News

Your Online Events for 2026: Short Stories and More

You are cordially invited to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House’s season of events on Short Stories including Cranford and the Gothic! Fancy some variety? Too busy for a longer novel? These short stories are the perfect answer. Plus we not-to-be-missed have partnership event with the Brontë Parsonage Museum and Jane Austen’s House.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s short stories have got it all; comedy, tragedy, sensationalism, realism, journalism and the macabre. This new year, share in the joy of Elizabeth Gaskell’s short stories from Cranford to The Old Nurse’s Story with our programme of online events.

So give yourself something to look forward to in 2026 and join like-minded literary fans from across the world.

Perhaps better known for her classic novels, Elizabeth Gaskell was a prolific writer of short stories. Charles Dickens knew this and encouraged her to write for his literary magazine. We’ll start with an Introduction to these stories including Libbie Marsh’s Three Eras and Lizzie Leigh which reflect the later themes of North and South and Mary Barton.

Then we step into the (literary) deep dark woods for a look at Elizabeth Gaskell’s Fairy Tales in February. From Bluebeard to Cinderella, look below the surface in Elizabeth Gaskell and nothing is as it seems! Plus there’s a chance to find out more about Elizabeth Gaskell, both her personal relationships and her writing with Gail Frosbrook.

Join us in April for our three-part season about Elizabeth Gaskell and Charlotte Brontë in partnership with the Brontë Parsonage Museum. The Invention of Charlotte Brontë traces the events behind Elizabeth Gaskell’s sensational biography and the cultural legend it inspired – from her six-year friendship with Charlotte Brontë to the media scandal that followed the book’s release, when Elizabeth Gaskell was pressured into a false confession of error to protect her publisher from a lawsuit. Other events look at the friendship between these two iconic writers and, new for 2026, a focus on the work and Emily and Anne Bronte with ‘I wish I were a girl again, half-savage and hardy, and free’ online talk.

In May and June we start our mini-season sharing the much-loved Cranford series. Enjoy a wealth of characters from the gentle Miss Matty and her domineering elder sister to the gossipy Miss Pole and that arbiter of social standing, The Honourable Mrs Jamieson, as Dr Chris Louttit takes a closer look at the much-loved adaptation of Cranford.

Plus we have a very personal talk about Cranford for Beginners with Gaskell Society Vice-Chair Libby Tempest. A warm, funny and engaging talk which suggests there may be more to Cranford than the idyllic image suggests.

Then we’re into a Gothic Autumn as we look at the dark underbelly of literature – from The Old Nurse’s Story to The Poor Clare. Watch this space for more events added throughout the year.

All talks take place online via zoom and tickets cost £6 per person unless otherwise stated. All previous event recordings are available for purchase and if you book, you will receive the recording whether you watch live or not – please see our FAQ. You can also support the house by buying from our online shop via this link .

• 21 January – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Short Stories – An Introduction Book here
• 4 February – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Fairy Stories Book here
• 10 February – Valentine’s -Romantic Moments Book here
• 25 February – Elizabeth Gaskell: An Introduction Book here
• 18 March – ‘I Blame the Mother’ Book here
• 15 April – Online Talk: North and South across the Atlantic – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Influence in Nineteenth-Century America Book here
• 22 April – The Invention of Charlotte Brontë Book here
• 29 April – Elizabeth Gaskell and Charlotte Brontë: A Friendship Book here
• 6 May -‘I wish I were a girl again, half-savage and hardy, and free’ – Emily and Anne Brontë Book here
• 20 May – South and North Rather than North and South: Ellen Wilkinson, Elizabeth Gaskell and the ‘Big Strike’ novel Book here
• 3 June – Cranford – A TV Classic Book here
• 24 June – Cranford For Beginners Book here

Keep the Pages Turning

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is run by Manchester Historic Buildings Trust (charity no. 1080606) and all money gained through private tours, talks, room hire and ticket sales goes towards the ongoing maintenance and running costs of the House. If you would like to support the House with an additional donation you can do so via this link.