New anthology highlights talented graduates from the Centre for New Writing

A new anthology is set to be published in September, celebrating the wealth of literary talent produced by The University of Manchester’s Centre for New Writing.

The Manchester Anthology, Volume Fourteen highlights the work of twenty-one writers who have recently completed their Creative Writing MA, offering them a platform to share their voices and kickstart their careers. It will include short stories, poetry, non-fiction and novel extracts.

Each year, the MA students are given a budget and have creative control over everything from editing submissions to the design of the cover, gaining valuable insight into the particulars of book production. This year’s cohort collaborated with artist Georgia Harmey and designer David Webb to develop a distinctive look and feel for the anthology. Each element of Georgia’s cover art draws on themes and characters from across the twenty-one pieces, while David took a classic approach with his design.

The anthology will be launched on the evening of October 21st at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, a centre devoted to the legacy of the renowned Manchester-born writer. The event will feature live readings from the contributors and presentation of the PFD Prize, as well as opportunities to connect with peers, editors and literary agents.

Students who contributed to previous volumes have gone on to become successful writers. Beth Underdown’s debut novel, The Witchfinder’s Sister, was a Richard and Judy bestseller; Alys Conran was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize for her debut novel, Pigeon; Nat Ogle, author of In The Seeing Hands of Others, was shortlisted for The White Review Poet’s Prize; Joe Carrick-Varty’s collection, More Sky, was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize; Thomas D. Lee’s novel, Perilous Times, was a Sunday Times bestseller; and Jessica Moor was named one of the ten best debut novelists of 2020 by Observer New Review, and was shortlisted for the Desmond Elliot Prize.

Everyone who attends the launch event will have the opportunity to buy a physical copy of the anthology, which will also be made available in Blackwell’s Manchester bookshop and online as a PDF.

To learn more, visit www.mancanthology.co.uk.