In recent years, digital solutions and social networking platforms have made publishing and distribution accessible to anyone with a story to tell and arguably opened up the market for interesting new voices previously overlooked by the mainstream press. But has this democritisation of the publishing industry been good for readers and writers? Join our distinguished panelists Michael Schmidt (editorial director of Carcanet Press and PN Review), Lee Brackstone (Faber editor), Peter Hartey (founder of Poetic Republic), John Mitchinson (co-founder of Unbound, the UK’s first crowd-funded publishing house) and chair Erica Wagner (Times Literary Editor) for a heated debate about the changing role of literary gatekeepers. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via Quay Tickets. A Manchester Literature Festival event.