Colourful histories and acclaimed lines will feature in Read Write York's latest evening reading.

World renowned poets Mairi MacInnes and Peter Robinson will read from their work at York Central Library on Wednesday, July 23 at 6pm. Writers with strong local connections, they will bring rich pasts and an international flavour to the event which forms part of Read-Write, City of York Council's drive to promote literature across the city.

Born in County Durham and living in York, Mairi MacInnes is the author of an acclaimed memoir Clearances published in 2002, two novels and six books of poetry. She has lived in post-war Berlin, Mexico, and America, where she was awarded National Endowment in Arts and Ingram-Merill Fellowships.

In the Second World War, she worked as a driver with the Women's Royal Navy Service and has held a number of jobs from advertising copywriter to MP's secretary. It is this rich tapestry of experience that forms the basis of her poetry.

Peter Robinson is another northern writer with a strong literary reputation. Brought up in Wigan and Liverpool, he studied at the University of York has taught English at Sendai, and dividing his time between Japan, Italy and England, now writes regularly for the Guardian and Times Literary Supplement. The author of several collection of poetry, his latest Selected Poems was published earlier this year. He has Described by critic Eric Griffiths as "the finest poet of his generation", Peter's first collection of poems was labelled "a major event" by the Guardian.

David Cooper, literature development officer for City of York Council said: 'We couldn't be more pleased, Mairi and Peter are writers with international reputations. Part of Read Write York's mission is to invite more writers into the city's libraries and we are delighted that two writers of this calibre will be reading for us in the city centre.' To reserve tickets, priced at £4 and £3 concessions, available from the Help Desk at York Central Library.