The Edinburgh International Book Festival began in 1983 and is now a key event in the August Festival season, celebrated annually in Scotland's capital city. Biennial at first, the Book Festival became a yearly celebration in 1997.

Throughout its 23-year history, the Book Festival has grown rapidly in size and scope to become the largest and most dynamic festival of its kind in the world. In its first year the Book Festival played host to just 30 'Meet the Author' events. Today, the Festival programmes over 650 events, which are enjoyed by people of all ages. Every second year, a major feature of the festival is the British Council-run 'Bookcase' (see also British Council Scotland).

The objectives of the Festival are: (i) to create one of the world’s pre-eminent literary showcases, in which leading thinkers and writers can enjoy the company and inspiration of their peers and the reading public; (ii) to encourage the exchange of lively and challenging thought, fostering open and fruitful debate and expanding public awareness of cultural, ethical, political and other matters affecting every citizen; (iii) to ensure a broad variety of events, drawing on genres and writing of diverse appeal; (iv) to give equal value to programming for children, actively seeking to fire the imagination and broaden the horizons of young readers; (v) to place special emphasis on the work of contemporary Scottish authors and publishers, creating the single most important annual showcase for Scottish literature; and (vi) to develop the international elements of the festival, enhancing awareness of the festival overseas and bringing to Scotland authors who would not otherwise be heard in this country.

In 2001 Catherine Lockerbie, the Book Festival's fifth director, took the Festival to a new level by developing a high-profile debates and discussions series that is now one of the festival's hallmarks. Each year writers from all over the world gather to become part of this unique forum in which audience and author meet to exchange thoughts and opinions on some of the world's most pressing issues.

Running alongside the general programme is the highly regarded Children's Programme, which has grown to become a leading showcase for children's writers and illustrators. Incorporating workshops, storytelling, panel discussions, author events and book signings, the Children's Programme is popular with both the public and schools alike and now ranks as the world's premier books and reading event for young people.

Planning for the event begins immediately after each year's festival, with selected authors invited to take part during October/November for the following year. Contacts from overseas organisations are welcomed. Both the Artistic Director and Children's Programme Director attend other international festivals and conferences during the year to 'scout' for authors, as well as collaborating with many overseas literary organisations.

Since its inception, the Book Festival's home has been the beautiful and historic Charlotte Square Gardens, centrally located in Edinburgh's world heritage listed Georgian New Town. Each year the gardens are transformed into a magical tented village, which welcome around 220,000 visitors.

The Book Festival is proud to run its own independent bookselling operation. All proceeds from the sale of books are invested back into the running of the Book Festival, a not-for-profit charity organisation which annually raises in excess of 80 per cent of its own funds.

Together with its counterparts, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Starbucks Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Edinburgh Art Festival and the Edinburgh International Television Festival. the Edinburgh International Book Festival forms what is now widely regarded as the biggest and best arts festival in the world.