Guy Mankowski 1

Where are you from?

I was brought up on the Isle of Wight, but have lived in Newcastle for the last six
years.

Why did you choose the course?

My second novel was published last October, which required some research into ballet. I wanted to formalise what I had learnt into a PhD and further develop my research skills when writing my third novel, so that I could teach creative writing in the future. I have always had a fascination with post-punk music and so a PhD in creative writing around that subject, as my third novel, seemed a great idea. I was put in touch with two supervisors who seemed on the same page as me so it all fitted.

What appealed to you about Northumbria and studying in Newcastle?

I love living in Newcastle and what appealed to me about Northumbria is the warm working environment amongst the PhD students here and the enthusiastic and helpful supervisors I met.

Favourite thing about University?

The community of PhD students. Whether it’s meeting people and discussing your work or arranging weekend five-a-side football tournaments, everyone seems very open to ideas.

Favourite thing about Newcastle?

It’s a great balance between a city which has a lot going on but isn’t so big you feel unable to get to know it intimately. My favourite thing is probably the beach at Tynemouth or the Quayside.

What are you doing now?

Working on my third novel. It is called How I Left The National Grid and is set in postpunk Manchester in the late eighties. It is about a journalist’s hunt to track down a reclusive rock star and it takes on (hopefully with some subtlety) theories and ideas about performance and subculture. It is also currently being developed as a film script with a co-writer.

Do you have any advice for anyone applying for the course?

Find a subject that inspires you and design a PhD around that if you can. If you can find supervisors similarly inspired by that subject then great, but if you feel passionate about it you will work much harder on it!