The True Cost of Living [Edinburgh's Radical Book Fair]

The True Cost of Living is on at Assembly Roxy on Friday 6 November, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. It's a panel discussion that forms part of Edinburgh's Radical Book Fair 2026, which runs over four days at the Roxy this year under the theme 'Building a Better Now'.

The panel brings together three writers: China Mills, author of No More Deaths by Welfare; Kayleigh Garthwaite, author of Hunger Inc.; and Tanisha Spratt, author of Ungrievable Lives. Ellie Muniandy chairs the conversation. It's the kind of session that sits at the heart of the fair—writers and thinkers talking through the themes they've spent years researching, with the audience there to listen in.

The fair itself is run by Lighthouse, the city's radical left, politically engaged and socially conscious community bookshop. Over the four days, Assembly Roxy hosts more than 70 publisher stalls alongside activist stalls, workshops, and performances. There's also a free community meal called 'Bread & Roses'. Browsing the stalls is free during the day, while the stage hosts the panel discussions and a downstairs snug plays host to the workshops. It's the fourth edition, following on from 2023, 2024 and 2025, and it keeps to that same mix of writers, thinkers, campaigners and practitioners. This year's poster was designed by the multidisciplinary storyteller Malini Chakrabarty.

On the practical side, all sessions are professionally filmed and livestreamed. Accessibility provisions include wheelchair access, neurodivergent-friendly measures and the possibility of BSL interpretation. Tickets are £5 or free, and the sales go to support the speakers. The panel runs from 5:30pm to 6:30pm on Friday 6 November at Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU.