First Minster Nicola Sturgeon will interrogate Kirkcaldy crime writer Val McDermid, above right, over her latest novel at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Ms Sturgeon will be following in the footsteps of her predecessor, Alex Salmond, who appeared at the event last year and make a repeat appearance in conversation with Channel 4 economics editor Paul Mason in August.
Authors from 55 countries will take to the stage during the two-week festival, including such acclaimed figures as Phillippa Gregory, Pat Barker, Tom Holland, and John Banville.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin author Louis de Bernieres and Booker Prize winners Ben Okri and Howard Jacobson are also attending.
American civil rights activist the Rev Jesse Jackson, former prime minister Gordon Brown and Ali Smith are among the other big names to feature this year.
Val McDermid is just one of a number of leading Scottish writers who will be taking to the stage.
Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh and Lanark creator Alasdair Gray will both be discussing their work while Fifer Ian Rankin will chat to some of his favourite writers and celebrities.
Confirmed guests of the crime writer include Carnoustie actor Alan Cumming and the Dundee-raised former Orange Juice singer Edwyn Collins.
Organisers say this year’s line-up is the most international in the festival’s history.
Nick Barley, director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Scotland has always been an outward-looking nation and this year the Book Festival is more international than ever before.
“Charlotte Square Gardens will reflect the idea of the Global Village as we welcome authors from across the planet.
“Whether they are from Nigeria or North Korea, Colombia or China, these are writers whose stories shed light not only on the big changes in world power, but on the shifting nature of local cultures, changes that are also taking place in Scotland.”
Scotland’s Culture, Europe and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “As well as another fantastic line up of top writers, this year the Edinburgh International Book Festival is highlighting one of today’s most important subjects, internationalism.”
The festival runs from August 15 to 31.