Award-winning crime author Alan Bradley has been announced as the first ever patron of Manx Litfest.
Originally from Canada, Alan moved to the Island several years ago and lives in Peel. His acclaimed series of 1950s-set novels featuring young sleuth Flavia de Luce are published in 39 countries and 37 languages and regularly appear at the top of the New York Times bestseller list, while the series was optioned for television in 2012 by Sam Mendes, Academy Award® winning director of American Beauty, and the James Bond films Spectre and Skyfall.
The fifth Manx Litfest takes place from Tuesday, September 27 until Sunday, October 2 at venues around the Isle of Man and Festival Director John Quirk says the team is thrilled to have Alan agree to be Patron.
‘Alan has been a great supporter of the festival over the years, and featured with fellow crime writer Andrew Taylor back in 2013,’ said John. ‘We are honoured to have Alan’s name and exceptional reputation associated with Manx Litfest.
‘Yet the exciting news doesn’t stop there. The new Flavia de Luce mystery - the eighth - is Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d, and Alan has agreed to launch the book at this year’s festival.’
Alan said: ‘I’m honoured and excited to be part of Manx Litfest. Powerful support of young and upcoming writers is becoming ever more important, and Litfest has gained an enviable reputation in that regard.’
The launch of Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d is at 11.30am on the final day of the festival - Sunday, October 2 - at the House of Manannan in Peel.
It’s a free event, but fans of Flavia are asked to reserve a space by emailing bookings@manxlitfest.com or calling 341823.
John added: ‘Alan is both a fine person and a fine writer, and from the start he understood what we were trying to achieve when we launched Manx Litfest in 2011, ahead of our first festival in 2012. He has supported us - sometimes behind the scenes - over the years and we were delighted when he accepted our approach to become Patron.
‘Having the new Flavia mystery launch at this year’s festival is a real honour for us, and our thanks go to Bridge Bookshop in Port Erin – our long-time partner bookseller – for offering to sponsor the launch of Alan’s new novel.’
For further information on Alan and his books, visit www.alanbradleyauthor.com
Manx Litfest 2016 again sees a number of authors, poets and illustrators visiting the Isle of Man from around the British Isles, including Queen of Crime Martina Cole, author Sally Gardner, poet Hollie McNish, and author/illustrator Debi Gliori. For further information about the festival, visit www.manxlitfest.com where the full schedule can be downloaded.
Manx Litfest is a registered charity (#1100) and receives financial assistance from Isle of Man Arts Council and Culture Vannin, along with several corporate sponsors and private individuals.
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