A year to remember
Co-director of the soon-to-be-launched Centre for New Writing John McAuliffe enjoyed a launch of his own recently, when his second volume of poetry Next Door was published.
The book, published by Gallery Press, was launched in July at an event in Dublin, where he has also directed Ireland's biggest poetry festival Poetry Now for the last four years.
"It was great to see my second book published, and launched in the city where I've spent a lot of time launching and discussing other people's books," John said. "The book is often about trying to live in two places, in Manchester as well as in Ireland, so I'm looking forward to giving it a proper send-off here in the autumn as well."
John and co-director Dr Ian McGuire are also preparing for the launch of the Centre for New Writing on 24 September, when its Professor of Creative Writing Martin Amis will give his first seminar and take part in a high-profile event at Urbis. The evening is open to all and will feature a debate on literature in the 21st century, with participants including Will Self, John Banville and Helen Simpson.
For more information about the Centre's activities please e-mail jo.nightingale@manchester.ac.uk to subscribe to its forthcoming eNewsletter. Next Door, and John's first book A Better Life, are available from www.gallerypress.com, or via Amazon.