What's on

Emma Barnett

Performance Space

'I am writing this because I think another woman will need to read it.' Broadcaster, author and journalist, Emma Barnett joins us to discuss her honest, relatable and funny new book Maternity Service. Written in real time after the birth of her second child, Emma draws parallels between lockdown and maternity leave before exploring the challenges […]

Mystery International Film Screening

Performance Space

Welcome to the second edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series. Event Details: • Doors open: 17:15 • Introduction to the film: 17:30 • Film starts: 17:40 • Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3) • Popcorn: FREE! • Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the […]

Word Central with guest poet Lateral G!

Performance Space

Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Tuesday 25th March, 6.00pm – 7.45pm Doors open 5.40pm and free entry. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Lateral G. Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 11th March via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential […]

French Film Club: L’Année du Requin

Performance Space

Alliance Française de Manchester present this month’s film, ‘L’Année du Requin’. Maja, a maritime police officer in the Landes region, faces her worst nightmare coming true: retiring early! Thierry, her husband, has already planned the camping spot and the mobile home. However, the disappearance of a holiday-maker puts the entire coast on alert: a shark […]

Kevin Barry

Performance Space

‘A true wonder’ – Max Porter Tom Rourke, poet, doper, drinker is struggling to make a life for himself amongst the Irish migrant workers seeking to make their fortunes in Butte, Montana. Then Polly Gillespie, wife of a mine captain, walks into his life. Sparks fly, the lovers flee West, but will they reach the […]

Laura Bates

Performance Space

AI-powered technologies are revolutionising our lives and putting women and girls in danger. In her urgent and gripping new book The New Age of Sexism, Laura Bates delves into our future and finds it wanting. From chatbots to sex robots, from deep fakes to the metaverse, Laura examines how existing forms of discrimination, inequality and harassment […]

Colm Tóibín

Performance Space

We are delighted to welcome Colm Tóibín back to Manchester to discuss his latest novel Long Island. Set twenty years after the events of Brooklyn, Eilis Lacey returns to Enniscorthy, Ireland for her mother’s 80th birthday after she discovers her husband Tony has fathered a child with another woman. Her arrival disturbs the balance of the town, […]

Attica Locke

Performance Space

This is the best kind of thriller: as literate and thoughtful as it is fast-moving. Attica Locke has bags of style, and sings the blues on every page’ - Mick Herron (Slow Horses) We’re thrilled to welcome American crime writer Attica Locke to Manchester Literature Festival for a rare UK event. In Guide Me Home, the […]

LOVE STORIES etc FESTIVAL 2025

Performance Space

Love Stories Etc… launched in 2024 with a one-day festival held at Manchester Central Library, with panels, workshops and book signings, aimed at encouraging romance readers to discover new authors. For 2025, there will be events across two days, with an impressive mix of bestselling brand authors, emerging stars and debuts writing in the romance […]