Literature Events in Manchester and the North

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

Bookish goings-on are perfect for picking up presents for others and treats to get yourself through the cold, dark days ahead.

Some of our favourite alternative reading series have some amazing autumnal line-ups: check out More Song in Bradford, Peter Barlow’s Cigarette in Manchester and Poetry at the Dusty Miller in Mytholmroyd.

We also have some awesome one-offs to look forward to, from the Blue Diode readings on 9 November (combine with PBC#46 and treat yourself to a poetry all-dayer) to the Blah! Blah Blah!! Blah Blah Blah!!! fundraising event on 23 November. Don’t forget your pocket money!

The Portico Library in Manchester plays host to Oliver Lomax and the continuing Weird As Folk exhibition and events programme, while Libraries in Leeds have Tracy Chevalier coming to town – also check out the Farsley Lit Fest programme.

Online, there’s a host of talks about Victorian writer Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel Wives and Daughters – along with a Halloween special all about literary vampires – and the Carcanet readings continue afoot.

And finally be sure to riffle through our Bookshops in Manchester Guide and pick up the new map from UNESCO Manchester City of Literature, and explore our literary places in LiverpoolLeeds, Sheffield and Cumbria.

Our top picks

Weird As Folk exhibition at The Portico

Weird as Folk: Tall Tales from the North West at The Portico Library, Manchester, Until 2 November 2024, free entry - Visit now

The Portico Library’s latest exhibition, Weird As Folk, runs through to 2 November and invites you to explore and reimagine folklore via texts selected from the collection, which includes 100 books of English folklore.

Yellow poster with Weird as Folk written on it
Portico Library

Tracy Chevalier at University of Leeds

Literary Journeys with Tracy Chevalier at The University of Leeds Public Art Trail, Leeds and online, 6 November 2024, free entry - Find Out More

Bestselling author Tracy Chevalier – best known for her second novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring – is visiting Leeds on 6 November to introduce her latest book The Glass Maker, which came out in the UK in September.

Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier, image supplied by Leeds Inspired

More Song at The 1 in 12 Club Library

More Song at The 1 in 12 Club Library, Bradford, 7 November 2024, free entry - Find Out More

Bradford’s number-one live lit night with invited guests – the autumn season closes, on 7 November, by welcoming Jazmine Linklater, David Mullin and Edwina Attlee, launching her debut collection a great shaking.

Jazmine Linklater
Jazmine Linklater

Peter Barlow’s Cigarette at the Carlton Club

Peter Barlow’s Cigarette at The Carlton Club, Manchester, 9 November 2024, free entry - Find Out More

Two months is a long time in literature, but finally our favourite “afternoon of alternative poetries” is rolling around again – and there’s a real treat in store as the Peter Barlow’s Cigarette organising team have invited Maria Sledmere, Harriet Tarlo and Lucy Wilkinson along to read on 9 November.

Poet Maria Sledmere.
Poet Maria Sledmere

Blue Diode readings at Saul Hay Gallery

Blue diode tour at Saul Hay Gallery, Manchester, Manchester, 9 November 2024, free entry - Find Out More

This special one-off on 9 November features readings from four writers, and includes launches on Blue Diode Press by Olga Stehlíková and Christopher Crawford, with two special guests David Gaffney and Lydia Unsworth.

David Gaffney
Writer David Gaffney. Photo by Nic Chapman

Poetry at the Dusty Miller

Poetry at the Dusty Miller at The Dusty Miller, 12 November 2024, free entry - Find Out More

Calder Valley reading series Poetry at the Dusty Miller is a now monthly night with invited readers, organised by Carcanet Press-published Carola Luther and Judith Willson in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub – this month’s guests, on 19 November, are James Davies, Victoria Gatehouse and Rebecca Hurst.

Rebecca Hurst
Poet Rebecca Hurst. Photo courtesy Poetry at the Dusty Miller.

Farsley Lit Fest at various venues

Farsley Lit Fest at Truman Books, Leeds, Until 22 November 2024, from £8.00 - Book now

The third edition of Farsley Literature Festival is full steam ahead until 22 November, organised in conjunction with Truman Books and The Old Woollen, and encompassing some of their friends from in and around Leeds suburb Farsley.

Kate Mosse
Kate Mosse. Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Wives and Daughters season at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House online

Wives and Daughters - Events Season at Elizabeth Gaskell's House, online, Until 30 November 2024, from £5.00 - Book now

The team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House – just awarded official museum status – continues its deep dive into one of the famous 19th-century author’s texts: Wives and Daughters.

Elizabeth Gaskell's garden
Elizabeth Gaskell's House

More literature events

David Gaffney
LiteratureManchester
Blue Diode readings at Saul Hay Gallery

This special one-off features readings from four writers, and includes launches on Blue Diode Press by Olga Stehlíková and Christopher Crawford, with two special guests David Gaffney and Lydia Unsworth.

free entry
Poet Maria Sledmere.
LiteratureManchester
Peter Barlow’s Cigarette at the Carlton Club

For Peter Barlow’s Cigarette #46, the organising team – Tim Allen, Joey Frances and Rachel Sills – have invited Maria Sledmere, Harriet Tarlo and Lucy Wilkinson along to read.

free entry
Jazmine Linklater
LiteratureBradford
More Song at The 1 in 12 Club Library

At Bradford’s number-one live lit night with invited guests, the autumn season closes by welcoming Jazmine Linklater, Nell Osborne, David Mullin and Edwina Attlee.

free entry
Rebecca Hurst
LiteratureWest Yorkshire
Poetry at the Dusty Miller

Poetry at the Dusty Miller is a now regular night with invited readers, organised by Carcanet-published Carola Luther and Judith Willson in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub.

free entry
Yellow poster with Weird as Folk written on it
Until
LiteratureManchester
Weird As Folk exhibition at The Portico

The Portico Library’s latest exhibition, Weird As Folk, runs through to November and invites you to explore and reimagine folklore via texts selected from the collection, which includes 100 books of English folklore.

free entry
Tracy Chevalier
LiteratureLeeds
Tracy Chevalier at University of Leeds

Bestselling author Tracy Chevalier – best known for her second novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring – is visiting Leeds to introduce her latest book The Glass Maker.

free entry
Kate Mosse
Until
LiteratureLeeds
Farsley Lit Fest at various venues

As part of the 2024 Farsley Literature Festival, join us in the shop as cosy crime writer Jonathan Hall chairs an evening of discussion with Tom Hindle and Rachel North. The panel will explore the lure of a glamorous location for thriller writers.

from £8.00
Timekeepers
Spotlight on

Light Festivals in the North

From enchanting lantern parades to epic LED installations, light festivals are a brilliant way celebrate the magic of the winter months.

Take me there

Literature Events in Manchester and the North

Manchester
Park
Platt Fields Park

Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield is steeped in history, the land having been acquired by the Platt family in 1225.

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

The MerseyMade building in Liverpool
Liverpool
Shop
MerseyMade

In the MerseyMade shop you’ll find bottled gin from the likes of Turncoat Gin, Anfield Gin, Albert Dock Gin and Three Graces Gin. Yep, Liverpool REALLY likes its gin.

Cumbria
Event venue
Penrith Old Fire Station

Main venue for Eden Arts, an artist-led organisation based in Eden in Cumbria creating projects around mass participation, local distinctiveness and digital engagement, from Picnic Cinema to The Winter Droving.

The Hepworth Wakefield
Wakefield
Gallery
The Hepworth Wakefield

Winner of the 2017 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award, The Hepworth in Wakefield is easily one of the leading cultural highlights of the North.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.