Courtesy Edinburgh International Book Festival

Online or by phone

Book Festival events are generally popular, so it's always wise to book in advance. Either go onto the Festival's website, which has a basic but perfectly functional booking system; or call their box office on 0845 373 5888. Booking is open from mid-June - or if there's space, you can book right up to the day of the event.

You can have the tickets posted to you if there's time, but otherwise you can pick them up from the box office desk at the entrance to Charlotte Square. Just turn up a few minutes early (Book Festival events start very promptly), collect your tickets and go straight in.

However you book, there's a £1 booking fee for each transaction - so it's a little cheaper to book all your tickets in one go.

In person

If you happen to be in the area, or if you want to dodge the booking fee, you can also arrange your tickets in person. From mid-June until the start of the Book Festival, the box office is at Waterstone's bookshop, 83 George Street - near the junction with Frederick Street.

Once the Festival starts, the operation moves to the entrance tent at Charlotte Square. If you're in the market for a spontaneous last-minute booking, there are airport-style screens showing upcoming events - and the friendly and commendably efficient box office will be happy to talk you through all your options.