That’s What She Said

  That’s What She Said is a monthly open mic event that showcases the best new writing and performance by women and non-binary writers. It features well known headliner acts and offers a supportive environment for emerging authors to perform a mixture of performance, poetry and storytelling. That’s What She Said usually takes place in the centre of Manchester but we are delighted to say … Continue reading That’s What She Said

Martin Zarrop and ‘No Theory of Everything’

We met Martin at our Open Mic Evening during the first Altrincham Word Fest in May 2018. He read several poems and we were really impressed with his work. Martin is a retired university lecturer and describes himself as ‘a mathematician who wanted certainty but found life more interesting and fulfilling by not getting it.’! Martin does remember writing a couple of poems whilst at … Continue reading Martin Zarrop and ‘No Theory of Everything’

Getting inside Tom Jenks’s head…

If you google Tom Jenks make sure that you don’t get confused by the American writer or the former Grand National Jockey. Our Tom Jenks is a prolific writer of experimental poetry and prose. He’s been a regular on the Manchester spoken word scene for many years. His highly original work is hard to describe in words. Have a look at him on You Tube … Continue reading Getting inside Tom Jenks’s head…

Blogger Katie Frankland who loves life and writing

Katie Frankland attended some of the Word Fest workshops in May 2018 and was inspired to start writing as result. In fact, the image of Katie writing during a break out session at Kate Feld’s ‘Life Writing’ session was one of our favourite shots of the festival. She looked so absorbed and yet so relaxed! We were excited to hear that Kate now has her … Continue reading Blogger Katie Frankland who loves life and writing

Black Moss, the new novel from writer David Nolan

Originally from Altrincham, David has had a long and successful career as a TV and radio producer and writer of celebrity biographies for people as diverse as the Sex Pistols and Emma Watson. However, it is clear that a major turning point in both his career and life was the arrest and subsequent prosecution of a teacher from his former school in Hale Barns on … Continue reading Black Moss, the new novel from writer David Nolan

Lynn Steinson, author of psychological thriller ‘Deluded’

One of our favourite recent reads was the Manchester based psychological thriller ‘Deluded’ by  Lynn Steinson.  We met Lynn recently for a chat about her writing life and the development of her first ‘Deluded’ revolves around the intertwined lives of a pub quiz team, one of whom may not quite what she seems! It is a cracking tale of obsession and deceit with some moments … Continue reading Lynn Steinson, author of psychological thriller ‘Deluded’

Susan Earlam – Writer, Home and Women’s Lifestyle Blogger

Susan Earlam was certainly an early adopter of social media. She started blogging about vintage lifestyle and interiors in 2010, joining Instagram in 2011. She  loves social media for the way that it allows her to meet and collaborate with other creative people. Her first incarnation was as ‘Old fashioned Susie’ which became an award winning blog, much admired by other bloggers.  ‘Old Fashioned Susie’ … Continue reading Susan Earlam – Writer, Home and Women’s Lifestyle Blogger

David Gaffney – King of Flash Fiction

  It’s been a while since writer David Gaffney’s Flash fiction workshop for Altrincham Word Fest. We met up with him in Manchester for a catch up and he chatted to us about his writing and his ‘colourful past’ before he found his vocation. ​ When did you start writing? I didn’t start writing stories until I was about 40! Before that I wrote songs … Continue reading David Gaffney – King of Flash Fiction