Winterson becomes Manchester professor

Author Jeanette Winterson is to become a professor of creative writing at the University of Manchester. She will begin a two-year stint at the university's Centre for New Writing in October. The writer of Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit will teach a post graduate MA workshop, MA seminar and lecture to undergraduates. She succeeds Colm Toibin, who completes his year-long tenure and Martin Amis who spent four years at the university. 'Exciting place' Winterson will also hold four public events a year at the university's Martin Harris Centre, with renowned guests from the literary world. "The Centre for New Writing at Manchester is a serious and exciting place," she said. "Students are carefully selected and where there is a deep interest in what writing can do an at individual level and for the wider culture. "I am from Manchester and the north is part of me; how I write as well as who I am. Let's see what happens next." Winterson was born in Manchester and brought up in Accrington, Lancashire. Her first novel, the semi-autobiographical Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, was published in 1985 when she was 25. It went on to become an international bestseller. In August she will publish a novella in the new Hammer Horror series called The Daylight Gate about the Lancashire witches. Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, from the university, said: "We are certain she will inspire her Manchester students and audiences."