Manchester's Writing Resources

• Writer's Groups
• Small Press Magazines
• Venues for Live Poetry in Manchester Area
• Getting Away from it all
[Note: These are ongoing resources. News of specific events can be found on the Rain Dog news page.]

• South Manchester
• North Manchester
• The North West

Yes, I can see a bit of a South Manchester bias here but then that's where I'm from! I'd love it if I heard about more groups in the rest of Manchester.
 
 

The Affectionate Punch ***This magazine has decided to close after the next (15th) issue. They're going to become an 'e-zine'. I'll miss them.***
It was biannual. A Manchester-based magazine containing poetry, fiction and reviews, (A5 sized, 40 pages.) TAP has been going for four years. It has good quality content and an unpretentious style. You also get to vote for your favourite piece so that the writers get some idea of their popularity. I love it when this one plops through my letterbox it's like a friend dropping in....
Orders for last issue: from Andrew Tutty, 35 Brundage Road, Manchester, M22 0BY. Postal price: £3.25.

Brando's Hat *** This magazine has ended - but may be making a return I heard in July 2005 **
Tri-annual. This is a locally based poetry magazine edited by Seán Body et al. (A5 sized, 40 pages.) There are many small poetry magazines on the market but this one is exceptionally good, excellent value and is based here in Manchester. Three good reasons for supporting it and taking out a subscription.
Three issue subscription: £10, from Seán Body, 14 Vine Street, Salford M7 3PG. Cheques should be payable to Tarantula Publications. Individual copies cost £4.

Tri-annual. This is a locally based poetry magazine edited by John G Halll.  Feedback Submissions and ideas to editor@citizen32.co.uk
Three issue subscription: £7 (£3.50 for one issue), from Citizen32 (they don't seem to havea postal address).

Multi-Storey  ***NB  first issue in March 2000,  2nd in March 2002, 3rd issue er.. don't know, so I'm not sure how regular this magazine is.. ***
Quarterly new literary magazine from South Manchester Writers' Workshop. A5 book format with a selection featured on the web, they invite contributions and subscriptions. Work by  members of the group as well as work from across the region. The first issue had a glamour theme, the second -  Bleak. Don't know aboutthe third yet (Stories up to 4,000 words, poems up to 40 lines.)  They would also like to see more work from women.
Visit: http://www.multistorey.co.uk  (website has currently disappeared)
One issue: £3.95 (discounts for subscribers to be announced) from PO Box 62, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 1TH. Cheques payable to: Multi-Storey.

Visit : Panshine Press
 

The Ugly Tree
Based in Manchester, The Ugly Tree is a poetry 'zine & will be published every 4 months. It will feature original and previously unpublished works from a variety of poets as well as the occasional independent review & competition. With the recent passing of several excellent poetry magazines in the area it is hoped that it will give an opportunity to both previously recognised and new voices, although contributions are not restricted to the North West - submissions from anyone, anywhere are welcome!
Commencing November 2002. Three issue subscription: £8.50, or £3.00 per issue, which includes p & p from: 'The Ugly Tree', Mucusart Publications, 6 Chiffon Way, Trinity, Gtr Manchester, M3 6AB. Cheques payable to P.Neads
Email Submissions & Correspondence to: paul@mucusart.co.uk

Visit: http://www.mucusart.co.uk/theuglytree.htm

Most people choose these on the basis of who the tutor is but actually being a brilliant writer doesn't necessarily mean they're brilliant at teaching other people. Sometimes lesser known writers are better teachers and can be more dedicated to the job in hand. The courses can be expensive but sometimes you can get a grant. Bear in mind that people who can afford to go on these courses tend to be quite rich so you don't often get a good mix of people. It is nice to do nothing but write for a whole week / weekend though, especially if you're emptying bins or serving people the rest the year.
 

The Arvon Foundation (UK, Yorkshire, Devon and Invernesshire. Courses last 5 days. Cost £350. Grants available)
Dingle Writing Centre (Ireland. Courses last 2 & 5 days)
The Irish Writers' Centre (Dublin, Ireland. Courses last 2 days)
The Old School House (Northumberland. Courses last 2 days)
The Poetry Business (Huddersfield. Courses last 1 day cost £16)
Ty Newdd (Wales. Courses last 5 days)
The Windmills Writers' Workshop (Majorca.
The Writers Place (Clare, Ireland. Run by Salmon Press. 2 day courses, cost £100 plus accomodation (about £15 per night)
 

Less expensive - the more people you can get to go the less it costs, but make sure it's a group of people who all want to write and don't get on each others nerves too much. Of course you can have a retreat anywhere but it helps if it's somewhere nice, away from noise and distractions and has enough tables for everyone. The table issue rules out a lot of holiday cottages unfortunately - they don't tell you that sort of thing in the brochure so unless there's just one or two of you, you have to asume there won't be enough four legged square things!

Anam Cara (Cork, Ireland. Not formal courses but a retreat for writers to work at their own pace in. They don't give their prices / address on the web but you can contact them via email or fax.Weekly rate last time I checked was £235 room/full board and £470 for SC flat (for up to 6).
The Boghill Centre(Kilfenora, Clare, Ireland. Can be hired by a group as a retreat. This centre generally runs music workshops (and a few alternative medicine based ones), but it can also be hired out by a group of people for any sort of retreat (self-catering or not).
Fawcett Mill (Orton, Kendal Cumbria. Can be hired by a group for a self-organised retreat. Whopping big table!).  self catering centre with lots of space for self organised writing group. The two interconnected cottages can be hired for 20 people or just one of them for 6 or 14 people.

The Windmills Writers' Workshop (Majorca. Once a year The Windmills hosts a week-long residential writing course as well as offering facilities for writers' retreats at other times.
 

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