GUY MANKOWSKI

 I was honoured to host this event for Lincoln Book Festival. Jane Savidge- as cofounder of the publicists Savidge and Best was behind much of the genesis of the Britpop movement and stewarded the successful public image (after years of obscurity) of Pulp, Suede and other key Britpop bands that reshaped our musical landscape and mindset. I recall as a teenager on the Isle of Wight reading the 'What's Eating Jarvis Cocker? Heroin? Porn?' headline of Select Magazine in my local newsagents, never dreaming I'd get to talk to the person who came up with that whole angle.  Audrey Golden talked about the research process behind bringing to light the painfully overlooked story of the women of Factory Records. Despite this being the night The Last Dinner Party were (not) playing in Lincoln we had a crowd of discerning musical types who asked great questions.  Many others made this event a beautiful occasion. My partner Rachel put together an incredible Pulp / Factory playlist th...

On 01/10/12 at Dance City in Newcastle guests were invited to a performance of 'Letters from Yelena'. The event saw literature and dance brought to one stage. The night opened with a reading from one of the letters which were then performed by ballerina Laila Sanz, with choreography from Dora Frankel Dance and music from Jeremy Bradfield. A short video of the performance can be watched online on the link below- http://vimeo.com/52803418 'Letters from Yelena' can be purchased now at all good bookstores (Waterstones etc) and bought from Amazon on this link- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-Yelena-Guy-Mankowski/dp/1909039101 With thanks to Hal Branson

I'm very excited that at Dance City, Newcastle this evening my second novel is being released. The launch will coincide with a performance of a scene from the book choreographed by Dora Frankel, featuring the Argentinian ballet dancer Laila Sanz (talking with me above during the development of the performance). In case that is a little too far afield, below are some of the advance quotes for the novel which I hope will entice you to buy it-   ‘It’s unusual to find a young male writer who can write with such sensitivity and maturity. Guy Mankowski’s portrayal of the ballerina Yelena is wholly convincing, taking us inside her thoughts and feelings as she describes the course of her life, from harrowing childhood to professional success, punctuated with turbulent emotional crisis. This is clearly a writer of great talent.’  Andrew Crumey, Booker Prize longlisted author. Guy Mankowski’s second novel, Letters from Yelena, is a fantastic literary achievemen...

Abigail Tarttelin, star of 'Schrodinger's Girl', 'Taxi Rider' and author of the forthcoming 'Flick' has written a review of my debut novel 'The Intimates' - "An intricately wrought and enchanting first novel, The Intimates is a measured, literary piece of work as hauntingly evocative of its setting and characters as Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer prize winner Housekeeping. Mankowski acutely and dexterously peels back the layers of his flaw-ridden characters to reveal complexities of desire and influence that whir the cogs within us all. The setting is sublime, an atmospheric country home with a deceased ex-proprietor, a secret passageway and wild, untamed grounds; the story playing out on the evening of a party thrown, at first glance, in celebration of their host’s first published novel. But in some way each of the group is broken, and new author Francoise, who effervesces like a twisted Juliette Binoche seductively from Mankowski’s pages, in...

‘A huge accomplishment. With expert prose Mankowski draws the reader into a world where layers of secrets are slowly and skilfully stripped away. Lyrical and yet accessible, with character dynamics to die for…’ Gary Murning, author of ‘If I Never’ ‘Guy Mankowski's debut novel, The Intimates, manages that all too rare feat of being a deeply psychological character study whilst at the same time playing out as a bonafide page-turner. Excellently paced, insightfully created, and with moments of genuine genius, The Intimates is an opulently written, high concept piece which explores the psychology of human relationships, and especially the dynamics of groups. Here we meet characters of genuine depth. Through them, Mankowski explores themes such as the darker side of intimacy and friendship; scadenfreude, jealousy, petty rivalries - but the characters are more than mere ciphers for psychological analysis. They are living, breathing people, whose mutual understanding, whose deep bonds a...

After weeks of nipping and tucking, assisted by my tireless editor and late night cups of coffee The Intimates  is ready for release. Its publisher Legend Press today released the following blurb for it on their website- 'The Intimates believe that they are the epitome of glamour. For this group of eclectic friends life is a playground as they sing, act and write their way to their dream lifestyles. But all is not as it seems. Invited to celebrate one evening together, there is a sinister undertone that threatens to expose each of these brilliantly talented failures. Dark secrets unravel, and ugly truths are revealed as each person desperately tries to hide what’s buried beneath the shimmering surface. Each trapped in a pristine image their masks begin to slip and, for some, start to disintegrate in a way that will alter their lives forever.' It can be pre-ordered from here- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intimates-Guy-Mankowski/dp/1907756469  

I'm very excited that today Legend Press have announced the release of my first novel 'The Intimates'- which is due for publication in early 2011. They describe the novel as 'depicting an evening with a group of eclectic friends, gradually uncovering the ugly and brutally honest truths that can go unmentioned for so long. With Guy's unique writing style, the characters unravel before the reader with a sense of almost unsettling realism.' Having worked with Lauren, Tom and Lucy on the collections 'Eight Rooms' and 'Ten Journeys' I'm very excited to be able to continue doing so in the future. They're a very dedicated, exciting and groundbreaking publishing house, and it's great to be on their books alongside such fantastic authors as Zoe Jenny, Bonnie Greer and Gary Murning. For more information check out Legend Press at- http://forward.legendpress.co.uk/mainsite/2010/09/announcing-the-intimates-by-guy-mankow...

Last Saturday I joined the laconic and charming Dave Foxall at Waterstones in Darlington to promote Ten Journeys, the new Legend Press collection which we both feature in. Whether we simply had no shame pimping ourselves or whether the people of the North East were in a good mood I don't know, but we managed to sell out of copies during the signing. The Northern Echo came down to photograph the occassion - here you can see me standing up while Dave sits down. On the 11th September I'll be returning for another signing with Andy Kirby, ebullient and provocative author of the excellent novels 'Bully' and 'The Magpie Trap'. And while we're on the subject on 7th August I'll be promoting Ten Journeys at Waterstones Newcastle with Matthew Crow, author of the novel 'Ashes'. 'This one's here, this one's here, this one's here and this one's here. And everything's for sale' from Yes by the Manic Street Preachers.