This May (20th - 26th) Dublin will be a hub of vibrant literary discussion as the 2013 Dublin Writers Festival, the annual much loved celebration of the written word, returns to the capital with a breathtaking line up of inspiring events. Audiences are invited to ‘Be Part of the Story’ and hear the ideas behind the words as the finest Irish and international writers engage in readings, talks, debates, and workshops across the city.

This year’s stellar line up includes a rare visit from American literary master James Salter; author of one of the bestselling novels of all time Dan Brown; Booker prize winning heavyweights Thomas Keneally, Anne Enright, Roddy Doyle and John Banville; compelling contemporary poets Robin Robertson and Frank McGuinness; thought-provoking filmmaker and novelist Rebecca Miller; insightful cultural commentators Rebecca Solnit, Jon Ronson and John Gray; as well as some of Ireland’s most acclaimed writers Colum McCann, Deirdre Madden and Dermot Bolger.

Proving that feminism is alive and well, the festival will host an evening with the hilarious and outspoken Caitlin Moran, as well as an event to celebrate the publication of Fifty Shades of Feminism, welcoming co-editor Rachel Holmes along with Director of civil rights organisation Liberty Shami Chakrabati from the UK, joined by Irish journalists Una Mullally and Margaret Ward and theatremaker Louise Lowe to explore what it means to be a woman in the 21st century.

Check out the full programme of events here.