Manx Litfest has received a major funding boost after being awarded a ?5,000 grant from the Manx Heritage Foundation. The inaugural festival takes place in the Isle of Man from September 27-30 this year, drawing authors and poets from around the British Isles. The main Litfest hub will be the Villa Marina Complex, with other events held at venues around the Island. Festival Director John Quirk welcomed the Manx Heritage Foundation grant. He said: ‘It marks our first significant funding towards the cost of staging the festival and gives us a sound platform from which to continue with our fundraising. Our sincere thanks must go to the Heritage Foundation for offering us such fantastic support.’ John added: ‘We’re in the process of incorporating Manx Litfest as a charity and are keen to hear from any company, organisation or individual interested in supporting our efforts, either by providing services and assistance or by sponsoring us financially. ‘We’ve been humbled by the community response so far to the festival. We received an initial start up grant from the Isle of Man Arts Council, which set us on our way. We’ve since had fantastic offers of support from businesses and individuals, including legal advice from Appleby, website design from Isle of Man Advertising & PR and printing of publicity literature from Words & Spaces, while local artist Alison Crellin designed our logo. We’ve still got much work to do, but with the backing we’re receiving, we’re confident of establishing a festival of which the Island can be proud.’ Charles Guard, Administrator for Manx Heritage Foundation, said: ‘The Manx Heritage Foundation is delighted to be given the opportunity to support this festival which we believe will provide an important addition to the cultural life of the Island as well as giving the Island a positive profile throughout Britain and beyond. We very much hope this becomes a regular event in the literary calendar.’ The list of authors and poets appearing at Manx Litfest includes: RJ Ellory – author of nine novels, including A Simple Act of Violence, which was named the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year at the 2010 Harrogate Crime Writing Festival, beating Ian Rankin, Peter James and Mark Billingham. Jeremy Strong – prolific children’s writer, with nearly 30 books to his name – including The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog, Cartoon Kid and My Brother’s Famous Bottom. Jasper Fforde – creator of the Thursday Next detective series, the Nursery Crimes series and, for younger readers, The Last Dragonslayer and sequel The Song of the Quarkbeast. Chris Ewan – author of the Good Thief’s Guide crime novels, featuring burglar/mystery writer Charlie Howard. His first standalone novel, Safe House, will be published in August 2012. Colin Duriez – With 2012 marking the 75th anniversary of The Hobbit, and the release of the first of Peter Jackson’s two Hobbit movies, we’re delighted to have Tolkien scholar Colin on board. Conference Director for the annual Festival in the Shire, he’s also written books on CS Lewis and Harry Potter. Trevor Norton – Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Liverpool and former Director of Port Erin Marine Laboratory, Trevor has authored more than 150 scientific publications and books, including Reflections on a Summer Sea and Smoking Ears and Screaming Teeth, and is an authority on the history of scientific diving. ‘We’re really pleased with the calibre and mix of names we’ve so far lined up to appear at the festival,’ said John. ‘We’re in talks with several other authors and poets from around the British Isles, along with a host of local writers. The aim is to try and cater for as many fans of literature as possible, across genres and age ranges. ‘An element of our research over the last 18 months that has proved incredibly useful is meeting with book/reading groups around the Island. There are many informal groups, who meet in members’ homes or in pubs, and other, more formal clubs that meet at libraries and arts centres. If you are a member of a book club and would like a visit from one of our team, please drop us a line at manxlitfest@gmail.com with dates and venues of your forthcoming meetings.’ Book fans can find out more by visiting www.manxlitfest.com and by following us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/manxlitfest) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/manxlitfest). ENDS