X: The Manchester Anthology to be published by the University

The University of Manchester is to publish a new edition of an anthology that celebrates the work of Creative Writing graduates at the University.

X: The Manchester Anthology, is a student-led project that showcases the talent of 17 University of Manchester Creative Writing MA graduates.

X contains stories, memoirs, and poetry from up-and-coming writers that cover a wealth of topics. Professor John McAuliffe, Co-Director of the Centre for New Writing, said it asks “questions about difference and belonging, about the body and about ideas, about joy and shame and the sometimes comic, sometimes excruciating ways in which we humans discover who we are.” 

The goal of the anthology is to provide students at the University with an opportunity to display their talent and become a published author.

Professor McAuliffe, added that X: “showcases the depth and diversity of literary talent coming out of the city.”

It also allows students to engage fully with the process of publishing a book, with full control over editorial and design decisions.

Introducing X – the 2022 Manchester Anthology.
Publishes 14th November 2022, with a foreword by Ian McGuire. Find it on Goodreads (https://t.co/e03tnczFyA), and join us at the launch where we'll be giving out a free copy with every ticket! https://t.co/eLpRlARwYQ pic.twitter.com/McUmJ4GXex

— The Manchester Anthology (@manchanthology) November 4, 2022

This years artwork for the anthology was created in collaboration with artist Jeremy Simon heavily draws influence from medieval folklore.

Previous contributors to the anthology have gone on to successful authorial careers such as; Alys Conran, whose debut novel Pigeon won Welsh book of the year in 2017 and was shortlisted for The Dylan Thomas prize. 

2017 graduate, Jessica Moor, was listed in The Observer‘s Top 10 debut novelists of the year for 2020 with her debut Keeper, which also made it onto the shortlist for the Desmond Elliott Prize. 

X: The Manchester Anthology is set to be released at a free to attend launch event held by The Centre for New Writing on November 14 at the Bright Building in The Manchester Science Park. All attendees will receive a free copy of the book, which will later go on sale at Blackwells.

Reservations for the launch event are available here.