GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation

We are delighted to welcome G. R. Pidgeon and Stephen Howard to Blackwell's for a special event with the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies! The authors will be discussing their work with the Centre's co-director, Emma Liggins.

Doors: 6.30pm, Starts: 6.45pm.

Tickets are £5 or admission is included when purchasing a Book & Ticket option.

About the books:

Graham will be discussing his newly published second novel, The Patient in the Tower, information on which will follow shortly. His first novel, The Haunting of Hern Hall, is a historical gothic set in the aftermath of World War One. It sees a disillusioned army chaplain arrive at an isolated estate in the English countryside. Shrouded by mist, the mystery of its tragic past seems to haunt the shadows. After being invited by Lord and Lady Chiddingstone to remain as a guest at Hern Hall, John has a series of unsettling and eerie encounters, even attending a seance conducted by an infamous medium whom Lady Chiddingstone hopes can communicate with her dead sons.

In This House Isn't Haunted (But We Are), a couple mourning the loss of their young daughter take up an opportunity to renovate a rural cottage on the remote North Yorkshire Moors. However, they can’t process their grief as increasingly eerie events unfold. Is it their daughter haunting them or is something else going on? Part of Wild Hunt Book's brilliant Northern Weird series, focussing on the North of England as setting, subject and character.

About the authors:

G. R. Pidgeon has spent the last twenty years as Head of English at leading state and independent schools in Kent, aiming to inspire the next generation of readers and writers. He is also an English Subject Leader for The Prince’s Teaching Institute, developing the subject knowledge of new teachers, and specialising in Victorian and Gothic Literature, as well as the Romantic Poets. Most weekends he is to be found exploring the forgotten corners of ancient parish churches, reading the faded inscriptions on the backs of toppled gravestones, or climbing up winding staircases in search of secret passages.

Stephen Howard is an novelist and short story writer from Manchester, now living in Cheshire with his wife and daughter. Stephen has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the Open University. His short fiction has been published by Lost Boys Press, The No Sleep Podcast, Metastellar, and others. His sci-fi / fantasy novel, An Invincible Summer, was published this year with Infested Publishing.

If you cannot make the event but would like a dedicated copy of the book, please email [email protected] or call us on 0161 274 3331.Our event format is usually a 45 minute discussion between the author and interviewer, followed by a chance for audience members to ask questions. There will be the opportunity to get your book signed/dedicated after the event. Events are a brilliant opportunity to discover new books, meet authors and likeminded readers and learn something new.Support your local bookshop and help us keep the Manchester literary scene vibrant and exciting. You can follow us on Eventbrite and social media (@BlackwellsMCR) to keep up to date on upcoming events.