Head to the International Anthony Burgess Foundation for a special Bloomsday social, celebrating the life of Irish writer James Joyce and the 100th publication anniversary of James Joyce’s Ulysses and Burgess’s creative responses to Joyce’s work.
Free entry
Presented in conjunction with Manchester Poetry Library, Manchester-based indie publisher Fly On The Wall Press showcases northern poets Rachel Bower, Lucy Hurst, Sundra Lawrence, Jiye Lee and Tina Tamsho-Thomas.
Free entry
Poet, writer and editor Helen Tookey will be reading from her new Carcanet Press collection, In The Quaker Hotel, and chatting about it with writer and critic Seán Hewitt.
From £2.00
The Leeds Library’s Speaking To The Shelves programme includes a series of creative writing sessions – this month the workshop is led by Yvonne Battle-Felton.
From £13.00
There’s murder and mayhem in the library! Manchester Libraries’ monthly event Crime Central welcomes new guests every month at Central Library, hosted by Rob Parker.
From £2.00
The bunting’s up to celebrate Chorlton Arts Festival’s 23rd birthday, with the multi-venue event running 16 to 25 May.
Free entry
Alternative variety night Pen:Chant presents the new touring show from national slam poetry champion, musician and comic Pete the Temp.
From £13.00
The glittering gala prize-giving ceremony celebrating and awarding the Manchester Writing Competition is back, including the announcement of the 2021 Poetry and Fiction Prize winners.
Free entry
Chelping is back, with Cecilia Knapp and Rommi Smith headlining the 18th instalment, plus an open mic hosted by Matt Abbott.
From £5.00
Continuing its packed events programme, Blackwell’s Bookshop on University Green is hosting the launch of Lara Williams’ second novel The Odyssey, described as “a wickedly funny and slyly poignant satire on modern life”.
From £3.00
The latest event in the Manchester Literature Festival spring programme welcomes Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stuart to launch his eagerly anticipated new novel.
From £10.00
Join Henry Normal for his latest live show The Escape Plan, an evening of poetry, storytelling and comedy, featuring all your favourite poems from his BBC Radio 4 series and his recent poetry collections.
From £20.00
