About me
Sophie Parkes is a writer of novels, short fiction, life writing and music journalism. A graduate of the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, she also holds a doctorate in creative writing and folklore from Sheffield Hallam University. You can read more about her research here.
Her historical novel, Out of Human Sight, was shortlisted for the NorthBound Book Award at the 2021 Northern Writers' Awards and was published by Northodox Press in 2023.
In 2017, Sophie won the Arvon Award at the Northern Writers’ Awards for her collection of short stories influenced by English folk song. You can read some of her published short stories at the bottom of this page.
Sophie's interest in specialist music, particularly folk music, has seen her publish the official biography of one of her all-time musical heroes, Eliza Carthy. Wayward Daughter (Soundcheck Books) came out in 2012 and the title of the book was later used by Eliza to name both an album and her big band. Sophie continues to write about music and musicians for titles including Songlines and Rock'n'Reel.
In 2016, Sophie worked with endurance athlete, Blind Dave Heeley, to get his incredible story down onto paper. From Light to Dark is published by Pitch, with a portion of the story influencing short film, Seven Days, made by Pixel Revolution Films. It is also available as an audio book narrated by Adrian Chiles.
Sophie is an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University and Leeds Arts University, teaching on both BA and MA Creative Writing programmes. She is also a frequent facilitator of creative writing workshops in the community, leading workshops for The Portico Library, Saddleworth Literature Festival, The Tameside Health and Wellbeing College, and Tameside Libraries, amongst others.
She also founded and continues to run Mossley Writers and in 2021 won an Arts Council England grant for The Tameside WordShop, a year-long programme of creative writing workshops for Tameside writers. You can watch the film about the initiative here.
You can read, listen to or watch some of Sophie's stories here:
Ghosts at the Old Library: 'Spirit Level'
The Book of Manchester: 'Shock City'
LOOM: 'Cornflowers'
Rituals & Declarations: 'Procession'
Dear Damsels: 'May Day'
M6 Theatre (performance): 'Bird Behaviour'
The Real Story (creative non-fiction): 'Hero'
Chethams Library collection: 'Mary Leech, née Blackwall, on returning to her parental home'
Chine Magazine: 'Milkers Day'
Streetcake (issue 52): 'Silence Surrounds Her'
The Pygmy Giant: 'The Unquiet Grave'
William Faulkner's Typewriter: 'Tonight's the night that'll be the night'
Events
Sun, 16 MarJoin Sophie Parkes for an exploration of the powerful female figures of British folklore, from fairies and mermaids to witches and the ancient sheela-na-gig.
Tue, 04 FebHow could, or even should, a writer approach intangible cultural heritage such as the calendar custom in their creative work? A Folklore Society online talk.
Multiple DatesMon, 16 DecFolklore can show us exactly what it means to be human, laying bare what we believe, and what we value. In fiction, folklore can provide both intrigue and clarity. Join this short story course to learn how we can write fiction with folklore.
Multiple DatesFri, 13 DecGhost stories at Christmas have long been an oral storytelling tradition, from tales told around the winter fire through to Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Wed, 23 OctWomen in history were often sidelined, forgotten, hidden. So how do we tell their stories with accuracy, bringing them to life in an engaging way for readers today?
Sat, 12 OctJoin MLF and Comma Press for a special event to launch The Book of Manchester. Edited by poet Lemn Sissay and Comma Press editor David Sue, the collection explores the transformation of the city from post-war, post-industrial decline to the aspirational ‘Manctopia’.
Sat, 01 JunWorkshop, readings and Q&A with Sophie Parkes, Kenzie Millar and Sue Barker
Wed, 31 JanKaren Powell will be in conversation with Sophie Parkes at Sheffield Hallam University's Masterclass programme
Wed, 22 NovSophie has the pleasure of hosting a bookish evening with the Brontës
Sat, 04 NovSophie will be running a place writing-themed workshop as part of this full day of panels and advice from Comma Press and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Sat, 23 SeptA writing workshop to get your historical fiction underway
Sat, 17 JunSophie will be appearing at the Leeds Book Social to read from Out of Human Sight.
Sat, 22 AprIn this talk, writer, Sophie Parkes, presents how she came to learn about the Bills o'Jack's legend upon moving to Saddleworth, and how she worked with the folklore of this crime to develop her novel, Out of Human Sight.- Wed, 05 AprTo celebrate the publication of Out of Human Sight, writer Sophie Parkes will be joined by musicians Laura Smyth and Ted Kemp. With readings, music and refreshments, learn more about the historical case and how Sophie worked with the folklore of the crime to develop her novel.
- Sun, 12 MarMeeting the folks at Mossley Book Club to discuss Out of Human Sight
Mossley Writers
Sophie founded and continues to lead Mossley Writers, a community writing group in the
small town where she lives. If you live locally and would like more information about joining the group, feel free to get in touch to join the mailing list.
This friendly, inclusive group meets on the third Tuesday of the month, at The Vale, Mossley's beautiful arts space, 7.30-9.30pm. We welcome all kinds of writers, at all stages of their career. A typical Mossley Writers get-together includes critiquing members’ work, writing together using fun and thought-provoking writing exercises, and – of course – tea and biscuits. There is a small monthly fee to cover the hire of the space at The Vale.
In 2019, Mossley Writers completed our first group project: A Worthy Mossley Man, an anthology and exhibition of our writing about John Knight, Mossley resident and prominent figure in the 1819 peaceful demonstration that became known as the Peterloo Massacre. You can read some of our work on this dedicated website.
In 2021, Sophie won an Arts Council England grant to run The Tameside WordShop, a year-long programme of free writing workshops for Tameside writers. Take a look at the website to find out how to book your place.
