Mike Garry

Dr. Mike Garry was a librarian for 15 years before becoming a poet. His groundbreaking work with Manchester Libraries began with the development of Study Support Units or “Homework Centers” throughout Manchester’s local library network.  The units were simply a safe space for young people to get help and support with homework with a strong emphasis on reading.  But they were much more than that and quickly became hubs for creativity, support, literacy and learning. 

His work with young people in inner city Manchester won him awards from the Princes’ Trust and the National Literacy Trust and along with Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and David Beckham; Mike became a “Champion Reader” recognized for his work in promoting reading to young people. 

His poetry career began when he started to read his poems to the hundreds of young people he worked with during study sessions. They loved what hey heard and encouraged him to perform at live poetry events and Slams, which he did, instantly winning prizes throughout the UK.

Mike started performing his poems in Prisons, Young Offenders units, Mental Health Hospitals, Children’s Homes and local pubs.  He was passionate about bringing live poetry to places it wouldn’t normally reach, giving people a voice and using poetry to be that voice.

Mikes work focuses on the city and its people, championing the under dog and finding beauty amongst the ugliness and triumph amongst tragedy.  Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays recently described Mike’s poetry as “The best street poetry I’ve ever heard” and iconic designer Peter Saville described Mikes as a “genius”

He was Poet in Residence at Strangeways Prison, and has works closely with Manchester United, the BBC, Nike, the Premier league, Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester Art Gallery and works at literature festivals throughout the world.

Mike’s recent work in 8 prisons in the North East won him The prestigious Novus Award for Alternative Education in 2024 and he continues work in prisons world wide.

His poetry is regularly heard on BBC6 Music, BBC Radio 5 Live, Radio 4, BBC Breakfast, Match of the Day, Sky TV and his work with Manchester United has truly elevated Mike’s poetry to an international audience.

Mike has toured with John Cooper Clarke for 15 years performing in over 1000 venues throughout the UK, US, Canada and Europe.

Mikes recent musical collaborations include working with New Order and performing with Iggy Pop, Patti Smith and the National in New Yorks Carnegie Hall for the Tibet House Charity.  This is where the classical composer Philip Glass first heard Mike and fell in love with his words and invited him to work collaboratively to create some new musical pieces.  The combination of Mike’s poems and Philips music have been a great success with live performances in Europe and The United States.

Mike’s collaboration with composer Joe Duddell has had amazing reviews and has been the highlight of festivals throughout the summer of 2016/17.  His Ode to Tony Wilson, “St. Anthony” was Number one in 3 Official UK Charts in August 2015 and the video was viewed by over a million people in its first month of release.

Mikes four books – Men’s Morning, Mancunian Meander, God is a Manc and Men’s Mourning have become schemes of work in hundreds of British schools, received wide critical acclaim and are regularly read on TV and Radio.

An ex student of the Manchester Metropolitan University receiving a BA (Hons) in Library and Information Studies, Mike still does regular talks to students on this course, the creative writing course and with trainee teachers as well as working with 10,000 young people in schools and colleges across the globe.

Dr. Mike Garry is Associate Fellow and Artist in Residence at the University of Westminster in London where he has taught on Law, Creative writing and Architecture courses.  Thisis where mike finds the most joy in all of his work.  Working with young people to help them recognize their own capabilities was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Manchester Metropolitan University for his is work in 2016.

“I love the poetry of Mike Garry.  It is passionate, powerful and precise but most of all personal” Philip Glass

“Mike Garry walks like a man, talks like a man and writes like a great northern poet.  That’s northern as in centre of the universe and poet as in words that go beyond words.  Read him and leap for joy” Paul Morley

“Mike Garry’s poetry is Brilliant “– Bernard Sumner of Joy Division and New Order

“Mi compadre” John Cooper Clarke