The Edinburgh International Book Festival, which ended on Monday, celebrated a rise of 3% in ticket sales from 2007 with three quarters of all tickets selling. Persistent rain in one of the wettest Augusts on record turned parts of Charlotte Square gardens into muddy pools frequented by
yellow rubber ducks and seagulls, but the festival still saw almost 200,000 visitors.
"This festival has surpassed all my expectations," said festival director Catherine Lockerbie. "Despite the hideous weather, people have been coming in incredibly eager numbers, hungrier than ever for the sustenance we offer, from the most famous names in the world to the brand new. We have had a great sense of engagement and enquiry across the whole range of the programme, including little-known authors visiting the UK for the first time.
There could hardly be a better anniversary present."
The festival's ticket sales success contrasts sharply with the fall in sales and ticket problems experienced by the Edinburgh Fringe.
The Book Festival launched with a "surprise guest" appearance - Prime Minister, Gordon Brown - talking to inspector Rebus author Ian Rankin (pictured) and closed with the launch of Sean Connery's Being A Scot
Among the 800 authors appearing at this year's festival were five of the 2008 Man Booker Prize Long List, including Salman Rushdie, who presented his new book, The Enchantress of Florence via satellite link-up with the Melbourne Writers Festival, the second UNESCO City of Literature.
The prize for the longest book signing went to cult American author, Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club and Choke, who spent 3 hours signing his new novel Snuff, about the porn industry.
Many sold-out events featured exclusive book launches, including new memoirs from Carol Thatcher and Kate Adie.
The Book Festival also ventured into publishing with a new book, supported by the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festival's Expo Fund, Lights Off The Quay.
Additional literary event
The Book Festival continues with a special autumn event with award-winning Australian author David Malouf at the Traverse Theatre.