All book-lovers know that Edinburgh is particularly lucky when it comes to literary celebrations and the good news is that the capital is being treated to another exciting addition to its roster of goodies. Stockbridge's Golden Hare Books is brightening up October with its inaugural book festival, packed full of events held in and around the shop.

Muir Hall, St Vincent's Chapel and Smith + Gertrude are just a few of the local venues opening their doors to welcome the Golden Hare crew and their audiences during the festival weekend (18, 19 and 20 October). There will be a mixture of participatory events and talks, including hands-on fun like a zine-making breakfast Workshop, a live mic performance workshop and a guide to writing biographies with memoirists Ricky Monahan Brown (Stroke) and Chitra Ramaswamy (Expecting).

Anyone handy with their plain and purl is sure to be tempted by the This Golden Fleece Knit-A-Long at the Scottish Gallery on Saturday. At this cosy event, Esther Rutter will chat about her ground-breaking new history of Britain through knitting, while the audience is encouraged to bring along their needles and click-clack away throughout.

There will also be two Wine + Cheese author specials, which invite the public to a book group-type setting to chat about the works of two special authors who'll be there to take part in the chat (Claire Askew on Friday and Mary Paulson Ellis on Saturday).

Younger readers will find plenty to keep them occupied too. On Sunday the festival is dedicated to celebrating children's books, and keen beans can choose from a Live Drawing + Stories event with Scottish illustrator Kate Leiper (ages 3+); a Learn and Paint event based on the amazing new book from Juliette Forrest, The True Colours of Coral Glen; a creative writing workshop with Rachel Plummer for 16 to 21-year-olds; and more. There are also a couple of events for grown-ups who want to write for younger readers.

This may be Golden Hare Books' first festival, but the shop is a practiced hand when it comes to running big, booky events. It also partners with Lighthouse Books every year for the Edinburgh Book Fringe, a fab selection of author events taking place during the summer. With all that experience behind them and such a well-balanced programme on offer, it looks like this first festival will be quick to hop into the calendars of Edinburgh's bibliophiles.

Golden Hare Books Festival, various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 18–Sun 20 Oct, goldenharebooks.com.