MLF Chapter & Verse
The Manchester Literature Festival Blog
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Review: Gaeia Manchester Sermon with Elif Shafak
December 7, 2015
Our blogger Jonti Dalal-Small reports from Manchester Cathedral, where Anglo-Turkish author, journalist and critic Elif Shafak delivered an unforgettable 2015 Gaeia Manchester Sermon “I don’t think writers should preach. I find it annoying.” So says Elif Shafak who, from behind a pulpit in Manchester Cathedral, has just delivered a sermon. Who is she? I am […]
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Review: Northern Lights Writers’ Conference
November 24, 2015
Adrian Slatcher enjoys a day of informative and entertaining talk on the craft of writing at the Northern Lights Writers’ Conference In its third year at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale, the Northern Lights Writers’ Conference continues to attract a good crowd of writers with different levels of experience and background. With a mix […]
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Review: Rising Stars Day
November 17, 2015
Three literature events in a day? Our blogger Benjamin Judge takes on the challenge of blogging our Rising Stars Day, but discovers he may have bitten off more than he can chew. Hey, Manchester Literature Festival. Shall we? Shall we count the ways? Yes, let’s. Three events, one day, six writers, one host, one blogger… […]
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Review: Paul Mason
November 6, 2015
Louise Bolotin is spellbound by an evening with the brilliant Paul Mason. Paul Mason is familiar to many as Channel 4 News’ economics editor, and to the musically minded as a Northern Soul aficionado, but it was in his journalistic capacity that he took to the stage to expound on his theories about the future […]
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Review: Simon Armitage
November 6, 2015
Young Digital Reporter Elizabeth Gibson is thrilled by a first encounter with one of her favourite poets. I have long been a fan of Simon Armitage: his poem “Homecoming” is one of my absolute favourites. So it was with great excitement that I sat down in the Central Library to see him for the first […]
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Review: Afternoon Tea With Kate Clanchy
November 6, 2015
Sarah Jasmon enjoys an afternoon story – and cake – with Midland writer in residence Kate Clanchy. Kate Clanchy is wearing a coat-dress made in a fine grey suit fabric with a collar and tie. With her cropped hair and glasses, she has the air of a Bloomsbury bluestocking, which feels just right for the Edwardian […]
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Review: Family Reading Day
November 6, 2015
Young Digital Reporter Rebecca Roe (and her little sisters) spent a boisterous day at the library celebrating books, reading and pirates. The Family Reading Day was a perfect day out for the whole family. I expected as much of course, Manchester Literature Festival’s events have always been wonderful, especially the ones directed to young people. The […]
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Review: The Letters Page
November 6, 2015
Sarah-Clare Conlon hears about a literary journal that’s really pushing the envelope – The Letters Page, edited by novelist and short story writer Jon McGregor I was going to tell you all about the amazing venue that is Elizabeth Gaskell’s House; how me and Fat Roland set up ideas of parties in the posh dining […]
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Review: An Evening With Carol Ann Duffy
October 25, 2015
Abi Hynes enjoys an audience with Carol Ann Duffy, discussing poetry, writing and life. This was my first encounter with our delightfully local Poet Laureate, despite the fact I’ve been a fan since I was a teenager. She was the first poet I studied at school that I felt any sort of connection to; perhaps, thinking back, […]
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Review: Tracey Thorn and Dave Haslam
October 25, 2015
Desmond Bullen revisits ‘days of hormone and heartbreak’ as Tracey Thorn and Dave Haslam share a few of their favourite songs for Jukebox Choice. This – thank heavens – isn’t ‘rock and roll’, yet Gorilla’s decommissioned nuclear bunker décor has just the same conjured up a gig-giddiness amongst its midlife critics, all sensible clothes and […]