It’s About to Get Lit

The countdown to Manx Litfest 2023 is well and truly underway, with less than three weeks to go before the 10th annual festival, starting on Tuesday September 26.

The six-day event will take place at various venues all around the island, and will see visiting and local authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers entertain audiences with the return of much loved events such as the Book Fanatics’ Quiz Night and Writers’ Day, while also introducing new events and visitors to the island.

There is plenty for younger readers, with numerous school visits once again included in the schedule, alongside events at the Family Library with children’s authors and illustrators.

Festival Director, Helen Jessopp said: ‘The aim of Manx Litfest is always to give the Manx public the opportunity to discover, enjoy and explore as many different forms of the written and spoken word as possible, and this year we have a wonderfully varied line up of fiction and non-fiction writers, an illustrator, a poet and a storyteller.

‘As a small island we are overflowing with incredibly creative people, and we hope that the mixture of workshops, masterclasses and performance opportunities will give locals a chance to develop and showcase their talents to a wider audience, while also giving people of all ages the opportunity to meet with, hear from and be entertained by people currently working in the literary industry.’

For more details about the 2023 line-up visit www.manxlitfest.com or follow it on facebook. Tickets can be purchased from www.ticketsource.co.uk/manxlitfest

The Authors

Returning for the fourth time to Manx Litfest is storyteller Ben Haggarty, who previously wowed audiences in 2018 with his one-man retelling of Frankenstein. Ben Haggarty is a world-renowned and multi-award-winning contemporary storyteller, who creates and performs tales inspired by fairy-tale, myth and epic. Ben will be performing his one-man show, “Greek Myths Unleashed” on the evening of Friday 29th September at Peel Centenary Centre, as well as running a storytelling workshop on the Saturday.

Sophie Hannah is a bestselling and multi award-winning writer and poet. Her crime fiction has been published in forty-nine languages and fifty-one territories, and her books have sold millions of copies worldwide. Her poetry is studied at GCSE, A-Level and Degree level throughout the UK. Among her many other projects, Sophie writes Poirot novels with the blessing of the Agatha Christie estate, and her fifth Poirot novel will be published this autumn. Sophie can no longer appear in person at Manx Litfest, due to family circumstances, however she will be delivering her masterclass on Friday morning as an online event, entitled, “Dream Author: How To Think And What To Do To Make Your Writing Dreams Come True.”

Fiona Laing – author of three books: The Gin Clan, the comprehensive guide to Scottish gins; Gins of the North-West and Yorkshire’s Gins. Fiona’s event will be held on Wednesday 27th September, at the Fyn Bar in Ramsey, and will include a gin and tonic, and samples, provided by the Fynoderee Distillery.

Clara Vulliamy – has written and illustrated numerous books for children, including several in collaboration with her mother, the author and illustrator Shirley Hughes. Clara will be at the Family Library on the Saturday of Litfest, talking and drawing all things “The Dog Squad.” This will be a free event, with no need to book.

Jenny Løvlie – is a Cardiff-based illustrator who grew up in Northern Norway. Her many children’s books include A Dress with Pockets by Lily Murray and Princesses Break Free by Timothy Knapman. Jenny will also be running achildren’s event at the Family Library on Saturday 30th September. This will be a free event, with no need to book.

Jay Hulme – is an award-winning transgender performance poet, speaker and educator. Jay will be visiting schools as part of our Schools’ Day, hosting our new style poetry competition on the Saturday evening at Noa Markethall, running a poetry workshop on the Sunday at Windsor Coffee Co, and hosting his own event that evening at Noa Bakehouse.

Elise Downing – In 2015, when she was just 23 years old, Elise announced that she was going to attempt to run 5000 miles around the coast of Great Britain, carrying her kit on her back – which came as quite a surprise to everyone, including herself! Elise’s first book, Coasting – described in a review by Travel Writing World as “an inspiration” – is her account of the highs and lows of this amazing achievement. Elise’s event will take place on Sunday 1st October at Noa Bakehouse.

Hayley Steed – is a Senior Literary Agent at Janklow and Nesbit, one of the world’s leading literary agencies. Hayley will be giving a talk at Writers’ Day, as well as conducting one-to-one Agent Pitch Slots, giving local writers feedback on their work, with the possibility of finding representation.

Writers’ Day is an incredible opportunity for writers of all levels to learn more about the writing craft, meet and talk to fellow writers, and make invaluable contacts within the industry. It takes place on Saturday, September 30th, and will include talks, workshops and Q&A sessions. Lunch is included.