For the third year running, the unique European Poetry Festival European Camarade heads to Liverpool, bringing together some of the finest experimental poets of the thriving Northern scene with writers from across Europe to create brand-new work of live literature especially for the event.

Jenn Ashworth is back at Blackwells bookshop for the Manchester launch of her latest work, reading extracts and chatting to Helen Mort about how The Parallel Path came about.

Word Central is a long-standing live literature favourite that takes place every month at Central Library, and in July it marks its birthday, with a special “Now We Are Nine” celebration.

Poet and now memoirist Jo Bell invites you to join her “for a friendly evening in one of Britain’s most special places, the magnificent, secret Mancunian treasure that is The Portico Library“, talking about her new “smart, funny” memoir Boater.

Leeds live literature regular Chemistry offers an exciting mix of open mic acts and invited poets – for Chemistry 20 on 25 July there are three for the price of two: Yorkshire poets Gill and Mark Connors, as a double act, and the legend that is Rosie Garland.

“Twisty page-turners. Domestic dramas. Bone-chilling suspense.” That’s how #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell is described by her publisher Simon & Schuster on their home page for her. This is your chance to hear from the “queen of psychological thrillers”.

Now in its 20th year, Manchester Literature Festival returns this autumn, running city-wide across a variety of venues in October. If you can’t wait until then, fear not – there’s a special programme of pre-festival events, with the summer chapter just unfolding!

I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell is an immersive exhibition taking over the Grade II*-listed Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and the culmination of a residency by three young writers who spent the spring months being inspired by Manchester’s only literary house.

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.

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.

Throughout 2025, the team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is taking a deep dive into Ruth, one of the famous 19th-century author’s most shocking texts. We look at June’s online events…

Head to Manchester’s only literary house for events, exhibitions, books and cakes…