Instructions for a Heatwave was described by the Los Angeles Review of Books as ‘perhaps a perfect book’ – high praise indeed but typical of the acclaim that Edinburgh-based Maggie O’Farrell has attracted for her sixth novel. Full of unforgettable characters, the story charts a family descending into crisis against the backdrop of a stifling summer. Today, O’Farrell talks about how she constructed her novel.

Gordon Brown at Edinburgh International Book Festival (edbookfest)

Whether it’s exploring the disappearing art of letter writing and the power of the spoken word, or listening to those who hear inner voices or participating in a series of dialogues on the future of Scotland, the Edinburgh International Book Festival examined all aspects of communication in 2014. Under the headline ‘Let’s Talk’ the Book Festival welcomed internationally-renowned writers and thinkers from around the world to its home in Charlotte Square Gardens to discuss such diverse topics as the two world wars, the Commonwealth, Economic Migration, Society, Identity, Culture and the Media. Listen to some of the events here in our series of free podcasts – recorded live at the Book Festival.