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Online events
Join us midweek for exclusive live-streamed literary events: see what's coming up. #WigtownWednesdays
Stephen Rutt ~ The Seafarers
Wednesday 10 June, 7pm UK
Stephen Rutt talks about his award-winning account of the lives of seabirds, and introduces an exciting new project he is taking on with the festival.
Iain Maloney ~ The Only Gaijin in the Village
Wednesday 20 May, 7pm UK
What happens when you’re the only foreigner in a Japanese village? An expat Scottish writer explains. This event is over. Video now available.
Natalie Haynes ~ A Thousand Ships
Wednesday 27 May, 6.30pm UK
May’s online book club features broadcaster and classicist Natalie Haynes, whose novel retells the story of the Trojan War.
Hallie Rubenhold ~ The Five
Wednesday 3 June, 7pm UK
The Baillie Gifford Prize-winning author talks about her acclaimed book The Five, which gives voice to some of the women murdered by Jack the Ripper.
Robert Twigger ~ Walking the Great North Line
Wednesday 29 April, 7pm UK
Celebrating the launch of Robert Twigger's new book, an account of his journey on foot along the Great North Line. This event is now over. Audio coming soon.
Ted Cowan ~ The Declaration of Arbroath
Saturday 2 May, 2pm UK
In this event co-hosted by The Old Bank Bookshop, Professor Ted Cowan discussed the most famous document in Scotland’s history, 700 after its signing. Catch up here.
Stuart Kelly’s Literary Pub Quiz
Wednesday 6 May, 7pm UK
The Telegraph called it "demonic". Is this the most ferocious literary quiz in the UK? This event is over but you can find the questions and answers here, plus an interview with the night's winners.
Amy Tucker ~ Comics Workshop
Wednesday 13 May, 4.30pm UK
The author and illustrator of the Mystery Club series reveals all you need to get started in the world of comics. Part of our young people’s programme, WigWAM. This event is now over.
The library
WBF recommends
A century of Edwin Morgan
The Edwin Morgan Centenary programme will launch on April 27, a tribute to Scotland’s much-loved, much-missed Makar in what would have been his 100th year.
Festival 2018 revisited
Take a trip down memory lane with an instalment of the RNIB’s ‘Read On’ podcast recorded live at Wigtown Book Festival 2018, featuring Robin Ince and Ann Cleeves.
The Future Library
Artist Katie Paterson's Future Library was inaugurated in 2014. One writer every year will contribute a work, with the writings held in trust, unread and unpublished, until 100 years has passed.
Find us in Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town
Designated Scotland's National Book Town in 1998 - by an international panel - Wigtown is home to a community of booksellers and literary events.
More than just a festival: what we do
Since the first Wigtown Book Festival in 1999, we have expanded to become an energetic arts organisation working through the year to deliver a programme of literature development activities in the Dumfries & Galloway region of south-west Scotland.
The sort of festival people become possessive about.
The Guardian