Join us at Conversations on the Coast

At Conversations on the Coast, we celebrate the rich literary heritage of Scotland. Whether you’re a fan of contemporary fiction, historical novels, crime, or non-fiction, our festival has something for every book lover. Join us as we delve into the minds of talented authors, exploring their latest publications and the stories behind their writing.

Hosted in the stunning seaside town of Elie and Earlsferry, this festival invites you to indulge in the natural beauty of the Scottish coastline while you indulge your literary appetite. Perhaps, while you’re here, you can also enjoy some local cuisine or take a walk along the Seaside Award-Winning beach!

WHAT'S ON

Our 2026 lineup promises thrills, intrigue, and Scottish charm. Explore our November events below:

November 5

The Jewel Keepers

Join award-winning author Sara Sheridan for an evening of intrigue as she discusses her latest historical adventure, The Jewel Keepers. Prepare to delve into the secret of the lost Scottish Crown Jewels and their mysterious guardians in 19th century Edinburgh.

Sara Sheridan

November 12

Tartan Noir: Murder in St Andrews

Join Fife’s own Tartan Noir master, Marion Todd, as she introduces her latest novel, Watch Them Fall. With the nail-biting tension of great crime fiction, this homegrown novel will take you on a complex investigation in familiar territory

Marion Todd

November 19

A Fire in Their Hearts

Join bestselling author Philip Paris as he explores one of the darkest periods in Scotland’s history with his latest historical fiction, A Fire in Their Hearts. Explore this turbulent time through the eyes of those who lived it.

Philip Paris

November 27

What Happened on Benbecula?

Join award-winning author Graeme Macrae Burnet as he introduces his dark and intense psychological novel, Benbecula. Explore the themes of isolation, madness, and how our histories can haunt us through this reimagining of a real-life triple murder.

Graeme Macrae Burnet

BOOK TICKETS

NEWS

Graeme Macrae Burnet square

Meet the Authors: Our 2026 Lineup

We’re delighted to reveal the author lineup for this year's festival: four evenings of fascinating authors, compelling stories and lively conversation, right here in the East Neuk.

Wrapping up Conversations on the Coast 2025

As we close off the year, we’re taking a moment to look back on what has been our most successful Conversations on the Coast festival to date.

Conversations on the Coast 2025: Our Most Exciting Programme Yet

Conversations on the Coast returns for its fourth year, offering what promises to be its most exciting programme yet.

Visit the beautiful East Neuk of Fife

Our festival is set in the beautiful village of Elie and Earlsferry in the East Neuk of Fife. Locals know Elie and Earlsferry as the perfect seaside destination with its long golden beaches and curved bay, and it’s a popular tourist destination thanks to its beauty and history. It’s the ideal setting for the East Neuk’s inaugural literary festival, which brings Scottish authors and lovers of literature together to spark conversations.

Things to do

Getting here

In the news

“The East Neuk has so much to offer.”

The Sunday Post

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Conversations on the Coast is our name for the East Neuk Literary Festival and we’re a registered Scottish charity. We’re here because we want to support Scottish authors and anyone who believes that the written word is something indelibly human that should be protected and treasured.

Now entering its fourth year, the festival is hosted every November in the town of Elie and Earlsferry, and offers a series of author-hosted events. The authors who join us represent a wide range of genres, from crime to historical fiction. You can see previous years' events on our Authors page.

The festival aims to bring Scottish authors to the East Neuk and also to attract visitors to the local community to enjoy what this coastline has to offer.

VIEW AUTHORS