Manchester Literature Festival is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, and has brought together established authors, up and coming writers and poets for a line-up packed with insightful and thought-provoking events. Here’s just ten you should make time for.
Jeanette Winterson
The renowned Manchester-born author will be presenting her latest project ‘The Gap of Time: The Winter’s Tale Retold’ as part of Manchester Literature Festival. An ambitious retelling of Shakespeare’s play, the story moves from London dealing with the 2008 financial crash to a storm-ravaged US city named New Bohemia.
Oct 13, 7.30pm. Royal Exchange.
An Evening with Carol Ann Duffy
The Poet Laureate and professor of contemporary poetry and creative director of The Manchester Writing School at MMU will join MLF for an unmissable evening celebrating the launch of her first ‘Collected Poems’. The work brings together the best of her eight collections and a handful of new poems. Duffy will discuss her writing and passion for words with author and journalist Rachel Cooke along with readings of some of her favourite poems.
Oct 18, 7.30pm. Hallé St. Peter’s.
Jesse Armstrong and Tim Key
BAFTA-award winning television writer Jesse Armstrong, whose credits include ‘Peep Show’, ‘The Thick of It’ and ‘Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror’, will be joined by writer and comedian Tim Key for an evening of scriptwriting, fiction and talent. Armstrong will be presenting his debut novel ‘Love, Sex and Other Foreign Policy Goals’, which features a Manchester-based protagonist, while Key will be reading from his new book ‘The Incomplete Tim Key’.
Oct 17, 7.30pm. International Anthony Burgess Foundation.
Anthony Horowitz
With his new James Bond novel ‘Trigger Mortis’ just about to hit the shelves, Anthony Horowitz comes to Manchester to discuss the challenges of posthumous collaboration – which he’s no stranger to after 2011’s Sherlock Holmes novel ‘The House of Silk’ – and why 007 remains an enduring character.
Sept 9, 7pm. Central Library.
Afternoon Tea with Deborah Moggach
Spend an afternoon in the company of contemporary novelist Deborah Moggach complete with tea and scones. Known for works such as ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and ‘The Ex-Wives’, Moggach will be discussing her new novel ‘Something to Hide’ which looks at the things which connect us, secrets and unforeseen moments.
Oct 12, 3pm. Midland Hotel.
A History of Manchester in Ten Poems
Walk the streets and view some of the city’s most iconic buildings while hearing ten poetic comments on Manchester and Mancunians from poets such as Rudyard Kipling, Carol Ann Duffy and John Cooper in this special literary tour.
Oct 24, 1pm. Manchester Town Hall.
Dave McKean
One of the most of prolific graphic novelists working today, Dave McKean has illustrated more than 50 books including works from Neil Gaiman, Richard Dawkins and Heston Blumental. He’s also behind cult graphic novel ‘Arkham Asylum’ and children’s books such as ‘Coraline’ and ‘The Savage’. The event will include an overview of his works and discussion of his multi-arts collaboration ‘An Ape’s Progress’ which has been jointly commissioned by Manchester Literature Festival and Manchester Jazz Festival.
Oct 23, 7pm. International Anthony Burgess Foundation.
An Ape’s Progress
A reimaging of Hogarth’s ‘A Rake’s Progress’, three very different artists have teamed up for this joint MLF and Manchester Jazz Festival commission. Combining words, music and visual art, this multimedia performance tells the story of an immigrant’s journey to Manchester and has been created by Irish poet Matthew Sweeney, saxophonist and composer Iain Ballamy and illustrator Dave McKean.
Oct 22, 7.30pm. Whitworth Art Gallery.
Boho Literary Pub Tour
Explore the literary life of some of Manchester’s historic pubs on this walking tour. Hear a range of extracts and see the haunts of the likes of Howard Jacobson, John Cooper Clarke and Walter Greenwood while enjoying a few halves of real ale.
Oct 17, 5pm-8pm. Meet outside the Midland Hotel.
Kathryn Williams
To mark the 50th anniversary of Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Bell Jar’, the singer-songwriter has created ‘Hypoxia’ – an album of heartfelt songs inspired by Plath, her characters and her life. She’ll perform the album in full with her band then discuss the project with The Observer’s Rachel Cooke.
Oct 17, 8pm. Hallé St. Peter’s.
Other events taking places include talks from Margaret Atwood (sold out), crime writers Val McDermid and Mark Billingham, and surrealist authors Diao Dou and Adam Marek. View the full programme and book tickets for all events.
See more things to do in Manchester from Time Out.