PAGES is a joyous celebration of beer and books, bringing some of the UK’s top writing talent, together with a trio of its best craft breweries. Set in Manchester Museum’s stunning Living Worlds gallery, the evening combines insightful author talks with limited-edition beers served by Track, Beak and Verdant.
Hear from Rebecca Watson (author of the Dylan Thomas Prize-shortlisted I Will Crash), Philip Marsden (author of Under a Metal Sky) and Tiffany Jenkins (cultural historian and writer of Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life).
The event evolved from a true passion for beer and books that was shared by all three breweries. Taking this passion further, each one paired up with a publisher to shine a light on some of the country’s best new books and enjoy a beer while discussing them.
There will be talks from each of the authors, delicious beer served throughout the evening (as well as non-alcoholic options) and signing sessions. And you can enjoy it all amid the surroundings of the European Museum of the Year 2025.
Driven by its mission to build understanding between cultures and a more sustainable world, Manchester Museum has undergone a huge amount of change in recent years, not least of all its £15 million redevelopment that was completed in 2023. Housing incredible collections from across natural science and human cultures, it’s also aiming to create a space where everyone feels they belong.
Running times and authors
6.30–7.15pm – Verdant x Granta – Phillip Marsden
Verdant are partnered with Granta and joined by Philip Marsden. Phillip Marsden is the award-winning author of a number of works of travel, fiction and non-fiction, including The Bronski House, The Spirit-Wrestlers, The Levelling Sea and, most recently, The Summer Isles. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and his work has been translated into fifteen languages.
After years of travelling, he now lives on the tidal upper reaches of the River Fal in Cornwall with his wife, children and various boats.
7.30–8.15pm – Track x Picador – Tiffany Jenkins
Track are partnered with Picador and joined by Dr Tiffany Jenkins. Dr Tiffany Jenkins is a writer, cultural historian and broadcaster and will be talking about her new book Strangers and Intimates, which is both a celebration of the private realm and a warning: as social media, surveillance and the expectations of constant openness reshape our lives, are we in danger of losing a part of ourselves? Jenkins reveals how privacy shaped the modern world and why it remains crucial for our personal and collective freedom – and why this freedom is now in mortal danger.
8.30–9.15pm – Beak x Faber – Rebecca Watson
Beak are partnered with Faber and will be joined by the novelist Rebecca Watson. Her debut novel Little Scratch (2021) was shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize and the Desmond Elliott Prize and was adapted into a play at Hampstead Theatre (2021) and New Diorama (2023). Her second novel I Will Crash was published last year to critical acclaim and was recently shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Watson was chosen as a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice and as one of the Observer’s 10 best debut novelists of 2021. Her non-fiction has been published widely, including in FT Weekend, the Guardian, the TLS, Granta and British Vogue.
📍 10 October, 6-10pm
