Aye Write, Scotland’s celebrated literary festival, has shifted its focus for 2024, opting for a series of stand-alone events instead of its traditional full-scale festival, following a shortfall in funding. The smaller-scale version of its Wee Write festival will also proceed later this year.

The festival’s organisers were forced to rethink their plans after their 2024 funding application was turned down. Glasgow Life, the organisation responsible for managing many of the city’s cultural events, initially announced the festival’s cancellation last month. In March, it announced: “Unfortunately our 2024 funding application for Aye Write and Wee Write was not successful so the festivals will not take place this year.”

They cited the rejection of a £77,500 grant application to Creative Scotland, which has been under significant pressure, funding only about 30% of its applicants due to high demand.

Despite these challenges, the celebration will continue thanks to a £65,000 donation from The Colin Weir Charitable Foundation. This unexpected but welcome support will finance a sequence of nine pop-up events throughout 2024 from April until August.

Damian Barr, an author slated to participate, expressed his relief and gratitude: “I am delighted that Aye Write & Wee Write will go ahead in some form. Very grateful they’ve been saved.”

The Aye Write 2024 pop-up line-up and dates:

• April 30: Damian Barr and James Ley will discuss their work with Jackie Wylie at The Mitchell Library
• May 16: GT Karber will present ‘How To Solve A Murdle‘ at Waterstones, Sauchiehall Street
• Friday 17 May: James O’Brien in conversation with Editor of The Herald, Catherine Salmond at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
• Tuesday 21 May: Val McDermid in conversation with Nicola Sturgeon MSP at The Old Fruitmarket
• Wednesday 22 May: Doon Mackichan in conversation with Kieran Hodgson at Waterstones, Sauchiehall Street
• Sunday 26 May: Lionel Shriver at Waterstones, Sauchiehall Street
• Friday 14 June: David Nicholls at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
• Wednesday 17 July: Chris Brookmyre at Drygate
• Thursday 8 August: Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Tickets for these events became available on April 17 and can be purchased via the Aye Write website. Wee Write, aimed at younger audiences, will also take place this autumn, marking its 10th anniversary with a series of educational and family-oriented programmes.

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life was grateful for the community’s attachment to the festival: “Aye Write is a much-loved festival, which is apparent from the outpouring of support over the past few weeks. The generous donation from the Colin Weir Charitable Foundation means it can continue to have a positive impact on Glaswegians and people throughout Scotland.”

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A spokesperson from the Colin Weir Charitable Foundation also commented on their contribution: “We are pleased to be able to support Aye Write to put on a programme of great events in 2024. It was unthinkable that Aye Write should be silenced until next year. Happily, the donation means that won’t be the case.”

As Glasgow Life works on securing multi-year funding for future editions of the festivals, supporters can contribute to ensuring the festival’s return and supporting literacy initiatives by donating through the Aye Write website. If successful, Aye Write aims to return in full scale in 2025, 2026, and 2027.