Comma Press launched a new short story collection, The Book of Manchester, as part of the 2024 Manchester Literature Festival on Saturday. The latest anthology in their ‘Reading the City’ series, The Book of Manchester aims to bring to light the essence of different cities, both in the UK and internationally, through the stories of a diverse range of authors.
The collection features short stories from 12 Manchester authors, including dramatist and screenwriter Shelagh Delaney and former aAh! Magazine Editorial Assistant and PhD student at the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies, Brontë Schiltz.
Edited by Comma Press editor David Sue, the anthology features stories of “thrilling quietude” – very much in contrast to Manchester’s reputation as one of the UK’s most vibrant cities – and observes Manchester in a much more introspective light amidst the city’s thriving urban landscape.
Kirsty Fairclough, Professor of Screen Studies and Head of Research and Innovation at the School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Met hosted the event, which featured a lively Q&A discussing the lost versions of Manchester in their stories, the changing landscape of the city, and how we can go forward to make Manchester a place for everyone.
Tom Benn (The Cat’s Mother), New Writing North award-winner Okechukwu Nzelu (The Headteacher), Manchester Writing School alumni Sophie Parkes (Shock City), and Yusra Warsama (Cloaks), each performed a reading of their work at the event.
The Book of Manchester is available to buy online at Comma Press.
By Megan Levick and Lily Barry. Featured image: Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels “The decline in children reading for pleasure is deeply concerning, as it touches not only on literacy but also on creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.” Publishers and academics are urging the government to ensure every school has a dedicated reading space for children,…
Featured image: Lowri Simmons Manchester Met final year English Literature student, Kane Crookes, has made his debut as a Gothic poet this autumn with the release of his first poetry book ‘Blooming Us’. Crookes’ book was published in October, marking a big milestone in his career and predominantly explores themes of nature with titles such…
Featured Image: Lauren Maccabee Sports Team frontman Alex Rice has an impish relationship with the internet. In 2021, he went toe-to-toe in a Twitter spat with The 1975’s Matty Healy, mercilessly trolling the singer before coyly posing for photos together months later. Forever the opportunist, Rice plastered the image all over t-shirts promoting Sports Team’s…
Featured image and gallery: Sophie Robinson Following the release of their fourteenth album, 13” Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips (the name coming from a switchblade owned by frontperson Jamie Stewart), experimental rock collective Xiu Xiu played St Mary’s Parish Church in Stockport, a venue as unique and intimate as their music. The…
Leave a reply