Running from 15 to 30 August at McEwan Hall, these are the headliners, where the Festival goes all out. We’re talking major names, cultural heavyweights and the kind of talks you’ll still be thinking about long after your flat white has gone cold.

Kiran Desai - Author Pic - c. M. Sharkey — Kiran Desai. Photograph: M. Sharkey

On the fiction front we’ve got our eye on talks from Underground Railroad author Colson Whitehead (21 Aug, chaired by Samira Ahmed), Booker shortlisted author Kiran Desai (25 Aug), Elif Shafak of The Island of Missing Trees fame (28 Aug, chaired by Rosie Goldsmith) and international bestselling writer Ann Patchett (29 Aug, chaired by Roxani Krystalli).

Cory-Doctorow-Author-Pic-c.-Paula-Mariel-Salischiker — Cory Doctorow. Photograph: Paula Mariel Salischiker

Give your brain a stretch too. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales will be talking to author Cory Doctorow about who really holds power online now (17 Aug), crime writer Val McDermid will be chatting to Geographer Royal for Scotland Jo Sharp on the same date about the Darien scheme, Scotland’s failed 17th‑century colonial project in Panama.

Lyse-Doucet-Author-Pic-c.-Paula-Bronstein — Lyse Doucet. Photograph: Paula Bronstein

Plus there’s David Olusoga (24 Aug), BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet (27 Aug) and Diana Gabaldon (19 Aug), author of Outlander, looking back over 35 years of a literary phenomenon that’s not only conquered bookshelves but helped put Scotland firmly on the global screen map.

Kae-Tempest-Author-Pic-c.Clara-Nebeling — Kae Tempest. Photograph: Clara Nebeling

For lovers of spoken word, poet Kae Tempest will be in conversation with Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen (18 Aug). Charlie Mackesy, author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse will be reflecting on kindness, vulnerability and storytelling in a family‑friendly event (23 Aug).

And joy of joys, Mel Giedroyc will be interviewed by her longstanding pal and comedy work wife, Sue Perkins, about her new novel The Comeback (26 Aug).

Whether this is the kind of literary firepower that might just elevate your reading list — or intimidate it entirely – it’s no dry, page-turning affair. At a time when public discourse can feel increasingly polarised, this series is a reminder of the power of thoughtful, in-person conversation – smart, nuanced and refreshingly human – and humorous.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on 5 May, and if past years are anything to go by, the hottest events won’t hang around.

Consider this your cue to set a reminder in your phone and get ready to book.

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