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Gurnaik Johal

Gurnaik Johal


Changes to The Women’s Prize for Fiction could prove costly

Changes to The Women’s Prize for Fiction could prove costly

A recent change to The Women’s Prize for Fiction entry requirements means that the publishers of the 16 long listed books will need to pay a fee of £1000
Review: The Manchester Anthology VI

Review: The Manchester Anthology VI

On the 6th September, the 2017/18 MA Creative Writing class launched The Manchester Anthology VI at HOME. At the event, the writers read small sections of their work, showcasing a wide range of styles, forms and subject matter. Each piece seemed to be completely unique but hearing them read aloud together, it was clear there […]
Preview: Manchester Literature Festival

Preview: Manchester Literature Festival

Gurnaik Johal picks out highlights from the upcoming Manchester Literature Festival and looks ahead to an exciting season of literary events
Interview: Amer Anwar, author of ‘Brothers In Blood’

Interview: Amer Anwar, author of ‘Brothers In Blood’

I picked up Amer Anwar’s debut novel, Brothers In Blood, because it was set in Southall, the place that I’m from. When I met him, I was on my way from Southall to get a coach up to Manchester. He was on his way back from an event promoting the book, which had just been […]
White unless specified otherwise?

White unless specified otherwise?

Gurnaik Johal explores the issues surrounding reading and misreading race after a character in one of his stories was incorrectly assumed to be white

Review: Fresh Complaint by Jeffrey Eugenides

Jeffrey Eugenides releases a new collection of short stories

Review: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Gurnaik Johal reviews George Saunders’ first novel Lincoln in the Bardo

Review: Louder Than Words Festival

Gurnaik Johal reviews November’s Louder Than Words Festival and gives insight into some of the most successful events

Live: The Undertones

The Undertones delivered a lively performance, brilliantly reminiscent of old school punk, writes Gurnaik Johal

Opinion: Are Lyrics Poetry?

Following Bob Dylan’s surprise Nobel Prize win, debate has focused on the worthiness of his lyricism. Is it time to reevaluate the literary value of songwriting, asks Gurnaik Johal

Top 5: Protest songs

Whether it’s to get you out on the street or to sound cultured in front of your new friends, here are five politically-charged protest songs to give a listen