
GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation
Thu 29 Oct · 18:30
Blackwell's Bookshop
Venue events →
Similar events
View all →About This Event
Join us for an evening of unsettling fiction, hosted by Emma Liggins We are delighted to welcome G. R. Pidgeon and Stephen Howard to Blackwell's for a special event with the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies! The authors will be discussing their work with the Centre's co-director, Emma Liggins. Doors: 6.30pm, Starts: 6.45pm. Tickets are £5 or admission is included when purchasing a Book & Ticket option. About The Patient In The Tower: The war may be over, but the nightmare is just beginning… Released from prison after years of solitary confinement for refusing to fight in the Great War, Robert Latimer arrives in an isolated village looking for his brother. Thomas was wounded in France and sent to Ravensmere House for treatment. But the sprawling estate has a sinister reputation, housing the most disturbed soldiers returning from war. While searching, Robert sees a mysterious woman dressed in white wandering through the woods at twilight. Denied access to his brother by the charismatic Dr Abbott, Robert becomes convinced that something is terribly wrong behind Ravensmere’s walls. With the help of outspoken local woman Edith Chalk, he uncovers strange medicines, disturbing experiments and long-forgotten legends. But as Robert digs deeper and risks his life to uncover the truth, he realises there are darker forces at play. And someone will do anything to keep Ravensmere’s secrets hidden. Because some evils refuse to stay buried… About This House Isn't Haunted (But We Are): couple mourning the loss of their young daughter take up an opportunity to renovate a rural cottage on the remote North Yorkshire Moors. However, they can’t process their grief as increasingly eerie events unfold. Is it their daughter haunting them or is something else going on? Part of Wild Hunt Book's brilliant Northern Weird series, focussing on the North of England as setting, subject and character. About the authors: G. R. Pidgeon has spent the last twenty years as Head of English at leading state and independent schools in Kent, aiming to inspire the next generation of readers and writers. He is also an English Subject Leader for The Prince’s Teaching Institute, developing the subject knowledge of new teachers, and specialising in Victorian and Gothic Literature, as well as the Romantic Poets. Most weekends he is to be found exploring the forgotten corners of ancient parish churches, reading the faded inscriptions on the backs of toppled gravestones, or climbing up winding staircases in search of secret passages. Stephen Howard is an novelist and short story writer from Manchester, now living in Cheshire with his wife and daughter. Stephen has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the Open University. His short fiction has been published by Lost Boys Press, The No Sleep Podcast, Metastellar, and others. His sci-fi / fantasy novel, An Invincible Summer, was published this year with Infested Publishing. If you cannot make the event but would like a dedicated copy of the book, please email events.manchester@blackwell.co.uk or call us on 0161 274 3331.Our event format is usually a 45 minute discussion between the author and interviewer, followed by a chance for audience members to ask questions. There will be the opportunity to get your book signed/dedicated after the event. Events are a brilliant opportunity to discover new books, meet authors and likeminded readers and learn something new.Support your local bookshop and help us keep the Manchester literary scene vibrant and exciting. You can follow us on Eventbrite and social media (@BlackwellsMCR) to keep up to date on upcoming events.
Similar Events in Manchester
View all →
The History of Folk Horror
Wed, 16 Sept 2026
Friends' Meeting House
Free EntryMusic Q&A: Tony Fletcher - 'When UK Punk Went Pop 1980-84'
Tue, 15 Sept 2026
Manchester Central Library
Free EntryManchester Claims Association Mock Trial
Fri, 18 Sept 2026
Manchester Civil Justice Centre
£0.00Causing Trouble: A Queer Up North Panel Discussion
Tue, 29 Sept 2026
Manchester Central Library
£14Omar El Akkad in conversation with David Olusoga - Manchester Deansgate
Tue, 29 Sept 2026
Waterstones
From £5THE FUTURE OF AI: Eleanor Drage and Cecilia Rikap in conversation
Wed, 7 Oct 2026
Blackwell's Bookshop
More at Blackwell's Bookshop
View all →
From £5THE BODY OF THE THING: Karishma Jobanputra in conversation
Wed, 16 Sept 2026
From £8RICKY HATTON: The Light That Never Goes Out - Adam Smith in conversation
Sun, 20 Sept 2026
From £5PERFECTING THE SHOT: Mathias Enard in conversation
Wed, 23 Sept 2026
From £5KITTEN: Stacey Yu in conversation
Thu, 24 Sept 2026
From £5UNDER A FUR COAT: Sonya Vatomsky in conversation
Fri, 25 Sept 2026
From £5An evening with Marcia Hutchinson and Rozie Kelly
Tue, 29 Sept 2026
Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Blackwell's Bookshop.
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
Frequently asked questions
GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation takes place on Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 18:30.
GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation is held at Blackwell's Bookshop in Manchester (146 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9GP).
Tickets for GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation range from £5 to £14. Live prices and availability are shown on Eventbrite.
Tickets for GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.

GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation
About This Event
Join us for an evening of unsettling fiction, hosted by Emma Liggins
We are delighted to welcome G. R. Pidgeon and Stephen Howard to Blackwell's for a special event with the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies! The authors will be discussing their work with the Centre's co-director, Emma Liggins.
Doors: 6.30pm, Starts: 6.45pm.
Tickets are £5 or admission is included when purchasing a Book & Ticket option.
About The Patient In The Tower:
The war may be over, but the nightmare is just beginning…
Released from prison after years of solitary confinement for refusing to fight in the Great War, Robert Latimer arrives in an isolated village looking for his brother.
Thomas was wounded in France and sent to Ravensmere House for treatment. But the sprawling estate has a sinister reputation, housing the most disturbed soldiers returning from war. While searching, Robert sees a mysterious woman dressed in white wandering through the woods at twilight.
Denied access to his brother by the charismatic Dr Abbott, Robert becomes convinced that something is terribly wrong behind Ravensmere’s walls. With the help of outspoken local woman Edith Chalk, he uncovers strange medicines, disturbing experiments and long-forgotten legends.
But as Robert digs deeper and risks his life to uncover the truth, he realises there are darker forces at play. And someone will do anything to keep Ravensmere’s secrets hidden.
Because some evils refuse to stay buried…
About This House Isn't Haunted (But We Are):
couple mourning the loss of their young daughter take up an opportunity to renovate a rural cottage on the remote North Yorkshire Moors. However, they can’t process their grief as increasingly eerie events unfold. Is it their daughter haunting them or is something else going on? Part of Wild Hunt Book's brilliant Northern Weird series, focussing on the North of England as setting, subject and character.
About the authors:
G. R. Pidgeon has spent the last twenty years as Head of English at leading state and independent schools in Kent, aiming to inspire the next generation of readers and writers. He is also an English Subject Leader for The Prince’s Teaching Institute, developing the subject knowledge of new teachers, and specialising in Victorian and Gothic Literature, as well as the Romantic Poets. Most weekends he is to be found exploring the forgotten corners of ancient parish churches, reading the faded inscriptions on the backs of toppled gravestones, or climbing up winding staircases in search of secret passages.
Stephen Howard is an novelist and short story writer from Manchester, now living in Cheshire with his wife and daughter. Stephen has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the Open University. His short fiction has been published by Lost Boys Press, The No Sleep Podcast, Metastellar, and others. His sci-fi / fantasy novel, An Invincible Summer, was published this year with Infested Publishing.
If you cannot make the event but would like a dedicated copy of the book, please email events.manchester@blackwell.co.uk or call us on 0161 274 3331.Our event format is usually a 45 minute discussion between the author and interviewer, followed by a chance for audience members to ask questions. There will be the opportunity to get your book signed/dedicated after the event. Events are a brilliant opportunity to discover new books, meet authors and likeminded readers and learn something new.Support your local bookshop and help us keep the Manchester literary scene vibrant and exciting. You can follow us on Eventbrite and social media (@BlackwellsMCR) to keep up to date on upcoming events.
❓ Frequently asked questions
When is GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation?
GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation takes place on Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 18:30.
Where is GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation taking place?
GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation is held at Blackwell's Bookshop in Manchester (146 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9GP).
How much are tickets for GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation?
Tickets for GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation range from £5 to £14. Live prices and availability are shown on Eventbrite.
How do I get tickets for GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation?
Tickets for GOTHIC TALES: G. R. Pidgeon & Stephen Howard in conversation can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
🏨 Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Blackwell's Bookshop
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
Tickets from
£5
Date
Until Thursday, 29 October 2026
Time
More in Manchester
EventsList curates 167,000+ events across the UK. Tickets purchased via the venue or authorised sellers only.
More Events at Blackwell's Bookshop
View all →
THE BODY OF THE THING: Karishma Jobanputra in conversation
📍 Blackwell's Bookshop
£5.00 - £15.00

RICKY HATTON: The Light That Never Goes Out - Adam Smith in conversation
📍 Blackwell's Bookshop
£8.00 - £25.00

PERFECTING THE SHOT: Mathias Enard in conversation
📍 Blackwell's Bookshop
£5.00 - £14.00

KITTEN: Stacey Yu in conversation
📍 Blackwell's Bookshop
£5.00 - £20.00

UNDER A FUR COAT: Sonya Vatomsky in conversation
📍 Blackwell's Bookshop
£5.00 - £18.00

An evening with Marcia Hutchinson and Rozie Kelly
📍 Blackwell's Bookshop
£5.00 - £13.00
Similar Events in Manchester
View all →
SOLD OUTThe History of Folk Horror
📍 Friends' Meeting House
Sold out at source
FREEMusic Q&A: Tony Fletcher - 'When UK Punk Went Pop 1980-84'
📍 Manchester Central Library
FREEManchester Claims Association Mock Trial
📍 Manchester Civil Justice Centre

Causing Trouble: A Queer Up North Panel Discussion
📍 Manchester Central Library
£0.00

Omar El Akkad in conversation with David Olusoga - Manchester Deansgate
📍 Waterstones
£14.00

THE FUTURE OF AI: Eleanor Drage and Cecilia Rikap in conversation
📍 Blackwell's Bookshop
£5.00 - £21.00
More things to do in Manchester
- Kneecap, Manchester· Thursday, 3 December 2026
- FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER: Inside The Cult of HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT· Friday, 13 November 2026
- Joe Marler Will See You Now· Sunday, 1 November 2026
- Pubs for the people: Sivamohan Valluvan and Amit Singh with Lewis Bassett· Monday, 2 November 2026
- Laura Kuenssberg: Pay Attention· Thursday, 5 November 2026
- Ed Glinert: The History of Salford· Friday, 25 September 2026
- An Afternoon with Kate Atkinson· Friday, 9 October 2026
- Manchester Child Health Research Institute Engagement Event· Tuesday, 20 October 2026
- Second Pickstone Lecture: Professor Roberta Bivins, University of Warwick.· Thursday, 29 October 2026
- THE DISAPPEARING ACT: Maria Stepanova in conversation· Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- "O Lord, Open the Eyes of the King of England”· Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- Laura Koehly - National Human Genome Research Institute· Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- FUEL Manchester 2026· Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- UNSAFE: S. Lamble in conversation with Jackie Stacey· Tuesday, 27 October 2026