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Lockdown may be looming large, but Live Literature Land has you covered: from book launches and literary salons to online open mics and full-on festivals, activities and events continue virtually.
As January draws to a close, Manchester Poetry Library hosts poet Valerie Bloom and illustrator Ken Wilson-Max as they launch their illustrated children’s poetry book Stars With Flaming Tails on 26 January. Scots Makar Jackie Kay raise a toast for Burn’s Night on the 28th while Libby Tempest doffs her bonnet to Elizabeth Gaskell the day before in an online talk, Cranford for Beginners. Friday 29 January sees No Matter’s Nell Osborne join the line-up helping poets Kyle Lovell and Maria Sledmere as they co-launch their new pamphlets into the world at Each Sharper Halo.
Word Central is back on 4 February, with guest poet Elizabeth McGeown and a compliment of open mic acts, while the Write Out Loud Open Mic Poetry online Zoom edition is beaming out of Wigan on 11 February for the second time this year. Manchester publisher Comma Press has two events to bolster its Protest and Resist collections of stories – with Christopher Eccleston on 9 February and Maxine Peake on 10 February – while Carcanet Press continues its online events programme for 2021 with the launch of Judith Willson’s new poetry collection, Fleet, reading from the work and chatting about it with fellow Carcanet poet Helen Tookey on 10 February.
The annual Manchester In Translation conference this year heads online for three days 16 to 18 February, preceding Manchester City of Literature’s fourth International Mother Language Day, on 21 February. From the Confucius Institute to the new Manchester Poetry Library, IMLD activities include a multi-language mushaira night of song and poetry and the creation of a special Manchester Audio Cookbook by artist Sumay Wu.
Festival wise, Kendal Poetry Festival has a full-to-bursting online programme and runs 19 to 28 February, while March sees both Lancaster Litfest (12-21 March) and Huddersfield Literature Festival (18-28 March) taking place virtually.
Be sure to check back for news of some upcoming literature festivals heading into the ether and don’t forget to scroll down for more events and activities. Check out our Guide To Bookshops In Manchester – many of the indies will order books for you and deliver locally while the libraries are shut – plus our literary guides to Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Cumbria.
We are so grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England for supporting our freelance writers during this crisis. This means that, although venues remain shut and campaigns cancelled, our writers can be reengaged to help arts organisations and artists across the North of England share their online content with our culture-hungry readers.
Here are our picks
Cranford For Beginners Online Talk with Elizabeth Gaskell's House, online, 27 January 2021, from £4 - Book now
Join Libby Tempest, Chair of The Gaskell Society, for an introduction to the novel Cranford, a well-loved classic of Victorian literature all about life in a picture-perfect Cheshire village. The talk, complete with question-and-answer session, takes place on 27 January.
Makar to Makar with Jackie Kay, online, 28 January 2021, free entry - Find Out More
This online show mixing poetry, music and chat, headed by the Scots Makar, or National Poet of Scotland, Jackie Kay, had a successful 16-week run during the UK’s initial Lockdown and now it’s back on 28 January with another seasonal special to celebrate Burns Night.
Each Sharper Halo double book launch online, online, 29 January 2021, free entry - Find Out More
Join poets Kyle Lovell and Maria Sledmere on 29 January as they co-launch their new pamphlets, alongside readings from four guest readers, including Nell Osborne of Manchester’s very own premier avant reading series No Matter and contributor to Manchester Review of Books.
Protest: Stories of Resistance with Maxine Peake, online, 10 February 2021, from £3 - Book now
Radical bookshop Housmans has joined forces with Comma Press to host two online events featuring readings from the publisher’s Protest anthology, with renowned British actors Christopher Eccleston on 9 February and Maxine Peake on 10 February.
Manchester in Translation, online, 16–18 February 2021, free entry - Find Out More
Running 16 to 18 February, this year’s Manchester In Translation conference heads online with panels featuring industry experts including Man Booker International Prize shortlisted Sophie Hughes, workshops with the likes of Anjum Malik, senior lecturer at Manchester Writing School, and a keynote speech from multi-award-winning translator Arunava Sinha.
Our guide to cinema features brand new streaming films, classic favourites and a look back at the year’s cinematic highlights.
A highly immersive audio-visual experience from Manchester Collective, an outdoor festival about the simple act of loitering, and an exhibition of paintings that upend our sense of order.
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
For the December guide, we’re looking at the best delivery options in Manchester, whether it’s for alcohol or food.
Discover the best things to do online from the organisations we love in Manchester and the North.
Embrace your creative side or find the time to unwind your mind in this month’s guide of Tours and Activities.