I got the news that my bid for Arts Council funding to support the Prestwich Book Festival was successful on March 15. Since then I've been at the centre of a flurry of activity to get the best possible writers and poets to come to Prestwich between 12 May and 16 June. By and large, they've said yes.
The full programme will be published online on 15 April; and a sneak preview of events will be going up a week earlier, on 8 April, so watch this space. I’ve tried hard to keep ticket prices as affordable as possible.
The very first event to be unveiled is up on the website now, and tickets are on sale. If you’re into vampires, horror or fantasy writing, mark Tuesday 14th May in your diary – two authors who have written vampire novels set in Manchester will be appearing at Prestwich Library in Hunger and Habit: an evening of vampire horror. There’s award winning writer Melvin Burgess, best known for his controversial young adult novel, JUNK, and a string of prize- winning titles for young adults. He’s stepped out of his comfort zone into a world of zombies, vampires and the undead with his new horror novel Hunger. It was commissioned by Hammer (the publishing imprint of the classic horror movie company) and as a ‘literary’ author writing a horror novel, he follows in the footsteps of Jeanette Winterson and Helen Dunmore who have also written genre novels for the imprint. Alongside Melvin will be Stephen McGeagh with Habit, a tale of present day Manchester meets the twilight zone. The novel has been described as a “short sharp shocker” that combines gritty realism with elements of pure horror: think Brett Easton Ellis meets Stephen King.
Can’t wait to see you there.
The full programme will be published online on 15 April; and a sneak preview of events will be going up a week earlier, on 8 April, so watch this space. I’ve tried hard to keep ticket prices as affordable as possible.
The very first event to be unveiled is up on the website now, and tickets are on sale. If you’re into vampires, horror or fantasy writing, mark Tuesday 14th May in your diary – two authors who have written vampire novels set in Manchester will be appearing at Prestwich Library in Hunger and Habit: an evening of vampire horror. There’s award winning writer Melvin Burgess, best known for his controversial young adult novel, JUNK, and a string of prize- winning titles for young adults. He’s stepped out of his comfort zone into a world of zombies, vampires and the undead with his new horror novel Hunger. It was commissioned by Hammer (the publishing imprint of the classic horror movie company) and as a ‘literary’ author writing a horror novel, he follows in the footsteps of Jeanette Winterson and Helen Dunmore who have also written genre novels for the imprint. Alongside Melvin will be Stephen McGeagh with Habit, a tale of present day Manchester meets the twilight zone. The novel has been described as a “short sharp shocker” that combines gritty realism with elements of pure horror: think Brett Easton Ellis meets Stephen King.
Can’t wait to see you there.