What's on

French Film Club: Marinette

Performance Space

Join us and Alliance Française de Manchester for this month’s film, Marinette. Marinette Pichon had football in her blood from an early age. Raised by a courageous mother who had to cope with a violent husband, she overcame difficulties and forged an unfailing determination. While juggling odd jobs and a sporting career, she was selected […]

Your Local Arena presents A Day in The Afterlife

Performance Space

Join us for a rare screening of the 1994 Arena documentary A Day in The Afterlife about cult author Philip K Dick (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?). Afterwards, see writers Kate Feld, David Hartley and Irenosen Okojie discuss his speculative / science fiction and imagination. Poet Francesca Beard will also perform a new commission inspired by his […]

Daisy Johnson & Andrew Michael Hurley

Performance Space

Two masters of folk horror join us to discuss their chilling, atmospheric new books, both set in a single location over a significant period of time. The Hotel by Daisy Johnson begins with a hotel built on a possessed plot of land - its origins evident when a woman is accused of witchcraft – and […]

creative:connection

Performance Space

In partnership with Create, disabled and non-disabled students from Manchester and Salford schools come together to create, build connections and break down barriers. Working with top class musicians they will write and perform original songs on the theme of JOY at this celebratory event presented by Manchester Literature Festival and supported by Library Live. Email miriam@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk for […]

Andrew O’Hagan & Dave Haslam

Performance Space

‘Andrew O’Hagan has made more than a great book – he has made a social miracle.’ Joshua Cohen Scottish author Andrew O’Hagan joins us to discuss his gripping new state-of-the-nation novel Caledonian Road with host Dave Haslam. Art historian and celebrated critic Campbell Flynn is beguiled by his provocative student Milo Mangasha who leads him […]

Susanna Clarke: My Life in Books

Performance Space

THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT. ‘Some stories sink down into your bones.’ Award-winning novelist Susanna Clarke (Piranesi) joins us to discuss how writing and reading have shaped her life. From her worldwide bestseller Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, to her enchanting new story The Wood at Midwinter. […]

Joe Boyd

Performance Space

“New technologies may divert our attention, but music created in the moment can still be found where it always has been, in the feet, fingers, voices and spirits of musicians in every corner of the world.” Legendary music producer Joe Boyd (White Bicycle: Making Music in the 1960s) invites you to open your ‘minds and […]

Spooky Poems Aloud with Joseph Coelho

Performance Space

Prepare to jump into the SPOOKY, spellbinding world of spoken word poetry, with your guide: Joseph Coelho. In this interactive session with the Waterstones Children’s Laureate, you’ll be thrilled (and maybe even a litttttle scared) by performances from Joseph as he brings you his latest poetry compendium, Spooky Poems Aloud: 25 Poems to Frighten and […]

Lord of the Flies with Aimee de Jongh

Performance Space

70 years after the publication of William Golding’s story of a group of British schoolboys who descend into savagery after being stranded on a desert island, Aimee de Jongh has created a stunning, first ever graphic novel version of Lord of the Flies. Aimee joins us to discuss her experience of adapting the book, her […]

Rumaan Alam in Conversation

Performance Space

‘This is what governs all of life. We agree to rules. Most of us. There are some, though, you know, who do not obey, who are not asked to observe them.’ When Brooke Orr starts a new job at the Asher and Carole Jaffee Foundation, helping an 80-year-old billionaire to give away his vast fortune, […]

An Evening with Alan Hollinghurst & Andrew McMillan

Performance Space

Unfortunately, due to illness we are having to postpone this event with Alan Hollinghurst. We are hoping to reschedule the event for later in the year. Quaytickets will be in touch with customers to offer the option of transferring ticket(s) to the new date once confirmed or receiving a refund now. ‘Did I have a […]

Asako Yuzuki

Performance Space

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED VENUE FROM WATERSTONES DEANSGATE TO CENTRAL LIBRARY 'There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.’ A Japanese bestseller, Butter is the story of gourmet cook and serial killer Manako Kajii. Convicted of seducing lonely businessmen with her cooking and killing them for their money, Manako is […]