The third in a new series of FREE events features author Naomi Alderman.

Naomi’s first novel, Disobedience, was published in ten languages, read on BBC Radio 4’s “Book at Bedtime” and won the Orange Prize for New Writers. In the USA, it was short-listed for the National Jewish Book Award and the Sami Rohr Prize. From 2004-2007, she was lead writer on the BAFTA-nominated alternate reality game Perplex City. In 2007, Naomi was named Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year and one of 25 Waterstone’s Writers of the Future. Her short fiction has been published widely and she was short-listed for the BBC National Short Story Award in 2009. Her second novel, The Lessons, was published by Penguin in 2010: “Universal in its themes of ambition, desire and betrayal, this spellbinding novel reflects the truth that the lessons life teaches often come too late.” She broadcasts regularly and writes a weekly games column for the Guardian. Naomi grew up in London and is a graduate of the universities of Oxford and East Anglia.

Naomi will be talking about her work and answering questions from the audience. Drinks will be available from the bar, and there’ll be a special Blackwell’s bookstall, with signing after the event.

Date: Thursday 10^th November 2011

Time: 6.30-8.00pm

Entry: Free – all welcome (you can just turn up on the night, or email

events@anthonyburgess.org to reserve seats)

Venue: The International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill,

Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY

Contact: James Draper: +44 (0) 161 247 1787; j.draper@mmu.ac.uk

Later in the series: Laura Wilson (24/11/11) and Alan Hollinghurst (08/12/11)

The Manchester Writing School at MMU: www.mmu.ac.uk/writingschool

The International Anthony Burgess Foundation: www.anthonyburgess.org

Sponsored by Q Hotels, The Midland, Manchester

Sponsored by The Midland Hotel, Manchester

www.qhotels.co.uk

Hotel Reservations: 0845 074 0060

October 27th, 2011 - 15:59pm

October 18th, 2011 - 20:58pm

Jeanette Winterson will be discussing her memoir Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? Jeanette grew up in Accrington and based her bestselling first novel, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, on this experience.  The book went on to win the Whitbread First Novel Award and she has gone on to write many more novels and win many more prizes, including the Prix d’Argent. In 2006 Jeanette was made an OBE for services to literature.  Her new book is an extremely moving, and often very funny, exploration of life, love, families and identity. Copies will be available to buy at the event. Hosted by Dr Ellie Byrne.

Presented by the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University, in association with Jonathan Cape and the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Date: Sunday 30^th October 2011

Start time: 5.00pm

Venue: Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH

Tickets: £5

Book online at www.royalexchangetheatre.org.uk or contact the box office: +44 (0) 161 833 9833

To find out more about Manchester Writing School events, activities and programmes of study (enrolling now for January and September 2012), go to: www.mmu.ac.uk/writingschool or contact James Draper on +44 (0) 161 247 1787 or j.draper@mmu.ac.uk.

October 7th, 2011 - 14:02pm

September 28th, 2011 - 14:56pm

September 22nd, 2011 - 20:46pm

The second of a new series of FREE author events features critically acclaimed novelist Colin Bateman. Colin’s first book, Divorcing Jack, won the Betty Trask Prize, his 2009 Mystery Man was a “Richard and Judy Summer Read” and, in 2010, he won the Crimefest Last Laugh Award for The Day of the Jack Russell. He has also written books for children, including Reservoir Pups, and his TV and film credits are extensive – he created the Murphy’s Law series, which stars James Nesbitt, and adapted Divorcing Jack for a film featuring Rachel Griffiths and David Thewlis. His latest book, Nine Inches, is published by Headline in October 2011. Colin will be talking about his work and answering questions from the audience. Drinks will be available to purchase from the bar, and there’ll be a special Blackwell’s bookstall, with signing after the event.

Date: Thursday 27^th October 2011

Time: 6.30-8.00pm

Entry: Free – no need to book – just turn up on the night – all welcome

Venue: The International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY

Contact: James Draper: +44 (0) 161 247 1787; j.draper@mmu.ac.uk

Later in the series: Naomi Alderman (10/11/11), Laura Wilson (24/11/11) and Alan Hollinghurst (08/12/11)

The Manchester Writing School at MMU: www.mmu.ac.uk/writingschool

The International Anthony Burgess Foundation: www.anthonyburgess.org

Sponsored by The Midland Hotel, Manchester www.qhotels.co.uk Hotel Reservations: 0845 074 0060

September 21st, 2011 - 13:56pm

The first of a new series of FREE author events features Rachel Cusk, the author of six novels, including her latest, The Bradshaw Variations, Saving Agnes, which won the Whitbread First Novel Award, and Arlington Park, which was short-listed for the Orange Prize for Fiction. She was named one of the twenty “Best of Young British Novelists” by Granta magazine in 2003, and her A Life’s Work is a personal exploration of motherhood. Rachel will be talking about her work and answering questions from the audience. Drinks will be available to purchase from the bar, and there’ll be a special Blackwell’s bookstall, with signing after the event.

Date: Thursday 29^th September 2011

Time: 6.30-8.00pm

Entry: Free – no need to book – just turn up on the night – all welcome

Venue: The International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY

Contact: James Draper: +44 (0) 161 247 1787; j.draper@mmu.ac.uk

Later in the series: Colin Bateman (27/10/11), Naomi Alderman (10/11/11), Laura Wilson (24/11/11) and Alan Hollinghurst (08/12/11)

The Manchester Writing School at MMU: www.mmu.ac.uk/writingschool

The International Anthony Burgess Foundation: www.anthonyburgess.org

Sponsored by The Midland Hotel, Manchester

www.qhotels.co.uk

Hotel Reservations: 0845 074 0060

September 21st, 2011 - 12:59pm

Tuesday 11^th October 2011, 4pm-7pm

NW Launch of ‘Anthologise’ a national Laureate Education project.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, Geoffrey Manton Building.

Free to all. 

Email mcbfcln@mmu.ac.uk to book places.

 

Launched by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, the MCBF Creative Learning Network (MCBF CLN) has been formed to aid educational and cultural organisations in the Greater Manchester area in sharing information about creative opportunities for schools.  Everyone is welcome and the event will be of particular interest to teachers (primary and secondary) interested in using culture and the arts to teach creatively.  Representatives from most of the major cultural organisations in the city will be there with information about their education programmes, events, activities, projects and competitions.  The network is designed to promote creativity across the curriculum, with activities relevant to the Arts, English, Science, History, Languages and other subject areas.  Come along to find out what is on offer in the 2011/12 academic year – and bring colleagues from other subject areas, too.

   

This event will also be the North West launch of ‘Anthologise’, Carol Ann’s Laureate Education project.  ‘Anthologise’ aims to get pupils in secondary schools reading and appreciating poetry by creating their own anthologies.  Details of the competition will be announced at the event and there will be posters and flyers for schools to use.  If you are unable to attend the launch but would to join the Creative Learning Network, please email: mcbfcln@mmu.ac.uk.

     

To find out more about the Manchester Children’s Book Festival, go to: www.mcbf.org.uk.

   

To find out more about Anthologise, go to: www.anthologise.co.uk.

September 13th, 2011 - 11:17am

Thursday 6th October 2011, 10-12am

Cressida Cowell – book launch schools’ event / Dragonese Day! Free: suitable for school groups of year 4,5,6,7 pupils.

Venue: Dance House Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester

Contact k.t...@mmu.ac.uk to book places

Author Cressida Cowell is launching her new book ‘How to Steal a Dragon’s Sword’ at an event presented by Manchester Library Services, in association with the Manchester Children’s Book Festival.  The event is free and everyone is welcome but places are limited and must be booked.  Activity packs will be given to children attending this event.  These can be sent to schools in advance provided that they book by Monday 26th September.  Pupils are invited to come in Viking Fancy dress if they wish.  Books will be available at the library’s reduced rate for purchase and Cressida Cowell will be happy to sign these after the event.

This event is a trailblazer for the 2012 Manchester Children’s Book Festival. To find out more, got to: www.mcbf.org.uk.

 

September 13th, 2011 - 11:07am

Preparations are under way for the 2012 Manchester Children’s Book Festival, directed by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and hosted by the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University. The Festival will be taking place from 28th June – 8th July 2012; so you don’t have to wait until next summer, there will also be a series of trailblazer events in the run-up – and some of these are being staged in partnership with the Manchester Literature Festival as part of the their exciting 2011 programme in October:

All Write! Celebration Wednesday 12th October 2011, 1pm, MMU’s Geoffrey Manton Building The annual All Write! creative writing competition, run by The Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University, attracts hundreds of entries from Greater Manchester school children aged nine to 16. Writers Sherry Ashworth, Mandy Coe and Anjum Malik will present this year’s winners with copies of the 2011 anthology showcasing their work, and there will be readings and performances at this lively celebration of young talent. This event is open to any young writer or school group with an interest in creative writing. For details and booking, click here.

[caption id="attachment_746" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Julie Bertagna"][/caption]

Julie Bertagna and the Midland Future Manchester Competition Saturday 15th October 2011, 11am, the Midland Hotel Julie Bertagna will be talking about her acclaimed trilogy for young adults, Exodus, Zenith and Aurora, which tells the incredible story of young people fighting to survive in a world that is drowning in the melt from polar icecaps. She will also be helping us to launch our new competition for young people, the Midland Future Manchester Competition, coordinated in partnership with Manchester Children’s Book Festival and Manchester Science Festival. The competition invites 12 – 16 year olds to write a fictional story imagining how future Manchester may be affected by technological and environmental changes. Come along for some ideas and inside information on how to write science-inspired fiction. Julie will also lead a CPD session for teachers on Friday 14th October, 4 – 6pm, MMU’s Geoffrey Manton Building. For further details and booking, click here.

[caption id="attachment_747" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Francesca Simon"][/caption]

Francesca Simon Sunday 23rd October 2011, 5pm, Whitworth Art Gallery Creator of the hugely popular Horrid Henry series, best-selling author Francesca Simon launches an exciting new novel for children, The Sleeping Army. It tells the story of Freya, an ordinary girl living in modern Britain with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods. One evening, stuck with her dad on his night shift at the British Museum, she blows Heimdall’s Horn, waking three chess pieces from their enchantment; the slaves Roskva and Alfi, and Snot the Berserk. They are all summoned to Asgard, land of the Viking gods, and told they must go on a perilous journey to restore the gods to youth. The Sleeping Army is brilliantly funny, original and a wholly new take on the old Norse myths – and the complexity of contemporary family life. Presented in association with Manchester Children’s Book Festival, this is a Sunday afternoon treat for all story lovers aged eight upwards. For further details and booking, click here.

For details of the full 2011 Manchester Literature Festival programme, go to: www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk. For details of the 2011 Manchester Children’s Book Festival, hosted by MMU, and to sign-up for the MCBF mailing list to get advance news of events and activities, go to: www.mcbf.org.uk.

If you’re interested in studying in the Manchester Writing School at MMU, you can find out more on the website – www.mmu.ac.uk/writingschool – or by contacting James Draper on +44 (0) 161 247 1787 or j.dr...@mmu.ac.uk.

September 2nd, 2011 - 09:00am