Reading The Other at The Old Monkey

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Reading The Other

12 January 2023

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Reading The Other
Reading The Other
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Writers of poetry, prose fiction, flash fiction, drama, non-fiction, essays, journalism, biography – anything that is their own writing – are paired up and swap sets to read each other’s work.

Now this literary night with a twist is going regular in real life and it’s definitely worth a look-in, giving a new slant to voices you may have heard in other contexts.

It’s been part of Didsbury Arts Festival, it’s been in the Northern Quarter, it’s popped up at Victoria Baths, it’s been on tour to Wigan, Warrington and Liverpool’s Open Eye Gallery, heck, The Other has even gone virtual… and now this literary night with a twist is going regular in real life and it’s definitely worth a look-in, giving a new slant to voices you may have heard in other contexts.

Planned to take place every two months upstairs at The Old Monkey in Manchester city centre, The Other is free and you’re invited to email in advance to bagsy a tag team slot. Readers are given their texts in advance to get some practice in, and hosting duties are shared between Warrington-based photographer Eli Regan and her poet pal Michael Conley, from Manchester.

Michael’s poetry has appeared in magazines including Rialto, Magma, Butcher’s Dog, Strix and The Interpreter’s House. His first pamphlet, Aquarium, was published by Flarestack; his second, These are Not My Dreams and Anyway Nothing Here is Purple, is out with Nine Pens Press. His poetry has been Highly Commended in the Forward Prizes, while his prose has been shortlisted for the Manchester Fiction Prize, and his collection of short stories, Flare and Falter, was published by Splice in 2019 and longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize.

Tonight, expect that he’ll be joined by various luminaries of Manchester’s vibrant literary community. Previous readers have included The Real Story’s Kate Feld, Speakeasy’s Dave Hartley and Steve Smythe, First Draft’s Abi Hynes, queen of flash fiction Tania Hershman, Manc poet Lou Mach and Fly On The Wall-published Louise Finnigan.

Where to go near Reading The Other at The Old Monkey

Peak District
Restaurant
The Chequers Inn

The Chequers Inn is a 16th century, family-run, traditional country inn with an impressive dining space. The Peak District at its best.

Testbed Main Space
Leeds
Event venue
TESTBED

TESTBED is a newly renovated 10,000 sq foot event venue in Leeds that offers endless possibilities for creating unique and inspiring experiences.

Manchester
Restaurant
Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

The Warehouse In Holbeck
Leeds
Event venue
The Warehouse In Holbeck

Run by acclaimed theatre company Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck is home to boundary-pushing performance and community projects.

Leeds
Event venue
The Attic

Tucked away above the bustle of Merrion Street, The Attic is one of Leeds’ most distinctive small venues – intimate, unpretentious, and steeped in DIY spirit.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

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