As someone who has recently moved to Edinburgh, I’ve been looking for ways to get to know the city, and as someone who is hoping to get involved in the publishing industry here, the first step for me was to get involved in the literary scene. Attending the September gathering of the Edinburgh Literary Salon was a great place to start, because it introduced me to several events and communities that bring the city’s book lovers together. I attended this event virtually with little to no prior knowledge of what the event was about, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Because networking is so important in the industry I want to work in, I now have a great list of events to use as a jumping-off point into the literary community.
The Edinburgh Literary Salon is a group that hosts a free monthly event on the last Tuesday of every month for those involved in the various literary industries of Edinburgh. Their ethos is to provide a space where people can “gather, socialise and exchange ideas and information, and to help maintain a healthy and vibrant literary arts community in Scotland” (Literary Salon). The September gathering was devoted to introducing several festivals and events that local bookshops and organizations are putting on throughout the year. What really stood out to me was how varied the list of events was, so there is something for every kind of reader, writer, and book lover in the city.
While many interesting events were discussed, there were a couple that stuck with me after the event ended. First, the owner of Lighthouse Books, Mairi Oliver, discussed the annual Radical Bookfair, which will take place from the 5th to the 8th of November this year. A different theme is decided on every year, and this year’s is focused on Building a Better Now. The organizers want to “ shine a bright light on the many spaces, people and movements where the beginnings of a different world already exist” (Radical Bookfair). This bookfair is described as an eclectic mix between a bookfair, a flea market, and a festival exploring a variety of topics like how to fight the cost of living crisis and how to conduct effective activism. It’s a chance to discover new books while engaging with the ideas and movements that are working towards a better world.
Another event that stood out to me is the Edinburgh Woman’s Fiction Festival. This festival is coming up soon on the 24th of October, and according to a review from The List Hot 100, a list that draws attention to the best and brightest in Scottish Arts and Culture, this festival is “run by a committee of eight book-loving women and serves to champion books written by and for women in a variety of genres.” This event will appeal to anyone who enjoys genres that are often overlooked or anyone who wants the opportunity to connect with prominent authors in women’s fiction.
Moving to Edinburgh has given me plenty to discover, and the Literary Salon reminded me just how much the city has to offer to its book-loving community. Whether you’re looking to discover new authors, explore different ideas, or connect with fellow readers, these events are a great place to start.
If you would like to get some more info or tickets to any of these events, check out the links below!
Edinburgh Literary Salon
https://www.edinburghliterarysalon.org
Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival
https://www.edwomensficfest.co.uk
Edinburgh’s Radical Book Fair
https://lighthousebookshop.com/events/edinburghs-radical-book-fair-2026-save-the-date
