Announcing the 2024 PSMA winners!

We received an unprecedented 891 entries this year! Last year, the number was 506. We received entries from Newcastle to Brighton, Belfast to Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates as well as across Greater Manchester, the North West, Derbyshire, Birmingham, the North East and Cumbria as well as our first entries from South Wales.

Thank you and well done to all who entered; entering a competition is an accomplishment in itself and we applaud every one of you. The reading judges, Oliver Sykes and Habiba Desai read 215 book reviews while the writing judges, Clare Povey and Reshma Ruia read 676 short stories set in the North of England. Thank you to our judges who will hand out prizes at this year’s Presenation event at the Portico Library in June.

You can read all the winning and highly commended short stories and book reviews here.

Congratulations!

The Art of the Book Award Prize Celebration event

Open to Pupil Referral Units and Schools and Departments with Special Educational Needs

“The Art of the Book Award, has become a cornerstone in our school's literary calendar for the second consecutive year. This initiative has proven to be an invaluable motivator for our students and has significantly contributed to fostering a love for writing within our school community.” Michelle Wilkinson, Pioneer House Special School

“Scarlett's Mum - was waxing lyrical about the event on Friday and was praising all that you did for Scarlett and the way the event was handled (I had a lovely email from Kye's parents too saying the event will be one of her best memories of Standish too by the way so thank you on their behalf!)” 

Paul Blakemore, Deputy Head, Standish Community High School

On Friday, 15th of March 2024, the Art of the Book Award presentation event was held again at Manchester’s Central Library. Read Manchester donated a range of books for students to choose from as part of their prize and all received specially designed notebooks featuring artwork by artist and judge Oliver East.

Reece Williams as MC created a wonderful atmosphere of celebration and the Portico Sadie Massey Awards team were thrilled to celebrate with the participating schools:

Inscape House School, Manchester Hospital Schools’ Galaxy House, IncludedEd Learning, Pioneer House, Piper Hill Post 16 Department and Standish Community High School. Students from Lowton High School were unable to attend but prizes were posted out to the students.

We thank all teachers and students who took part, for their creativity and enthusiasm in telling their stories through fantastic artwork, writing, ideas and personality. Congratulations to everyone!

What schools say

“Not many students can say an author and poet have mentored them.”

Ann Hardy, NASENDCo, IncludedEd Learning

“The Art of the Book Award has significantly raised the profile of writing within our school community. There is a palpable buzz of excitement surrounding the competition, with both students and staff alike recognizing the value of literary expression. This heightened awareness has fostered a positive writing culture, inspiring our students to embrace and celebrate the power of their words.

One of the standout features of the Art of the Book Award is the personalized feedback provided by the judge, Oliver. This feedback goes beyond a mere acknowledgment of the students' efforts; it serves as a valuable learning tool, helping them understand the nuances of audience and purpose in writing. The feedback offered by Oliver adds a layer of meaning to the competition, emphasizing the educational value it brings to our students.

Finally, the awards ceremony was a highlight that truly celebrated the achievements of our budding writers. The professional execution of the ceremony ensured that students felt genuinely recognized and celebrated for their outstanding contributions. This positive experience will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on our students, motivating them to continue exploring and honing their writing skills.

In conclusion, the Art of the Book Award has proven to be an exceptional initiative, and we are thrilled to have participated for the second consecutive year. We look forward to continuing this tradition as a whole school project, confident that it will continue to inspire and nurture the next generation of writers at our school.

Michelle Wilkinson, Pioneer House Special School

Students in the Portico Library

Students from St Patrick's RC High School, Salford enjoyed a creative writing workshop with Marie Basting in the Portico Library in November 2023! They are now keen to write their stories and enter this year’s competition!

See the range of workshops we offer both in school and in the Portico Library here

The Manchester City of Literature’s Schools Writing Trail

The Manchester City of Literature Schools Writing Trail showcases the ‘best of the best’ of student writing across Greater Manchester, offering a literature trail in conjunction with Manchester’s Festival of Libraries. In 2023 there were over 100 young writers featured, writing in 12 languages, whose poetry, fiction, and imagination all featured in the exhibition. The Trail was a walkable constellation of young voices connecting community arts centres, schools, universities, and libraries with over 40 schools in Greater Manchester. The Schools Writing Trail project is a celebration of the young writers who are a vibrant part of what makes Manchester a UNESCO City of Literature. You can find out more about the Schools Writing Trail here: https://www.manchestercityofliteratur...

Congratulations to the Portico Sadie Massey Awards winners who took part in the trail, with their work showcased in venues across the city, including The Portico Library.

Video

Pathways into Publishing Festival 2023

super friendly and great! Chloe

Saturday, 10th June at The Portico Library

The third Pathways into Publishing Festival saw well over 100 visitors remain for the entire day, enjoying the informative talks about careers in the Northern book publishing industries, stunning performances from Young Identity and The Writing Squad, creative workshops from Abbi Parcell and Young Identity’s Billie Meredith, bookstalls, publishers and organisations ready to answer questions and chat, and the highly popular new addition of 1-2-1s with writer Mickela Sonola and book industry publishing experts.

It all happened in one place on one day! And everyone wants to take part again next year!

Thanks to all the professionals who took part, Abbi Parcell, Children’s Books North, illustrator Chellie Carroll, Comma Press, Commonword, Dr Debbie Williams of MMU Publishing, Fly on the Wall Press, writers Louisa Reid, Okechukwu Nzelu, Mickela Sonola, panel event chair, Morayo Sodipo, The Portico Library’s book restoration team, Jim & Tim, Saraband, The Society of Young Publishers North, The Writing Squad’s Chloe Elliott and Lenni Sanders, Young Identity’s Zeinab Al Jeddal and Saf Elsenossi.

And a huge thank you to all who came! We hope to see you again next year!

Organised by The Portico Sadie Massey Awards

It was a fantastic event with some great opportunities to meet new people and create new opportunities for collaborations Society of Young Publishers North

The Portico Sadie Massey Awards - news

The Art of the Book Award Presentation event 2023

Open to Pupil Referral Units and Schools with Special Educational Needs in Greater Manchester

Manchester’s Central Library, Friday 24th March 2023

Students, teachers and parents joined judge Oliver East and MC Reece Williams to celebrate the wonderful stories and books that were created in this year’s Art of the Book Award competition. See winners Here

Prizes included Art of the Book Award tote bags, certificates, special Portico notebooks, gift tokens, books and other gifts.

The fantastic Read Manchester provided a vast array of books for the students to choose a title that spoke to them.

During the event, workshop organiser and liaison, Janet FitzGerald sent a message of congratulations which was shown on the big screen as well as a selection of winning entries.

Thank you for all who attended this fabulous annual event and congratulations to the 200 students who entered! Brilliant!

Thanks to all at Inscape House School, Manchester Hospital School, Manchester PRU, Richmond Park Centre, Pioneer House School and Piper Hill Post 16 Department. We love working with you!

 Thanks too, to Central Library for hosting the event

All photographs by Lucy Cartwright.

The Portico books have returned, fully restored!

We have now held our final event for the 2022 Portico Sadie Massey Awards winners just as the closing date for the 2023 competitions approaches!

This is a unique aspect of our prizes, that winners and their guests are invited to the library for several events throughout the year, and this means we get to know each other and everyone feels completely at home in Manchester’s historic library on Mosley Street.

We hope you enjoy viewing the restored books by Glasgow-based Downie Allison Downie and feel drawn to enter this year’s competition which closes at midnight, 24th March 2023. All details on the home page.

Congratulations again to Ariella ( Secret commonwealth of Elves, Fauns & Fairies), Emma (Faust), Isabel (Whispers from Fairy Land), Precious (Wonderful Stories from Northern Lands), Sadiya (Indian Fairy Tales) and Tamara (Nether Lochaber).

The two ‘Adopt-A-Book for restoration’ events were both filmed by Jeremiah Quinn

Photographs by Lucy Cartwright

The Portico Sadie Massey Awards Adopt-A-Book Prize 2022

Choose a Portico Library book in need of restoration

Photography by Lucy Cartwright

Due to the success of introducing ‘Adopt - A- Book’ to the prize list last year, we have offered it again to our 2022 winners!

In September, students and guests came to the Portico, enjoyed finding out about the 2016 year old library, then, in the atmospheric Reading Room, winners chose a book in need of restoration from a selection chosen by the Collections Team.

Titles include: Wonderful Stories from Northern Lands, Whispers from Fairy Land, Faust, Indian Fairytales, The Last of the Mohicans, Nether Lochaber and Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns & Fairies.

The books will now be sent to Downie Allison Downie Bookbinders in Glasgow for restoration. When the books return, sympathetically restored, complete with bookplates bearing each student’s name, school and award, Ariella, Emma, Isobel, Precious, Sadiya, Sophia, Tamara and guests will be invited back to the library to view the restored books.

Adopt-A-Book, following mentorships with The Writing Squad for our 16-18 year old winners, has proved highly popular as a unique writing prize and will continue to be offered, linking present writers and book reviewers with Manchester’s historic past.

Other prizes include book bundles by writers associated with the Portico Sadie Massey Awards and notebooks and bookmarks again, unique to the Portico Sadie Massey Awards.

Comments about the other prizes:

It (the book bundles) exposed me to different authors…I was happy with my prizes, really unique! Emma Jones, Xaverian Sixth Form College

I really liked the notebook design (Alan Turing on the front, the PSMAwards on the back) I like how it (the notebook) was special and could not just have been bought in a shop. Sophia Kountouri, Henrietta Barnett School, London

I got to try a book I have never seen. Precious Okeke, St Paul’s High School, Wythenshawe

This year’s competitions are now open! Full details Closing date: Midnight, Friday 24 March 2023

Pathways into Publishing at The Portico Library

Saturday, 25th June

Part of the Manchester UNESCO City of Literature’s Festival of Libraries https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/

Funded by The Foyle Foundation http://www.foylefoundation.org.uk/

This was our second Pathways into Publishing Festival and our first at the Portico Library! We welcomed northern based publishers, booksellers, writers, illustrators, performers and organisations so that young people could find out about the various careers in the book related industries.

All on one day, in one place.

There were talks and demonstrations in the intimate Reading Room, children’s, YA, fictional and poetry books to buy, courses to sign up to, performances to inspire and much more, in the main area, under the glorious dome.

Thank you to all who took part and all who came! We hope to see you again next year!

Full Programme

The Adopt-A-Book Prize

Winners become part of The Portico Library

For the first time in 2021, the six reading and writing winners of our competitions were offered the chance to adopt a Portico Library book in need of restoration.

In August last year, students and their guests enjoyed an afternoon at the Portico; their visit including a tour of the atmospheric library, tea and delicious cake, baked by resident chef, Joe Fenn, and choosing a book from the Portico Collection of over 25,000 volumes, that they would like to see restored.

Key Stage 4 short story winner, Belle Doyle, from Miltoncross Academy, Portsmouth, unable to travel to Manchester, chose Campfires of the Everglades from photographs of a selection of books.

Ebony-Rose Howard-Wibier, Whalley Range High School, Freya Teasdale, Beaver Road School, Mathis Power, Manchester Grammar School and Roma Locham, Lady Barn House School were all able to attend and Sonia Yang, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, visited at a later date to choose Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

The Marvels of the Heavens immediately attracted Freya, and Roma chose The Lady’s Walk by Mrs Oliphant. Mathis couldn’t decide between Knapsack for Sportsmen of the Field and The Political Economy of Arts. Ebony-Rose’s choice when valued would have cost over £600 to repair, therefore she returned to her previous choice of Persuasion by Jane Austen.

On occasion, the cost of repair is weighed against the outcome. With crumbling pages, that would continue to disintegrate even after restoration, this was not deemed viable. The book will however, continue to be on the Portico shelves.

Choices complete, Michelle Hill of the Portico Library, arranged them to be collected and the restoration catalogued by Downie Allison Downie Bookbinders in Glasgow, Scotland.

http://www.dadbookbinders.com/

As a result, Belle, Ebony-Rose, Freya, Mathis, Roma and Sonia could see how their books were restored through detailed photographs taken during the process.

The books were returned in December, bookplates with the student’s name and school inserted, but it wasn’t until February 2022 that everyone came back to view the restored books. It was worth the wait!

Seeing their names in Portico Library books, that will remain on the shelves as long as the library stands, felt like an important moment in history.

This time, it was like a meeting of friends and all brought about by the Portico Collection.

‘…thanks for the two days at the Portico and for making Freya feel so special’

Chris Teasdale. 

‘Thank you so much… my parents and I really enjoyed the day. It was such a lovely occasion.’

Mathis Power

Prior to the February visit, Sandy Locham, Roma’s mother wrote:

‘We enjoyed coming to the Portico Library so much last time. Sounds very exciting… looking forward to seeing the books.’

After such a positive response, and more Portico Library books saved from further deterioration, we are continuing to offer this as a prize for our 2022 winners!

We look forward to welcoming them to the Portico Library in the summer!

Many of the books in the Portico’s 19th-century collection are in urgent need of repair or rebinding. It is vital that these items are preserved for future generation to learn from and enjoy.

The Portico has an Adopt-A-Book scheme and you can find out more about it and search the online catalogue here: https://www.theportico.org.uk/adoptabook

Photographs in the Portico Library by Lucy Cartwright

https://www.lucyphotography.com/

The Portico Sadie Massey Awards winners 2022!

With thanks and congratulations to all who entered this year’s book review and short story competitions. Everyone will receive a notebook and bookmark with hopes you continue your reading and writing journeys.

All schools that entered will recieve a copy of 100 Great Black Britons. https://www.100greatblackbritons.co.uk/

Thanks to the judges, Ayesha Choudhury, Dom Conlon, Ella Otomewo and Hallie Fletcher.

‘I'd like to state it was very difficult to choose as the talent was unreal, each story was diverse and really captured me. We have a strong set of future writers, I'd love to read all their novels one day in Waterstones and other book stores. I feel unbelievably proud to have been a part of this.’

Comment from Hallie Fletcher, Writing Judge

2019 short story winner, Thahera Keia shares her story.

Thahera’s winning short story:

Summer Nights in Longsight

By Thahera Keia

Levenshulme High School

Summer nights in Longsight; there’s nothing like them.

It might sound strange at first. Longsight isn’t exactly known for its scorching hot Julys or its picturesque nights, after all. The phrase would better fit the Bahamas, with bundles of brochures to advertise its luxury holidays – ‘incomparable’, ‘indescribable’ and ‘incredible’ being keywords on each of those paper pamphlets. They certainly do well to take ‘home’ and ‘vacation’ and cast them to opposite ends of the ocean that people reading then long to cross, far removing themselves from the grey little misery that consistently plagues British people… our weather.

But picture this:

You’re eleven years old, fresh out of the primary school that’s just ten minutes away by foot. You’ve spent every day of every year of your whole entire life here, but each weekday, you learn something new. Inconsequential or not, that building - red-bricked and lacklustre to passing perspectives – was for you a powerhouse of knowledge, where even the basic principles of science had you euphoric when you could correctly explain them in an exam.

But that’s over now. It’s the longest break of the school year! Your SATs have been sat, past papers passed. Children pour out of the gates, ready to kick back and relax. Sure, high school lurks around the corner - but all you can think of as you bound home that auspicious Friday afternoon is your best friend, and how she’s due to arrive tomorrow with her bags packed, smile award-winning and ready to drive your mother absolutely insane now there’ll be two of you flying off the walls. You’re so excited, you can barely sleep that night.

Then tomorrow comes, there’s a knock at the door. You fling it open and there she is, just like you expected, and it takes all you have not to launch yourself at her then and there, in front of your aunt. You usher them both inside, her more enthusiastically than the elder, while the two of you giggle like the hyperactive children that you are as you waste no time rushing her up the stairs, ready to pull out the book of stories you two write together each time she comes to visit.

“Should we head out on the roof tonight?” You ask, ever the eager beaver. The lined pages (£2 at the ‘pound store’ – you thought that a rip off at the minute of purchase) lay sprawled across your lap while you sit, cross-legged.

“I don’t know – will anyone be awake?” She replies, afflictions with concerns lacing her tone. She is, after all, older, wiser, and therefore thinks more consequently of the little ledge over the kitchen window than you do.

“Duh! Listen, let’s take food and socks – maybe shoes if it’s really cold – and look at the sky! Ooh, maybe we can watch the sunrise! Yeah, yeah let’s stay up!”

“Ooh, okay! You better not fall asleep, though.” She laughs.

“I would never.”

“You always do.”

To your credit, this time you don’t. Night falls and the bustling, harlequin hubbub that is Longsight hums until it fades into a still hush, the occasional thrum of a car being the only passing noise thereafter. It’s distant. People are already resting in anticipation of the next day and what it holds, for everyone always has something to do or somewhere to be in this part of Manchester - but you?

You’re too busy unlatching the safety lock of your sister’s bedroom window to care about tomorrow. The big sister in question had long been banished from her abode to your grandmother’s

room (which was where you were well acquainted with staying) so that the two of you could share the double bed. You then push the pane open to greet the crisp July air. It blows over your face as you smile. There’s a serenity here, in your world away from duty, that can’t be found elsewhere – and who better to share it with than her, who now watches you with eyes that glint, and thinly pressed lips that wait to chide you should you lean too far forward without looking? You already know what she’s thinking, and you share in the secret you keep, away from the prying eyes of adults.

This little tradition of yours, so far removed from everything else that you know.

“Come on then!” You urge in an impatient whisper, desperate to be out there already. The moon surely looks wonderful, and you can’t wait to see it - without being barricaded by a ‘transparent’ pane, its spotted grime only serving to get in your way. One leg over the other, you lurch forward, planting yourself neatly on the tiles. Though she’d thought to scold you, the twinkle of the stars tempt her too strongly, so she follows quietly.

Once she had taken her place beside you, you offered her food. Own mouth stuffed, you pointed towards the heavens, stating,” It’s a crescent.”

Popping another marshmallow in her mouth – on sale at the local ASDA, a penny a piece – she chuckled, “My favourite.”

You didn’t really know what she was talking about, but you let it slide with the flow of the conversation that developed. For the most part, I can’t even recall what was said in that time. Only the hours kept going, turning from 11pm to dawn, so that eventually with a triumphant cry you could exclaim, “Look! It’s the sun!”

There weren’t really a huge amount of birds in Longsight. The arrival of the morning was an observation only notable by vision, peaceful as would typically be expected of a richer area. Watching planes streaking across the expanse of dusty pink, gold and red, it’s easy to forget things, time included. You sit in utopia, thinking about how this particular colour palette is ever so pretty – the kind of hues you wish to reach out and touch, drape in silk over your skin and never change - not even for pyjamas.

“Let’s go inside. I’m shattered.”

Her voice pulls you out of your thoughts. Turning your head to her, you nod and she stands, re-entering the house as you spare another glance to the progressing scene. Other people will begin to wake soon, get ready for the day, bound to be busy; they will forget this shortly, or may have missed it entirely in their slumber.

As for you?

Well, it may not be the Bahamas – but there’s nothing else like it.

The Winners of the Portico Sadie Massey Awards 2020

We wish to thank and highlight our 2020 Reading and Writing winners. This was the first year of the Pandemic and we were bowled over by the number of entries and extremely high standard. We had 592 entries, the second highest we have had in the five years of the awards. This meant that the Reading judges, Anna Mainwaring and Mo Ray read 283 book reviews and the Writing judges, Tilda Johnson and Debbie Williams read 309 short stories!

Anna said: It took a long time for Mo and me to decide on winners as the standard was so high. But we agreed on our three winners in the end – they each were brilliantly written reviews, showing real engagement with the books chosen and their passion for their book shone through.

Mo said: It was heart-warming and exciting to see so many entries and because of them my TBR list is now longer than ever, thank you. Congratulations to all the winners, I hope to see more of your work in the future!

Debbie and Tilda shared their thoughts by video which you can view on the Portico Sadie Massey Awards Facebook page, alongside readings from the winners (please scroll down to 2020): Facebook page

Unfortunately, the Pandemic meant that prizes of theatre tickets from the Edge Theatre and Arts Centre, Contact Theatre and Oldham Coliseum, a visit to the animation studios MacKinnon and Saunders and the documentary makers, Blakeway North could not go ahead.

Instead, we introduced, writing mentorships and these were so well received, we have continued to offer them as a prize.

As Key Stage 3 Book Review winner, Jonathan Clark said ‘…it’s a pretty cool prize to receive for a writing award.’

We want to thank all the companies that offered such wonderful prizes and a special thank you and congratulations to the students who entered the competitions and for their adaptability and grace in receiving their prizes.

For the last four years, the Portico has been inviting students from across Manchester and beyond to write a persuasive book review or a creative narrative set in the North of England. Each year, judges are on the lookout for entries with energy, enthusiasm, and an original perspective. They have not been disappointed! Students have demonstrated an irrepressible love for books and stories and often the quality has been exceptional. The number of entries, too, has been staggering. Since 2015, these competitions have received over 1,000 entries and our educational work has engaged more than 2,000 young people in the region. Our workshops, delivered by some of Manchester’s most esteemed ambassadors of children’s and YA writing, have created opportunities for young people to discover and develop their literary passions and talents, from prose and poetry to comedy and performance.

This year the judges Martin Griffin, Jake Hope, Danielle Jawando, and Paul Morris have taken joy in reading through every submission and have been, yet again, bowled over by the quality of the entries. It wasn’t an easy job, but they have now selected the winners. We are delighted to announce that the reviews and stories of those successful students can now be viewed here and will be published in the Portico-themed children’s book, Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome, from Seven Arches Publishing.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered the competition and shared their creativity. Who knows, maybe these aspiring young writers could find themselves entering The Portico Prize one day!

Book Review category

Awarded:

Will Ramsden, aged 9, Beaver Road Primary School.

Book reviewed: Dr. Maniac vs. Robby Schwartz from the Goosebumps Horrorland Collection by R.L. Stine.

Hannah Meyer, aged 10, Beaver Road Primary School.

Book reviewed: The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt.

Ashwin Geerthan, aged 12, AKS Lytham.

Book reviewed: Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Muskan Nadeem, aged 12, Levenshulme High School.

Book reviewed: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green.

Emma Graham, aged 15, The King’s School in Macclesfield.

Book reviewed: What If It’s Us? by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli

Tallulah Howarth, aged 17, Xaverian College.

Book reviewed: Hooligan Trees by Alan Burke.

Highly Commended:

Daniel Phillips, aged 11, Beaver Road Primary School.

Book reviewed: Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks

Safiya Begum, aged 14, Levenshulme High School.

Book reviewed: Butter by Erin Jade Lange

Callum Lee, aged 14, Standish Community High School.

Book reviewed: Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard.

Katie Wilson Ellis, aged 15, Standish Community High School.

Book reviewed: Moonwalk by Michael Jackson.

Charlotte Corrigan, aged 14, Westholme School.

Book reviewed: Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell.

Beau Berrington, aged 12, Mersey Valley Centre, Manchester PRU.

Book reviewed: The Witches by Roald Dahl.

Shanay Everett, aged 12, Mersey Valley Centre, Manchester PRU.

Book reviewed: Bus Stop Baby by Fleur Hitchcock.

Creative writing category

Awarded:

Aisha Zia, aged 16, Levenshulme High School.

Story title: Gold Dust.

Thahera Keia, aged 15, Levenshulme High School.

Story title: Summer Nights in Longsight.

Jacob Owen, aged 13, Standish Community High School.

Story title: Just DeVine

Highly Commended:

Lucia Gallemore, aged 12, Barlow RC High School

Story title: Pendle Witches

Emma Holmes, aged 12, Parrs Wood High School

Story title: Not Being Okay

Molly Housley, aged 14, Standish Community High School

Story title: Night-time at The Portico Library

Creative Writing Award Winner, Emily Graham Meets with Rosie Garland in the Portico Library

Early 2017 I was encouraged by my high school English teacher to partake in The Portico Sadie Massey Awards. I entered genuinely thinking I wouldn’t even be recognised, never mind win! The Portico Sadie Massey awards changed the way I see my writing, encouraging me to carry on writing and to be confident in myself. I remember holding ‘The Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome’ for the very first time. I was taken aback when seeing my own work published. The words that were once scrawled upon rough pieces of paper finally perfectly printed inside a book. I was inspired beyond belief.

I was later invited to be on the Radio alongside Paul Morris, a judge of The Portico Sadie Massey Awards, as well as an author who encourages me to write and inspires me to have faith in myself. Being on the radio was an overwhelming opportunity and allowed me to talk to the presenter, Hannah, about what it is like to work in the Radio industry and allow me to contemplate more future ideas.

Early December I also had the opportunity to meet an author who inspires me and makes me want to write, Rosie Garland. We sat down in the Portico Library and excitedly talked about poetry and prose. Rosie took the time to talk to me about the possibilities and choices that are available to me as a writer as well as read some of my writing and highlighting the lines she enjoyed most.

Having the chance to meet both authors and poets who inspire me greatly really allowed me to see my writing in a new light. Partaking in the Portico Sadie Massey Awards encouraged me to write how I enjoy writing, as well as giving me opportunities I did not think were possible at sixteen.

Post by Emily Graham

Jacob Polley and Urmston Grammar at the Portico Library

You really have to start a report on an event at the Portico Library with a comment about being seated under its magnificent domed ceiling. On this particular Thursday in November, it boasted the added bonus of sheltering an award-winning poet.

Urmston Grammar English Literature A-Level students got the chance to meet Jacob Polley, whose fourth poetry collection Jackself won last year’s T S Eliot Prize (which you can read me raving about here), in a reading and Q&A session hosted by Manchester’s loveliest hidden literary gem.

Jacob’s reading brought to life the aural aspects of poetry which are often analysed on paper but all too infrequently listened to. Admitting that poetry can be hard to listen to, he welcomed just taking it in ‘as music’, though the context which he gave throughout, and the compelling voice of his poetry, made for easy and attractive reading, and gave us a feel for the collection’s unique atmosphere.

We got a flavour of the mixture of ‘everyday and impossible’ which defines Jackself, with ancestors’ skeletons in ‘The Lofts’, familiar classroom antics in ‘Lessons’, and boyish escapades in ‘Peewit’, ‘Jack Frost’, and ‘Nightlines’, the poem which first spawned the character of Jackself.

In the engaging, funny, and relaxed question and answer session which followed we focussed on the difference between meaning and significance, the role of poetry, and the relationship between writer and reader at all stages of the process. Titles of individual poems, as well as the physicality of the book, Jacob shared, are particularly important to him, and often have a lot of work to do in supporting the poems, and enticing readers. Admitting ‘I never know what I’m doing’, and that his first response to a poem of his own is often ‘I’ve got no idea what that is’, Jacob discussed the excitement of that discovery process, and the arc of creation, shaping work for a reader once the initial ‘mess’ has been defined with retrospect. A writer has to be ‘provoked’, and then craft their work to be ‘provocative’ to their reader.

Jacob shook the foundations of A-Level English Literature study by revealing that he’s not particularly interested in what a poem means, that he wants to be read how he reads (and how we all best love to read), to provoke a reader imaginatively, but not necessarily to give them a puzzle to solve. Whilst literary analysis is ‘enriching’ and develops critical thinking skills (cue a ‘phew’ from our teacher), Jacob is more interested in the ‘reality’ of his poems, and his ‘web of resonance and allusion’ rather contributes to the ‘texture of the poem’ than excludes non-literary readers.

An intimate setting to grill the daunting ‘writer’ who features so heavily in essays and thinking on literature was a privilege, and sharing wise words about poetry and life, in a room full of books, was, quite simply, delightful.

Post by Jess Molyneux

'Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome' is Launched at Waterstones and Winners Join with Paul Morris on 'Hannah's Bookshelf'

On the 1st of October 2017 we held an event at Waterstones to launch Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome. In this book four young adventurers go back in time, each in turn, to meet an important individual from the early Victorian period: John Dalton, Robert Peel, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Peter Mark Roget were all connected to the Portico Library on Mosley Street, Manchester. But there's something that makes this book extra special: the winning stories and reviews submitted to our competitions are also published inside! If you ever wanted to be a published writer by the time you left school, then enter the Portico Sadie Massey Awards. You might just get your wish!

A few weeks later, Emily Graham from Bolton School, Girl's Division, and Macey Wareing from Oaktree Primary School in Cheadle Hulme made their radio debut to talk about books, writing and The Portico Sadie Massey Awards on Hannah's Bookshelf. They were joined by PSMA judge and local author, Paul Morris. Click here to listen to the show in full!

Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome can be purchased online. All profits go to the Portico Library's schools outreach activities.