writers, musicians, magicians, chess players and grumpy old gentlemen, all in celebration of the bookshops and the fascinating history of the West Port area.

All events are free, and take place in an intriguing assortment of local venues, from singular secondhand bookshops to comfy pubs and cavernous performing arts spaces.

Get with the programme - for the latest news or the programme check out the very stylish website.