Sarah-Clare Conlon

This year’s Manchester Literature Festival takes place 6-22 October, with talks, readings and performances in venues all over the city, including The Whitworth, where poet Zaffar Kunial (pictured) responds to the Raqib Shaw show.

Newly formed collective The Northern Fiction Alliance demonstrates that the North is a creative stronghold for innovative publishing with its first-ever roadshow event.

Comma Press author Sarah Schofield will lead a one-off workshop in creative writing, using the gallery and exhibitions at the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art as inspiration.

Poet and performer Emma Decent weaves a funny, moving, inspiring tale using poetry, theatre and library books, to take you on a journey through time exploring the dementia suffered by her mother, who was a librarian.

Bringing home-grown poetry from out of the shadows and bedrooms of Altrincham to the local bookstore – this is an evening where those who write can share their literary creativity with those who listen and read, in a supportive and friendly open mic.

Something Dark tells the story of Lemn Sissay’s upbringing in children’s homes and foster care in Lancashire, and the search for his family and true identity.

A rare chance to see a dramatic reading of the acclaimed monologue by celebrated Manchestercentric performance poet Lemn Sissay, exploring family, freedom and identity.

The Football Writing Festival is back for its fourth year in Manchester. Between 30 August and 7 September, expect football chat from some of the biggest names in football journalism, such as David Conn and Caroline Barker (pictured).

As part of this year’s Football Writing Festival, renowned Guardian sports journalist David Conn provides a groundbreaking insight into corruption at the top level of the beautiful game.

Four Canadian poets join three writers living or working in Manchester and Salford for a unique and immersive evening exploring how words can connect people from different parts of the world.

Tania Hershman launches debut poetry collection Terms and Conditions and short story collection Some Of Us Glow More Than Others, with additional readings by poet Jo Bell and writer Kate Feld.