Arts and Literature

How We Were Lost - by Megan Taylor

Megan Taylor wrote her first novel How We Were Lost, in part, as a reaction to tabloid stories of missing children. 

How We Were Lost

 “I wanted to look beyond the haunting media images to the domestic tragedies that happen all the time, but are rarely discussed. Generally, I’m fascinated by the secrets and losses people carry with them, and the things that go on behind closed doors.”

Excited to join the literary buzz around Manchester, Megan admits pre-performance jitters: “I'm full of butterflies about the reading. It's a strange and interesting prospect to be sharing what are essentially quite private acts of reading and writing, so publicly.”

In Search of Adam - by Caroline Smailes

Caroline Smailes’ motivation for her book In Search of Adam was personal and devastating at the time.

In Search of Adam

“I started In Search of Adam after having a miscarriage. I wrote a section with a main character experiencing it. This was mainly to help my mind recover and formulate all that was happening to me, but I carried on writing and the characters began to develop and eventually a story and plot was formed.”

Discovered on her blog, the whole process of manuscript to book deal to book launch, has been a whirlwind year for Caroline. “I'm finishing my second novel this month and gradually beginning to believe that I'm a writer.” Caroline is reading at the upcoming Manchester Blog Awards and admits to being “slightly in awe”.

“The Manchester Literary scene is rich and diverse. I admire so many writers from the area. I'm discovering that there is a network of writers who support and encourage new talent to flourish. I am fortunate to be able to seek guidance and advice from so many established Manchester writers in particular Nick Royle, Elizabeth Baines and Paul Magrs.”

Marilyn and Me - by Shanta Everington

Shanta Everington began writing 'Marilyn and Me' years ago and reworked it for her MA at Manchester.

Marilyn and Me

"I was overjoyed when 'Marilyn and Me' was shortlisted for the Cinnamon Press Novel Award while I was still on the course. As runner-up, I was offered a publishing contract, which made all my hard work worthwhile."

Marilyn and Me is narrated by a young woman with a learning disability. “The book was inspired by my experiences as a community care support worker in the 90s, when one of my clients died and one was raped. I left that line of work because I was burnt-out but there remained many unanswered questions in my head,” explains Shanta.

For the three authors, the old adage ‘write what you know about’ paid off. As Megan says: "Don’t be afraid about what other people might think, or of tackling difficult subjects. Write the story you want to write – and enjoy it."

The three authors will be reading at Manchester Library, Thursday 27 September, 1-2pm. Free.