Centre for Place Writing
@centreplacewriting.bsky.social
Creative-critical research centre, Manchester Metropolitan University. Exploring the relationship between writing & place to examine major contemporary issues.
Co-directed by Dr David Cooper & Dr Rachel Lichtenstein
https://linktr.ee/centreforplacewriting
Co-directed by Dr David Cooper & Dr Rachel Lichtenstein
https://linktr.ee/centreforplacewriting
Pinned
Some of our highlights from 2024 include:
Helen Mort's new book Ethel was pub & her appearance on Countryfile & Kendal Mtn Lit Fest.
David Cooper's co-ed Handbook of Literary Geographies was pub.
Kate Pahl led a brilliant new project working with young people, learning through trees.
#PlaceWriting
Helen Mort's new book Ethel was pub & her appearance on Countryfile & Kendal Mtn Lit Fest.
David Cooper's co-ed Handbook of Literary Geographies was pub.
Kate Pahl led a brilliant new project working with young people, learning through trees.
#PlaceWriting
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Alton Melvar M Dapanas speaks to @mailbykite.bsky.social on how her latest book ANNAH, INFINITE reshapes speculative nonfiction, and disputes the racial, gendered, and ableist biases of fraught literary and artistic spaces.
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Alton Melvar M Dapanas speaks to @mailbykite.bsky.social on how her latest book ANNAH, INFINITE reshapes speculative nonfiction, and disputes the racial, gendered, and ableist biases of fraught literary and artistic spaces.
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
Following last month's first even in Jean Sprackland's curated series for Night Vision, Jean is launching her book with an event at Manchester Poetry Library next week.
In-person and link to online tickets below:
#BookSky #AcademicSky #Poetry
www.mmu.ac.uk/poetry-libra...
In-person and link to online tickets below:
#BookSky #AcademicSky #Poetry
www.mmu.ac.uk/poetry-libra...
Night Vision: Book Launch with Karen Solie and Jean Sprackland (ONLINE TICKET), 20 Nov 2025
Reading, Manchester Poetry Library
www.mmu.ac.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Following last month's first even in Jean Sprackland's curated series for Night Vision, Jean is launching her book with an event at Manchester Poetry Library next week.
In-person and link to online tickets below:
#BookSky #AcademicSky #Poetry
www.mmu.ac.uk/poetry-libra...
In-person and link to online tickets below:
#BookSky #AcademicSky #Poetry
www.mmu.ac.uk/poetry-libra...
The next Bunker Talk, at Manchester Poetry Library celebrating Asia Triennial Manchester, has sadly been cancelled.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bunker-tal...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bunker-tal...
Bunker Talk #157: Asia Triennial Manchester
Asia Triennial Manchester (ATM) returns in 2025 with a bold new theme: Transvaluation. https://www.art.mmu.ac.uk/bunkertalks/talk-157/
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The next Bunker Talk, at Manchester Poetry Library celebrating Asia Triennial Manchester, has sadly been cancelled.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bunker-tal...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bunker-tal...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Autumn colours 🍁
November 11, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Autumn colours 🍁
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Jean Sprackland reflects on the view from her kitchen window, and the life the valley has seen before her in this series of The Essay for @bbcradio3bot.bsky.social - ahead of her new book Night Vision being launched at Manchester Poetry Library later this month.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Essay - Empty Spaces - Jean Sprackland - Foxes' Castle, Somerset - BBC Sounds
Jean Sprackland finds love, loss, and nature’s return in a Somerset ruin.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Jean Sprackland reflects on the view from her kitchen window, and the life the valley has seen before her in this series of The Essay for @bbcradio3bot.bsky.social - ahead of her new book Night Vision being launched at Manchester Poetry Library later this month.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
This Friday's lecture from Cristina Banks-Leite looks to be a thought-provoking one, so sign up to attend on-line, or in-person (followed by a drinks reception) oxfordbiodiversitynetwork.bookwhen.com
@ecioxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @oxfordgeography.bsky.social
@ecioxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @oxfordgeography.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
This Friday's lecture from Cristina Banks-Leite looks to be a thought-provoking one, so sign up to attend on-line, or in-person (followed by a drinks reception) oxfordbiodiversitynetwork.bookwhen.com
@ecioxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @oxfordgeography.bsky.social
@ecioxford.bsky.social @biology.ox.ac.uk @oxfordgeography.bsky.social
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Our "This is climate breakdown" series is back for #COP30
Personal testimonies of the impacts
This is Bilal’s story: ‘I would give all my life for my brother to come back for one second’
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Personal testimonies of the impacts
This is Bilal’s story: ‘I would give all my life for my brother to come back for one second’
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘I would give all my life for my brother to come back for one second’ – This is climate breakdown
Ari loved his community and set up a volunteer group to fight wildfires. One day his brother Bilal received the phone call he had long dreaded. This is Bilal’s story
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Our "This is climate breakdown" series is back for #COP30
Personal testimonies of the impacts
This is Bilal’s story: ‘I would give all my life for my brother to come back for one second’
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Personal testimonies of the impacts
This is Bilal’s story: ‘I would give all my life for my brother to come back for one second’
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Join me in conversation with one of the world's most provocative environmental thinkers, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social. We talk climate, hope & action.
The event takes place @orieloxford.bsky.social on 21 Nov, 3:30pm. Free to attend. Book your place now: www.alumni.oriel.ox.ac.uk/events/oriel...
The event takes place @orieloxford.bsky.social on 21 Nov, 3:30pm. Free to attend. Book your place now: www.alumni.oriel.ox.ac.uk/events/oriel...
Oriel Environment Group Michaelmas 2025 — In Conversation with George Monbiot - Alumni Oriel
Climate Breakdown and Political Division: Navigating Polarisation with George Monbiot Join Professor Jan Rosenow (Jackson Senior Research Fellow, Oriel College) for a discussion with acclaimed investi...
www.alumni.oriel.ox.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Join me in conversation with one of the world's most provocative environmental thinkers, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social. We talk climate, hope & action.
The event takes place @orieloxford.bsky.social on 21 Nov, 3:30pm. Free to attend. Book your place now: www.alumni.oriel.ox.ac.uk/events/oriel...
The event takes place @orieloxford.bsky.social on 21 Nov, 3:30pm. Free to attend. Book your place now: www.alumni.oriel.ox.ac.uk/events/oriel...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Lake District theatre to be renamed after Victoria Wood and unveil new musical of her songs. www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Lake District theatre to be renamed after Victoria Wood and unveil new musical of her songs
Old Laundry theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere will change its name next year and premiere show to mark 10th anniversary of comedian’s death
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Lake District theatre to be renamed after Victoria Wood and unveil new musical of her songs. www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Jean Sprackland reflects on the view from her kitchen window, and the life the valley has seen before her in this series of The Essay for @bbcradio3bot.bsky.social - ahead of her new book Night Vision being launched at Manchester Poetry Library later this month.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Essay - Empty Spaces - Jean Sprackland - Foxes' Castle, Somerset - BBC Sounds
Jean Sprackland finds love, loss, and nature’s return in a Somerset ruin.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Jean Sprackland reflects on the view from her kitchen window, and the life the valley has seen before her in this series of The Essay for @bbcradio3bot.bsky.social - ahead of her new book Night Vision being launched at Manchester Poetry Library later this month.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
And for @cnn.com here:
Stunning map of ancient roads will give you a good reason to think about the Roman Empire more often | CNN
The Roman Empire had an impressive road network. A new dataset now visualizes the road map, adding over 100,000 kilometers of previously unknown routes.
edition.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:29 AM
And for @cnn.com here:
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Exciting opportunity for writers from working-class backgrounds
We are delighted to be supporting the W&A Working-Class Writers' Prize 2025 with
@writersandartists.bsky.social
@ruppin.bsky.social, @societyofauthors.bsky.social and @openuniversity.bsky.social
Submissions open on 1st November 2025. www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE
@writersandartists.bsky.social
@ruppin.bsky.social, @societyofauthors.bsky.social and @openuniversity.bsky.social
Submissions open on 1st November 2025. www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE
November 6, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Exciting opportunity for writers from working-class backgrounds
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Later this month @britishlibrary.bsky.social with @helenmort.bsky.social
WriteBack returns with award-winning poet Rachael Allen, playwright, poet and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz, and highly acclaimed writer Derek Owusu to unburden their minds...
20th November #London
events.bl.uk/events/write...
WriteBack returns with award-winning poet Rachael Allen, playwright, poet and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz, and highly acclaimed writer Derek Owusu to unburden their minds...
20th November #London
events.bl.uk/events/write...
WriteBack: An Evening of Writers Off Duty | British Library
Writeback returns! The Writeback team delivers another wildly unpredictable serving of outstanding speakers, with our regular host Helen Mort.On 20 Novembe
events.bl.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Later this month @britishlibrary.bsky.social with @helenmort.bsky.social
WriteBack returns with award-winning poet Rachael Allen, playwright, poet and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz, and highly acclaimed writer Derek Owusu to unburden their minds...
20th November #London
events.bl.uk/events/write...
WriteBack returns with award-winning poet Rachael Allen, playwright, poet and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz, and highly acclaimed writer Derek Owusu to unburden their minds...
20th November #London
events.bl.uk/events/write...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
I commented for the @newscientist.com here:
Digital map lets you explore the Roman Empire's vast road network
Archaeologists have compiled the most detailed map yet of roads throughout the Roman Empire in AD 150, totalling almost 300,000 kilometres in length
www.newscientist.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I commented for the @newscientist.com here:
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
ICYMI yesterday afternoon a fantastic new digital resource pulling together data on the Roman road network has just launched. Explore at:
itiner-e
itiner-e.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:28 AM
ICYMI yesterday afternoon a fantastic new digital resource pulling together data on the Roman road network has just launched. Explore at:
Later this month @britishlibrary.bsky.social with @helenmort.bsky.social
WriteBack returns with award-winning poet Rachael Allen, playwright, poet and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz, and highly acclaimed writer Derek Owusu to unburden their minds...
20th November #London
events.bl.uk/events/write...
WriteBack returns with award-winning poet Rachael Allen, playwright, poet and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz, and highly acclaimed writer Derek Owusu to unburden their minds...
20th November #London
events.bl.uk/events/write...
WriteBack: An Evening of Writers Off Duty | British Library
Writeback returns! The Writeback team delivers another wildly unpredictable serving of outstanding speakers, with our regular host Helen Mort.On 20 Novembe
events.bl.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Later this month @britishlibrary.bsky.social with @helenmort.bsky.social
WriteBack returns with award-winning poet Rachael Allen, playwright, poet and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz, and highly acclaimed writer Derek Owusu to unburden their minds...
20th November #London
events.bl.uk/events/write...
WriteBack returns with award-winning poet Rachael Allen, playwright, poet and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz, and highly acclaimed writer Derek Owusu to unburden their minds...
20th November #London
events.bl.uk/events/write...
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Andrew Biswell has recorded and released a new podcast about The Coup by John Updike, in conversation with the writer and critic Bob Batchelor - part of a new series of the 99 Novels podcast:
Link: www.anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
& on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzx...
#BookSky
Link: www.anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
& on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzx...
#BookSky
Ninety-Nine Novels: The Coup by John Updike - The International Anthony Burgess Foundation
In 1984, Anthony Burgess published Ninety-Nine Novels, a selection of his favourite novels in English since 1939. The list is typically idiosyncratic, and shows the breadth of Burgess’s interest in fi...
www.anthonyburgess.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Andrew Biswell has recorded and released a new podcast about The Coup by John Updike, in conversation with the writer and critic Bob Batchelor - part of a new series of the 99 Novels podcast:
Link: www.anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
& on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzx...
#BookSky
Link: www.anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
& on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzx...
#BookSky
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Rewilding as therapy and solace for Ukraine's war veterans. To bring back life to the land is to bring the self back to life.
Ukraine’s massive nature project is helping veterans and land recover
A massive rewilding project in Ukraine is proving helpful for the wellbeing of veterans as well as helping large natural areas recover.
theconversation.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Rewilding as therapy and solace for Ukraine's war veterans. To bring back life to the land is to bring the self back to life.
Andrew Biswell has recorded and released a new podcast about The Coup by John Updike, in conversation with the writer and critic Bob Batchelor - part of a new series of the 99 Novels podcast:
Link: www.anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
& on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzx...
#BookSky
Link: www.anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
& on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzx...
#BookSky
Ninety-Nine Novels: The Coup by John Updike - The International Anthony Burgess Foundation
In 1984, Anthony Burgess published Ninety-Nine Novels, a selection of his favourite novels in English since 1939. The list is typically idiosyncratic, and shows the breadth of Burgess’s interest in fi...
www.anthonyburgess.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Andrew Biswell has recorded and released a new podcast about The Coup by John Updike, in conversation with the writer and critic Bob Batchelor - part of a new series of the 99 Novels podcast:
Link: www.anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
& on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzx...
#BookSky
Link: www.anthonyburgess.org/blog-posts/n...
& on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzx...
#BookSky
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
This has been POSTPONED to next year.
Also coming up in November, GOATSONG, book launch online & in-person at Manchester Poetry Library.
The first poetry collection in translation published by Fitzcarraldo Editions. Translated by Brian Sneeden @manmetuni.bsky.social #BookSky
www.mmu.ac.uk/poetry-libra...
The first poetry collection in translation published by Fitzcarraldo Editions. Translated by Brian Sneeden @manmetuni.bsky.social #BookSky
www.mmu.ac.uk/poetry-libra...
Book launch: GOATSONG (ONLINE TICKET), 10 Nov 2025
Book Launch, Online
www.mmu.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:27 AM
This has been POSTPONED to next year.
This has been POSTPONED to next year.
Also coming up in November, GOATSONG, book launch online & in-person at Manchester Poetry Library.
The first poetry collection in translation published by Fitzcarraldo Editions. Translated by Brian Sneeden @manmetuni.bsky.social #BookSky
www.mmu.ac.uk/poetry-libra...
The first poetry collection in translation published by Fitzcarraldo Editions. Translated by Brian Sneeden @manmetuni.bsky.social #BookSky
www.mmu.ac.uk/poetry-libra...
Book launch: GOATSONG (ONLINE TICKET), 10 Nov 2025
Book Launch, Online
www.mmu.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:27 AM
This has been POSTPONED to next year.
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
Our PhD studentship applications are open for 2026 entry and I'm keen to hear from outstanding candidates in history of early modern conflict and/or creative histories.
November 5, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Our PhD studentship applications are open for 2026 entry and I'm keen to hear from outstanding candidates in history of early modern conflict and/or creative histories.
Andrew Biswell's recent letter published in the Guardian.
Andrew responds to an article about letters that throw more light on a complicated and unorthodox relationship.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Andrew responds to an article about letters that throw more light on a complicated and unorthodox relationship.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
WH Auden’s complicated affair with sex worker ‘Hugerl’ | Letters
Letter: Andrew Biswell responds to an article about letters that throw more light on a complicated and unorthodox relationship
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Andrew Biswell's recent letter published in the Guardian.
Andrew responds to an article about letters that throw more light on a complicated and unorthodox relationship.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Andrew responds to an article about letters that throw more light on a complicated and unorthodox relationship.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Helen Mort is in Canada this week for the Mountain Writers Residency & Banff book and film festival @banffcentre.bsky.social #mountains #writing (photos courtesy of @helenmort.bsky.social).
November 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Helen Mort is in Canada this week for the Mountain Writers Residency & Banff book and film festival @banffcentre.bsky.social #mountains #writing (photos courtesy of @helenmort.bsky.social).
Reposted by Centre for Place Writing
One of the best trees in Sheffield (notice the 'Hobbit door' amid the lower roots).
November 3, 2025 at 5:48 PM
One of the best trees in Sheffield (notice the 'Hobbit door' amid the lower roots).