Find Me In The Fiction Section is a book trail inspired by the 19th century French writer George Sand, who sent an erotic encoded letter which her lover had to literally read between the lines.

If you head to City Library, on the lower ground floor of Manchester Central Library this November, you can pick up a postcard from the desk where you’ll find this very special book trail created especially for Manchester City of Literature and Manchester Literature Festival. The trail uses Manchester Central Library’s collection to spell out a love letter, both public and intensely private at the same time. Selected books are by LGBTQ+ writers with links to Manchester and Iowa City. The letter celebrates the ingenious, creative ways in which LGBTQ+ communities have historically flown under the radar while also remaining in plain sight.

Find Me In The Fiction Section was created by Anna Polonyi, a writer from fellow UNESCO City of Literature Iowa City who was a virtual Writer in Residence at our inaugural Festival of Libraries in 2021. As part of Anna’s residency with Manchester Central Library, the book trail was created and now you can complete it too!

You will find copies of the book trail distributed with orders from Queer Lit, Pen Fight Distro, in Manchester Poetry Library and of course at City Library in Central Library. Alternatively head over to our Instagram to screenshot the trail and complete it digitally. If you do take part, be sure to tag us in your finished love letters!

Both Anna and our Australian Writer in Residence Alicia Sometimes will be taking part in Manchester Literature Festival’s MLF Digital Strand. You can see Anna read her new commission Angel’s Story and discuss her work in the event Iowa to Manchester: Anna Polonyi and you can see Alicia perform The Portico Poems and discuss her passion for science, astrology and strangers books in Melbourne to Manchester: Alicia Sometimes. Both events will be available to watch for free from 1pm on Monday 1 November – midnight Sunday 14 November.

Our book trail credits go to Vicky Stevenson who designed the artwork and Anna Polonyi who created the trail itself.