Now Then - Word Life 62

 Hello!

 Issue 62 of Now Then Manchester's Word Life was fun to curate as it  was all about "Magic". I hope you enjoy this selection of creative writing, whose authors interpreted the theme in many ways, from fantastical to humorous to poignant. 

 We have work from Kersten Christianson, Joan McNerney, Linda Imbler, Joyce Graham, Ann Christine Tabaka, Sarah Hulme, Roy Moller, Kayleigh Jayshree Hicks and Ken Allan Dronsfield. There are also the usual listings for literary events in and around Manchester.

 I hope you enjoy Word Life 62.

 Liz x

Now Then - Young Identity

 Hello!

 Issue 61 of Now Then Manchester includes a feature I put together on Young Identity. I was very happy to be able to interview the spoken-word collective's co-founder and CEO Shirley May, and Frankie Blaus, a member of the group and one of the Editors of new anthology No Disclaimers.

 The pair discuss what makes Young Identity so special, and the journey to creating No Disclaimers. There is also a beautiful poem by Joel Cordingley, "Nervous Disposition", as a taster of the anthology.

 I hope you enjoy learning more about Young Identity - the group has been so supportive and encouraging to me as a writer and has really helped me grow.

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 61

 Hello!

 December's issue of Now Then Manchester's Word Life page is a special showcase of writing by Mancunian spoken-word collective Young Identity. As a proud member of the group, I really enjoyed curating this month's issue.

 I hope you enjoy these poems by Toreh O'Garro, Shirley May, Ayomide Abolaji, Will Spence, Rabia Tanweer, Yorusalem Okbamichael and Tallulah Howarth.

 There is also the usual information about literary events in and around Manchester.

 I hope you enjoy Word Life 61!

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 60

 Hello!

 November's issue of Now Then Manchester - our sixtieth! - is here, and for Word Life I set the theme of "Gifts". I received a huge number of submissions, probably more than for any previous issue.

 The final selection includes writing by J V Birch, Margaret King, Fee Thomas, Gerry Sikazwe, Lynn White, John Grey, Anna Maria Dall'Olio, Andrew Nowell, Sarah Hulme, Kristi Rose, Joan McNerney and Laura Potts. The "Gifts" prompt is interpreted in many different and fascinating ways.

 We also have the usual listings for literary events in and around Manchester.

 I hope you enjoy Issue 60!

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 59 and Requiem

 Hello!

 For October's issue of Now Then Manchester's Word Life section, I set the theme of "Animals". It was such fun to edit! In the work submitted, I encountered all kinds of critters, from a goat to ravens to a spider to a cat.

 The final selection of work includes poetry from Glen Sorestad, Ann Christine Tabaka, Peter Burrows, Kersten Christianson, Ion Corcos and Roger Bloor, as well as my own poem "Requiem", which first appeared in The Fat Damsel back in 2016, and is inspired by whales.

 You can also find details of literary events and workshops that are happening in and around Manchester this month.

 I hope you enjoy the issue.

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 58

 Hello!

 September's issue of Now Then Manchester has arrived, and I enjoyed curating the Word Life section. I set this month's theme as "Messages" and received a variety of responses, some quirky, some moving. 

 I hope you enjoy the pieces I chose: fiction from Anne Sheppard, and poems from Kieran Egan, Lisa Reily, Peter Burrows, Antony Owen, Ann Christine Tabaka, Joan McNerney, Glen Sorestad and Ion Corcos.

 There are also listings for literary events in and around Manchester this month. There are quite a few, from the Northern Quarter to Levenshulme to Stretford to Salford. Hopefully if you live in the area you will find something for you.

 Enjoy Issue 58!

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 57

 Hello!

 Issue 57 of Now Then Manchester is here, and is full of bees! There are bee sculptures all over the city right now, and I love seeing them both in real life and on the site.

 For this month's Word Life I set the theme of "Heroes", and was sent some lovely writing. We have poetry by Ann Christine Tabaka, Selin Candan, Alice Spencer, Robert Pelgrift and Tyler Robert Sheldon. 

 There are also listings for various events happening over summer in Manchester, from writing workshops to spoken word nights to film-inspired performances.

 I hope you enjoy August's Word Life.

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 56 and Raspberries

 Hello!

 I have been Editor of the Word Life section of Now Then Manchester for a year and a half now, and something I have been wanting to do is to curate an issue devoted to showcasing LGBTQ+ writing.

 I waited because I hoped to make as many people as possible aware of Word Life, so they knew to submit their work. I also reached out to people who may not usually share their writing through magazines, through getting in touch with the LGBT Foundation, who helped spread the word. 

 

 Now, after a lot of work, Issue 56 is now here, and I am very proud and happy. It features my poem "Raspberries" as well as writing by Emily Cave, Naomi Sampson, Frankie Blaus, Jasmine Taylor, Caitlin Johnson, Roma Havers and Leah Johnson.

 As always, the page also has listings for literary events and workshops in Manchester, so if you live locally, perhaps you could try something new or practise a skill.

 I hope you enjoy July's Word Life.

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 55 and Sara

 Hello!

 Issue 55 of Now Then Manchester has arrived. As usual, I curated Word Life and this month I chose the theme of "Nature". My poem "Sara" features, as well as work by Caitlin Johnson, Peter Burrows, Ann Christine Tabaka and Joan McNerney. 

 There are also listings for all kinds of literary events in and around Manchester. 

 I hope you enjoy June's issue.

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 54 and Oranges

 Hello!

 May's issue of Now Then Manchester is here, and I enjoyed curating the Word Life section. This month I chose the theme of "Friendship".

 My poem "Oranges" features, along with pieces from Kristi Rose, Hannah Downs, Glen Sorestad, Nasima Begum, Jake Ormrod, Karen Dennison, Paul Waring and Kersten Christianson.

 There are also listings for literary events and workshops around Manchester. If you live in the area perhaps you will find one you like, or something new to try.

 I hope you enjoy Issue 54.

 Liz x

Now Then - Word Life 46

 Hello!

 Issue 46 of Now Then Manchester is here, and this time we have not one but two Word Life pages - one for events listings and poetry, the other for fiction. Hopefully this can continue. 

 September's theme is "Family" and we have some great writing from Jo Boon, Meredith LeMaître, Ray Ball, John Grey, Rachel Bower, Ann Christine Tabaka, Claire Sexton, Glen Sorestad, Michael Griffith and Elspeth Vischer.

 I hope you enjoy this month's issue.

 Liz x

Miracle Magazine - The Rebirth Issue

 Hello!

 The latest issue of Miracle Magazine - and my last as Head Poetry Editor - is out now and has the theme of Rebirth.

 I have enjoyed being part of the Miracle creative writing team for the last four years and am proud of all we have achieved. I have made some great friends who I know I will stay in touch with.

 I hope you enjoy the issue.

 Liz x

Miracle Magazine - The Depression Issue

 Hello!

 I'm pleased to announce that the latest issue of Miracle Magazine, titled The Depression Issue, is out now!

 I am Poetry Editor for Miracle and in this issue you can read my interview with British poet Daljit Nagra.

 I hope you enjoy it!

 Liz x