Manchester literature festivities

The memory of Manchester Literature Festival 2010 is already fading, ten or so days on since it shut up shop for another 12 months. It's therefore the perfect time for a little look back over this year's events. Once again, it was a fabulous opportunity to see, hear and read all kinds of new writing, from poetry to prose and from various different projects and publications.

Once again, it gave me the excuse to peek into venues (and parts thereof) around the city that I might not ordinarily frequent. I've been to the upstairs lecture hall at The Deaf Institute for the first time, and the purpose-built lecture room at Manchester Art Gallery. I've been to the wood-panelled, stained-glassed Becker Room in City Library and the top-floor Events Room in Waterstone's, both on Deansgate, both twice. I've also been to the Cornerhouse more than once, to the light and airy new Annexe with its weird and wonderful level issues (ground floor on one side; third floor on the other).


As well as writing about some of the events here and here, I've also contributed reviews to the official Manchester Literature Blog, which I also helped edit last year. All my reviews have now been published, so pop on over for a wee shufty using the handy links below:

Poems After Frida Kahlo, Tuesday 19 October: Words and pictures make for an inspired lunch date with Pascale Petit.

Magma Poetry, Wednesday 20 October: Magma is a hot ticket for poets and poetry fans.

Is There A Novelist In The House, Saturday 23 October: In the presence of future greats.

Rainy City Stories: Writing About Place, Sunday 24 October: Another bright idea by Rainy City Stories.