Guy Mankowski is an English writer and academic specializing in music writing and subculture. He is the author of four novels and is currently writing a biography of an American musician Kristen Pfaff.
Guy Mankowski was raised on the Isle of Wight. He holds a Ph.D. from Northumbria University, an MPhil from Newcastle University, and a BSc Hons from Durham University. Mankowski trained as an Assistant Psychologist at The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in London. He also was the singer of the band Alba Nova.
Dr. Guy Mankowski wrote the first draft of his debut novel, The Intimates when he was 21. The book came out in 2011 and was chosen as a 'Must Read' title by New Writing North's Read Regional campaign.
His second story, Letters from Yelena (2012), was adapted for the stage and awarded an Arts Council Literature Award. The novel was given Arts Council funding, allowing Mankowski to be one of a few English people granted access to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Saint Petersburg for research purposes.
The third novel, How I Left The National Grid (2015), Mankowski wrote as part of his Ph.D., during which he interviewed musicians such as Jehnny Beth.
His fourth novel, An Honest Deceit, was also a New Writing North title and won an Arts Council Literature Award.
Additionally, Dr. Mankowski has written Albion's Secret History: Snapshots of England's Pop Rebels and Outsiders. The book compiles snapshots of English pop culture’s rebels and outsiders, from Evelyn Waugh to PJ Harvey via The Long Blondes and The Libertines.
Now he is writing a biography on the life of the bassist for the alternative rock band Hole Kristen Pfaff. It was the subject of his 2022 TEDx talk.
Dr. Guy Mankowski is a lecturer in Creative Writing at the Lincoln School of Creative Arts. His research interests include music writing, particularly depictions of post-punk and subculture.
He serves as module leader for Introduction to Prose, The Craft of Fiction, and Writing Narrative. He is also a Level 2 Personal Tutor and a supervisor for dissertation, MA, and Ph.D. students.
Guy Mankowski has received numerous awards and grants for his work, including an Arts Council Research Grant for An Honest Deceit, a Script Development Award from Northern Film and Media, and a Full Ph.D. Studentship from Northumbria University.
He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority.
Photo credit: Twitter @Gmankow
