Rosie Garland is the new writer-in-residence at Manchester’s John Rylands Library

- Introduction and interview by Emily Oldfield

She’s the author behind a range of novels including The Night Brother: a tale set in dark 19^th century Manchester, member of Goth-inspired band The March Violets, a poet and a powerful performer whose guises include Rosie Lugosi The Vampire Queen – meet Rosie Garland. And now she is the new writer-in-residence at Manchester’s historic John Rylands Library.  

The John Rylands Library is one of the most iconic locations in the city, with a fascinating history and striking neo-Gothic design. Rather fittingly Rosie’s work is no stranger to the Gothic either; with her five solo collections of poetry, three novels and extensive writings often encountering dark and mysterious themes.  

Recently HAUNT Manchester found out more about how Rosie had even developed ‘Manchester Dark, Manchester Light’, a gritty walking tour of the city inspired by her 2017 novel The Night Brother, along with esteemed local tour guide Anne Beswick.   

Now her residency at The John Rylands Library will offer Rosie even more opportunity to explore an institution in the city where she now considers home. It is here she will work with some of the library’s oldest manuscripts, along with researchers and archivists from the John Rylands Research Institute, to inform a brand-new novel that she is working on.  

The new novel is set to be poignant and profound exploration of the library, set there during the 1980s.  

It is after all library collections from across the country that have influenced Rosie over the course of her life. Born in London and growing up in the South before moving around the country, she recalls comfort in the welcoming spaces of public libraries. The John Rylands, although part of the University of Manchester, is one such space – still open to the public seven days a week.

Rosie herself has been a keen admirer of the library ever since she moved to Manchester in the 1980s. And since her move she has certainly been busy, getting involved with a weird and wonderful array of creative projects around the North and beyond – from touring with the Subversive Stitch exhibition in the 90s, to releasing her debut novel The Palace of Curiosities in 2013, followed by 2014’s Vixen and The Night Brother in 2017.  

But how did such a residency come about? Rosie took action herself to achieve this position, testament to the DIY punk attitude she is considerably inspired by. “I put together a proposal and asked. The power of asking, indeed”- she described her direct approach on her website, in terms of the new position. There have been a number of other exciting developments recently too, with Rosie receiving a Bath Flash Fiction Award Commendation, as well as winning The Casket of Fictional Delights 2018 Flash Fiction Competition. 

Here at HAUNT Manchester, we spoke to Rosie herself, to find out more… ​  

Hello Rosie – amazing news regarding the writing residency at The John Rylands Library. How did this come about? 

“Being writer-in-residence at The John Rylands Library is a dream I never imagined would come true. How it happened is down to the Power of Asking. 

“Recently, I’ve been inspired by a number of writer friends who’ve come up with an idea for a residency and approached the venue themselves, rather than waiting for it to come to them. It got me thinking. Where would I love to be a writer-in-residence? I channelled Manchester’s famous can-do attitude, put together a proposal and asked The John Rylands. 

“Don’t get me wrong – asking a library this prestigious was nerve-wracking. However, it’s vital to keep doing things that are scary and challenging. To quote Susan Jeffers: “Feel the fear and do it anyway”. I wrote a proposal. I took a deep breath. I asked. What was the worst that could happen? They might say no. They said yes. 

“Another wonderful bit of news is that I’ve managed to secure an Arts Council grant to fund the residency. Again, I didn’t think I stood a chance of success. But I worked darn hard on that application and ‘asked’. The grant has changed everything. I can jump right in.”

What is your relationship with the library and why is it an important place to you? 

“Since I was a kid, I’ve explored new worlds, learned new things and thought new thoughts, all down to wonderful public libraries. Manchester has a wealth: Chethams, The Portico, the Working Class Movement Library (to name a few), and of course, The John Rylands.  

“It was no random choice. I’ve been lucky enough to work with The John Rylands in previous years: reading events for the Gothic Manchester Festival, and I curated the Women & the Gothic section of the ‘Darkness & Light’ exhibition in 2015. 

“Libraries have a big place in my heart, and a vital place in my writing life. I guess you could say that this residency is my love song to libraries.”

What will the residency involve? 

“I’m working on a new novel, based – you guessed it! – at The John Rylands. My plan is to let the atmosphere and history of the library sink in. It’s a new way of working for me. I’m open to the story going in unexpected directions. I guess it’s linked to the way I write across different forms: poetry, short fiction, song lyrics. It’s all gravy. I keep asking myself questions and staying open to any surprises the answers might reveal. Who knows what may result? 

“Plus - there aren’t enough novels set in Manchester. I couldn’t be happier – or luckier – that the Rainy City opened its arms and adopted this wanderer. There’s definitely something in the water. I love every darn brick.”

You moved to Manchester in the ‘80s and the novel you are writing is set in the library in the ‘80s – was this intentional, and why did you pick this era? 

“If you believe the TV, you could be forgiven for imagining the 1980s as nothing more than Flock of Seagulls haircuts and fluffy electronic pop tunes. It was also the decade of the Moss Side riots, the Miners’ Strike, ostentatious wealth for some, a sneering disregard for the poor, the homeless begging on the streets of the UK for the first time for 100 years, Protect and Survive leaflets telling you to hide under a table in the event of a nuclear attack, endemic police corruption, the Yorkshire Ripper, and the Tories selling England by the pound. Uncomfortable and less easily packaged truths. 

“I’m not a fan of rose-tinted specs. Fiction can take us to far more interesting places than fake nostalgia, which tries to persuade us that everything was better ‘back then’. As Tim O’Brien says, ‘story-truth is sometimes truer than happening-truth.’ Sure, my memories of the 80s include regrettable haircuts, but I also recall how it was grimy, poor and chaotic. It was a time of great change – and those are the times that get my creative motor running.”

The John Rylands is crammed with books (and therefore words!). Is this a constant source of inspiration or is it potentially intimidating too?  

“It took years to summon up the courage to visit The John Rylands library for the first time. I’ll admit that I found the huge, cathedral-like edifice a bit daunting. How wrong can you be? The staff are amazing. Friendly and helpful, they could not be more welcoming. 

“But it’s not simply about the building. I’ve hardly started and already, I’m hearing many intriguing stories. The more I discover about its history, the more I love the place. Opened on January 1^st 1900, it was built at huge expense by Enriqueta Rylands (widow of John Rylands). Not as a private library but as a gift for the people of Manchester. All of them. 

“I share Enriqueta’s belief that books – and by extension, education – should be available to all, and not just the wealthy. To quote Neil Gaiman: “Libraries are about freedom. Freedom to read, freedom of ideas, freedom of communication.”

The John Rylands library is also a Gothic style space. How will this influence your writing? 

“Manchester’s connection with the gothic is no secret. Home to the renowned Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University, the city is bursting at the seams with gothic architecture: The Town Hall, Portico Library, Chethams, the Cathedral, Victoria train station… the list stretches as long as the Pennines. I’m no stranger to the Gothic, either – from being the weird kid at school to singing with post-punk/goth band The March Violets in the 80s and beyond.

“The John Rylands library is a real-life Tardis. It’s so much bigger than it looks from the outside: a labyrinth of winding staircases, secret alcoves and hidden corridors. Like the Tardis, being immersed in its history means I’m also shuttled backwards and forwards in time. Magical is a word that is much overused – but The John Rylands is a strong contender. 

“I’ve heard that the main staircase is haunted by a Grey Lady… maybe I’ll get lucky and meet her…”

You recently with Anne Beswick led a Manchester walking tour inspired by your novel The Night Brother. How was the experience – and is writing about the past of a place that still exists in the present, a difficult thing? 

“I like to make reading events that bit more interesting. So, for The Night Brother I collaborated with wonderful Manchester tour guide Anne Beswick to create a walking tour, and visit real places that feature in the story. 

“We couldn’t see every building (such a choice! The tour would have taken a week), so chose carefully from surviving market buildings, pubs, alleyways, and underground bars. Anne talked about the history, and I read out snippets that took place on that spot. 

“I was amazed to discover how many Manchester buildings from the 1900s are still standing. In fact, an important part of my research was to spend hours walking around the city – and especially to look up. Amazing what we miss while we’re rushing from place to place…”

Why would you encourage others to visit The John Rylands? 

“Don’t wait as long as I did! The John Rylands Library is one of the most jaw-dropping buildings in Europe, let alone the North of England. Go on – jump right in. 

“Also – if anyone reading this remembers library in the 1980s, I would LOVE to hear from you. Please get in touch at: info@rosiegarland.com” 

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 http://rosiegarland.com/

The John Rylands Library
150 Deansgate
Manchester
M3 3EH