May 3rd (Sunday) Independent publishers book fair
High street bookshops are full of books from a small number of large mainstream publishers, most based in London. However, the North West is home to a great variety of small independent publishers producing great work by little known and emerging authors. Our book fair will provide an opportunity for local people to discover fantastic work by the poets, short story writers and novelists who are championed by these smaller publishing houses.
May 3rd (Sunday) ‘Autistic and Unapologetic’ with James Sinclair
James Sinclair is an autism advocate and blogger. James is an influential voice for adults with autism and often speaks at literary and scholarly events , including the University of Cambridge. James will be talking about the extraordinary strengths that some people with autism may have and about his own journey and his blog, ‘Autistic & Unapologetic’, an autism awareness website.
May 5th (Tuesday) Another Evening with author David Nolan
Local writer, broadcaster and ‘King of Manc Noir’, David Nolan, was a big hit last year when he discussed his first novel ‘Black Moss’ and his other writing with David Prior of Altrincham Today. The two Davids are back for 2020, this time to talk about David Nolan’s ‘difficult’ second novel. It’s finished but will it find a publisher? All will be revealed on the 5th of May!
May 6th (Wednesday) ‘Song of Peterloo’ Author’s talk with Carolyn O’Brien
Carolyn is an Altrincham resident and ‘The Song of Peterloo’ is her first novel. It was published last year, the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre, and received great reviews. Carolyn will be reading from her novel and talking about researching and writing historical fiction.
May 7th (Thursday) An Evening of Flash Fiction with Sarah Clare Conlon
Sarah-Clare Conlon is writer-in-residence at Manchester’s Victoria Baths and an award-winning creator of flash fiction. Sarah-Clare will perform some of her short-short stories of no more than 500 words and invite the audience to share their own ‘micro’ writing.
9th May, (Saturday) ‘Shining Molly: The Ten Loves of Molly Harrower’ with Jonathan Swinton, Emma Anderson and What’s the Sketch
Dr Molly Harrower was a free-spirited psychologist and poet who was a pioneer in clinical psychology. Her private life was no less fascinating. Jonathan Swinton and Emma Anderson have trawled the archives relating to Molly’s life and career. This dramatised reading of her letters was created with Altrincham’s own ‘What’s the Sketch’ and it provides an insight into a life full of complicated and passionate relationships between Molly and a cast of real-life characters.
May 10th (Sunday) ‘Starve Acre” with Andrew Michael Hurley
Andrew Michael Hurley is a novelist in the increasingly popular folk horror genre. His novels include ‘The Loney’ – winner of the 2015 Costa Prize for a first novel – and ‘Starve Acre’. Andrew is based in the North West and he’s going to talk about his novels and their deep connection to place.
May 13th (Wednesday) ‘Manchester’s Lost District’ with Keith Warrender
The Arndale was built in the 1970s, replacing a warren of streets largely unchanged since the 1700s. Keith will be talking about his book and about the Manchester hidden behind the city’s modern façade.
May14th (Thursday) ‘Love Bites’ – An anthology of short stories inspired by Buzzcocks
The evening will be hosted by author and Buzzcocks fan, C D Rose, who was the driving force behind ‘Love Bites’ an anthology of short stories inspired by Manchester band, ‘ Buzzcocks’. He will be reading stories from the anthology and inviting audience members to share their own stories of this iconic band.
May 16th (Saturday) Writing workshop : ‘Autobiographical Fiction’ with Neil Campbell
Neil Campbell is an acclaimed Manchester writer and creative writing lecturer who recently published ‘Lanyards’, the last in his Manchester trilogy. Neil’s novels are examples of autobiographical fiction and he will be delivering a workshop for writers interested in this genre.
May 16th (Saturday) Writing workshop ‘Writing for Self-Care’ with Jane Claire Bradley
Academic research confirms the anecdotal experience that many of us can offer to prove that writing can support mental health and wellbeing in all sorts of ways. Join prizewinning writer, performer and therapist, Jane Claire Bradley for a workshop exploring the therapeutic benefits of writing that will leave you feeling more resilient, creative and empowered. Whether you are already an author, love to scribble in your secret diary or haven’t written since school but fancy giving it another go, you are more than welcome. The workshop will be an opportunity to learn exercises, tools and techniques you’ll be able to use to support your emotional wellbeing – in the session and beyond.
May 17th (Sunday) Poetry/Short story workshop for Performance with Reshma Ruia
Reshma Ruia is a published poet and short story writer. Reshma is a regular performer at spoken word events in the Manchester area and also an editor of online literature journal Jaggerylit.com. This writing workshop will help you to find your creative voice and prepare you for sharing your work with a larger audience. The workshop will employ writing prompts on a wide variety of poetic/short story themes. Reshma will discuss techniques used to enhance performance, such as intonation, tone, tempo, and volume.
Altrincham Word Fest 