ANDREW Michael Hurley, award-winning author of The Loney, completed his MA in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University 10 years ago.
This weekend he’ll return as part of the Gothic Manchester Festival for the Twisted Tales of the North event.
You don’t have to identify yourself as belonging to the goth community to have an interest in gothic
Andrew will be in conversation with Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes, Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Film at Manchester Metropolitan University. The event, on Friday evening, will take place in the Historic Reading Room at John Rylands Library.
As well as appearing at the festival, Andrew has also just been appointed as a Lecturer at the University’s Writing School, a challenge he’s looking forward to.
“I was approached earlier in the year to be involved in the Gothic Festival and straight away, it was something that I was keen to do,” he says. “As a festival which will include not just literature but art and film, it’s a great mix in a fascinating area.
“People ask me about the recent resurgence in gothic culture but I argue that it’s always been there. Gothic is expansive and allows you to play with the genre, that’s what I find the most interesting. You don’t have to identify yourself as belonging to the goth community to have an interest in gothic; in fact, it’s important to distinguish that they’re not the same.
“There’s a lot of pre-conception surrounding gothic; people think it’s all horror films and melancholy. I’ve found the same responses from those who’ve read The Loney. People will say ‘I don’t usually read books like that’ – and they’re surprised by how much they’ve enjoyed it.
“It’s being perceived more and more as a gothic novel – which I wouldn’t argue with – even though I didn’t set out to write a gothic novel. I’ve always admired writers such as Shirley Jackson and Robert Aickman, so I guess it’s always been there, somewhere in my mind.
“I’m very happy for it to have that label, but it may mean some people think it’s not something they’d enjoy. I’m pleased with how many tell me they have, despite it not being a genre they identify with.
“I’m now in the midst of writing the second novel, which should be published by the end of next year. I’m feeling a lot of pressure given the success of The Loney, but only pressure that I’m putting on myself. Although set in rural Lancashire again, it’s not a sequel. This one is a completely separate world with separate characters. I’m inspired by nature writers such as Robert Macfarlane. Exploring a landscape that hasn’t been explored before is always very exciting.”
Andrew is set to start teaching on the (MA) Creative Writing course at The Manchester Writing School in the New Year.
He adds: “When the opportunity to teach at that level was put to me, it was too good to pass up. I wanted to develop myself, but as an alumni of the course, I also know how important it is as a writer starting out to have a network around you to listen and offer feedback – I wanted to be part of that. I’m a huge admirer of Manchester Metropolitan and the Writing School. They have very much own their identify and have that Manchester vibe. That confidence is something I want the students to have. You have to be confident that what you’re writing is strong and that people will want to read it. Using your own experiences and emotions when writing a novel is valid – you just have to believe it.”
You can hear Andrew speak in more detail about his journey from Manchester Metropolitan graduate to award-winning novelist as part of The Gothic Festival Manchester.
The Gothic Manchester Festival takes place between October 20 and 23, with events planned across the city. For more details and for the full event schedule please visit here.
