Edinburgh International Book Festival opens submissions for Global Ink 2026
Submissions for Global Ink 2026, Edinburgh International Book Festival's flagship international forum for Festival Directors, are now open.
Article Source: Edinburgh International Book Festival
Last Updated: 8 January 2026 12:46
Taking place in Edinburgh from 17–19 August 2026, as part of the wider Book Festival programme (15–30 August), Global Ink 2026 will unite leaders from twenty international festivals for three days of dynamic roundtables, networking, and sector-leading events, showcasing the breadth and diversity of Scotland’s cultural sector.
With a core focus on increasing the presence of Scottish writers and artists in festival programmes around the world, Global Ink 2026 builds on the Book Festival’s four decades of commitment to international exchange and collaboration. Supported by the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland through the Festivals EXPO Fund, the forum is designed to foster new partnerships and enduring connections between Scotland and the global festival community.
EIBF has long pioneered international networks and collaboration between festivals, as a founding member of the Word Alliance, and committee member of the Global Alliance of Literature Festivals.
Programme Highlights
• Global Ink Directors’ Sessions: Monday 17 August, featuring closed-door roundtables and sector panels.
• Scottish Showcase Day: Tuesday 18 August, with curated public events and connection with Scottish talent.
• Industry Brunch : Wednesday 19 August, open networking with the Scottish and UK literary sector.
• Closing Night Ceilidh: A celebration of Scottish culture to conclude the forum.
Delegates arriving earlier in the week can also enjoy an Opening Party & Welcome Reception on Saturday 15 August, and Sunday 16 August’s Scottish Programme Highlight event.
EIBF is delighted to have support from the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, as the national public body for the arts, with this event being made possible by the Festivals EXPO Fund.
Underlining the value being placed upon this event, Global Ink 2026 was announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson during the 2025 Book Festival programme. We are currently working with the Scottish Government to shape joint opportunities involving delegates throughout this global forum.
Delegate Benefits
International Festival Directors selected for Global Ink 2026 will receive:
• Guaranteed admission to a number of Book Festival events, with exclusive opportunities to meet leading Scottish writers.
• Tailored networking sessions with key Scottish stakeholders across culture, policy, and business.
• Access to a fully-catered Hospitality Area for industry professionals.
• Invitations to special events, including the opening party, receptions, and partners’ dinner.
• Confidential closed-door sessions for candid sector discussion and professional exchange.
• Partner-rate accommodation for the duration of Global Ink 2026.
Who Should Apply
Applications are welcomed from Directors of book, multi-arts, or ideas festivals based outside the UK, particularly those keen to develop long-term partnerships with the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Scotland’s wider cultural sector. Successful delegates will benefit from special rates at partner hotels for the duration of their stay.
A separate submissions process will open for UK-based Festival Directors in Spring 2026.
Key Dates
Call Opens: 4 December 2025
Application Deadline: 24 January 2026
Forum Dates: 17–19 August 2026 (with additional events on 15 and 16 August 2026 for early attendees)
How to Apply
For more information and to apply, visit www.edbookfest.co.uk or contact Project Lead for Global Ink Kate Seiler at globalink@edbookfest.co.uk.
Jenny Niven, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Since 2024, our Global Ink programme has fostered strong international collaborations between the Edinburgh International Book Festival and other global literary festivals, which has seen new bridges built between countries and organisations, and a host of exciting new overseas opportunities open up to Scottish writers and thinkers. Building on decades of international collaboration at the EIBF, we’re thrilled to be able to expand on this work with our 2026 edition, thanks to the support of Scottish Government and Creative Scotland's Festivals EXPO Fund, forging new pathways to global audiences for Scotland’s breadth of fantastic writers, both new and established, as well as learning from our many sister Festivals around the world. We look forward to welcoming them to Edinburgh next August.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The expansion of Global Ink shows how our increased funding for Scottish festivals is creating more lasting connections with leading book festivals around the world. In turn this creates more global opportunities for Scottish writers and publishers.
“Our commitment to increase culture funding, with an additional £4m a year for Scotland’s festivals, will have an impact in many different ways, including an even more influential role for Edinburgh International Book Festival and a richer experience for its audiences.”
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