20
September
2007
|
01:00
Europe/London

Literary superstars launch Centre for New Writing

Three of the world's most famous writers are to give the public an unprecedented chance to hear their views on the state of literature.

Leading authors Martin Amis and Will Self will join Man Booker winner John Banville to launch the Centre for New Writing at The University of Manchester, where Amis begins his university teaching career next week.

In a UK first, the debate will take place in front of an audience at St. Ann's Church, Manchester, on 24 September.

The organisers are expecting frank discussion on many aspects of literature and its role in the 21st Century under the capable chairmanship of Dr Kaye Mitchell from the Centre for New Writing.

It is the first of a series of high-profile public events featuring Amis and other leading writers and commentators discussing key issues in contemporary literature.

Professor Amis - as he is now known - joins a Centre for New Writing staff list of internationally respected literary figures including British novelists M.J. Hyland and Patricia Duncker, Irish poet Vona Groarke and Canadian science fiction author Geoff Ryman.

The Centre is based at the School of Arts, Histories and Cultures and Co-Directed by Irish poet John McAuliffe and British novelist Ian McGuire.

Amis will teach post-graduate seminars in Manchester each fortnight, and participate in four public events each year.

John McAuliffe said: "As the Centre for New Writing will be one of the world's outstanding places to learn the art of creative writing - we felt it was important to reflect this in its launch.

"So it's fitting that these high calibre writers of international stature will begin our work to explore and research the collaboration between creative and critical writing.

"This and other events will serve to inspire the creative and critical work of our postgraduate and undergraduate students at the Centre.

"And that is in addition to them being taught by respected names in literature."

Notes for editors

Writing in the 21st Century will take place on Monday 24 September at St Ann's Church, St Ann's Street, Manchester, M2 7LF at 6.30pm.

An image of Martin Amis is available.

Visit www.manchester.ac.uk/arts/newwriting for information on the Centre for New Writing at The University of Manchester. A full events programme is available at www.manchester.ac.uk/arts/newwriting/events/LiteratureLive/eventsDB/.

For more details contact:
Mike Addelman
Media Relations Officer
Faculty of Humanities
The University of Manchester
0161 275 0790
07717 881 567
michael.addelman@manchester.ac.uk