University News Last updated 30 September 2015
Acclaimed authors shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize will be visiting Birmingham next week.
A panel chosen from the six writers named on this year’s shortlist will give readings and discuss their work during an event held at the Library of Birmingham on Thursday 8 October.
The event is being run by Writing West Midlands, sponsored by Birmingham City University as part of the annual Birmingham Literature Festival and takes place just days before the winner of the award is announced (13 October).
Dr Gregory Leadbetter of Birmingham City University's Institute of Creative and Critical Writing will chair the evening, which is the third time the second city has hosted an event to celebrate literature's best known prize.
This year's shortlisted authors are:
- Marlon James - A Brief History of Seven Killings
- Tom McCarthy - Satin Island
- Chigozie Obioma - The Fishermen
- Sunjeev Sahota – The Year of the Runaways
- Anne Tyler - A Spool of Blue Thread
- Hanya Yanagihara - A Little Life
Dr Leadbetter said: "I am very much looking forward to this event. The Man Booker shortlist is always exciting, and the opportunity to hear some of this year’s authors read and discuss their work will be wonderful.
"As a Trustee of Writing West Midlands, the organisation that runs the Birmingham Literature Festival, I know what a superb contribution the Festival makes to the cultural life of the city.
The event is dedicated to Ion Trewin, Literary Director of the Man Booker Prize, who passed away earlier this year.
The Birmingham Literature Festival has a strong connection with the prize having been attended by previous winners and finalists including Richard Flannagan and Eleanor Catton who won the award in 2014 and 2013 respectively.