Push the Boat Out Festival
@ptbopoetry.bsky.social
Edinburgh's International Poetry Festival 12-15 November 2026
Festival, open mic, workshops, podcasts, and more.
#PTBOFestival2026 programme announced! Tickets ON SALE NOW
https://pushtheboatout.org/
Festival, open mic, workshops, podcasts, and more.
#PTBOFestival2026 programme announced! Tickets ON SALE NOW
https://pushtheboatout.org/
Reposted by Push the Boat Out Festival
I'm excited to be at @ptbopoetry.bsky.social this year doing a very fun and very competitive poetry pub quiz with Beth Cochrane. Get along and prove that you know your stuff
pushtheboatout.org/events/poeti...
pushtheboatout.org/events/poeti...
Poetical Pub Quiz - 2026 Push The Boat Out Festival
pushtheboatout.org
October 1, 2026 at 11:02 AM
I'm excited to be at @ptbopoetry.bsky.social this year doing a very fun and very competitive poetry pub quiz with Beth Cochrane. Get along and prove that you know your stuff
pushtheboatout.org/events/poeti...
pushtheboatout.org/events/poeti...
75 events. 120+ artists. Four days.
There’s much more waiting to be discovered – from poetry as protest and social justice to workshops, new writers, experimental performance, music, conversations and collaborations.
#PTBOFestival2026 - Full programme ON SALE NOW!
https://ow.ly/BE9I50ZSuPK
The List
There’s much more waiting to be discovered – from poetry as protest and social justice to workshops, new writers, experimental performance, music, conversations and collaborations.
#PTBOFestival2026 - Full programme ON SALE NOW!
https://ow.ly/BE9I50ZSuPK
The List
October 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM
75 events. 120+ artists. Four days.
There’s much more waiting to be discovered – from poetry as protest and social justice to workshops, new writers, experimental performance, music, conversations and collaborations.
#PTBOFestival2026 - Full programme ON SALE NOW!
https://ow.ly/BE9I50ZSuPK
The List
There’s much more waiting to be discovered – from poetry as protest and social justice to workshops, new writers, experimental performance, music, conversations and collaborations.
#PTBOFestival2026 - Full programme ON SALE NOW!
https://ow.ly/BE9I50ZSuPK
The List
Closing the festival, we’re thrilled to share a new collaboration from musician Aurora Engine and poets JL Williams, Dean Atta and Kirsty Logan. This new work, specially commissioned for #PTBOFestival2026, promises to be haunting and holding, magical and meaningful.
🎫 https://ow.ly/sGjz50ZS8GH
🎫 https://ow.ly/sGjz50ZS8GH
September 28, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Closing the festival, we’re thrilled to share a new collaboration from musician Aurora Engine and poets JL Williams, Dean Atta and Kirsty Logan. This new work, specially commissioned for #PTBOFestival2026, promises to be haunting and holding, magical and meaningful.
🎫 https://ow.ly/sGjz50ZS8GH
🎫 https://ow.ly/sGjz50ZS8GH
T.S. Eliot Prize-winning poet Joelle Taylor brings Maryville to #PTBOFestival2026 for the Scottish Premiere of its staged reading.
A powerful staged reading tracing four butch lives through five decades of underground queer culture, community and resistance.
🎟️ Book now: https://ow.ly/oIqQ50ZQjOh
A powerful staged reading tracing four butch lives through five decades of underground queer culture, community and resistance.
🎟️ Book now: https://ow.ly/oIqQ50ZQjOh
September 22, 2026 at 7:45 PM
T.S. Eliot Prize-winning poet Joelle Taylor brings Maryville to #PTBOFestival2026 for the Scottish Premiere of its staged reading.
A powerful staged reading tracing four butch lives through five decades of underground queer culture, community and resistance.
🎟️ Book now: https://ow.ly/oIqQ50ZQjOh
A powerful staged reading tracing four butch lives through five decades of underground queer culture, community and resistance.
🎟️ Book now: https://ow.ly/oIqQ50ZQjOh
Want to be part of Push the Boat Out 2026? 📣
We’re looking for volunteers to join our festival crew this November, applications are now open, Come aboard!
👉 Find out more and apply: pushtheboatout.org/festival-volunteers/
#PTBOFestival2026
📸 Kat Gollock See less
We’re looking for volunteers to join our festival crew this November, applications are now open, Come aboard!
👉 Find out more and apply: pushtheboatout.org/festival-volunteers/
#PTBOFestival2026
📸 Kat Gollock See less
September 20, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Want to be part of Push the Boat Out 2026? 📣
We’re looking for volunteers to join our festival crew this November, applications are now open, Come aboard!
👉 Find out more and apply: pushtheboatout.org/festival-volunteers/
#PTBOFestival2026
📸 Kat Gollock See less
We’re looking for volunteers to join our festival crew this November, applications are now open, Come aboard!
👉 Find out more and apply: pushtheboatout.org/festival-volunteers/
#PTBOFestival2026
📸 Kat Gollock See less
Poetry, comedy, stories, songs – and around 1,000 poems squeezed into one hour.
Henry Normal comes to #PTBOFestival2026 with a brilliantly offbeat show celebrating his fourth collected poems anthology.
🎟️ Book now: https://pushtheboatout.org/events/an-evening-with-henry-normal/
Henry Normal comes to #PTBOFestival2026 with a brilliantly offbeat show celebrating his fourth collected poems anthology.
🎟️ Book now: https://pushtheboatout.org/events/an-evening-with-henry-normal/
September 18, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Poetry, comedy, stories, songs – and around 1,000 poems squeezed into one hour.
Henry Normal comes to #PTBOFestival2026 with a brilliantly offbeat show celebrating his fourth collected poems anthology.
🎟️ Book now: https://pushtheboatout.org/events/an-evening-with-henry-normal/
Henry Normal comes to #PTBOFestival2026 with a brilliantly offbeat show celebrating his fourth collected poems anthology.
🎟️ Book now: https://pushtheboatout.org/events/an-evening-with-henry-normal/
Join us in The Space Between – where words, music and performance meet, in Opening Night Cabaret, with Luke Wright on 12 November. Enjoy poems from EmmaClaire Brightlyn, Nick Makoha, as well as music from the rapper RamZee.
🎟️ Tickets on sale now
https://ow.ly/4QU250ZOrB0
#PTBOFestival2026
🎟️ Tickets on sale now
https://ow.ly/4QU250ZOrB0
#PTBOFestival2026
September 16, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Join us in The Space Between – where words, music and performance meet, in Opening Night Cabaret, with Luke Wright on 12 November. Enjoy poems from EmmaClaire Brightlyn, Nick Makoha, as well as music from the rapper RamZee.
🎟️ Tickets on sale now
https://ow.ly/4QU250ZOrB0
#PTBOFestival2026
🎟️ Tickets on sale now
https://ow.ly/4QU250ZOrB0
#PTBOFestival2026
Rock the Boat is back at the Wee Red Bar this Thursday!
We've got a few spaces available, for those who want to try out new material or share a favourite poem - register your interest today https://ow.ly/MpWs50ZNn10
Join us at The Wee Red Bar 17 Sep, 7-9pm.
📸 EIBF
We've got a few spaces available, for those who want to try out new material or share a favourite poem - register your interest today https://ow.ly/MpWs50ZNn10
Join us at The Wee Red Bar 17 Sep, 7-9pm.
📸 EIBF
September 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Rock the Boat is back at the Wee Red Bar this Thursday!
We've got a few spaces available, for those who want to try out new material or share a favourite poem - register your interest today https://ow.ly/MpWs50ZNn10
Join us at The Wee Red Bar 17 Sep, 7-9pm.
📸 EIBF
We've got a few spaces available, for those who want to try out new material or share a favourite poem - register your interest today https://ow.ly/MpWs50ZNn10
Join us at The Wee Red Bar 17 Sep, 7-9pm.
📸 EIBF
On #ReadABookDay we celebrate Jackie Kay!
Join the award-winning poet and former Scots Makar aboard Fingal next month, for an intimate evening of readings and stories celebrating her new Selected Poems.
Fizz on arrival included! 🥂
🎟️ https://ow.ly/akCK50ZJUH3
#PTBOFestival2026
Join the award-winning poet and former Scots Makar aboard Fingal next month, for an intimate evening of readings and stories celebrating her new Selected Poems.
Fizz on arrival included! 🥂
🎟️ https://ow.ly/akCK50ZJUH3
#PTBOFestival2026
September 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
On #ReadABookDay we celebrate Jackie Kay!
Join the award-winning poet and former Scots Makar aboard Fingal next month, for an intimate evening of readings and stories celebrating her new Selected Poems.
Fizz on arrival included! 🥂
🎟️ https://ow.ly/akCK50ZJUH3
#PTBOFestival2026
Join the award-winning poet and former Scots Makar aboard Fingal next month, for an intimate evening of readings and stories celebrating her new Selected Poems.
Fizz on arrival included! 🥂
🎟️ https://ow.ly/akCK50ZJUH3
#PTBOFestival2026
Festival Nights for #PTBOFestival2026 are now on sale! 🤩
Jackie Kay. Luke Wright. Joelle Taylor. Anthony Joseph. Henry Normal. Aurora Engine. Dean Atta. JL Williams. Nick Makoha. plus special guests!
Poetry, performance, music + unforgettable nights in Edinburgh.
🎫 pushtheboatout.org/programme/
Jackie Kay. Luke Wright. Joelle Taylor. Anthony Joseph. Henry Normal. Aurora Engine. Dean Atta. JL Williams. Nick Makoha. plus special guests!
Poetry, performance, music + unforgettable nights in Edinburgh.
🎫 pushtheboatout.org/programme/
September 4, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Festival Nights for #PTBOFestival2026 are now on sale! 🤩
Jackie Kay. Luke Wright. Joelle Taylor. Anthony Joseph. Henry Normal. Aurora Engine. Dean Atta. JL Williams. Nick Makoha. plus special guests!
Poetry, performance, music + unforgettable nights in Edinburgh.
🎫 pushtheboatout.org/programme/
Jackie Kay. Luke Wright. Joelle Taylor. Anthony Joseph. Henry Normal. Aurora Engine. Dean Atta. JL Williams. Nick Makoha. plus special guests!
Poetry, performance, music + unforgettable nights in Edinburgh.
🎫 pushtheboatout.org/programme/
👀 First wave incoming…
Our Festival Night events are about to be revealed!
Poetry. Performance. Music. Brilliant voices. Unforgettable nights.
🎫 General sale open 10am, 3 September
Set your alarms!
#PTBOFestival2026
Our Festival Night events are about to be revealed!
Poetry. Performance. Music. Brilliant voices. Unforgettable nights.
🎫 General sale open 10am, 3 September
Set your alarms!
#PTBOFestival2026
September 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM
👀 First wave incoming…
Our Festival Night events are about to be revealed!
Poetry. Performance. Music. Brilliant voices. Unforgettable nights.
🎫 General sale open 10am, 3 September
Set your alarms!
#PTBOFestival2026
Our Festival Night events are about to be revealed!
Poetry. Performance. Music. Brilliant voices. Unforgettable nights.
🎫 General sale open 10am, 3 September
Set your alarms!
#PTBOFestival2026
🌊 First wave incoming!
Our first wave #PTBOFestival2026 festival nights goes on sale 3 Sep, but...
Friends get first dibs, with priority booking from 1 Sep – plus 10% off all festival events + festival pass, plus 50% off year-round events!
Catch the wave, join our crew ⚓
https://ow.ly/UjH850ZGG6M
Our first wave #PTBOFestival2026 festival nights goes on sale 3 Sep, but...
Friends get first dibs, with priority booking from 1 Sep – plus 10% off all festival events + festival pass, plus 50% off year-round events!
Catch the wave, join our crew ⚓
https://ow.ly/UjH850ZGG6M
August 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM
🌊 First wave incoming!
Our first wave #PTBOFestival2026 festival nights goes on sale 3 Sep, but...
Friends get first dibs, with priority booking from 1 Sep – plus 10% off all festival events + festival pass, plus 50% off year-round events!
Catch the wave, join our crew ⚓
https://ow.ly/UjH850ZGG6M
Our first wave #PTBOFestival2026 festival nights goes on sale 3 Sep, but...
Friends get first dibs, with priority booking from 1 Sep – plus 10% off all festival events + festival pass, plus 50% off year-round events!
Catch the wave, join our crew ⚓
https://ow.ly/UjH850ZGG6M
Tonight's the night! Rock the Boat takes centre stage at the Edinburgh International Book Festival🤩
We'll be at the historic Book Festival Spiegeltent, located in the Courtyard at Edinburgh Futures Institute 📍
See you there?
🎫 https://ow.ly/5OcV50Zzkzz
📸 Mihaela Bodlovic
We'll be at the historic Book Festival Spiegeltent, located in the Courtyard at Edinburgh Futures Institute 📍
See you there?
🎫 https://ow.ly/5OcV50Zzkzz
📸 Mihaela Bodlovic
Rock the Boat: Poetry Open Mic | Edinburgh International Book Festival
no description
ow.ly
August 18, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Tonight's the night! Rock the Boat takes centre stage at the Edinburgh International Book Festival🤩
We'll be at the historic Book Festival Spiegeltent, located in the Courtyard at Edinburgh Futures Institute 📍
See you there?
🎫 https://ow.ly/5OcV50Zzkzz
📸 Mihaela Bodlovic
We'll be at the historic Book Festival Spiegeltent, located in the Courtyard at Edinburgh Futures Institute 📍
See you there?
🎫 https://ow.ly/5OcV50Zzkzz
📸 Mihaela Bodlovic
NEW podcast episode
Shore Poets present Karen Solie and Tim Cresswell.
Listen now and enjoy the poetry, music, and festival spirit all over again 🎧
#ABreakintheWaves #podcast #PTBOpoetry
Shore Poets present Karen Solie and Tim Cresswell.
Listen now and enjoy the poetry, music, and festival spirit all over again 🎧
#ABreakintheWaves #podcast #PTBOpoetry
August 16, 2026 at 5:41 PM
NEW podcast episode
Shore Poets present Karen Solie and Tim Cresswell.
Listen now and enjoy the poetry, music, and festival spirit all over again 🎧
#ABreakintheWaves #podcast #PTBOpoetry
Shore Poets present Karen Solie and Tim Cresswell.
Listen now and enjoy the poetry, music, and festival spirit all over again 🎧
#ABreakintheWaves #podcast #PTBOpoetry
Last chance to book for Rock the Boat at Edinburgh International Book Festival!
We have a fantastic line-up of poetry readings and spoken word in store for you 🤩
Come enjoy an evening of poetry with us in the gorgeous Spiegeltent.
🎫 https://ow.ly/mBtB50Zx8cF
📸 Mihaela Bodlovic
We have a fantastic line-up of poetry readings and spoken word in store for you 🤩
Come enjoy an evening of poetry with us in the gorgeous Spiegeltent.
🎫 https://ow.ly/mBtB50Zx8cF
📸 Mihaela Bodlovic
August 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Last chance to book for Rock the Boat at Edinburgh International Book Festival!
We have a fantastic line-up of poetry readings and spoken word in store for you 🤩
Come enjoy an evening of poetry with us in the gorgeous Spiegeltent.
🎫 https://ow.ly/mBtB50Zx8cF
📸 Mihaela Bodlovic
We have a fantastic line-up of poetry readings and spoken word in store for you 🤩
Come enjoy an evening of poetry with us in the gorgeous Spiegeltent.
🎫 https://ow.ly/mBtB50Zx8cF
📸 Mihaela Bodlovic
NEW workshop
Join festival director Emma Collins for a workshop on how to tackle imposter syndrome and a few practical tools that can support you to tackle it.
Overcoming imposter syndrome
📅 24 Sep, 10am
📍 Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House
Join festival director Emma Collins for a workshop on how to tackle imposter syndrome and a few practical tools that can support you to tackle it.
Overcoming imposter syndrome
📅 24 Sep, 10am
📍 Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House
August 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM
NEW workshop
Join festival director Emma Collins for a workshop on how to tackle imposter syndrome and a few practical tools that can support you to tackle it.
Overcoming imposter syndrome
📅 24 Sep, 10am
📍 Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House
Join festival director Emma Collins for a workshop on how to tackle imposter syndrome and a few practical tools that can support you to tackle it.
Overcoming imposter syndrome
📅 24 Sep, 10am
📍 Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House
We're thrilled to announce Corin Sworn and Iain Morrison as recipients of the Push the Boat Out × Little Sparta Residency.
Read our latest blog post to find out more about their practices 🗒️
Read our latest blog post to find out more about their practices 🗒️
August 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM
We're thrilled to announce Corin Sworn and Iain Morrison as recipients of the Push the Boat Out × Little Sparta Residency.
Read our latest blog post to find out more about their practices 🗒️
Read our latest blog post to find out more about their practices 🗒️
Reposted by Push the Boat Out Festival
I'm super excited for this event next week -- Juana is a gem, and her research into translating poets writing in indigenous Mexican languages is *fascinating*. Our discussion will be bilingual Spanish/English and promises to be generous and generative!
Hear Fernanda Kookuilo'o read from the work in Tu'un Savi – the "language of rain" and gain a rare insight into the creative and cultural conversations that shape poetry across languages, Joined by poet, translator and editor Juana Adcock
#PoetryBeyondBorders
#PoetryBeyondBorders
Poetry Beyond Borders: Fernanda Kookuilo'o and Juana Adcock - Buy tickets
Readings and discussions between poet and translator
www.citizenticket.com
August 5, 2026 at 10:37 AM
I'm super excited for this event next week -- Juana is a gem, and her research into translating poets writing in indigenous Mexican languages is *fascinating*. Our discussion will be bilingual Spanish/English and promises to be generous and generative!
We ❤️ @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social 's August 50 Word Fiction competition theme ⛵
Go on, give it a go!
#writingcompetition
Go on, give it a go!
#writingcompetition
August 50 Word Fiction competition!
Can you write a story about sailing in 50 words or less?
We have 4 categories:
Adult writers
Gaelic writers
Young writers aged 5–11
Young writers aged 12–18
📆Closing date: Tues 25 August
www.scottishbooktrust.com/50-word-fict...
Can you write a story about sailing in 50 words or less?
We have 4 categories:
Adult writers
Gaelic writers
Young writers aged 5–11
Young writers aged 12–18
📆Closing date: Tues 25 August
www.scottishbooktrust.com/50-word-fict...
50 Word Fiction competition: write a story about sailing
Closing date: Tuesday 25 August 2026 at 11.55pm
www.scottishbooktrust.com
August 4, 2026 at 6:23 PM
We ❤️ @scottishbooktrust.bsky.social 's August 50 Word Fiction competition theme ⛵
Go on, give it a go!
#writingcompetition
Go on, give it a go!
#writingcompetition
Meet Katie Hale, the author leading our next online workshop, Moving on from the first collection.
In this reel, Katie’s answering your most frequently asked questions, from who the workshop is for to what you’ll take away.
Press play to find out more! ▶️
Follow @katiescribbles.bsky.social
In this reel, Katie’s answering your most frequently asked questions, from who the workshop is for to what you’ll take away.
Press play to find out more! ▶️
Follow @katiescribbles.bsky.social
August 3, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Meet Katie Hale, the author leading our next online workshop, Moving on from the first collection.
In this reel, Katie’s answering your most frequently asked questions, from who the workshop is for to what you’ll take away.
Press play to find out more! ▶️
Follow @katiescribbles.bsky.social
In this reel, Katie’s answering your most frequently asked questions, from who the workshop is for to what you’ll take away.
Press play to find out more! ▶️
Follow @katiescribbles.bsky.social
Join our Crew! 🙌
For £50 a year, become a Friend of Push the Boat Out and help us continue to develop our unique, vibrant and eclectic festival, alongside artist development, community outreach and year-round programmes.
🔗 pushtheboatout.org/friends-of-push-the-boat-out/ and join today!
For £50 a year, become a Friend of Push the Boat Out and help us continue to develop our unique, vibrant and eclectic festival, alongside artist development, community outreach and year-round programmes.
🔗 pushtheboatout.org/friends-of-push-the-boat-out/ and join today!
Friends of Push the Boat Out - 2026 Push The Boat Out Festival
pushtheboatout.org
July 30, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Join our Crew! 🙌
For £50 a year, become a Friend of Push the Boat Out and help us continue to develop our unique, vibrant and eclectic festival, alongside artist development, community outreach and year-round programmes.
🔗 pushtheboatout.org/friends-of-push-the-boat-out/ and join today!
For £50 a year, become a Friend of Push the Boat Out and help us continue to develop our unique, vibrant and eclectic festival, alongside artist development, community outreach and year-round programmes.
🔗 pushtheboatout.org/friends-of-push-the-boat-out/ and join today!
Last chance to apply for Scottish Book Trust's 2027 New Writers Awards ✍️
Apply now for the opportunity to receive a bursary, mentoring, a writing retreat, and tailored support to help develop your writing career in 2027.
Deadline: Wednesday 29 July, 12 noon
Apply now for the opportunity to receive a bursary, mentoring, a writing retreat, and tailored support to help develop your writing career in 2027.
Deadline: Wednesday 29 July, 12 noon
Apply for the New Writers Awards
Applications for the New Writers Awards are now open!
www.scottishbooktrust.com
July 28, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Last chance to apply for Scottish Book Trust's 2027 New Writers Awards ✍️
Apply now for the opportunity to receive a bursary, mentoring, a writing retreat, and tailored support to help develop your writing career in 2027.
Deadline: Wednesday 29 July, 12 noon
Apply now for the opportunity to receive a bursary, mentoring, a writing retreat, and tailored support to help develop your writing career in 2027.
Deadline: Wednesday 29 July, 12 noon
Writers, have you ever finished a major project and felt completely unsure what to write next?
Join Katie Hale for an online workshop exploring how to identify your creative obsessions and find new directions for your work.
Visit pushtheboatout.org/workshop/ to find out more!
Join Katie Hale for an online workshop exploring how to identify your creative obsessions and find new directions for your work.
Visit pushtheboatout.org/workshop/ to find out more!
July 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Writers, have you ever finished a major project and felt completely unsure what to write next?
Join Katie Hale for an online workshop exploring how to identify your creative obsessions and find new directions for your work.
Visit pushtheboatout.org/workshop/ to find out more!
Join Katie Hale for an online workshop exploring how to identify your creative obsessions and find new directions for your work.
Visit pushtheboatout.org/workshop/ to find out more!
NEW podcast episode!
Top Doll - Karen McCarthy Wolf and Karensa
Browse all A Break in the Waves episodes now on Apple, Spotify or Podbean 🎧
#ABreakintheWaves
Top Doll - Karen McCarthy Wolf and Karensa
Browse all A Break in the Waves episodes now on Apple, Spotify or Podbean 🎧
#ABreakintheWaves
Top Doll - Karen McCarthy Wolf and Karensa
A Break in the Waves · Episode
open.spotify.com
July 23, 2026 at 1:15 PM
NEW podcast episode!
Top Doll - Karen McCarthy Wolf and Karensa
Browse all A Break in the Waves episodes now on Apple, Spotify or Podbean 🎧
#ABreakintheWaves
Top Doll - Karen McCarthy Wolf and Karensa
Browse all A Break in the Waves episodes now on Apple, Spotify or Podbean 🎧
#ABreakintheWaves
Four months until Push the Boat Out Festival returns!
We're kicking off the countdown by looking back at some favourite festival moments.
Tag the people you shared them with and help us build our following!
📸 Kat Gollock
#PTBOpoetry #EdinburghInternationalPoetryFestival
We're kicking off the countdown by looking back at some favourite festival moments.
Tag the people you shared them with and help us build our following!
📸 Kat Gollock
#PTBOpoetry #EdinburghInternationalPoetryFestival
July 12, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Four months until Push the Boat Out Festival returns!
We're kicking off the countdown by looking back at some favourite festival moments.
Tag the people you shared them with and help us build our following!
📸 Kat Gollock
#PTBOpoetry #EdinburghInternationalPoetryFestival
We're kicking off the countdown by looking back at some favourite festival moments.
Tag the people you shared them with and help us build our following!
📸 Kat Gollock
#PTBOpoetry #EdinburghInternationalPoetryFestival