Seven Curious Tales anthology launch ft M John Harrison at John Rylands Library

On a dark, dark, street, there was a dark, dark, library, and in the dark, dark library there was a dark, dark, writing collective. Maybe not the scariest of stories but worry not, any thirst for that will be quenched at John Ryland’s as The Curious Tales lot return to launch their new collection following the sell-out success of last year’s Five Curious Tales. The success of the collections and popularity of the events comes as little surprise when totting up the awards the collective have achieved individually, Booker Prize nomination, Betty Trask award, Manchester Fiction prize, to name a few and joined by a highly regarded artist in Beth Ward. This event seesreadings from Alison Moore, the aforementioned Booker Prize nominee, and M John Harrison, one of two specially chosen special guest writers for this anthology. The event will be hosted by Jenn Ashworth and all the Curious Tales crew will be around to talk and there’ll be a chance to pick up one of the very limited edition collections. After all that, it’s round to The Lost Dene for the after party and, hopefully, more curious tales as the night unwinds….

Thu 18 Dec, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH. Tel: 0161 306 0555, 6pm, FREE, www.library.manchester.ac.uk