Manx Litfest is delighted to announce that former BBC war correspondent and one-time Member of Parliament, Martin Bell OBE, will attend this year’s inaugural festival in September.
 
One of the best-known names in British journalism, Martin covered assignments in more than 100 countries and reported from 18 war zones, including the Arab Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973, Vietnam, Nigeria, Angola, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua, El Salvador, The Gulf, Croatia and Bosnia, where millions of viewers watched as he was nearly killed by shrapnel.
 
In 1997, Martin, who became known for his penchant for wearing white suits, challenged ‘cash for questions’ MP Neil Hamilton in the Tatton by-election. He reversed a Conservative majority of 22,000 to become the first independent candidate to be elected to Parliament since 1950 and, true to his word, stood down after one term in office. In 2001 he was appointed by UNICEF to be their Special Representative for Humanitarian Emergencies. Today, Martin continues to act as an ambassador for UNICEF.
 
Twice named the Royal Television Society’s ‘Reporter of the Year’, Martin, 73, is the author of five books – In Harm’s Way (an account of his time reporting the war in Bosnia), An Accidental MP, Through Gates of Fire: A Journey into World Disorder, The Truth That Sticks: New Labour's Breach of Trust and A Very British Revolution: The Expenses Scandal and How to Save Our Democracy. Martin’s first collection of poems – For Whom the Bell Tolls – was published by Icon in October last year, and next month Icon is republishing In Harm’s Way, for which Martin has written a 5,000-word introduction, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Bosnian war.
 
'The Isle of Man is one of my favourite places and I am delighted to be attending the first Manx Litfest,’ said Martin.
 
Manx Litfest, which is being registered as a charity, 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 and Gaiety Theatre complex, with other events held at venues around the Island.
 
Festival Director John Quirk said: ‘We’re thrilled to have Martin joining us for the full weekend. He’s been one of the most respected names in British journalism over the last fifty years and we’ve lined up an event at the Gaiety Theatre, when he will entertain the Manx public with tales from his adventures and talk about his books.
 
‘In addition, Martin has kindly offered to stage a free talk as a thank you to the people of the Isle of Man for the money donated to UNICEF through the Government’s Overseas Aid Committee. This will be a presentation, including DVD footage, of the work he does with UNICEF. Indeed, Martin has also offered to donate his fee for the Gaiety event to UNICEF.’
 
Martin is just one of several authors who have recently signed up to attend Manx Litfest:
 
Ann Cleeves is a crime author, whose series of books about DI Vera Stanhope are the basis for the ITV drama, Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn in the lead role. Ann has also written a quartet of novels based in the Shetland Islands, the first of which, Raven Black, was the first winner of the Crime Writers’ Association’s prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award, the largest monetary award (?20,000) in the world for crime fiction.
 
Elizabeth Buchan is the author of sixteen books, including Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman, The Good Wife Strikes Back, Separate Beds and Wives Behaving Badly. She reviews for the Sunday Times, has chaired the Betty Trask and Desmond Elliot literary prizes, and been a judge for the Whitbread (now Costa) awards. Elizabeth is patron of the Guildford Book Festival and a past Chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
 
Neil Ansell is the author of the acclaimed Deep Country, the story of his five years living alone in a remote cottage in the Welsh countryside, with no gas, electricity or water. His first book, it was serialised recently on Radio 4. Neil has travelled in more than fifty countries and has written for the Guardian, the New Statesman and the Big Issue. Since returning to civilization, Neil has worked as a BBC journalist focusing on investigations, specialising in undercover work, secret filming and surveillance.
 
John added: ‘It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to attract high-calibre authors like Ann, Elizabeth and Neil, who will join other prominent names such as RJ Ellory, Jasper Fforde, Jeremy Strong and Chris Ewan. It’s all coming together for what promises to be a fantastic weekend.’
 
Manx Litfest has received financial assistance from Manx Heritage Foundation and the Isle of Man Arts Council, and is grateful to the support of companies and individuals, including Appleby, Isle of Man Advertising & PR, Words & Spaces and local artist/designer Ali Crellin.
 
Book fans can find out more about the festival plans by visiting www.manxlitfest.com and by following on Twitter (www.twitter.com/manxlitfest) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/manxlitfest).
 
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