Preparations gear up for Manchester Literature Festival 4th to 14th October

Preparations are now well under way for this year's Manchester Literature Festival.

Having taken over form the long-standing Manchester Poetry Festival, the Literature Festival now encompasses an even broader range of writers and literature forms. The festival is organised into three different strands: READ, where nationally and internationally renowned writers will discuss their work;  INDEPENDENT, which explores the best of the independent literature scene in the region;  and FREEPLAY, which invites audiences to interactively explore new writing and its connection with new technology and media.

Well-known writers appearing at the festival include Carol Ann Duffy, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Jackie Kay, Rose Tremain and Andrew Motion. There will also be opportunities to explore the work of writers from other cultures, including appearances from Czech writers Petr Borkovec and Kateřina Rudčenková and Basque poets Felipe Juaristi and Kirmen Uribe.

Other highlights include Independent's Day, which will see the Lowry taken over in a celebration of the flourishing independent publishing scene in the northwest. The day will include a huge independent book market, the chance to meet some of the hottest independent editors in the country, performances from leading poets and spoken word artists, seminars on self-publishing and a debate on the issues surrounding independent publishing chaired by DJ Taylor and featuring Neil Astley from Bloodaxe as a speaker.

Ticket prices vary across the festival, with many events remaining free while others charge a nominal fee for admission. For more information, visit manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk