Plans are under way for the Isle of Man's first literary festival.

Local author John Quirk says it's an idea he first thought about several years ago, and it was developed last April after he attended an event at the Erin Arts Centre.

The aim is to bring over a number of well-known authors and a hold a series of workshops, seminars, readings and 'question and answer' sessions.

After canvassing opinion, using social networking sites, John believes there is a good market for such a festival, and several people have already been in touch, wanting to get involved.

He hopes dates for a 2012 festival can be set in the next few weeks: