IT’S February 2020 and the scene is Paisley Arts Centre. The place has been abuzz all week with book-loving audiences keen to hear from literary legends including John Byrne, Jackie Kay and Janice Galloway, whilst local pubs have played host to some of Scotland’s best talent – Chris McQueer, Alan Bissett and Kevin P Gilday. We have laughed, we have cried, we have danced in the aisles to the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers on the final night. But as we emerge from the haze of 10 exhilarating days, during which a new iteration of the Paisley Book Festival has been born, the world around us is changing fast. As lockdown sweeps across the country, and other festivals fall victim to the early weeks of the pandemic, we can’t believe our luck that we managed to stage this inaugural event in completely normal circumstances.