Indie pop frontman to showcase debut novel at University Book Festival
The lead singer of Scottish band Belle and Sebastian will unveil his debut novel, Nobody’s Empire, on the opening evening of the New College Festival of Books and Belief.
Stuart Murdoch, who has Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), will be in conversation with novelist and poet Kevin MacNeil about his life-affirming book, which he has described as “part memoir part fiction”.
They will also discuss the transcendent possibilities of music, adventure and community for people living with chronic illness.
The festival, now in its fourth year, will feature speakers and authors from all faiths and none, exploring the fascinating relationship between literature and all aspects of belief.
Multiple events will take place at New College from 7 until 9 November, where a popup bookshop will also be providing signed copies by the authors.
Book now
New College Festival
Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 November 2024
The weekend opens with a look into the Judeo-Scottish experience across multiple generations spanning two World Wars in Jenni Daiches’ new novel Somewhere Else. The author and poet will be in conversation with playwright, director and podcaster David Neville, discussing the issue of how to find identity in displacement.
New works
Renowned for his work in Ancient History and Persian studies, historian Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones will speak about his new book The Cleopatras: The Forgotten Queens of Egypt in an event chaired by Helen Bond.
When Courage Calls: Josephine Butler and the Radical Pursuit of Justice for Women is a new book by Sarah Charlotte Williams. The author will talk about this vital exploration into a pioneering feminist activist's personal, spiritual and political life.
Lecturer and author Bruce Ritchie joins Michael Fuller to look at his new and recent works including the life and scientific work of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell, focusing on his faith.
Reflections
‘Words that Heal and Unite’ is a panel event with speakers from multiple faith traditions coming together to discuss peacebuilding, community and connectedness. It will be chaired by Iain Stewart and includes Ani Rinchen Khandro, Shaykh Amin Buxton and Bishop John Armes.
Writer, broadcaster and public intellectual Ziauddin Sardar will speak about his life and work as a leading British Muslim thinker, cultural critic, and futurist in an event chaired by Shadaab Rahemtulla.
Readers of the work of author, poet and scholar Anthony V. Capildeo are often moved by the depth of feeling conveyed by their prose and poetry. They will join Sara Parvis to analyse their life and work, their inspiration and their creative collaborations.
'We're delighted to welcome people to our iconic building, right in the heart of Edinburgh for this year's range of events. Novelists, poets, biographers ponder life's big questions and discuss all manner of belief and unbelief. Whether you're interested in the Cleopatras or Josephine Butler, Scottish poetry or Trinidadian novels there is something for everyone. In 2024, we're grateful for the participation of Edinburgh Interfaith Association which will be hosting a panel of 'Words that Heal and Unite'.
Inspirational works
Anna Katharina Schaffner will talk about her inspiring research on how we can circumvent and overcome burnout and exhaustion with real-life, practical steps, improving our relationships with work, rest and the people around us.
Award-winning author Ayanna Lloyd Banwo will join us to speak about her radiant debut novel When We Were Birds. Alysa Ghose will be asking her about her inspirations, her current and future projects, and the impact that story has in our lives.
Poets Janette Ayachi, Samuel Tongue and Niall O’Gallagher will gather with the editors of Scottish Religious Poetry: From the Sixth Century to the Present for a discussion about Scotland’s rich and diverse poetic tradition.
The 2024 festival closes with celebrated author of fiction and nonfiction, Michel Faber, interviewed by his biographer and fellow award-winning author Rodge Glass. This will be a conversation about creativity, memory, connection, belief and non-belief with this author whose striking array of work continues to defy categorisation.
Related Links