Manchester Libraries, Read Regional and Manchester City of Literature are proud to present three of the best new writers in Manchester.

As part of our Manchester Festival of Libraries, we invite you to join our online celebrations with three brilliant writers. Lara Williams, Oliver Harris and Keith Hutson.

Their works range from a secret society for women who throw wild Bacchanalian-inspired feasts, a contemporary spy novel set in Kazakhstan and a collection of poems that explore the lives of variety performers including Hylda Baker, Frankie Howerd, Willy Netta’s Singing Jockeys and The Bryn Pugh Sponge Dancers!

Tempted? Here’s some more information about the writers –

Lara Williams is a writer based in Manchester. Her debut short story collection Treats was published in 2016. The collection was shortlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize and longlisted for the Edge Hill Prize. Her new novel Supper Club was published in Spring 2019 by Hamish Hamilton and has received rave reviews.

Oliver Harris was born in London but now lives in Manchester where he teaches at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Writing School. He has published four novels, three featuring the police detective Nick Belsey, and now A Shadow Intelligence, the first in a new spy series.

Keith Hutson has written for Coronation Street and for many well-known comedians. His poems have appeared extensively in journals, in The Guardian, and have been broadcast on The Verb (BBC Radio 3). His pamphlet Troupers was a 2018 Laureate’s Choice, chosen by Carol Ann Duffy who Keith regularly tours and reads with. His debut full collection, Baldwin’s Catholic Geese was published by Bloodaxe in 2019.