Preparations are in full swing for Manx Litfest 2014 which will take place from Wednesday, September 24th to Sunday, September 28th.
The literature festival, now in its third year, enjoyed another successful event in 2013 and this year’s gathering of authors, poets and storytellers will serve up a variety of events for readers and writers, young and old.
One of the focal points of the weekend is the schools day, dubbed ‘National Story Day’, to be held on Friday, September 26th.
‘The schools day creates such a fantastic buzz each year, not just among the children, but the teachers, the Litfest team and the authors and poets taking part,’ said Festival Director John Quirk. ‘Last year we had a team of 12 authors and poets out around more than 20 schools and the feedback we received from children, parents and the schools was really pleasing.
‘We’re delighted that Isle of Man Bank has again agreed to sponsor the schools day, which is such vital support, as it allows us to deliver the day free to schools and help inspire children of all ages to read more and write more. As it has done for the last two years, Isle of Man Bank will also sponsor the poetry trail around Douglas, organised by the Isle of Man Poetry Society.’
John Lindon, Head of Community Investment for RBS International, said: ‘The schools day involving a host of authors and poets is a really creative way to focus children on the importance of reading and writing. We are pleased to sponsor both the National Story Day and Poetry Trail, adding value to the Island of Culture 2014 programme, and engaging young people in arts and culture.’
One of the headline names to confirm for this year’s festival is award-winning novelist Sally Gardner, who has sold more than two million books in the UK alone, with her work translated into 22 languages. Her novel Maggot Moon won both the Costa Children's Book Prize and the Carnegie Medal for 2013, having previously won the 2005 Nestle Children’s Book Prize for her debut novel, I, Coriander.
Sally’s other books include The Double Shadow, longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2013, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, set during the French Revolution, the Wings & Co Fairy Detective Agency Series – hailed as ‘Agatha Christie for kids’ – and her most recent, the modern gothic tale, Tinder.
John Quirk added: ‘We’re thrilled to have Sally on board for this year. She’s a huge name, and provides a real kick-start to our plans. We’re right in the thick of the action at the moment, speaking with authors and poets as we look to confirm our line-up over the next month or so, with visiting writers and storytellers lining up alongside their peers from the Isle of Man. We’ll be announcing further names over the coming weeks on our website - www.manxlitfest.com - via our newsletter and on social media.
‘We’re particularly excited about playing a part in the Island of Culture 2014 celebrations, and we are working on a few special projects which we hope will help enhance the Island’s literary reputation, and also create a legacy for young writers.’
A register charity (number 1100), Manx Litfest has received significant funding from Isle of Man Arts Council and Culture Vannin, alongside a number of corporate and individual sponsors.
This year’s festival will again feature a writers’ day, with a series of talks, workshops and pitch sessions largely aimed at unpublished writers in the Island, and this year’s family day - following on from Winnie the Pooh last year - will be based around the works of the wonderful Roald Dahl.
The Litfest team and the festival’s partner bookseller, the Bridge Bookshop in Port Erin, will be promoting this year’s event at Tynwald Day, the Southern Show, the Royal Show and the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival, which takes place the weekend before Litfest.
‘We have a fantastic team of volunteers, who help out in the run up to the festival and during Litfest weekend,’ John said. ‘But we’re keen to grow that team and would love to hear from any other book addicts who want to get involved. Even if you can assist by distributing a few programmes and posters around your neighbourhood, it all helps us spread the word. If you’d like to give us a hand, drop us a line at manxlitfest@gmail.com and join the team.’
Litfest fans can keep up-to-date on developments by visiting the website and signing up to the email newsletter, or following on Twitter (www.twitter.com/manxlitfest) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/manxlitfest).
Photo - Festival Director John Quirk and daughter Gypsy-Mae meet children’s author Holly Webb at a Manx Litfest 2013 event at the Family Library (picture by Steve Babb).
