Author Jeanette 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.

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."