Meet local authors as part of a new series of events at MerseyMade

Readers can get the chance to talk to local authors in a new writers event series at creative hub MerseyMade.

Spencer Leigh, Mike Haskins, and David Ebsworth are among the people visitors to MerseyMade on Paradise Street can meet, getting to know more about them and their work in regular Q&A sessions.

It’s the latest in a programme of activities lined up after MerseyMade founder Vicky Gawith re-shaped the creative hub with plans to make it easier to hold such events in the community destination in the heart of Liverpool.

And she is delighted to be giving the city’s story tellers a chance to unveil their work, alongside the artists and makers whose creativity she has showcased since 2019.

Vicky Said:

“We have got a specific book area now at MerseyMade which we set up to support local authors and sell their books, with the idea that we would hold book events and author spotlights And with this year being The Year of Writing, part of the city’s three-year literacy cycle aimed at celebrating Liverpool’s writing heritage, and discovering new voices, we want to contribute to that.

“We are trying to cover and support all parts of the creative community that we can.

“So this is about supporting the written word and local authors, as well as those artists whose work is more visual.”

Author events already planned include:

* Spencer Leigh: In My Anecdotage on Wednesday, February 7

A well-known and popular local author and radio broadcaster, Spencer has written several books on The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Elvis. In this he’ll be talking about memorable moments from over the years.

* Beatles’ Liverpool and Wirral: Mike Haskins – Thursday, March 7

An illustrated talk that takes people on a virtual tour of Beatle-associated locations across Liverpool and Wirral. It details historic moments in the early days of the band and how they played out in places that are surprisingly close to home.

Mike’s written more than 60 books including the bestselling joke collection Man Walks Into A Bar. He’s created comedy material for performers including Steve Coogan, Simon Pegg, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, and Milton Jones, and worked with comedian and presenter Griff Rhys Jones for more than 25 years.

* David Ebsworth – The House on Hunter Street on Thursday, April 11

Liverpool-born author David Ebsworth goes beyond the story of Liverpool’s famous transport strikes, its streets, its tram system, its Welsh and suffragette connections and more, all of it the background to his 2022 novel, The House on Hunter Street.

MerseyMade has already been revamped to create space to show the work of even more artists from food producers, crafters, illustrators, painters to jewellers and more, all based within a 50-mile radius of its city centre base.

Its café has expanded its menu, and there are now candle workshops, music nights, book and poetry groups, and more.

Vicky says:

“It’s also about bringing people back into the city, and showcasing everything that’s out there.

“I have always had a sense of community that goes right back and I have always been involved. Our vision is to be the oasis of creativity in the heart of our city, that place people will come to.

“The authors series is giving people the chance to see the faces and stories behind the work, and to meet them, not just sell the books.

“And it’s just great that people are understanding what we are trying to do, which is to give a platform to local authors, local creators, and supporting them as well as we can.”

MerseyMade is planning more author events throughout the year and, while tickets are free, you do need to book.