About Us

Cathy has been with MLF since the first Festival in 2006 and oversaw its expansion from a niche poetry festival. She previously worked as a Writing Development officer for Commonword Writing Development Agency and Community Publisher and has a background in community arts and welfare rights. She has an MA in Writing from Sheffield Hallam University, and her poetry and short fiction has appeared a variety of journals. She loves being in nature and volunteers for the Levenshulme Bee Sanctuary.

Sarah-Jane is an Artistic Director with extensive experience of curating, programming and producing events and commissions. She became Co-Director at the Festival in 2015. Her previous roles include Artistic Director at Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, Books and Debates Programmer at Brighton Festival and Literature Programmer and Artistic Associate at the Women’s Arts International Festival. Her programming for the latter included events with Patti Smith, Marianne Faithful and Bat for Lashes. She is passionate about the role stories, music and culture play in bringing people together. She began her career as an arts journalist and her career highlights include interviewing Bjork in Reykjavik, David Holmes in Belfast, Gail Ann Dorsey in Woodstock and Gossip, Le Tigre and Nick Cave in Brighton.

Miriam is an accomplished producer with extensive experience in project management and inclusive arts. She has worked with Manchester Literature Festival since 2015 initially as a freelance storyteller. She delivers high- quality, inclusive programmes, managing events, partnership projects, people, time, and resources. Miriam has project managed and delivered more freelance creative projects than she can remember so understands what works and brings this to the development of projects at the festival. When not reading or working she can be found collaborating and connecting through singing, dancing and nature.