Sheffield Hallam brings acclaimed authors to the city

24th January 2018

Award-winning author Jon McGregor is set to come to Sheffield as part of a new creative writing masterclass series from Sheffield Hallam University.

Jon's first novel, If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, saw the author at 26-years-old become the youngest ever contender to be longlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize. Jon's new novel, Reservoir 13, which is based in the Peak District, was also longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and in 2017 was named as a book of the year by the Guardian, the Financial Times, Times Literary Supplement, The Observer, the Daily Telegraph and won the Costa Novel prize 2017. As part of Sheffield Hallam's Creative Writing Masterclass series of events, Jon McGregor will discuss his novel Reservoir 13 whilst also providing the audience with a fascinating insight into where he finds his inspiration and how he goes about creating novel-worthy content. The novel tells the story of many lives haunted by one family's loss, when Midwinter in the early years of this century, a teenage girl on holiday has gone missing in the hills at the heart of England. Jon will talk about his Reservoir 13 on Wednesday 24 January at Waterstones, Orchard Square, from 6.15pm. Dr Harriet Tarlo is a reader in creative writing at Sheffield Hallam University and organiser of the creative writing masterclass series. Dr Tarlo said: "It's great to have these major fiction writers involved in the Masterclass Series which supports our students' work. They benefit hugely from high quality writers from within and outside the university almost every week of the university term. Everyone is welcome to join us, especially if they are interested in developing their own writing, Also joining the creative writing masterclass series is Yorkshire-based young adult novelist, Annabel Pitcher. In this intimate talk, the author will share her journey as a budding writer. Her first novel, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, was written in notepads whilst travelling the world - and then saw it published in over 20 countries just 18 months later. Annabel will discuss her dream of publication, to dealing with the business of being a writer, from strict deadlines to writer's block, as well as plenty of practical advice. Annabel Pitcher's event: A Writer's Journey will take place on Wednesday 31 January at Sheffield Hallam University's City Campus in the Norfolk Building, room 210 at 6.10-7.40pm. The Creative Writing Masterclass events organised and led by Sheffield Hallam University are all free, open to the public and do not require pre-event registration.