It’s time for the people of Leeds to dust off your party hats! The 'Letters to Leeds' project is coming to an end and we want to celebrate the launch of our publication with you!

For the past month, we have been collecting material through workshops and open calls that focus on people’s personal connections and experiences in Leeds. We have gathered stories, pictures, letters, lists, poems, myths and maps and now we have bound them into a publication that will be exhibited on the 22nd of April from 7-10pm at Hyde Park Book Club. 

Dr Catherine Hua Xiang unravels the nuances of effective communication in China. Her new book, 'Bridging the Gap', equips readers with the understanding needed to navigate cultural differences, making their cross-cultural interactions more successful and rewarding.

Event agenda

Registration and networking (5:00-6:00pm)

Join us in the lower ground floor area of the Esther Simpson Building for refreshments and networking before the talk. This will include:

A book stall where you can buy the book at the special price of £7.99

Join us in the shop as we celebrate the launch of a new gritty Scottish crime series by Liz Mistry, and she introduces us to The Blood Promise.

Liz moved to West Yorkshire in the late 1980s. Her gritty crime fiction police procedural novels set in Bradford embrace the city she describes as ‘Warm, Rich and Fearless’ whilst exploring the darkness that lurks beneath. Yet, her heart remains in Scotland, where childhood tales of bogey men, Bible John and grey lady ghosts fed her imagination.

Join us in the shop to raise a glass, as we celebrate the release of a new compulsive thriller by Caroline Bond, writing as Rachel North, ‘Happily Never After.’

Caroline is a long time friend of the shop and this is a new release under a different name, we are very excited to see it.

I wouldn’t miss this wedding for the world. It will be my last chance to put a stop to it… A small group of family and friends head to a beautiful, secluded location in the mountains of Mallorca for the wedding of Alex and Maddie.

In the first of our SHOW AND TELL CULTURE series we are delighted to welcome local photographer and writer Ebony Wright to Left Bank. In this session, Ebony will share her creative process and inspiration for the creation of her zine 'Demolition'.

We are thrilled to announce that Leeds born CBeebies star, BAFTA winner, author and Ambassador for People with Down’s syndrome, George Webster is back, joining us in the shop, to meet fans and sign his new book, Why Not?

Developed in partnership with George’s co-author, Claire Taylor, Why Not? follows a little boy called George as he tells the reader all about himself – who he is, his life and his experiences. George knows that having Down syndrome is an important part of him but it does not define him.

Look at the past, connect to the present, and imagine possible futures for us and our planet.

How can works of art help us to tell the stories of climate change?

Could paintings, ceramics and sculpture help us to imagine the world that we would like to live in – and inspire us to take action today?

Join debut author Claire Carroll for a workshop on creating fiction that reflects the varied experience of living through the climate crisis.

Claire will help participants explore how their writing can reflect the looming changes and complex emotional states brought about by global warming and the capitalocene.

Young adults are welcome to join the workshop but there is potential for some adult themed content.

This event is part of Leeds Litfest.

Founded in 2007 by author and activist Paul Burston, Polari is a multi award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon. Known for its high energy, thought-provoking performances, Polari is a heady mix of live literature and cabaret, in which the performers happen to be writers.

Described by The Huffington Post as “the most exciting literary moment in London”, the salon also tours regularly, supported by Arts Council England.

Join us at the charming setting of the Old Woollen for a fantastic evening with TV Presenter and judge of the BAFTA-nominated BBC series, The Great British Sewing Bee, Patrick Grant. Patrick will be in conversation with William Gaunt about his career which spans almost two decades in the fashion industry.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to hear the talented Patrick Grant and get a signed copy of his new book ‘The Savile Row Suit.’