Festival is latest chapter for Sandra

A local author is planning to share her love of literature by organising one of the biggest celebrations of the written word the borough has seen.
Book and music festival organiser Sandra RobinsonBook and music festival organiser Sandra Robinson
Book and music festival organiser Sandra Robinson

Sandra Robinson, from Astley, is bringing around 50 writers to her hometown for the Manchester Author Event and Gig 2016 in August.

Sandra came up with the idea for the lavish event, set to take place at the Mining Museum at Astley Green, after attending similar meet-the-author days to promote the erotic fiction she writes under the pen-name Scarlett Flame.

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Bookworms will get the chance to meet writers working in a huge range of genres and buy signed copies of their novels before enjoying half a dozen bands from across the country performing on the marquee’s stage in the evening.

Sandra said: “I’ve been to a number of book signings myself for the first time this year and they have been absolutely fantastic.

“Hopefully it’s going to be something that will really make Astley and Tyldesley stand out.

“A lot of signings are in hotels or town centre locations where it’s difficult to park but this is easy to get to, has parking outside and is right on the main road.

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“We’ve got a huge variety of writing: thrillers, crime, horror, erotica, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, steampunk, you name it we’ve got it.

“It’s going to be an amazing day and night and it’s a great location because I can see the pit head from my back garden.”

Sandra has used her extensive network of friends and contacts in the literary world to put together the line-up of writers who will showcase their talents at the former colliery site on August 13.

The daytime activities will be followed by live music performances from six acts including Joe Symes and The Loving Kind, who were recently invited to play an aftershow party for former Oasis star Noel Gallagher in Liverpool.

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Other attractions include appearances by male cover models, a beer tent and hot food throughout the day.

Sandra says the concept is already taking off rapidly, with around 40 writers including an author from Belgium getting in touch to say they want to come to Astley for the 2017 running of the event.

The Manchester Author Event and Gig 2016 is at the Mining Museum in Astley on Saturday August 13 from 11am until midnight.

Tickets are available now by searching for Manchester Author Event at www.eventbrite.co.uk

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