The festival marks its 20th anniversary with a vibrant programme of talks and events
Manchester Literature Festival (MLF) celebrates its 20th anniversary with an array of storytelling, creativity and cultural dialogue.
From 11-26 October, literature enthusiasts can delight in a variety of events, from Q&As with authors to family-friendly events encouraging younger generations to explore their creativity through reading and writing, including Manchester Literature Festival's Family Birthday Bash with Supertato creator Sue Hendra, CBBC presenter Katy Ashworth and Pia’s Pet Party with Serena Patel and a Wild Science Animal Encounter. Bestselling author and comics creator Jim Smith will also deliver a draw-along session to celebrate his latest book, Genius Kid Goes Viral.
To mark the 20th anniversary, Manchester Central Library will host a photography exhibition - ‘From Page to Stage: 20 Years of Manchester Literature Festival’ - containing an intimate collection of photos that follow the festival’s journey from its early days to becoming one of the UK’s most distinctive literary events. Writers featured include Lemn Sissay, Jeanette Winterson, Jackie Kay, Simon Armitage, Johnny Marr, Guy Garvey, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Vivienne Westwood, capturing the energy, diversity and creativity that defines the Festival. The exhibition will be on display from 12 September to 16 December.
Ahead of the main Festival, MLF will unveil a newly commissioned poem by multi-award-winning writer Andrew McMillan and a special photography exhibition, From Page to Stage, which will spotlight and celebrate iconic moments and writers from two decades of programming.
Manchester Literature Festival Co-Directors Cathy Bolton and Sarah-Jane Roberts said: “This year is the 20th anniversary of Manchester Literature Festival and we’re excited to welcome hundreds of writers, readers and culture lovers back to the Festival. We’ve seen both Manchester and the literary landscape radically transform since 2006 but the one thing that’s stayed consistent is people’s desire for storytelling and connection.
We feel privileged to have welcomed some of the world’s greatest writers to our UNESCO City of Literature and as we look forward to the future, we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the authors, artists and audiences who have joined us on our journey so far, their creativity, curiosity and civic engagement are the pulse of Manchester Literature Festival.”
Jen Cleary, Director North West, Arts Council England said: “Congratulations to Manchester Literature Festival on reaching its 20th anniversary! We’re pleased to support the festival as one of our National Portfolio Organisations; it’s always one of the autumn’s highlights bringing a wide variety of writers, poets and thinkers together to celebrate creativity and different storytelling genres. This year’s programme has an exciting line up of acclaimed authors and inspiring voices worthy of marking 20 years as one of the key literary festivals in the North and I’m sure that everyone will find an event to tempt them.”
Dr. Kaye Mitchell, Director, Centre for New Writing said: “Two decades on, Manchester Literature Festival remains a creative force for good and a perennial source of inspiration within the cultural life of the city. The Centre for New Writing at The University of Manchester is proud to act as the Higher Education Partner of the Festival, and MLF 2025 promises an array of literary luminaries and cultural icons, with some compelling commissions and unmissable events. Here’s to the next twenty years!”
This year’s programme highlights include:
- Mick Herron - a master of British spy fiction reveals his highly anticipated new thriller Clown Town. Sponsored by Weightmans.
- Elizabeth Day - the bestselling author of Magpie, How to Fail and Friendaholic comes to the Festival to discuss her new novel One of Us. Sponsored by The Edwardian Manchester.
- Kiran Desai – the Booker Prize winning author joins us in an intimate event to discuss her long awaited new novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. Presented in partnership with Manchester Museum.
- Irvine Welsh – one of Scotland’s most iconic literary voices takes us back to the notorious world of Trainspotting in his blazing and hilarious new novel Men in Love.
- Jeanette Winterson - 40 years after her era-defining debut Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, Jeanette returns with One Aladdin Two Lamps - a bold, brilliant celebration of the transformative power of storytelling and deep reading. Presented in partnership with the Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester. Sponsored by Weightmans.
- Samantha Shannon & Saara El-Arifi – two of the most electrifying voices in fantasy join us to discuss epic storytelling, character creation and feminist fiction. Samantha will talk about her forthcoming book, Among the Burning Flowers, and Saara her latest novel, Cursebound. Presented in partnership with Waterstones Deansgate and sponsored by The Maldron Hotel.
- Sarah Hall & Daisy Johnson – two of Britain’s most original literary talents come together to explore nature, myth and folklore. Sarah will discuss her brilliant new novel Helm, inspired by Cumbria’s wild wind and Daisy will talk about her haunting book, The Hotel. Presented in partnership with Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester.
- Kate Mosse – two events by the best-selling author and founder of the Women’s Prize as she talks about How to get Published, advising aspiring writers on their future careers and her latest non-fiction work, Feminist History for Every Day of the Year. Sponsored By Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
- Hannah Ritchie – one of the most refreshing voices in the climate conversation, the data scientist shares Clearing the Air: A Hopeful Guide to Solving Climate Change in 50 Questions and Answers. Sponsored by Weightmans.
- Sayaka Murata – the award-winning Japanese author of Convenience Store Woman and Earthlings discusses her provocative new novel Vanishing World. Sponsored by The Edwardian Manchester.
- Mary Portas – a passionate campaigner for creativity and the high street unveils her life in fashion and her candid new book I Shop Therefore I Am: The 90s, Harvey Nicks – and Me.
- Patrick Grant - designer, Great British Sewing Bee judge, clothing manufacturer and sustainability champion shares the story behind his bold new book LESS.
- Jung Chang – the international bestselling author explores Fly, Wild Swans - the long-awaited sequel to her iconic memoir Wild Swans. Presented in partnership with Waterstones Deansgate.
- Yanis Varoufakis – one of Europe’s most provocative and influential voices returns to share insights from his powerful new memoir Raise Your Soul: A Personal History of Resistance.
- Hans Ulrich Obrist - the art world’s ultimate connector shares stories from his coming-of-age memoir, Life in Progress. Presented in partnership with The Whitworth.
- Led By Donkeys - from viral billboards to guerrilla projections on UK Parliament, Led by Donkeys have taken political satire and direct action to a whole new level. Hear the story behind their book Led by Donkeys: Art, Activism and Accountability.
- Martin Parr - one of the world’s most idiosyncratic photographers launches his autobiography, Utterly Lazy and Inattentive, and discusses some of his favourite photos with host Helen Mort.
- Elizabeth Alker - the BBC Radio 3 broadcaster discusses her book Everything We Do is Music with DJ and BBC 6 Music presenter Deb Grant and explores how visionary classical composers helped shape the sound of modern pop and rock.
- Zadie Smith - A North West exclusive, the award-winning author returns to talk about her new book Dead and Alive that celebrates the legacy of literary greats Joan Didion, Martin Amis, Hilary Mantel, Philip Roth and Toni Morrison. Presented in partnership with the Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester. Sponsored by The Edwardian Manchester.
Manchester Literature Festival emerged from Manchester Poetry Festival and poetry is still one of the Festival’s most important strands. This year’s poetry highlights include:
- Simon Armitage - Poet Laureate and Festival favourite Simon Armitage returns to read from his two new collections, Dwell and New Cemetery.
- Reimagining v.: Malika Booker, Jo Clement & Paul Farley - 40 years on from Tony Harrison’s seminal poem v., three acclaimed and distinctive Northern poets re-imagine his verse and read from their newly commissioned poems. Hosted by Andrew McMillan. Presented in partnership with Manchester Poetry Library.
- The Poems of Seamus Heaney - John McAuliffe, Bernard O’Donoghue, Sinéad Morrissey, Leontia Flynn and Nick Laird gather to mark the publication of The Poems of Seamus Heaney and read some of their favourite poems by the Irish Laureate. Presented in partnership with the Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester.
For more information and to see the full programme, visit manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.
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