The Manchester Independent Book Market

Contact: katie.slade@commapress.co.uk

The Manchester Independent Book Market 2012
Friday 8th and Saturday 9th June - St. Ann’s Square, Manchester.

FEATURING ONE OF THE UK'S MOST EXCITING NEW POETS DEAN ATTA AS THE HEADLINE ACT, PLUS A FREE EBOOK!

60 authors, 25 independent publishers, thousands of books, and unique performances throughout the day.

Now in its 5th year, the Manchester Book Market plays host to both the most innovative and prolific independent presses in the region, and the very best of literary talent from all corners of the North-west. Over the course of two days, the public will have the chance to be introduced to, and sample some of the work from a variety of independent publishers selling high-quality fiction, ranging from poetry, novels, short stories, and magazines. In addition, there will be live back-to-back performances and readings throughout the Friday and Saturday from poets, novelists and short fiction writers, showcasing the abundance of craft, flair, and ingenuity the UK literary scene has to offer.

YouTube poetry sensation, Dean Atta, will be taking centre stage in the headline slot this year. Described as 'brilliantly eloquent,' by QX magazine, and 'one of the leading lights in London's poetry scene,' by Huffington Post, Dean rose to fame when his poem on YouTube 'I am Nobody's Nigger', partly inspired by the murder of Stephen Lawrence, received almost 30,000 hits overnight. He has also been featured in The Guardian, Huffpost Culture, The Voice, Time Out London, The Cultural Expose, The Metro, on BBC Radio One Xtra, and has appeared on BBC Radio 4 alongside poet Michael Rosen. He is the winner of the Spirit of London Award for 'Achievement through the Arts', and the BEFFTA Award for 'Best Spoken Word Artist/Poet'.
http://www.deanatta.co.uk/

Joining Dean will be celebrated literary heroes Carol Leeming (of Buzzcocks fame), two of Manchester’s finest poets Max Seymour and Marvin Cheeseman, international veteran of the poetry scene John Siddique, and Tony Walsh, (Glastonbury Poet in Residence 2011) - just some of the highly-anticipated acts on the bill. There will also be appearances from the critically acclaimed Dave Gaffney, Kitty Fitzgerald (her novel Pigtopia was Amy Winehouse’s ‘book of the year’), Dominic Berry, (winner at Manchester Literature Festival's 'Superheroes of Slam' and New York's famous 'Nuyorican Poetry Cafe'), and the legendary Fat Roland. Over forty acts will be performing at the market, all with their own unique styles, sounds and voices.

Plus, if you bring along a Kindle, you'll be able to download a free eBook sampler of all the performers' work (ePub format also available!)

The Book Market is an excellent opportunity for readers to discover fresh and upcoming talent, and to support the production of local literature on home soil. Having said this - Literature Northwest are extremely pleased to give a warm welcome to presses and authors joining us this year from outside the region: notably Holland Park Press and Miel Books.



Fri 8th and Sat 9th June: 10am – 5:30pm (performances are between 12pm and 5pm both days).
St. Ann’s Square, Manchester City Centre, M2, UK.

Entry: Free

Time: 10.00am - 5.30pm