Latest News
The Centre for New Writing at The University of Manchester is host to some of the best acknowledged and emerging talents in creative and critical writing, as well as an innovative set of courses and events. Please click on the links below to find out more about our latest developments. We also have a news archive.
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Centre for New Writing co-director and poet John McAuliffe is voted as one of Irish Times top five
A collection of poetry by creative writing lecturer John McAuliffe, has been named as one of the top five books of 2011 by a group of top writers in the Irish Times. Of All Places, by John McAuliffe, published in July, received the accolade following rave reviews of the book.
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MA Fiction Graduate to be published by Salt in July 2012
Laura Joyce, a CNW MA Fiction Graduate - will be published by Salt in July 2012.
Her novel, The Museum of Atheism, is set over the last 24 hours in the life of a murdered child beauty queen in an isolated Alaskan community. It is based on the true events surrounding the death of American child star, Jonbenet Ramsey.
Creative Writing Graduate wins Bridport Prize
Former Creative Writing student, the poet Rebecca Perry has won a Highly Commended prize in the international writing competition, The Bridport Prize, one of the most prestigious open literary awards in the UK. Perry received her prize for her poem entitled ‘Giving Alms to the Birds.’ The competition attracts thousands of entries from the UK and over 80 countries around the world. Perry, who graduated in Manchester in 2008 with a master’s degree in Creative Writing, was one of three poets to come out on top. She now edits children’s books in London and has published in New Welsh Review, Smiths Knoll and The Rialto and recently contributed to This Line is Not for Turning: An Anthology of Contemporary British Prose Poetry (Cinnamon Press). Her pamphlet Archimedes’ Principle is being published by Seren in February 2012.
Former MA students Chris Smith and Belle Crawford Become Filmakers
Chris Smith and Belle Crawford, who met in the 2007 M.A Fiction Programme are still writing, and both have also become filmmakers. For more than a year they have been travelling the world and filming some of the best buskers and telling some of their best stories. See their website, The Busking Project for some clips of their astonishing film: http://thebuskingproject.com/about/
CNW graduate Richard Hirst makes Manchester Fiction shortlist (Oct 2011)
Centre for New Writing graduate Richard Hirst recently won joint first prize of the MMU Manchester Fiction Prize
http://www.manchesterwritingcompetition.co.uk/fiction/shortlist.php
Susan Luddem achieves commendation in prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Former Centre for New Writing student Susan Luddem has achieved a commendation in the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2011.
The Commonwealth Short Story Competition is an annual scheme to promote new creative writing, funded and administered by the Commonwealth Foundation. Established in 1996, the competition aims to increase understanding and appreciation of Commonwealth cultures and to promote literary talent and new creative writing for radio.
Centre for New Writing co-director John McAuliffe's poem "The Rebuild" has been shortlisted for the Keats-Shelley Prize 2011.
The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on October 18th, 6.30 pm, at the Royal College of Pathologists, 2 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AF, with Penelope Lively, CBE, in the Chair. M.J Hyland shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award 2011
Award-winning writer and Centre for New Writing lecturer MJ Hyland has been shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award 2011. She was picked for her "eerie" tale "Rag Love", in which a down-and-out couple attempt to enjoy an hour in the luxury suite of a cruise ship. McGregor, author of the acclaimed novels If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things and Even the Dogs, makes the running for his "quirky" story "Wires", which sees a young woman's life flash before her eyes as she drives down the motorway and sees a strange object flying towards her. The £15,000 winner will be announced on 26 September on BBC Radio 4's Front Row.
Poetry Book Society Recommendation for CNW's John McAuliffe (July 2011)
Co-director of the Centre for New Writing John McAuliffe has recently had his third collection of poetry "Of All Places" published by Gallery Press. The book has already received the accolade of being named as a Poetry Book Society Recommendation for Autumn 2011. Foe more information: http://www.gallerypress.com/Authors/Jmcauliffe/Books/jmcoap.html
Final Martin Amis Public Event with guests Will Self and Erica Wagner (July 2011)
World famous novelist Martin Amis, Professor of Creative Writing at the Centre for New Writing, will be in conversation with novelist Will Self and novelist and Literary Editor of The Times Erica Wagner in his final high-profile public event at The University of Manchester on Monday 4th July 2011, American Independence Day.
CNW student Max Wallis Has A Pamphlet Published (June 2011)
The Centre for New Writing is delighted to announce that MA student Max Wallis has recently had a pamphlet published with Flipped Eye - 'Modern Love'.
Colm Toibin is Manchester’s latest Professor of Creative Writing (Jan 2011)
World-renowned author Colm Toibin has been appointed as Professor of Creative Writing at The University of Manchester.
Percy Herbert Wins Second prize in the Dublin Review of Books Flash Fiction competition (Oct 2011)
CNW's Percy Herbert recently won second prize in The Dublin Review of Books 2011 Flash Fiction Competition with Daisy.
MA graduate Alys Conran has been shortlisted for the Lorca in England competition, whereby writers are invited to submit an original translation of a Lorca poem of their own choice.