Thirty years ago Lanark was published, which confirmed Alasdair Gray as the most ferociously inventive Scottish writer of his generation. His output since then has been characterised by a close relationship between his writing and his singular image-making style. Already the author of much-admired murals, he has just finished a new public art project at Glasgow Hillhead subway station. To celebrate his remarkable contribution to the written and visual landscape in Scotland, we are thrilled to welcome him back to the Book Festival.