Guy Mankowski

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Guy Mankowski
Guy Mankowski in Newcastle.jpg
BornGuy Stanley Mankowski
c.1983 (age 39–40) [1]
Isle of Wight, England
OccupationWriter, academic, journalist, psychologist, singer
Alma mater University of Durham, University of Newcastle, University of Northumbria
Period2011–present
Notable works How I Left The National Grid, Letters from Yelena
Notable awardsArts Council Literature Award, New Writing North Read Regional title
Academic background
Thesis 'How I Left The National Grid': A Creative Writing PhD on Self-Design and Post Punk (2015)
Doctoral advisor Andrew Crumey

Guy Mankowski FHEA (born 6 January 1983) is an English writer. He is the great grandson of the author and broadcaster Harry Mortimer Batten. He was educated at St John's College, Portsmouth and Ampleforth College. [2] [3] He read Applied Psychology at Durham University and gained a Masters in Psychology at Newcastle University. [4] He then trained as a psychologist at The Royal Hospital in London. [2] Mankowski was the lead singer of the band Alba Nova; in a review of their debut EP Gigwise wrote 'Alba Nova could be an important band of the times'. [5]

Contents

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.' [6] [7]

Mankowski's second novel, [8] Letters from Yelena, was described by New Books Magazine as having 'shades of The Red Shoes and The Black Swan.' [9] The novel was given Arts Council funding, allowing Mankowski to be one of a few English people granted access to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Saint Petersburg for research purposes. [10] The choreographer Dora Frankel created a dance based on the book. [10] An excerpt of the novel was used as GCSE training material by Osiris Educational. [8] [11] 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'. [12] Whilst researching the book, Mankowski interviewed musicians such as Jehnny Beth from post-punk band Savages. Of the novel, The Huffington Post stated: 'Mankowski captures brilliantly the psychology of fan obsession.' The depiction of Richey Edwards in the novel was considered in a book about Edwards' contribution to the Manic Street Preachers third album The Holy Bible . [13]

The Glasgow Review Of Books described it as a novel 'about the pitfalls of externally defined identity.' [14] 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.' [15] [16]

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. [17] [18] Writing for HuffPost Daniela Quaglia called it 'a book of outstanding quality.' [19] 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. [20] [21]

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. [22] 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.' [23] Louder Than War (website) called it 'highly enjoyable fiction that uses alternative pop music as [its] guiding light.' [24]

Mankowski lectures in Creative Writing at the University of Lincoln. [25] 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' [26] and was interviewed as part of its release in a promotional series that included Gary Numan and Gazelle Twin. [27] PopMatters wrote 'this book is about celebrating the unsung, and Mankowski has a knack for succinctly articulating what makes each one so special.' [28] 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.' [29]

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. [30]

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. [31]

Mankowski did a 2022 TED (conference) talk in Lincoln, UK on his experience of opening the unseen archive of Kristen Pfaff of Hole (band) for a forthcoming biography he is writing with her brother, Jason Pfaff. The talk is entitled, "Lived Through This': Kristen Pfaff's hidden archive and influence'. [32] [33] 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.' [34] In October 2023 3:AM Magazine published the first chapter of the book. [35] The book was cited in the podcast ‘The Tragedy of Grunge and the Pacific North West Music Scene’. [36]

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.’ [37]

Mankowski’s book and film rights are represented by The Hamilton Agency, who also represent Paul Mason (journalist), Julie Burchill and Tim Burgess (musician). [37] [38]

Publications

Novels

Non fiction

Audiobooks

Speaking engagements

In 2022 Mankowski gave a TEDx talk entitled "Lived Through This: Kristen Pfaff's hidden archive and influence." [39]

Anthologies

Short stories

PhD

Academic articles

Editing

Music

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References

  1. ↑ "Guy Mankowski". 6 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "The write stuff". The Northern Echo. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  3. ↑ "Guy Mankowski announced in Read Regional line up – Urbane Publications". Urbanepublications.com. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Weird and Wonderful". Palatinate.org.uk. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "Alba Nova". Gigwise. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  6. ↑ [ dead link ]
  7. ↑ "The Culture Magazine" (PDF). Guymankowski.com. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  8. 1 2 "LITERARY INFLUENCES: Guy Mankowski". Narcmagazine.com. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "Letters from Yelena". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  10. 1 2 Lewis, Tamzin. "Preview: Letters from Yelena at Dance City, Newcastle - The Journal". Thejournal.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  11. ↑ "The Sound Of The Haunted North". Northernsoul.me.uk. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  12. ↑ Steven Threadgold (18 December 2019). Bourdieu Is Not A Determinist: Illusion, Aspiration, Reflexivity and Affect. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 44. ISBN   978-1350040342.
  13. ↑ Rhian E. Jones; Daniel Lukes; Larissa Wodtke (16 February 2017). Triptych: An examination of the Manic Street Preachers Holy Bible. Watkins Media. p. 206. ISBN   978-1-910924-89-1.
  14. ↑ "IN RECOVERY: Guy Mankowski's 'How I Left The National Grid'". Glasgowreviewofbooks.com. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  15. ↑ "Can a famous artist truly vanish?". Northumbria.ac.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  16. ↑ "Guy Mankowski: How I Left the National Grid (Book launch), - the Journal". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "Guy Mankowski: An Honest Deceit - New Writing North". Archived from the original on 25 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  18. ↑ "Read Regional 2018 titles announced as the North's library campaign celebrates 10 years". New Writing North. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  19. ↑ "An Honest Deceit: A Story of Corruption and Hope". Huff Post. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  20. ↑ "Author: Guy Mankowski". Audible.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  21. ↑ "Audible: An Honest Deceit Audiobook". Audible.co.uk. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  22. ↑ "Guy Mankowski |". Darkstroke.com. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  23. ↑ "Fantastic Fiction". Fantastic Fiction. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  24. ↑ "Guy Mankowski – Albion's Secret History, Snapshots of England's Pop Rebels and Outsiders – Book Review". Louder Than War. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  25. ↑ "Creative Writing | BA (Hons) | University of Lincoln". Lincoln.ac.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  26. ↑ Zer0 Books, accessed 5 September 2020
  27. ↑ Zer0 Books Channel, accessed 26 March 2021
  28. ↑ "Hauntings, Dystopia and the English Outsider in Guy Mankowski's Albion's Secret History". Pop Matters. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  29. ↑ "Midwest Book Review: Jack Mason's Bookshelf". Midwest Book Review. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  30. ↑ "Lincoln Book Festival: Will Self news". will-self.com. October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  31. ↑ "Adventures in Dream (Pop)". Lincoln Drill Hall. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  32. ↑ "Lived Through This: Kristen Pfaff's hidden archive and influence". YouTube . Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  33. ↑ "Six Of The Best: Guy Mankowski". Narc Magazine. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  34. ↑ "Wonder Women: Kristen Pfaff". No Treble. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "'Kristen Hovers At The Edge': First Chapter of 'I Know How To Live': The Life of Kristen Pfaff". 3AM Magazine-date=26 October 2023.
  36. ↑ "The Tragedy of Grunge and the Pacific North West Music Scene". YouTube . Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  37. 1 2 "Renowned Author and Academic, Guy Mankowski, Unveils Gripping New Novel". University of Lincoln. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  38. ↑ "The Hamilton Agency" . Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  39. ↑ TEDx Talks (10 October 2022). "Lived Through This: Kristen Pfaff's hidden archive and influence - Guy Mankowski - TEDxBrayfordPool" – via YouTube.
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