Michael
Cawood Green, Professor in English and Creative Writing at Northumbria
University, is preparing to celebrate the release of his new novel The
Ghosting of Anne Armstrong, out next month.
The book is a historical novel, based on true events dating back to 1673. It
tells the story of fourteen-year-old Anne Armstrong, who disappeared after
making dramatic accusations of witchcraft against her neighbours in several
remote villages in the Tyne Valley. This literary thriller follows a fictional
historian who becomes obsessed with tracking down Anne, with the narrative raising
questions which leave the reader intrigued throughout.
A fictionalised account of the testimony she gave before various Justices, the
book is based on detailed depositions now in The National Archives. “The first
time I came across Anne’s name was at the Wellington Hotel in Riding Mill,
where I spotted a plaque devoted to her tale,” Michael said.
“It was all just so strange, and it felt like there was a lot left unanswered.
I felt compelled to explore further so I began to research Anne’s history, and
it was at that point that she took me down this incredible journey. Seven years
on, and I’m still just as fascinated by her and her story.”
South African born Michael began the novel when he was awarded an Arts and
Humanities Research Council Fellowship to pursue the project. Alongside writing
and his role at Northumbria he has been instrumental in winning funding bids to
support Northumbria’s engagement with the creative industries.
He
has been heavily involved with securing partnerships with New Writing North in
support of the Northern Writers Awards, and various literary events in the
North East.
The Ghosting of Anne Armstrong is
published by Goldsmiths Press and released on 2 April – find out more here https://www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-press/publications/the-ghosting-of-anne-armstrong/
