Literature Events in the North

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

The autumn leaves might be falling already, but the harvest is plentiful as the live literature scene gets back into the swing of things after a summer break…

In Manchester, the new season gets underway for Poets & Players, featuring headline poet Lorna Goodison on a rare visit from America, and Manchester Poets, with Graham Mort. Meanwhile, Nikita Gill invites you into the Underworld and Jackie Kay is chatting to Literary Salon’s Damian Barr. And you don’t have to go anywhere for Carcanet’s latest online launch, when Manchester meets Manhattan.

We’re heading hillwards – north for a Verbalise special welcoming award-winning Rose Condo to Kendal and east into the Calder Valley for the return of Poetry at the Dusty Miller, with Will Harris. Arvon are hosting some special open days at Ted Hughes’s old home Lumb Bank, while in York, Rise Up! brings Ian Duhig to the mic.

In Liverpool we’re looking forward to the LiPS autumn programme, getting underway with the launch of Chris McCabe’s new Nine Arches Press book. And if fantasy is your thing, head up Smithdown Road to the hear from Dead Ink‘s latest anthology.

As festival season starts its engines, we set our sights on the first Liverpool Book Festival, the fourth Morecambe Poetry Festival and the 20th Manchester Literature Festival. And don’t forget the bi-annual Northern Publishers Fair – perfect for replenishing your bookshelves.

Leaf through our guides to Bookshops in Manchester and the UNESCO Manchester City of Literature, plus our literary places in LiverpoolLeeds, Sheffield and Cumbria.

Our top picks

Poets & Players at Burgess Foundation

Poets & Players at International Anthony Burgess Foundation (IABF), Manchester, 6 September 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Manchester regular Poets & Players is a must-go for lovers of words as well as music, presenting performers both established and emerging, with the autumn season kicking off with headline poet Lorna Goodison on a rare visit from America.

Lorna Goodison
Lorna Goodison

Poetry at the Dusty Miller

Poetry at the Dusty Miller at The Dusty Miller, 2 September 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Since its first outing in December 2023, Calder Valley reading series Poetry at the Dusty Miller (in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub) has been inviting three or four guests to read each month, gathering considerable steam.

Chris McCabe and Nine Arches Press at Open Eye Gallery

Chris McCabe and Nine Arches Press at Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, 7 September 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

We’re very excited that LiPS (Liverpool Poetry Space) has announced the start of its autumn programme, and the first event, on 7 September, sees the Liverpool launch of Chris McCabe’s new book Hedonism, published by Nine Arches Press

Chris McCabe
Chris McCabe.

Damian Barr and Jackie Kay at Queer Lit

The Two Roberts: In Conversation with Damian Barr hosted by Jackie Kay at Queer Lit (Social Refuge), Manchester, 15 September 2025, From £5.00 - Book now

On 15 September, award-winning writer and broadcaster Damian Barr will be chatting with former Makar Jackie Kay about his much-anticipated new novel The Two Roberts.

Damian Barr Banner
Social Refuge

Nikita Gill at Feel Good Club

An Evening with Nikita Gill at Feel Good Club, Manchester, 17 September 2025, From £18.99 - Book now

Enter the Underworld with internationally bestselling poet Nikita Gill as she discusses her “propulsive, electrifying and enraging” new book Hekate, The Witch with poet and writer Charlie Brogan on 17 September.

Nikita Gill. Photo Roy J Baron

Liverpool Book Festival at The Invisible Wind Factory

Liverpool Book Festival at The Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool, 7 September 2025, From £11.55 - Book now

The inaugural Liverpool Book Festival will showcase award-winning authors from around the region with a range of books for sale, signings, Q&As and workshops.

Morecambe Poetry Festival 2025 at various venues

Morecambe Poetry Festival at Morecambe Winter Gardens, Lancashire, 12–14 September 2025, From £65.00 - Book now

Our Tourist Telescope is set on the coast – more specifically, Morecambe Poetry Festival, back for a fourth year with an impressive line-up featuring Michael Rosen, Henry Normal, John Hegley, Robin Ince and Luke Wright.

Henry Normal
Henry Normal

Rise Up! at The Bluebird Bakery York

Rise Up! at Bluebird Bakery, York, Until 24 September 2025, From £10.00 - Book now

Following a couple of months off over the summer months, Rise Up! will be back in September and welcoming to the mic Ian Duhig, Kirsten Luckens and Henry Raby.

Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo
Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo.

Writing The Magic launch at Dead Ink Bookshop

Book Launch: Writing The Magic at Dead Ink Books, Liverpool, 18 September 2025, From £5.00 - Book now

Writing the Magic (Essays on Crafting Fantasy Fiction) is the fourth in Liverpool-based publisher Dead Ink Books’ award-winning series of guides to writing different genres, and this launch event – on the same day the book is published – hears from editor Dan Coxon and two contributors, RJ Barker and Alex Pheby.

Dan Coxon.
Dan Coxon.

Northern Publishers’ Fair at Central Library

Northern Publishers' Fair at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, 27 September 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Various independent publishing houses will be setting out their stalls on 27 September at Manchester Central Library for the latest (seventh?) now biannual Northern Publishers’ Fair, organised by Manchester’s own award-winning Fly On The Wall Press.

Northern Publishers' Fair
Northern Publishers' Fair

Manchester Literature Festival 2025

Manchester Literature Festival at Contact Theatre, Manchester and online, Until 26 October 2025, From £8.00 - Book now

Celebrating its 20th year, Manchester Literature Festival returns 11-26 October, and tickets for the initial line-up announcement are now on general sale, with a special bookend event in August featuring Yellowface author Rebecca F Kuang.

Arvon’s Story House at Lumb Bank

The Story House: Local Histories, 21 September 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

We just celebrated former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes’s birthday in the town of his birth, now head to his former home Lumb Bank for Arvon’s Story House.

Verbalise at Kendal Brewery Arts

Verbalise Special with Rose Condo at Brewery Arts at Brewery Arts, Cumbria, 27 September 2025, From £11.00 - Book now

This Verbalise special, on 27 September, welcomes Rose Condo, a multi-award-winning poet and spoken word artist, who carefully blends poetry and prose to create live shows she performs with aplomb.

Rose Condo
Rose Condo

Manchester Poets at Chorlton Library

Manchester Poets at Chorlton Library, Manchester, 19 September 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

This autumn Manchester Poets returns to its usual home of Chorlton Library, following its exile to Withington while renovations took place at the Carnegie HQ. Catch Graham Mort headlining on 19 September.

Carcanet online book launch: Red Carpet by Steve Malmude

Red Carpet by Steve Malmude: Carcanet Online Book Launch, online, 24 September 2025, From £2.00 - Book now

Linked in with the famous and fabulous New York School of poets, Steve Malmude has a new book out with Manchester’s Carcanet Press, with a launch online so you can enjoy wherever you happen to be.

cover of the book
Carcanet Press

More Literature

Lorna Goodison
LiteratureManchester
Poets & Players at Burgess Foundation

Poets & Players is a must-go for lovers of words and music, presenting poets established and emerging, with the autumn season kicking off with headline poet Lorna Goodison.

Free entry
LiteratureManchester
Nikita Gill at Feel Good Club

Enter the Underworld with internationally bestselling poet Nikita Gill as she discusses her “propulsive, electrifying and enraging” new book Hekate.

From £18.99
Dan Coxon.
LiteratureLiverpool
Writing The Magic launch at Dead Ink Bookshop

Writing the Magic (Essays on Crafting Fantasy Fiction) is the fourth in Liverpool-based publisher Dead Ink Books’ award-winning series of guides, and this launch event hears from editor Dan Coxon.

From £5.00
LiteratureManchester
Manchester Poets at Chorlton Library

This autumn Manchester Poets returns to its usual home of Chorlton Library, following its exile to Withington while renovations took place at the Carnegie HQ.

Free entry

Experiences

View all
Elizabeth Gaskell's House
TourManchester
The Manchester Literary Tour

On the eve of Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday, join Jonathan Schofield Tours for...

Tickets from £20.00
Peterloo Tour Jonathan Schofield
TourManchester
The Peterloo Massacre Tour

Visit key locations associated with a moment that helped shape the future...

Tickets from £20.00
Derbyshire & The Peak District
Until
Walking TourPeak District
Idyllic England: Derbyshire & the Peak District

A tour through idyllic Derbyshire and the Peak District, where rolling hills,...

Tickets from £55.00
St Ann's Church
TourManchester
Halloween: The Ghosts of Manchester

Explore Manchester’s creepiest corners this Halloween, when Jonathan Schofield Tours will reveal...

Tickets from £25.00
Salford Lads Club Exterior
TourManchester
Salford Lads Club Tour

Salford Lads Club shot to global fame as the iconic backdrop on...

Tickets from £20.00

Explore Literature by city

  • Leeds Central Library Literary Places in Leeds.
    Literary places in Leeds

    There's plenty to spout about when it comes to literature in Leeds, including a number of regular nights and a thriving festival scene.

  • Literature Events in the North

    The autumn leaves might be falling already, but the harvest is plentiful as the live literature scene gets back into the swing of things after a summer break...

Hotel guides

  • Photo of the exterior of the Palace Hotel
    Hotels in Manchester

    To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to Manchester's best hotels.

  • The Nadler Hotel exterior
    Hotels in Liverpool

    There’s no shortage of hotels in Liverpool, but you don’t have to go far to find something a bit more stylish than a Travelodge. Here’s our guide.

  • Hotels in Leeds.
    Hotels in Leeds

    Leeds has plenty of new types of accommodation, from sleek, modern luxury to affordable art hostels and grand accommodation in green space.

  • Great Victoria Hotel
    Hotels in Bradford

    For a weekend break in a private apartment or an overnight stay in high luxury, we've rounded up the best places to stay in Bradford, Ilkley and Saltaire.

Recently covered restaurants

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Colourful Brazilian fine dining at Caroline Martin’s intimate restaurant, Sampa.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

Ancoats
Restaurant
Ramona

If you haven’t heard of Ramona by now then where have you been? Taking Manchester by storm, Ramona is a Detroit Pizza restaurant, with a salty twist… Frozen margaritas!

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Spotlight on

Food and Drink in the North

Take some eating-out tips from our August guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Take me there