Career
His first novel, The Intimates, was a Recommended Title for New Writing North's 2011 Read Regional Campaign. [2] It was described by author Abigail Tarttelin as a 'measured, literary piece of work as hauntingly evocative of its setting and characters as Marilynne Robinson's Pulitzer Prize winner Housekeeping.' Culture Magazine were more critical, and called it 'unusually stylised for contemporary fiction.' [7] [8] He was awarded by Newcastle University’s Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts a Flow Engineering Writing commission. [9]
Mankowski's second novel, [10] Letters from Yelena, was described by New Books Magazine as having 'shades of The Red Shoes and The Black Swan.' [11] The novel was given Arts Council funding, allowing Mankowski to be ‘given the rare privilege of behind-the-scenes access to observe the work of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet’ in Saint Petersburg for research purposes’. [12] The choreographer Dora Frankel created a dance based on the book. [13] [14] An excerpt of the novel was used as GCSE training material by Osiris Educational. [10] [15] His third novel, How I Left The National Grid , was written as part of his PhD. His academic research applied the theory of Self-fashioning to the punk movement, re-appropriating it as 'self-design'. [16] Whilst researching the book, Mankowski interviewed musicians such as Jehnny Beth from post-punk band Savages. The genesis of the book was discussed in a TV interview with Olivia Swash on the North East Arts and Culture Show. [17] Of the novel, The Huffington Post stated: 'Mankowski captures brilliantly the psychology of fan obsession.' [18]
The Glasgow Review Of Books described it as a novel 'about the pitfalls of externally defined identity.' [19] Louder Than War said 'this intriguing novel is more about the pop fan's urge to remember.' The novelist Andrew Crumey commented: 'Already recognised as a major rising talent, Mankowski here establishes himself as a significant voice in British fiction.' [20] [21]
Mankowski's fourth novel, An Honest Deceit, was first published in October 2016. It was a New Writing North Read Regional 2018 title, which lead to a tour of English libraries. [22] [23] Writing for HuffPost Daniela Quaglia called it 'a book of outstanding quality.' [24] The book was re-released on Audible, where it was read by Chris Reilly (narrator of books by Ian Rankin and Frankie Boyle) and was a bestseller. [25] [26]
His fifth novel was entitled "Dead Rock Stars", and it concerns the wild summer of a teenage boy struggling to get over the death of his sister, a rising star on the nineties Riot Grrrl scene. [27] Ruth Dugdall described the novel, saying it was, 'A great read. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1990s London music scene, "Dead Rock Stars" is a mesmerising study of grief as well as a coming of age novel. I found myself immersed in the narratives of Jeff and Emma and marvelled at how the author captured both voices with such authenticity, particularly that of the self-destructive young woman.' The Scottish novelist Andrew Crumey said the novel 'powerfully voices the concerns of a generation.' [28] Louder Than War (website) called it 'highly enjoyable fiction that uses alternative pop music as [its] guiding light.' [29]
Mankowski lectures in Creative Writing at the University of Lincoln. [30] His first non-fiction book was from Zer0 Books (Collective Ink) and entitled 'Albion's Secret History: Snapshots of England's Pop Rebels and Outsiders'. Kate Jackson (singer) from The Long Blondes gave an unreleased photo of her time in the band for the front cover of the book' [31] and was interviewed as part of its release in a promotional series that included Gary Numan and Gazelle Twin. [32] PopMatters wrote 'this book is about celebrating the unsung, and Mankowski has a knack for succinctly articulating what makes each one so special.' [33] Midwest Book Review called it 'an inherently fascinating, iconoclastic, and informative read from cover to cover... "Albion's Secret History" is an original work of impressive research.' [34]
In 2021 Mankowski interviewed Will Self in an event for Lincoln Book Festival, where they discussed Self's book 'Will' and the nature of memoir. [35]
In October 2022 Mankowski did a live event in conversation with Jane Savidge about her recent Suede (band) memoir ‘Here They Come With Their Makeup On’ and Miki Berenyi of Lush (band) about her memoir ‘Fingers Crossed: How Music Saved Me From Success’ at Lincoln Drill Hall as a part of Lincoln Book Festival. [36]
Mankowski did a TED (conference) talk in Lincoln, UK on his experience of opening the unseen archive of Kristen Pfaff of Hole (band). The talk is entitled, "Lived Through This': Kristen Pfaff's hidden archive and influence'. [37] [38] Mankowski told No Treble magazine, 'Jason offered to share with me his sister’s unopened archive and collaborate and to share with me her recorded diary tapes.' He added, 'The book draws from Pfaff’s archive of essays, letters, and diary recordings. I’ve interviewed many of Pfaff's previous partners, friends, fellow activists, and people who worked with her.' [39]
Mankowski's novel You Complete The Masterpiece is published by Collective Ink in November 2024 and 'addresses pressing issues surrounding the media’s role in exposing corruption, institutional protection of corrupt individuals, and contemporary masculinity, drawing connections to the #MeToo movement.' Ruth Dugdall described the book as ‘perceptive and intimate.’ [40]
In 2024 extracts from Mankowski’s novel “Dead Rock Stars” were used in the comedy show 'Multitude of Casualties' by Tim Marks. [41]
A Substack for the first volume of his Kristen Pfaff biography opened for subscribers on 12th November 2024. [42] The biography was described by John Robb (musician), who said, ‘This book celebrates the power of music but doesn’t flinch from the dark side, the hangover and the pain of drugs and the burn-out and death yet ultimately places Kristen back in the deserved centre of the narrative.’ [43] Excerpts of the book were published by 3:AM Magazine [44] and No Treble magazine, who called the biography ‘long awaited'. [45]
Mankowski’s book and film rights are represented by The Hamilton Agency, who also represent Paul Mason (journalist), Julie Burchill and Tim Burgess (musician). [40] [46]
