Hundreds of people took part in this year’s Paisley Book Festival, which hosted some of the UK’s top literary talent.

A record number of attendees enjoyed dozens of events held over four days during the festival, which was organised by OneRen.

The Gazette: Darren McGarveyDarren McGarvey (Image: Macdonald Media)

The festival featured TikTok star Coinneach MacLeod, also known as The Hebridean Baker, social commentator Darren McGarvey, poet Michael Pedersen and award-winning crime writer Denise Mina.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon chaired a special event with author Chitra Ramaswamy to discuss the latter’s book Homelands.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon tells audience she hopes to spend more time at book festivals

The majority of events at the festival, which is hosting its first full in-person programme since the Covid-19 pandemic, will allow those attending to ‘pay what they can,’ in recognition of the cost-of-living crisis.

Heather McDaid, an award-winning independent publisher, and Sha Nazir, a multi-skilled artist, writer and producer, were involved in organising the event.

Sha said: “We’re delighted with the response to the Paisley Book Festival, with record-breaking ticket sales and, more importantly, such a warm response from our audiences. I want to thank all of the authors and contributors who brought our festival to life.”

The Gazette: Michael PedersenMichael Pedersen (Image: Macdonald Media)

Louise Oliver, festival producer at OneRen, added: “This has been the biggest and best Paisley Book Festival we produced and I want to thank everyone involved, not least our incredible group of volunteers and staff who have made it happen.

“There’s nothing quite like a good book and it’s even better when you get the chance to meet and discuss the themes with the authors behind them and at OneRen, we’ve made sure our festival is accessible to all, with our innovative pay what you can approach to ticket sales.”