Edinburgh City of Literature

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Edinburgh City of Literature

Edinburgh, a city of books, words, stories, poetry, bookshops, festivals, and literary loveliness.
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Edinburgh is the world's first UNESCO City of Literature, pioneer in an international network of UNESCO Creative Cities. This permanent, non competitive title bestows international recognition on Edinburgh and Scotland as a world centre for literature and literary activity. The City of Literature Trust is an independent charity which works to promote literary Edinburgh, champion Scotland’s literat

ure and develop international literary partnerships. We facilitate, animate and enable organisations to work together to promote literature and reading. Follow us on Twitter:
Find us on Flickr: www.flickr.com/edincityoflit

16/04/2026

Today marked the final Dear Library: Story Sessions, with fantastic performances from and .sumsion. Well done to all of our writers: and Lisa Grindall!

This is Lisa with 8 year old Leo. Leo came to hear Lisa read on Tuesday and was so inspired by her story that he return today, to give her a copy of a version of his story he had written for her. We can’t wait to read more work from Leo, future literary superstar!

Dear Library: Story Sessions has been a partnership programme with . It has been so joyful to see these cohorts of writers come together to tell stories and support each other’s development.

We look forward to more Story Sessions in the future - watch this space!

07/04/2026

Drum roll please! 🥁🥁🥁

Our Dear Family: Story Sessions author line-up is here and it’s a real roster of talent!

The selected authors will be leading free storytelling and crafts sessions next week - head to the link in our bio to book free places for you and your family!

27/03/2026

Calling Edinburgh writers!🌁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✍️

We are so excited to be partnering with to offer an exciting paid writing micro-residency opportunity!

One writer will have a week’s paid residency with at the Forth Bridges - Edinburgh icons and UNESCO World Heritage sites. They will enjoy paid time to creatively explore the sights and sounds of these historic bridges.

The selected writer will receive 5x day rates at Scottish Artist Union rates (£1796) as well as accommodation and travel fees.

This project is part of Scotland’s UNESCO Creative Cities Living Heritage Residencies Programme - pairing partners from our Creative Cities with UNESCO Heritage sites to see what can be created together.

More information is available by following the link in our bio!

21/03/2026

Happy to all of our friends all over the world and thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us yesterday!

16/02/2026

We are delighted that Ryan Van Winkle has been selected for this year’s Literary Programmers Roundtable, graciously hosted by

The roundtable will take place in May, bringing programmers together in Melbourne to network, share best practice and shape new approaches to literary events.

Ryan is the Artistic Director of - an annual festival of poetry taking place in St Andrews. Ryan is himself a poet, artist and critic.

We are so pleased that he will be participating in this fantastic opportunity and connecting with our sister Cities of Literature. Thank you to Melbourne City of Literature for continuing to provide this vital programme.

19/01/2026

📚”National Year of Reading marks a once in a generation opportunity to change our reading culture.” 📚

Today marked the truly joyful Scotland launch of , the National Year of Reading campaign led by , held .

It was wonderful to be in the company of some of the campaign’s reading ambassadors - literary heavyweights Sir Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Jackie Kay were all there to celebrate the transformative power of reading.

We were particularly honoured to be joined by Her Majesty the Queen, patron of the National Literacy Trust, who greeted excited Edinburgh schoolchildren and said hello to famous mischief-maker Dennis the Menace.

The event really emphasised the all-encompassing joy of reading. It this joy we wish to spread across Edinburgh through this year-long campaign - watch this space!

12/01/2026

Our final host is The Saltire Society from Edinburgh City of Literature.

The Saltire Society is one of Scotland’s leading supporters of culture. For almost 90 years, they have been committed to Scottish innovation and creativity, overseeing awards, such as Scotland's National Book Awards, and organising events to support contemporary Scottish culture.

They are looking or a writer passionate about heritage – in all its complexity and challenge – to explore ways of marking the connections between their stories and land—and the writer’s stories.

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Get to know our Virtual Writer in Residence (outward-facing) host organisations and what they are looking for in 2026! Based in other Cities of Literature, they will host writers from Melbourne City of Literature, who will complete three activities and connect with each organisation and its respective City of Literature.

If you’re a Victoria-based (inclusive of regional and rural) writer and interested in applying, please go to this link for more information: https://cityofliterature.com.au/about/opportunities-city-literature-office/vwir-outward-facing-2026-call-out/

06/01/2026

Our next host Cymera Festival is from Edinburgh City of Literature!

Known as Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writing, CYMERA brings writers, readers and publishing industry experts together in celebration of speculative fiction. Held both virtually and online, the festival includes author panels and book signings, writing workshops, open mics, live performances, bookish quizzes, tabletop gaming spaces and more.

Cymera is looking for a genre writer who shares their passion for folklore and myths; and how they are used to tell contemporary stories!

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Get to know our Virtual Writer in Residence (outward-facing) host organisations and what they are looking for in 2026! Based in other Cities of Literature, they will host writers from Melbourne City of Literature, who will complete three activities and connect with each organisation and its respective City of Literature.

If you’re a Victoria-based (inclusive of regional and rural) writer and interested in applying, please go to this link for more information: https://cityofliterature.com.au/about/opportunities-city-literature-office/vwir-outward-facing-2026-call-out/

27/11/2025

Have you seen this brilliant article in ?

“Last year marked 20 years since Edinburgh became the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, a celebration of the wealth of writers who have found inspiration here through the centuries.”

The article takes the reader on a literary tour and provides some great recommendations for visiting bookworms.

Link in our bio!

18/11/2025

Calling all poets!

are inviting videopoetry submissions as part of the first edition of the Québec International Poetry Festival.

The Festival welcomes videopoems that explore the theme of language as a space of poetic resistance. Special attention will be given to works created in minority languages.

For further details visit the link in our bio or email edinburgh@cityofliterature@com

Deadline: 10 January 2026

14/11/2025

Today, received a certificate detailing the Early Day Motion raised in the House of Commons by .scott.arthur to mark the culmination of our 20th anniversary celebrations.

The Trust is delighted to note the House’s congratulations for the work we have achieved in the two decades since our designation as the world’s first City of Literature.

The motion recognised that Trust’s role as central to “maintaining and enhancing Edinburgh’s status as a global literary capital, showcasing the city’s heritage while supporting contemporary writers, book festivals, poetry projects, libraries and independent bookshops”.

Thank you so much for this tribute - and thank you to everyone who celebrated our 20th anniversary with us. Here’s to many more decades of literary excellence and creative collaboration in our beautiful city.

Address

John Knox House, Top Floor, 45 High Street
Edinburgh
EH11SR

Telephone

+441315579850

Website

http://www.cityofliterature.com/

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