Thanks and acknowledgements

Thank you for following November In Manchester. We hope you enjoyed the story of James, Persephone and the rest of the cast.

A huge thank you to those who submitted videos and photographs of Manchester. There were dozens of contributions and we endeavoured to include all the entries in the story. We couldn't have done it without these submissions.

We hoped November In Manchester would accurately capture what life is like in this vibrant city. To this extent, we think it has succeeded.

Furthermore, thanks to those individuals and institutions who interacted with our characters during the month. You made the story richer and the characters more real.

Acknowledgements go to Katy Ratican and Sam Phillips for their contributions. November In Manchester would not have been possible without them. Also, thanks to Jayne, Chris, Adi, Helen, Jack, Kelly, Keith and Jill for the use of their images during the month.

November In Manchester was the creation of Tom Mason, a full-time SEO copywriter based in Didsbury. The plot is based on his unpublished novel, 'The Smiles Of Strangers'.

November In Manchester - Week four summary

Previously in November In Manchester

Persephone

Persephone has decided to leave Manchester. After Darren's actions made it impossible for her to continue in her current line of work, she has chosen to cut away all of her connections and move back to Edinburgh with her parents.

Had she not ended her relationship with James, Persephone's decision may have been more difficult. The pair broke apart after James found her rooting through Samantha's box of possessions. The final nail in their affair came after Persephone overheard James having a conversation with another woman the following day. Persephone was not to know that she was listening to a recorded video of James and his dead fiancé Samantha. Broken, she left his flat and made the decision to move.

As her departure draws closer, Persephone cannot escape the feeling that she is making a massive mistake.

James

Week four blessed James with an epiphany. After his argument with Persephone – which resulted in a mammoth drinking session at the train station bar – he was bought back to reality with a thump. Regina, the one person to have stuck by him after Samantha's death, was admitted to hospital in a grave condition. As he paced around an all-too-familiar waiting room, he realised that it was time to let Samantha go.

James spent Friday trying to make amends, and although an encounter with Darren quickly destroyed that plan, a message from Leonie convinced him that letting Persephone slip through his fingers was the worst decision he could possible make.

Paul

Paul's week threatened to snatch away the most important person in his life. As doctors tried to pull Regina back from the brink, he sat in the hospital and contemplated existence without his other half. Her recovery was a blessing.

Regina

Regina spent the week in hospital. As she drifted in and out of consciousness – the concerned voices of doctors, Paul and James floating into her ears – she had a thought which will remain with her for the rest of her life. She is loved.

Lee

Lee finally revealed his love for Persephone. It did not go the way he had hoped. As November In Manchester draws to a close, Lee looks set to finish the month as he started it: tired, bored and single.

Melody

Melody is content. Week four saw the young mother given a not-inconsiderable promotion at work; the chance to escape from the drudgery of serving at the bar. As the manager of the train station pub, Melody intends to use this opportunity to springboard her career, hoping to use it to provide a better quality of life for her son.

Leonie

Leonie is leaving for a life in London. Unlike Persephone, Leonie has planned her departure to the smallest detail; she has said her goodbyes at work and her life is neatly stored away for the journey to her new home. Still, she has one regret. Still, her desire for company will not stand in the way of a career, no matter how unhappy it makes her.

Darren

Darren found that coercion could not bring him love. Having failed to bully Persephone into a relationship, Darren ends November angry, frustrated and in possession of the addresses for every current and previous person to have ever had the misfortune of working with him. Darren is not a quitter.

November In Manchester - Week three summary

James

This week, James has put Samantha to rest. After a series of dates with Persephone, he has discovered just what life outside his flat can offer. James has come to the epiphany that there is more to life than work, the station bar and the constant remembrance service he holds for his dead fiancé every single evening. Sadly, holding back Samantha's memory may not be that easy.

Persephone

The young shop assistant has perhaps achieved her single greatest accomplishment; she has managed to coax James out of his third-storey shell and back into the real world. Her limitless enthusiasm and unrelenting sunny outlook has shone a light into his world and she is optimistic about their future together. Her optimism may be unfounded.

Darren

This week, Darren proved to the world what a massive tool he really is. His unique brand of courtship, which involved trying to bribe Persephone to go for a drink, is proving to be quite futile. Hopefully, he will get what is coming to him. Hopefully.

Lee

As the fourth week in November begins, Lee's flame for Persephone burns at its brightest; despite the fact he has watched her begin a relationship and celebrate a birthday without him. He is a young man in love, desperately clinging onto the hope that the young lady will show him the slightest bit of interest.

Melody

After being rejected from the position which would have changed her life, Melody has convinced herself that life holds nothing more for her than a position in the train station bar. She is wrong.

Leonie

Leonie has decided to leave the city. After being given a promotion to her company's London office, she will spent the next week tying up loose ends and saying her goodbyes.

Paul

Paul has spent the week wondering what his impending life as a father will be like. Week four will give him a lot less time for contemplation.

Regina

Like Paul, Regina has been anticipating her upcoming motherhood, while watching James' courtship of Persephone with proud interest. In week four, she will have other things on her mind.

Previously on November In Manchester

All of week two's action - neatly condensed into 451 words.

Persephone

Persephone has had a busy week. After the fireworks, several nights on the pop and advising people on this season's interview attire, she also decided to dedicate her Wednesday evening to helping the grief-stricken. It did not go well. Still, she made a new friend. Whether or not she can convince him to come out of his flat is a different matter entirely.

James

A talk with Regina turned James' world upside down. It also inspired his first conversation to the bereavement group which left many surprised and shocked – none more so than Persephone. After refusing an invitation to hit the town on Friday with his new 'friend', James has reluctantly agreed – on the bequest of Regina – to go out for a coffee with the young lady.

Leonie

After a disastrous week, involving sickness, fatigue and a terrible second date, you can forgive Leonie for not being overly keen towards a night out with the effortlessly energetic Persephone. Still, Leone is a good friend and, despite her new-found fondness for Lemsip, embarked on a Saturday adventure with the young lady.

Regina

Regina finally plucked up the courage to tell James about her pregnancy. He did not take the news well. She does not know how he will cope without her, but is keen to see him make some sort of emotional attachment to another human being before she has to leave.

Paul

Paul's week has consisted of dodging any real graft at work while trying to stay in the red with his increasingly pregnant wife. It was not a battle he often won.

Lee

Our young student suffered another frustrating week in his quest to pursue the elusive Persephone. After a series of rejections, Lee was eventually thrown a bone over the weekend. As the pair sipped bottled beer in Fallowfield, Persephone unintentionally threw the emotional equivalent of petrol onto the flame Lee holds for her.

Darren

Darren's week – of placating his affection-starved wife – has left him longing for greener fields. His reptilian brain is one of habit and this week he will slither back to the last person who offered him a distraction from married life.

Melody

Melody has spent much of her time considering the future. She attended a job interview earlier in the week and, tempted by the prospect of no longer serving men like James at the train station bar, has ramped her job-seeking efforts up to the next level.

November In Manchester – Week One

Catch up with the first week's events in November In Manchester.


Persephone

Week one of November In Manchester saw Persephone enjoy a fun-filled day across Manchester, reminisce about her time at University and spend an evening showing a third-year student exactly how an undergraduate should behave.

On Wednesday, Persephone accidentally found herself attending a bereavement counselling session. Horrified, she sat in silence and listened to the tragic stories of the people surrounding her. She has spent the rest of the week replaying the scene in her head.

James

James' first week was identical to every other week of his life for the past three years. He woke up. He went to work. He begrudgingly went to his counselling session on Wednesday.

James spent most of the week reminiscing over items in a small blue box: the last relics from his life with Samantha.


Regina and Paul

Paul and Regina discovered that they would soon be parents. They spent the week discovering new places to take their impending bundle of joy and arguing over baby names.

Leonie

After successfully landing a pitch in London, Leonie spent the week debating the relative merits of a relationship with a co-worker. A very nice evening at the theatre has not yet convinced her.

Lee

Like all those who spent an evening with Persephone, Lee has quickly become infatuated with her infectious enthusiasm for just about anything. If only she'd return his texts...

Darren

Darren decided to finish his affair with Persephone earlier in the week to commit his limited brain power to his relationship with his wife, Amanda. Since his make-or-break conversation with Amanda on Tuesday, Darren has yet to commit to any of the changes he wildly spat out in the heat of the moment.

Melody

Melody spent her first week in November entertaining her curious two-year-old son with the best in children's events in Manchester. Most evenings this week, she served James the best part of the train station lager stock.

November In Manchester begins

Over the past month, we've been asking you to send in your photos, videos and events for November In Manchester – an ambitious, not-for-profit social media novel.

Today, the November In Manchester tale begins.

Throughout the next four weeks, you'll see eight different characters tweet and blog about their lives in Manchester. They'll use the photographs and video you've all kindly sent in to tell their story.

So how can you follow November In Manchester?

Each of our characters has a Twitter account. You can choose to follow each person individually via Twitter or, for a more complete perspective of the story, log onto www.novemberinmanchester.com. There you will see a chronological timeline of all the action.

Feel free to interact with any or all of the characters. They're all pretty sociable.

James
Persephone
Leonie
Paul
Regina
Melody
Lee
Darren

James and Persephone, the central characters, will both write daily blogs. Any new posts will also feature in the November In Manchester timeline.

You can find James' blog here.

Persephone's blog is here

The November In Manchester site also includes character biographies and you can view the latest submitted photos to our Flickr group.

Also, it's not too late to submit photos, video and events to November In Manchester. If you want to get involved, send your stuff to ilove@novemberinmanchester.com

November In Manchester - Melody and James

Melody
Two years after a small latex tear resulted in the birth of her first child, Melody has found her life's direction in motherhood. Her world revolves around her son and, for the first time in her life, she is content.

In the evening, she makes evening commutes and cross-country train travel slightly more bearable at the bar in Piccadilly Station.

Despite his daily custom, she has yet to learn James' name.

Melody is kindly portrayed by Kelly

James
James is a man of routine.

Between 9am and 5pm, his routine is work; filling meaningless numbers and figures into an Excel spreadsheet. Between 5:30pm and 11pm, his routine takes him to the train station; filling alcoholic drinks into his stomach until it is time to stumble home. During the weekend, James cleans his flat.

James wasn't always like this. He once had a partner, a smile and a life. Now, three years after Samantha's death, all he has is an existence.

James is kindly portrayed by Chris

Keep sending in your photos and video for November In Manchester

There's just one week to go before November In Manchester kicks off.

But there's still time to send in any photos and videos for this exciting social media novel.

Photographs

We're still on the lookout for photographs of places and events around Manchester. We've had some wonderful snaps in over the last few weeks, but there's always room for more.

Here's a taste of some of the shots we've had so far:








You can send you photos to ilove@novemberinmanchester.com.

Video

Throughout the project, the two central characters in November In Manchester will be using video clips in their daily blogs.

We've had some great videos from you over the last few weeks. Here's a couple of clips:





We're still on the search for more videos, so if you're a dab hand with a video camera, send across your clips.

November In Manchester is just one week away!

November In Manchester - Lee and Darren

Lee

Lee is coming to the end of his time at university. His dissertation is looming, he has final exams in the summer and he is getting to the point in his life when has has to ask the question that has troubled millions of people in a similar position:


What do you do with a B.A. in English?

Sadly, the only person Lee knows to have pondered the answer is Persephone.

Lee is kindly portrayed by Adi

Darren

Darren's infatuation for the employee named Persephone began three days after she put pen to paper on an employment contract.

Darren has convinced the young shop assistant that her life would be infinitely more satisfying with him in it. Although Darren possesses little imagination, his blunt attempt at courtship - flowers, chocolates and cuddly toys - has won the naïve Persephone over.

He did not think to mention that he is married.

Darren is kindly portrayed by Jack

There's still time to submit your event to November In Manchester

There's been a fantastic response to our request for events around Manchester next month.

Thanks to your suggestions, the November In Manchester characters will be attending writing groups, club nights and museum exhibitions. They are set to go to gigs, bars and plays.

These events and venues will be featured in their tweets and blogs over November.

There's still time to suggest places and events for the characters to go to.

Manchester is a lively city and there's always something going on. November In Manchester wants to highlight the rich variety of events and venues on offer to residents and tourists.

If you're running an event you'd like us to consider for inclusion in the November In Manchester story – or merely like us to give a place a mention - drop us an email at contact@novemberinmanchester.com with some information and we'll get back to you.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with us on Twitter @nov_in_mcr

November In Manchester - Regina and Paul

Regina

Regina, or Reggie to anyone who knows her for longer than five minutes, is James' closest friend. They met a lifetime ago; over a hastily arranged birthday party for one of Paul's never-ending portfolio of relatives.

Aside from their other halves, neither she or James knew anyone there. As their partners mingled with family, gossiping with aunts and uncles, James and Reggie had sat at a table in the corner.

They made small talk over a wine-stained tablecloth and she took an instant like to the then student.

Whenever Regina visits James she prefers to remember him as the man she met on that first evening.

Regina is kindly portrayed by Jill

Paul

Unlike his wife, Paul took an instant dislike to James. He did to any man who came within a 5km radius of his sister. Still, when it became apparent that Samantha's new suitor would be around for the foreseeable future, he decided it would be best to get to know his brother-in-law-to-be.

Motivated by Regina's harassments, he arranged to spend some time with James in their local pub. As they staggered out at closing time, Paul had put his arm around James and drunkenly declared that he would punch anyone who messed his sister around. But that James was alright. Paul would later become the best man at James and Samantha's wedding.

Now, Paul and James maintain a strict relationship. They never go out alone and their talks always stick to the well-trodden territory of Manchester United, local bitter and the weather.

Paul can never find the right words for any other conversation.

Paul is kindly portrayed by Keith

November In Manchester - Persephone and Leonie

Persephone

Persephone's life is remarkably similar to the one she enjoyed four years ago while studying at Manchester University. She views her undergraduate days as some of best ones in her life and sees little reason why she should change that. Regardless of the fact she has not been in possession of a valid student I.D card since 2005.

While her degree certificate slowly gathers dust under a pile of unpaid utility bills, Persephone lives each day like it is the start of a new semester.

Persephone is kindly portrayed by Jayne

Leonie

Leonie is one of Persephone's oldest, if not closest, friends; the pair met at university after Persephone drunkenly stumbled into the wrong bedroom during Fresher's week.

While Persephone decided to remain a student – at least in spirit – after she graduated, Leonie chose to embark on the next stage of her life.

Now, at the age of 27, she holds down a respectable position as an account manager in a public relations firm.

She remains close friends with Persephone, although finds it is becoming increasingly difficult to make conversation when alone in her company. Frankly, they just don't have that much in common any more.

Leonie is kindly portrayed by Helen

Keep checking back for more biographies in the future!

November In Manchester

November in Manchester - Official site now live

There's been a fantastic response to November In Manchester since its announcement last week.

We're happy to announce that the official November In Manchester site is now live.

There's a lot of behind the scenes work going on right now and we're looking forward to your reaction to the site once it goes live in November.

Until then, keep on sending in your photographs and videos – they've all been great so far.

You can email your media to ilove@novemberinmanchester.com

You can keep tabs on every single one of the photographs submitted on the November In Manchester Flickr feed. Feel free to leave comments or discuss other submitted photos.

If you're a registered Flickr user, you can also submit photos directly to the November In Manchester Flickr group.

Or alternatively, you can join the November In Manchester Facebook group and upload any photos or videos directly onto that.

Any media requests can be sent to: press@novemberinmanchester.com
Or for general enquiries, email: contact@novemberinmanchester.com

Keep checking back for more updates. November is getting very close!

Thanks for your support.

Taking the story to the streets

November In Manchester takes place in real time.

Over four weeks, the characters in the novel will travel around Manchester. They will go to places, attend events and share their experiences with anyone following the story.

Throughout the tale, these characters will need places to go.

They will visit bars, museums, exhibitions and art galleries. There, they will take photos and record videos for use in their blogs and twitter accounts.

How you can take part

If you have any events taking place over November, please get in touch. We're looking for anything from low-profile events to canapes and cocktail bashes.

Alternatively, if you just want to suggest somewhere for the characters to go to, get in touch.

November In Manchester aims to promote the city of Manchester. It will show people just how much goes on in the city; its culture, its nightlife and its rich heritage.

We'll judge everything we get sent on its own merits and the team at NIM will do our best to fit as much as we can into the four weeks without it detracting from the story.

Email us with your suggestions and be a part of November In Manchester

Take part in November In Manchester

You can play a major role in November In Manchester.

Over four weeks in November, six fictional characters will be blogging, tweeting and filming their lives in Manchester. We want you to get involved. These characters need a back-story and a personality. They need to do and see things.

Here's how you can get involved:

Take photographs

Whenever you see something interesting in Manchester, snap a picture on your mobile and email it over to us. As long as it's not vulgar or illegal.

We're looking for:

• Landmarks around Manchester
• Interesting exterior shots
• Photos of events - gigs and the like in the city
• Any picture you think captures the spirit of Manchester

We'll use these images to flesh out the characters - they'll tweet and blog about your pictures and these locations will play a part in the story.

If you could also include your name and a short sentence about what the picture is, that would be great. Unfortunately, we can't use profile pictures or head shots as they'll play with the continuity of the story.

Video

If you're a budding film maker, we'd love to see your clips. We're looking for short 1-2 minute phone videos we can upload to YouTube to use in the character's blogs.

Some ideas to get you started:

• A morning commute
• Lunchtime in Piccadilly Gardens
• Shots of daily life in Manchester

Simply email them to us with a brief explanation and we'll find a place for them in the story. Sadly, we can't use anything with direct conversation in, so resist the urge to put in a David Attenborough style voice over.

Get involved

November in Manchester is an ambitious social media project which anyone and everyone can contribute to. You've got a while yet to think about what to send in, but the sooner stuff comes over, the greater chance it has of playing a role in the story.

Email us at ilove@novemberinmanchester.com

Welcome to November in Manchester

November in Manchester is a social media love story about two people. In Manchester.

James has no future. He wakes up. He goes to work. He leaves at five on the dot. He spends each and every evening in the pub overlooking Manchester Piccadilly train station, drinking his liver into submission. His poor liver.

Persephone has no future. She wakes up. She goes to work. She spends the evening going to poetry readings and meeting her friends in coffee shops. The poor barista.

Both James and Persephone are trapped in their past lives. James lies awake at night, thumbing through the possessions of his long-dead wife, Samantha. He still hopes she will wake up next to him each morning.

Persephone wishes she was still a student. She dresses like an undergraduate, she acts like an undergraduate, she drinks like an undergraduate. She is twenty-seven and still lives like she were twenty. Her kitchen mainly comprises of takeaway pizza boxes.

November In Manchester follows the journey of James and Persephone during four weeks in bustling capital of the North. Between Monday 2nd and Monday 30th November, you can follow their story as it happens live via Twitter, Blogspot and YouTube.

Take Part

November In Manchester is a collaboration project for anyone in and around Manchester – you're welcome to take part, comment and submit media for the story. Keep checking back for regular updates and invitations to make yourself part of this interesting experiment.

You can email us at contact@novemberinmanchester.com