Home to 4 historic libraries, 23 public libraries plus many more independents. 2 Universities in the City Centre with a student population of 98,000, plus 2 writing schools. More than 40 arts and culture festivals, including Manchester Literature Festival. More than 10 independent publishers such as Carcanet and Comma Press. The home of writers and radicals such as Anthony Burgess, Emmeline Pankhurst, Lemn Sissay, Carol Ann Duffy, John Cooper Clarke, Elizabeth Gaskell, Jeanette Winterson.

Manchester: A UNESCO City of Literature.

event

Festival of Libraries 2021

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project

A City Connects

In March 2020, Manchester went into the first national lockdown, and would remain in a state of lockdown until the following year. At that time, the Manchester City of Literature team had only been working together…

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Keep in touch with all things Literature in Manchester. We regularly share opportunities, events and news for writers, readers and everyone in between.

Hosting a literature event?

If you are arranging or hosting a literature event in Manchester which is open to a public audience, and would like us share via our network, submit your details here and we’ll share it far and wide!

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“Book collection is an obsession, an occupation, a
disease, an addiction, a fascination, an
absurdity, a fate. It is not a hobby.
Those who do it must do it.”

JEANETTE WINTERSON