Norman Mailer, the two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and America's leading man of letters, will make an appearance at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival... from his living room in the United States.

In what is believed to be the first public transatlantic interview of its kind, he will be interviewed in his Provincetown, Massachusetts, home via an internet link.

He will also sign books using an invention called LongPen, devised by Margaret Atwood, the leading author.

The device allows an author to "sign" books via computer technology, as well has having face-to-face conversations with audiences, despite being in different locations.

Mailer was originally intending to visit in person but is now too physically fragile to travel to Edinburgh for this year's festival, which will feature more than 650 authors in the biggest festival yet, with more than 700 events.

Festival director Catherine Lockerbie said the internet-based interview would be a "world first", as well as somewhat of a risky experiment.

"This is happening thanks to the visionary genius of Margaret Atwood and her invention. Why? Norman Mailer is 84 and not in robust health and he said to me voyaging is just sheer hell'," she said.

"He said he would have loved to come have come to what he calls your great luminous grey city' but now he will be able to be virtually' here, he will be able to speak to us and even sign books.

"Is it a risk? You bet. But it is also jaw-dropping that this invention erases any physical impediments to he, and in another similar event, Alice Munro, being here."

During the session, Mailer will be sitting in his living room and speaking to Andrew O'Hagan, the compere for the event.

He will also interact with audience members, who can ask him questions "face-to-face" on a series of small screens.

For the autograph session, the writer uses an electronic writing tablet, used just like piece of paper. The author writes his signature, pushes a "send" button, and the pen inscribes the object, in real ink, at the other end.

Among other leading writers appearing at the festival are Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Ford, Ian McEwan, John Pilger, Niall Ferguson, Blake Morrison, Richard Dawkins and a host of Scottish writers including Ian Rankin, William McIlvanny, Alexander McCall Smith and James Kelman.

Lucy Hawking, daughter of leading scientist Stephen Hawking, is appearing in the children's section of the festival, to talk about a "space adventure" they have written together.

Also appearing at the festival is Charles Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana,to talk about his latest work on Prince Rupert of the Rhine, the horseman who fought for King Charles I.

The festival runs from August 11 to 27. With more than 40 countries represented, and nearly 200 Scottish authors, Ms Lockerbie says it is the most diverse and international festival yet.

As usual, it will tackle specific themes. This year, they include a focus on India, in the 60th year of its independence, and China. An East and West theme will examine relations between the Islamic world and the west, with a special focus on British Muslims.

Ms Lockerbie added: "We are extremely proud to have created a programme of truly global reach this year and to have discovered entirely new ways of including the world's great writers."

Sara Grady, director of the children's programme, said: "It has been sheer joy to cultivate an environment of words and ideas to engage, encourage and entertain children, families and young people.

"The brilliance of the programme relies fundamentally on the exceptional authors attending and we are thrilled to have such a variety of writers, illustrators, comics, poets, performers, graphic novelists and artists in a celebration of stories unlike any other in the world."