Preparations for packed book festival under way

A PACKED festival for book lovers is promised as preparations for the Spirit of Moray Book Festival continue.

Events on this year’s programme are already selling out, thanks to appearances by big names like Professor James Greive, who will hold a session on ‘Let the Dead do the Talking’.

Also booked are authors including James Hunter, Anne Fine, Malachy Tallack, Ajay Close and Mark Muller Stuart, who will talk about his latest book ‘Storm in the Desert: Britain’s intervention in Libya and the Arab Spring’.

Mystery fiction – the most popular genre of book borrowed from Moray libraries – will be represented as Denise Mina pays a visit during the week to talk about her new title.

Other highlights include staff from the National Library of Scotland presenting ‘Moray Memories on Film’ at a free evemt, and Chris Fleet, Senior Map Curator, exploring Scotland’s most beautiful and historically significant island maps.

The ever-popular Bookbug character will be the star of the show at the Bookbug picnic. Kids and their grown-ups can bring along a soft toy friend and join in with the fun.

For children aged 10 and above, Barry Hutchison – fresh from his appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival - will provide a laugh-out-loud insight into writing books and comics.

Cobbs Café will again extend their opening hours to provide light suppers before the evening events.

Tickets are on sale now for all events during the book festival, which runs from 11 – 16 September.

Find out more and book tickets online, at Elgin library, or by calling 01343 562623.