North Berwick‑raised Maggie O’Farrell returns to town where she went to high school, for a special conversation about *Land*, her 10th and most ambitious novel to date. This sweeping, multi‑generational epic opens on a windswept peninsula in the west of Ireland and follows a mapmaker, Tomás, and his young son as they chart a country devastated by the Great Hunger. When they discover an unrecorded scrap of ancient woodland, a strange encounter sends them on an odyssey that will reshape their lives and echo through generations.

Inspired by Maggie’s own family history, including her great‑great‑grandfather who worked on the Ordnance Survey, Land explores how personal stories intertwine with myth, memory, rebellion, colonisation and the landscapes that hold them. It is a spellbinding novel of separation, longing, recovery and survival in the shadow of tragedy.

Land’s publication follows the release of a film adaptation of Hamnet, Maggie’s much loved and highly acclaimed novel. Maggie will also reflect on the extraordinary success of the Hamnet film adaptation, co‑written with Academy Award‑winner Chloé Zhao and starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, which has earned a remarkable sweep of BAFTA, Academy Award®, Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations. Maggie O’Farrell is one of the great novelists, drawing readers into fictional worlds few ever forget.

Maggie will be available for a (time-limited) book signing after the event. The book will be available to purchase at the event, during Fringe by the Sea (31st July-9th August) through Night Owl Books. 

All ages are welcome.

Under 16s must be accompanied by an over 18.

This is a seated event (unreserved). The Famous Grouse Lodge stage venue is wheelchair accessible.

If you require further information on accessibility please visit our Accessibility Guide or contact info@fringebythesea.com.

Join award‑winning poet and playwright Hannah Lavery and Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen for a rich conversation about friendship, connection and the communities that shape us.

Hannah Lavery, former Edinburgh Makar and Associate Artist with the National Theatre of Scotland, is known for her incisive, socially engaged work across poetry and theatre. Her acclaimed collections Blood Salt Spring and Unwritten Woman have established her as a vital voice exploring identity, care and belonging, with a new collection, Everything, Everyday, forthcoming in 2026.

Michael Pedersen is a prize‑winning poet, author and current Edinburgh Makar. His poetry collection The Cat Prince won Best Poetry at the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, while his memoir Boy Friends was a Sunday Times Critics’ Choice. His debut novel Muckle Flugga has been praised as “garishly alive” and “extraordinary”.

Together, they reflect on creativity, relationships and the ties that hold us in life, in art and in community.

This event is presented in partnership with Coastal Community Connections, a local charity dedicated to turning loneliness and isolation into connection.

Hannah and Michael will be available for a (time-limited) book signing after the event.

Both books will be available to purchase at the event, during Fringe by the Sea (31st July-9thAugust) through Night Owl Books.

All ages are welcome. Under 16s must be accompanied by an over 18.

This is a seated event (unreserved).

The Famous Grouse Lodge stage venue is wheelchair accessible. If you require further information on accessibility please visit our Accessibility Guide or contact info@fringebythesea.com.

TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE