Midland Writer-in-Residence

Image of Linda Grant sat in a darkened room, wearing a navy shirt with a grey flower on it

author Jane RogersLaurent Denmial

Jackie Kay reads new story in Midland Hotel

Patricia Duncker reads new story at Midland Hotel

headshot of Adam O'Riordan in Midland hotel

Image of Kate Clanchy sat in chair at the Midland HotelJon Parker Lee

author olivia laing

  • Image of Linda Grant sat in a darkened room, wearing a navy shirt with a grey flower on it
  • author Jane Rogers
  • Jackie Kay reads new story in Midland Hotel
  • Patricia Duncker reads new story at Midland Hotel
  • headshot of Adam O'Riordan in Midland hotel
  • Image of Kate Clanchy sat in chair at the Midland Hotel
  • author olivia laing

Linda Grant was appointed Writer in Residence at The Midland hotel in Spring 2018, and was commissioned by The Midland and Manchester Literature Festival to write a short story inspired by her stay. The resulting piece, Posh, was performed at a special Afternoon Tea event in The Midland’s Lancaster Suite on Thursday 11th October 2018, as part of MLF’s 2018 Festival.

Tessa Hadley was appointed Writer in Residence at The Midland hotel in Spring 2017, and was commissioned by The Midland and Manchester Literature Festival to write a short story inspired by her stay. The resulting piece, Men, was performed at a special Afternoon Tea event in The Midland’s Lancaster Suite on Thursday 19th October 2017, as part of MLF’s 2017 Festival.

Jane Rogers was appointed Writer in Residence at The Midland Hotel in Spring 2016, and was commissioned by The Midland and Manchester Literature Festival to write a short story inspired by her stay. The resulting piece, A Haunting, was performed at a special Afternoon Tea event in The Midland’s Wyvern Room on Thursday 13th October 2016, as part of MLF’s 2016 Festival.

Kate Clanchy was appointed Writer in Residence at The Midland Hotel in Spring 2015, and was commissioned by The Midland and Manchester Literature Festival to write a short story inspired by her stay. The resulting piece, Elderparc, was performed at a special Afternoon Tea event in The Midland’s Wyvern Room on Thursday 15th October 2015, as part of MLF’s 10th anniversary Festival.

Olivia Laing was appointed writer in residence at The Midland Hotel in spring 2014 and was co-commissioned by the Midland and Manchester Literature Festival to write a short story set in the hotel. She read the resulting story, The Other Hotel, at a special Afternoon Tea event as part of Manchester Literature Festival in the Midland's Wyvern Room on 9th October 2014.

Adam O'Riordan was appointed writer in residence at The Midland Hotel in spring 2013 and was co-commissioned by the Midland and Manchester Literature Festival to write a short story set in the hotel. The resulting story, Talk About the Life in Massachusetts, was performed at a special Afternoon Tea event as part of Manchester Literature Festival in The Midland's Wyvern Room on 9th October 2013.

Jackie Kay was appointed writer in residence at The Midland Hotel in spring 2012 and was co-commissioned by The Midland and Manchester Literature Festival to write a short story set in the hotel. The resulting story, Afternoon Tea, was performed at a special Afternoon Tea event as part of Manchester Literature Festival in The Midland’s French Restaurant on Thursday 18th October 2012.

Patricia Duncker was appointed writer in residence at The Midland Hotel in April 2011 and was co-commissioned by The Midland and Manchester Literature Festival to write a short story set in the hotel. The resulting story, The Madonna at the Midland, was performed at a special Afternoon Tea event as part of Manchester Literature Festival in The Midland’s French Restaurant on Wednesday 19th October 2011.

You can download their stories above.

If you would like to stay in the iconic Midland Hotel that inspired these stories, book here.