The line-up of visiting authors for the fourth Manx Litfest, which runs between September 22 and 27, has been revealed.
The line-up of visiting authors for the fourth Manx Litfest, which runs between September 22 and 27, has been revealed.
The festival will see 12 authors and illustrators, such as Labour MP Alan Johnson, Joanne Harris MBE and Matthew Kneale, author of Booker-shortlisted English Passengers, take part in events at a range of venues across the island.
Festival director John Quirk said: ‘We think this is our most diverse festival yet, in terms of the range of genres and events.
‘We’ve got Alan Johnson at the Gaiety, Joanne Harris speaking about her latest book The Gospel of Loki, a Famous Five and Secret Seven-inspired family day at Mooragh Park and a “whisky v gin showdown” with author Ian Buxton.
‘We are also thrilled to welcome Matthew Kneale back to the island, the son of the late Nigel Kneale, whose most famous creation was the 1950s TV science fiction series, The Quatermass Experiment.’
The festival will also include Isle of Man writers and poets who will take part in National Story Day around Manx schools and writers’ day at King William’s College.
‘As a charity, we are indebted to our sponsors and supporters, such as Sure, Isle of Man Bank, Pokerstars, the Isle of Man Arts Council and Culture Vannin, who are longstanding suporters of what we’re trying to do,’ John said.
Books by visiting authors and Isle of Man writers are available from the festival’s partner bookseller, the Bridge Bookshop in Port Erin.
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MEET THE AUTHORS
Joanne Harris MBE – author of 17 novels, including Chocolat. The movie adaptation, starring Johnny Depp, was nominated for five Oscars and eight BAFTAs. Her latest novel is The Gospel of Loki.
Alan Johnson MP - former Home Secretary and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer has written two memoirs – This Boy and Please, Mister Postman. This Boy won the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize and the Orwell Prize, Britain’s top political writing award.
Darren Shan – prolific author of horror novels, mainly aimed at young adults. His series include The Saga of Darren Shan and his latest, Zom-B.
Brian Clegg – science writer, whose books include Build Your Own Time Machine and A Brief History of Infinity. Brian is a regular contributor to radio and TV programmes, and publications including the Wall Street Journal.
Matthew Kneale – author of English Passengers, which won the Whitbread Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Jason Lewis – adventurer, explorer, sustainability campaigner, author - Jason specialises in human-powered expeditions and is recognised by Guinness World Records as the first person to circumnavigate the Earth without using motors or sails.
Martin Impey – an illustrator, whose previous books have included War Horse (with Michael Morpurgo), Martin has teamed up with author Hilary Robinson for a series of children’s books about World War I.
Viviane Schwarz – children’s author and illustrator, whose books include Welcome to Your Awesome Robot and Shark and Lobster’s Amazing Undersea Adventure.
Ian Buxton – an authority on whisky and gin, his books include 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die and 101 Gins to Try Before You Die. In 1991, Ian was elected a Keeper of the Quaich, the highest honour of the Scotch Whisky industry.
Andy Miller – author of The Year of Reading Dangerously: How Fifty Great Books Saved My Life; an account of a reading odyssey that transformed his life.
Katherine Woodfine – Katherine’s debut novel The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow was published in June and named Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month.
Jamie Mollart – author of debut novel The Zoo, the story of a successful advertising director whose life disintegrates around him.