Thousands of supporters sent letters in funding appeal for Book Festival

Director Nick Barley has written to thousands of people on the event’s database asking them to make cash donations of up to £100 as part of a drive to shore up funds available for bringing big-name authors to the event, it was reported today.

The new campaign, called The Appeal of Books, is being launched alongside Festival Friends, an initiative which charges membership fees for guaranteed early booking. The launch comes after news that the book festival suffered a 10,000 drop in attendance at last year’s event, as well as a three per cent decline in ticket sales.

The letter being sent to festival supporters states: “Please help us to bring as many authors and events to the book festival this August by making a donation to The Appeal of Books.

“We know our audiences take immense pride in the book festival and the contribution it makes to life in Edinburgh and Scotland.”