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.
Featured image: Georgina Hurdsfield After the considerably grey weather of the weekend, Sunday morning started with a spell of glorious sunshine to wake the people of Leeds Festival, a spot of cheer going into the dreaded final day of the weekend. But, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper festival weekend without the flash downpours,…
Featured image: Henry Redcliffe Not to be outshined by the artists performing today, the rain makes its inevitable return to the skies of Yorkshire over Leeds Festival. With the downpours hardly taking a break, Saturday is the day for the indie-heads and brats, as two of the most anticipated acts of the weekend take the…
Featured image: Georgina Hurdsfield Despite the dreary weather forecast, it seems the explosive noise of the night before has blown away the expected torrential rain, as the sun fights through the clouds to shine over Leeds Festival on Friday. With the opening of the ‘other’ stages, the first double headliner, and a very special birthday,…
Featured image: Ruby Boland As the gates of Bramham Park finally opened for the 2026 edition, so too did the heavens, with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for the whole weekend, you’d be forgiven for thinking this year’s instalment of Leeds Festival was a write-off. Neither the punters nor the artists would let this dreary…
Leave a reply