A new year means a whole new set of Literature festivals to tempt bibliophiles. Dotted around the UK they offer the chance to get up close(ish) and politely impersonal with authors and poets from all over the world. I thought I’d take a look at a few that are happening in March around Yorkshire.

The Leeds Lit Fest runs from 4 – 8 March and has over 100 events. Highlights include Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess on Thursday 5th March. Comedian Jenny Eclair gives a talk on Saturday 7th March and Bridget Jones fans may be eager to see Helen Fielding in conversation on Sunday 8th March. Adam Mars-Jones is in conversation on Wednesday 4th March. If crime is your passion then don’t miss Noir in a Cold Climate with Will Dean, Nick Quantrill and Nick Triplow on Sunday 8th March.

For a more immersive experience you could try The Hidden, a library literature adventure where clues are hidden in books as you track down a missing person. If you fancy trying to solve the literary mystery, it’s on Wednesday 4th, Thursday 5th and Friday 6th March.

No Yorkshire festival would be complete without an event covering the Brontes. Leeds doesn’t disappoint with Living With the Brontes on Wednesday 4th March.

Whilst most events have an entry fee, there are some free events including talk with writer in residence Diane Cook on Wednesday 4th March, the Long Division sound installation from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th March and Poems inspired by Barbara Hepworth’s sculptures. There is a children’s writing workshop with author James Nicols on Saturday 7th March, Liza Flanagan’s magical creatures workshop also on Saturday and Vicky Orton: A Fishy Tale on Sunday 8th March.

You can find further information and a full programme here.

Also on next month is the Huddersfield Literature Festival. Running from 19-29th March there should be something to tempt any literary lover. Austen fans may be interested to hear that Adrian Lukis can be seen as Mr Wickham again in Being Mr Wickham on Saturday 21st March. Booker Prize winner Bernadine Evaristo is in conversation on 5th March and there is a celebration of Toni Morrison on 20th March. Can You Hear Me? a paramedic’s encounters with life and death is on 19th March. Crime fans can attend a crime afternoon with local crime author duo R.C. Bridgestock on 29th March.

This time visitors can discover Anne Bronte on 18th March or find out more about Gentleman Jack: the Real Anne Lister on 22 March. There’s even a book swap at the University of Huddersfield on 19th March. Anton du Beke is there for one enchanted evening on 24 March and Polari Up North is back on 25th March. Queen of crime Val McDermid is in conversation on 27 March. There’s even an Alice in Wonderland tote bag workshop on 29th March.

There are free showings of Becoming Jane and an Autism friendly showing of Moomins on the Riveria both on 20th March. Kids can meet Zog on 28th and 29th March or there’s a free evening with Lemn Sissay on 11 March.

More information and the full programme can be found here.