Richard Ford at the Whitworth

Pulitzer-winning US author and pioneer of ‘dirty realism’ Richard Ford will be talking about his new novel Canada at a rare appearance in the UK for Manchester Literature Festival. The American professor, novelist and former journalist, whose books include Independence Day and Lay of the Land, will be discussing his latest project at a seminar led by Dr Ian McGuire, author of the critically acclaimed Incredible Bodies and co-director of the Centre for New Writing at Manchester University. Ford’s new novel deals with issues of identity and fragility, through 15-year-old Dell Parsons, who must learn to fend for himself after his parents are arrested for robbing a bank.

Part of Manchester Literature Festival.

Fri 12 Oct, The Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Road, M15 6ER, 7.30pm, £8/£10, www.quaytickets.com