Renowned Scottish writer Irvine Welsh will headline this year’s Paisley Book Festival. The author and critical commentator will sit down to chat with novelist Ewan Morrison to discuss literature and contemporary culture. Now in its sixth year, the festival takes place from Friday 25–Sunday 27 April, and tickets are available from the official website.

Among the other festival highlights, author David Keenan and Belle and Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch will chew over the intersection of music and literature in an event hosted by broadcaster Vic Galloway; Hermit's Chris McQueer and poet Michael Pedersen will discuss Scottish writing, humour and contemporary affairs in a panel moderated by author Kirstin Innes; authors Hannah Lavery and Heather Parry talk about how women’s experiences and personal histories inform cultural narratives; writer/musician James Yorkston and author Malachy Tallack talk about how they fuse music with literature; and Lucy Ribchester, Natalie Jayne Clark and Mairi Kidd will ponder how murderous female characters have been depicted in the history of Scottish literature.

Other events include a writing workshop in the grand surroundings of Paisley Museum; a creative writing workshop hosted by Imogen Stirling; an open mic event featuring participants from Open Book and Kairos Women+ sharing their stories; a collage poetry workshop celebrating Paisley’s rich cultural heritage; and a workshop exploring how fashion and identity come together in the writing process.

Paisley Book Festival, various venues, Paisley, Friday 25–Sunday 27 April.