Craig Snelgrove, PhD

Young Mancunians 12. She Walks at Night

Reviving the presence of the flaneur in short fiction in the twelfth story from Young Mancunians - She Walks at Night #booksky #writercommunity #iamwriting

80 years on Were the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Really Necessary?

Initially published in the first issue of the Existential Reader magazine, this piece asks the question - were the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki really necessary?

On Loneliness and the Short Story What Frank O’Connor understood about fiction’s smallest form

Short fiction and 'the intense awareness of human loneliness' #writing #shortfiction #writers #booksky

Young Mancunians 11. A Paterfamilias

“…the solemnisation of drab days and the sanctification of the ordinary” - Anthony Burgess, Here Comes Everybody: An Introduction to James Joyce for the Ordinary Reader

The eleventh story from Young Mancunians - ‘A Paterfamilias’ - free to read for all #booksky #writingcommunity #iamwriting

Hollywood as Propaganda 3 The Action Blockbuster and the Pretence of Benevolence in the 1990s

Exploring the pretence of American benevolence in the 1990s action blockbuster.

The Subtext: Fiction and the Art of Storytelling | Craig Snelgrove, PhD | Substack Fiction and literary criticism. Click to read The Subtext: Fiction and the Art of Storytelling, by Craig Snelgrove, PhD, a Substack publication. Launched 14 hours ago.

Introducing my new substack publication dedicated solely to Creative Writing #booksky #writingcommunity #creativewriting #writers

Young Mancunians 10. Danielle’s Night Out

Escaping the past can sometimes be as simple as enjoying the present. But sometimes the past won’t let go.

The tenth story from Young Mancunians - Danielle’s Night Out
#booksky #writingcommunity #shortfiction

Nasa to build nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 - US media The reactor would provide power for humans on the Moon but there are questions about feasibility.

A distinct possibility of Russian, Chinese, and American only zones on the moon. Absolutely absurd. We have gone so wrong its virtually impossible to imagine is ever getting back to a place of sanity.

The Existential Reader by existentialreader A monthly zine on a variety of existential and hauntological topics. This months theme is information distortion.

Issue #1 of the magazine!

In this issue I write about the self-help industry, right-wing commentators, and I look at whether or not the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were really necessary.

Also some poetry and other general musings!

Check it out if you've got a spare quid!

Young Mancunians 9. The Chapel

The ninth story from Young Mancunians - ‘The Chapel’ - a story of loss, memory, and the need to conform #booksky #writerscommunity #iamwriting

We Live Here Now by C. D. Rose | Waterstones Buy We Live Here Now by C. D. Rose from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

This so-called 'genius novel' is out in a couple of weeks from @melvillehouse.bsky.social. You can bother your nearest independent bookseller, or get 25% off if you pre-order at @waterstones.bsky.social
www.waterstones.com/book/we-live...

Young Mancunians 8. Derby Day

For Nathan, the protagonist of Derby Day - the eight story from Young Mancunians - football is the theatre of the working class, and his only for escape from the monotony of everyday wage labour #booksky #writingcommunity

After Watching the GB News Documentary 'Yookay vs Britain: How Immigration Transformed a Nation' A Tiring Lament

I watched this documentary and risked part of my sanity so you don’t have to. I deserve a knighthood.

Jokes aside, this is my response to a lazy, historically illiterate, but popular narrative that is pushed in a documentary that appeared on GB News last week.

Young Mancunians 7. Georgie & Georgie

A musical duo enter a reality singing competition convinced they are the next big thing to come out of “Music City”. Why? Because it means so much, of course. #booksky #writingcommunity

More than 100 humanitarian groups warn of mass starvation in Gaza A joint statement says aid workers are

I swear no other country would get away with this using the excuse of "self-defence".

Young Mancunians Commentary Part One

The first part of a commentary on the writing process and inspiration behind Young Mancunians #booksky #witingcommunity #iamwriting

The History of Pop 1952 - 1997 1962

The year in music 1962!

Young Mancunians 6. The Rain

The 6th story from Young Mancunians is 'The Rain'. And the 2nd one to be available to all. If I was promoting an album I suppose this would be one of the singles! #booksky

Water company sewage pollution to halve by 2030, minister pledges Environment Secretary Steve Reed says the government is preparing a

Cut by halve by 2030? Why not cut completely by end of the next working day?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Morning #booksky, 5th instalment of Young Mancunians is available now

Young Mancunians 5. He Could Only Laugh

Two lads and pre-night out drama, 'He Could Only Laugh' is a story of alienation, masculinity, and fractured identity

Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney's 'Punishment Beatings' of the Labour Left A rebel Labour MP speaks out about the 'end of days' feeling gripping Keir Starmer's party as the Prime Minister's advisers enact a campaign of revenge against their left flank

“You have to assume that at some point something's going to be cooked up about you - some sort of smear... and then they will suspend you"

A Labour MP speaks out about the campaign of revenge currently being waged by No10 against rebel MPs www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/keir-starm...

Intimate, poignant, full of sadness and joy, Paris is Burning (1990) has become an invaluable historical document, capturing the 1980s New York Drag scene as it was through interviews and footage of some incredibly brave people.

One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over. We played a historic set at Glastonbury. Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds. A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world's most famous festival. Shortly afterwards we learn of an active police investigation. An investigation that followed after the Prime Minister himself said it "was not appropriate" we played Glastonbury. Walk off stage to the rapturous sounds of good people and into the creaking scheming sounds of the establishment.

This "investigation" was reported across the world's media often with wildly misleading headlines. Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close....yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation. Why open and publicise an investigation into fuck all? This is political. This is targetted. This is state intimidation.

After the media damage is inflicted and seen by millions of eyes - you receive a private email to say there's no evidence and no action - that is seen by two people only. There is no public apology, they don't send this to media or post it on police accounts. We will continue to fight. We will continue to win.

Email from Avon and Somerset Police to Kneecap legal team: "I am Senior Investigating Officer for Avon and Somerset Police's investigation into Kneecap's performance at the Glastonbury Festival on 28th June 2025. Following a review of the evidence, I have determined there will be no further action. I would be grateful if you could communicate this to your clients, and/or advise me of an alternative way if contacting them. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Regards, Detective Superintendent [Name redacted]"

After the media damage is inflicted and seen by millions of eyes,you receive a private email to say there's no evidence and no action,seen by two people only

There's no public apology. They don't send this to media or post it on police accounts

We will continue to fight.

We will continue to win.

Serious water pollution in England up 60%, government says Last year had the highest number of pollution events by water companies ever recorded.

How can this be allowed to happen?

Morning #booksky!
A reminder that my short story cycle, Young Mancunians, is currently being serialised. The first story, Holcombe Hill, is available to all. Give it a read if you want! Especially those of you interested in working-class fiction, sense of place, and existentialism.

Hollywood as Propaganda #3 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Ok, so this one isn’t propaganda per se, but having come across this film again recently, I thought it was worth commenting on what, essentially, amounts to a conditioning of cultural attitudes towards the LGBT community, particularly in children.

Young Mancunians 4. The Knock of Impatience

#4 from Young Mancunians - The Knock of Impatience
A slow-burning night drive through Manchester’s sodium-lit streets, where the boredom of youth meets the creeping allure of crime.