tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61045556141989123802024-03-13T11:43:19.262-07:00Manx Litfest28 September - 2 October 2016 - the fifth annual Manx Litfest, a coming together of fine literary talent from around the British Isles, all happening on the ludicrously beautiful Isle of Man. Put the dates in your diary.Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-84933781991689823262016-01-14T15:44:00.001-08:002016-01-14T15:44:02.777-08:00Paying what's due, because it's the right thing to do<div class="gmail_default" style="display: inline; font-family: verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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The payment of authors - and not forgetting poets, illustrators and
storytellers - for attending literary festivals is an issue that has
been gathering pace in recent years, and looks like it's about to start
knocking down buildings. In fact, the payment of authors isn't the issue
- it's the non-payment.<br /><br /> </div>
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It hit the headlines today with Philip Pullman's announcement that he
has resigned as patron of Oxford Literary Festival 'because of their
attitude to paying authors'. It seems Oxford doesn't pay its authors (in
monetary terms), but it's not alone there, as Guy Walters attests in
this <a href="https://literaryreview.co.uk/penny-for-your-thoughts" target="_blank">piece</a> about Hay Festival from a few years ago.</div>
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As Pullman told the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jan/14/philip-pullman-resigns-oxford-literary-festival-patron-pay-authors" target="_blank">Guardian</a> today, if festivals are paying everyone else - the marquee suppliers,
the venues, the brochure printers, the caterers etc - then why is it the
author, the very reason for the festival taking place, is expected to
work for nothing?<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5doA0omsD8/Vpgx2oloYuI/AAAAAAAAAk8/lhub3zMRkM0/s1600/Joanne%2BHarris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5doA0omsD8/Vpgx2oloYuI/AAAAAAAAAk8/lhub3zMRkM0/s320/Joanne%2BHarris.jpg" width="211" /></a>It's a view shared by Joanne Harris, who was with us for Manx Litfest 2015 - this is an <a href="http://joannechocolat.tumblr.com/post/112440623146/on-festivals-and-fees" target="_blank">article</a> she wrote in March last year - and Nicola Morgan, who mentioned us in this <a href="https://www.nicolamorgan.com/heartsong-blog/when-book-festivals-pay-and-when-they-dont/" target="_blank">post</a> ahead of her visit to the Island in 2014.</div>
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Oxford's response on its <a href="http://oxfordliteraryfestival.org/news/article/festival-statement-on-philip-pullmans-resignation-as-patron" target="_blank">website</a>
says that, as a charity with no government or public funding, and with
around 500 speakers each year, it wouldn't be able to stage a
festival if it had to pay all of its authors.<br /></div>
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When
we started planning Manx Litfest back in early 2011 (the first festival
was held in September 2012), we made two very deliberate decisions -
first, we established the festival as a charity. The team involved were
not doing it to make money, but for the love of literature - and to
create something very special in the Isle of Man. The second decision
was, well, not even a decision - paying authors just seemed like the
natural thing to do. Why wouldn't we pay them?<br /></div>
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We
also knew that the charity status would stand us in good stead for
applying for funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council and Culture
Vannin, who have both continued to support us each year. We have several
corporate sponsors, including three who support the major events (in
terms of cost/organisation), the family day, the writers' day, and the
schools day. Between them, those five organisations make the festival
possible, but we also need the support of those organisations who
sponsor other individual talks and events.<br /></div>
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I
can see where Oxford is coming from, to a point. It's not easy. The
costs can be crippling, and we've had to learn to box clever, in all
areas. In our first year we found that the rates some authors charge - a
small minority, anyway - was way above what we had planned for, and we
got our fingers burned. But we learned our lesson. Of course, we have
around 13-14 visiting authors each year - much more manageable than a
festival of 500 authors. Indeed, looking at Hay as well, it could be
that it is the larger festivals that don't pay authors. Maybe they don't
have the resources, maybe they feel that their events are so
prestigious compared with the smaller festivals - and they are, to be
fair - that authors will attend because of the size of the crowds, and
the publicity and column inches their events will generate.</div>
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Fundamentally,
however, it still comes back to the main issue - authors are being
asked to work for nothing; and not just for nothing, but for nothing
while the vast majority of suppliers to a festival will be getting their
hard-earned. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f4f7UXVKFtQ/Vpgv5e7qLzI/AAAAAAAAAkw/VCNA_Zd6yt4/s1600/Mark%2BGrist%2Bat%2BCastle%2BRushen%2BHigh%2BSchool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f4f7UXVKFtQ/Vpgv5e7qLzI/AAAAAAAAAkw/VCNA_Zd6yt4/s320/Mark%2BGrist%2Bat%2BCastle%2BRushen%2BHigh%2BSchool.jpg" width="320" /></a>If you're hosting the number of speakers that the bigger festivals do, and having a similar number of events, and enjoying (as I understand it) probably bigger crowds than the smaller festivals, your ticket receipts should be so much higher. Bottom line, between receipts and sponsorship, you have to ensure your income is enough to cover paying everyone, authors included.<br /></div>
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Not paying our visiting authors wasn't something we were prepared to entertain, and the
feedback we have received over the last four
years has been positive. They appreciate the overheads involved,
and that makes them really appreciative of us paying them a fee. It's a
flat daily rate, and it's hardly at the retire-to-the-Bahamas level, but
according to a survey carried out by the Society of Authors last year,
where they asked festivals if they paid their authors, and at what rate,
then the level we are paying is decent (certainly looking at what Nicola Morgan says in her post from last year).<br /></div>
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Some
debut authors approach us and ask to attend, and usually don't expect a
fee - they understand that if you're putting on an event with an
unknown/new author, it can be difficult to make it cost-effective if
you're having to cover an appearance fee, along with the accommodation
and travel expenses we pay (and being on an island, the travel is a much
larger factor than for most festivals). But we always look to pay them
too, even if it's not the full rate. We've even had one or two
well-known authors waive their fee as a contribution to the Litfest
charity, which was a lovely gesture, but certainly not expected.</div>
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All
that said, we know we have one or two issues we want to address. Each
year, several Isle of Man authors are involved with the festival, often
as panelists at the writers' day, or as part of the team we send out
around schools on the Friday. Some might not have have the kind of
readership to warrant a solo event, but they are incredibly keen to
support what we are trying to do, and the festival is much richer
(artistically) for their efforts. So we are looking to attract
additional funding to allow us to pay our local writers a fee too,
because it's the right thing to do. End of story.</div>
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John Quirk, Festival Director </div>
Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-5138301583060719152014-05-17T05:19:00.002-07:002014-05-17T05:19:45.274-07:00The week you've all been waiting for...One of the most exciting aspects about pulling together a literary festival is watching the list of visiting authors and poets grow, that anticipation and then excitement (and relief...) when another name confirms their involvement.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nHwbif38SHA/U3dTDmuKi2I/AAAAAAAAAYs/n4jth0ZK8io/s1600/Oliver+and+the+Seawigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nHwbif38SHA/U3dTDmuKi2I/AAAAAAAAAYs/n4jth0ZK8io/s1600/Oliver+and+the+Seawigs.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a>And that's matched when we get to make those names public - which is what is going to be happening over the next week or so. We've already officially announced <a href="http://www.sallygardner.net/" target="_blank">Sally Gardner</a>, <a href="http://www.philip-reeve.com/" target="_blank">Philip Reeve</a> and <a href="http://www.jabberworks.co.uk/books/" target="_blank">Sarah McIntyre</a>, and from tomorrow, we will be revealing who is joining them for this year's festival, which runs September 24th-28th.<br />
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There are more fantastic names to add to that list, so keep your eyes peeled to the front page of the <a href="http://manxlitfest.com/" target="_blank">website </a>and over at our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Twitter</a> pages.<br />
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On the planning front, this coming Tuesday sees out main scheduling meeting - the schedule is the only thing on the agenda, and we drive ourselves insane with a big print out for each day, and a full rainbow of coloured post-it stickers. Much tea is brewed, and many biscuits devoured, during the course of the night. But at the end, the line up of events should be all done and dusted, barring the odd tweak here and there until the programme goes to print in early to mid-July.<br />
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First up though, it's the announcements that you've all been waiting for. First one tomorrow, Sunday...<br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-2869405705929291882014-05-10T03:30:00.002-07:002014-05-17T05:22:27.746-07:00Behind the scenes in the build-up to Litfest 2014So it's May already, and no, we're not quite sure how that has happened.<br />
Planning in earnest for this year's festival - September 24-28 - got underway in early January, and the last four months have disappeared quicker than a box of chocolates at a Litfest committee meeting.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH1sNrpxvfQ/U23_BdUaOII/AAAAAAAAAYU/aMha1P3KyG0/s1600/sarah-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH1sNrpxvfQ/U23_BdUaOII/AAAAAAAAAYU/aMha1P3KyG0/s1600/sarah-1.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a>In the early months there isn't an awful lot of juicy news to reveal; we're talking with authors, poets and storytellers, visiting potential venues, making general decisions re the daily plan for the festival and so forth.<br />
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We have unveiled a few cracking names on the line-up for this year's festival - <a href="http://www.sallygardner.net/" target="_blank">Sally Gardner</a>, <a href="http://www.philip-reeve.com/" target="_blank">Philip Reeve</a> and <a href="http://www.jabberworks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sarah McIntyre</a> (pictured right!) - but we'll be announcing several more names in the next week or two.<br />
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Indeed, we've now reached that stage of the build-up where we are in a position to crank up the publicity machine and really start building the anticipation for this year's festival.<br />
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The website needs updating and that will happen over the next week or so, we'll be posting our regular snippets on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and we'll be starting to fire out our newsletter again on a regular basis - you can sign up for that on the home page of the website.<br />
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For this year we want to add something else to the mix. Using this blog, we're going to give you a glimpse behind the scenes of what is involved in organising Litfest, with regular updates as to how things are progressing - the pitfalls, the challenges, the successes.<br />
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So buckle up and take that ride with us. September might seem like a long way away to some, but trust us, it's just around the corner. Particularly when you have book elves stealing days by crossing them off the calendar when you're fast asleep.<br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-36173347634118708982013-09-23T15:24:00.003-07:002013-09-24T02:43:00.530-07:00Flights and ferries - more great support from our sponsorsWith just a few days to go, our visiting authors, poets, performers, agent and publisher will be (we hope...) getting a tad excited about their trip across the water to visit us for Manx Litfest 2013.That's right - just a couple more sleeps.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVCSd1wyfQc/UkC8XIjNHCI/AAAAAAAAAUE/qcyF0vDMJcw/s1600/SPC+Colour+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVCSd1wyfQc/UkC8XIjNHCI/AAAAAAAAAUE/qcyF0vDMJcw/s200/SPC+Colour+Logo.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
As we all know, one of the key elements of ensuring any festival of this kind can take place is the support of businesses and organisations, and with travel in mind, the Litfest team would like to thank two of our supporters, who have been a great help this year, just as they were for the inaugural festival in 2012.<br />
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The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and Citywing have both assisted us with travel for a few of guests - author Victoria Lamb is returning to the Island where she lived for 23 years and is driving up from the south of England, with the Steam Packet Company kindly supporting her travel.<br />
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Meanwhile, authors Andrew Taylor and Robert Bullock are flying from Gloucester and Blackpool respectively and we'd like to thank Citywing for supporting their travel.<br />
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Sponsorship comes in many forms, and it's only by the continued support of the community - and business community - that we can continue to leading authors, poets, storytellers, agents and publishers to the Island for Litfest.<br />
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Thank you once again from everyone involved with Litfest to the Steam Packet Company and Citywing.<br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-18185257703804892832013-09-15T10:46:00.002-07:002013-09-15T11:13:47.173-07:00Schedule and programmes - an updateThe schedule for Manx Litfest 2013 has been up on the website for a week or so now, and we'd hoped to be holding printed copies of the programmes before now. Best laid plans and all that.<br />
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We'd hit a few last-minute snags as it was, nothing major, but they needed to be resolved before we could issue the schedule. The delay to announcing the schedule was compounded just as we were about to hit print on the programmes - a rather more serious technical snag, which involved a laptop, open-hard drive surgery and the retrieval of all our artwork and files. It was indeed an anxious 24-36 hours.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1eEOfW1ELU/UjXw8V9eZPI/AAAAAAAAATA/PDkHi0Mf1IY/s1600/Manx+Litfest+-+Friday+at-a-glance+planner.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1eEOfW1ELU/UjXw8V9eZPI/AAAAAAAAATA/PDkHi0Mf1IY/s200/Manx+Litfest+-+Friday+at-a-glance+planner.tif" width="200" /></a><br />
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It's been a frustrating last ten days as we battled to get the schedule and programmes done and dusted, and can only apologise that we've not had the programmes to deliver far and wide around the Island - this year we've had fantastic support from <a href="http://bridson-horrox.com/" target="_blank">Bridson & Horrox</a>, which means we can give them out free, unlike last year when we had to charge a cover price.<br />
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So, from Tuesday, keep an eye out in libraries, bookshops, schools, Government offices, town halls, the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal and the Villa Marina reception - you should be able to get your hands on a copy. We'll also be delivering them to many businesses, although as we'll be doing it in car/on foot, we can't guarantee to hit everyone. If you would like a copy and can't seem to find one, drop us a line at manxlitfest@gmail.com<br />
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In the centre of the programme is an at-a-glance guide to Litfest weekend, which we've produced as individual images - and you can see them in this here post.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BagApqQpjNs/UjXyU9DccjI/AAAAAAAAATU/yu4VzDMC-rk/s1600/Manx+Litfest+-+Sunday+at-a-glance+planner.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BagApqQpjNs/UjXyU9DccjI/AAAAAAAAATU/yu4VzDMC-rk/s200/Manx+Litfest+-+Sunday+at-a-glance+planner.tif" width="200" /></a>We're less than two weeks now until the second Manx Litfest kicks off and ticket sales are going well - tickets for events at the Villa Marina Promenade Suite and The Studio Theatre at Ballakermeen High School are available from the <a href="http://villagaiety.ticketsolve.com/" target="_blank">Villa Gaiety website</a>, by calling the box office on 600555, or in person at the Villa Marina reception and the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.<br />
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Tickets for other events can be bought from Lexicon Bookshop in Douglas, Bridge Bookshop in Port Erin, Celtic Gold in Peel and Shakti Man in Ramsey. Alternatively, you can email bookings@manxlitfest.com<br />
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Many thanks to all our supporters - we hope you enjoy the four days of the festival as much as we are looking forward to it.<br />
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Thanks<br />
The Litfest team<br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-4517082328019122832013-08-29T12:55:00.003-07:002013-08-29T12:55:58.981-07:00Criminally talented author - Andrew TaylorSeveral years back, I spotted a book in the then Ottakar's bookstore in Douglas and thought 'that looks mighty intriguing'. It was an historical novel called <i><a href="http://www.andrew-taylor.co.uk/" target="_blank">The American Boy</a></i>, it was by an author I'd not heard of - <a href="http://www.andrew-taylor.co.uk/" target="_blank">Andrew Taylor</a> - and revolved around the life of a young Edgar Allan Poe. It had a sticker on it saying it was a 'Richard & Judy Book Club choice', so I thought I'd have a dabble.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHEOthbASjs/Uh-lkg82voI/AAAAAAAAARw/48wFshIGR6E/s1600/Andrew+Taylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHEOthbASjs/Uh-lkg82voI/AAAAAAAAARw/48wFshIGR6E/s200/Andrew+Taylor.jpg" width="150" /></a>It was a fantastic read, and I followed that up with <i>Bleeding Heart Square</i>, set in 1930s London, which was arguably even better. When we started thinking about staging a literature festival in the Isle of Man, Andrew was one of those authors I was desperate to have visit the Island. And it didn't take us long to twist his arm - he'll be here at the end of September for Litfest 2013 and he's sure to be one of the festival's major draws.<br />
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Andrew will be holding a writing masterclass workshop on the Friday (September 27), during the day (writers, drop us a line at manxlitfest@gmail.com if you'd like to know more...), and then appearing at Peel Cathedral on the Friday night with author <a href="http://www.barbara-erskine.co.uk/index.htm" target="_blank">Barbara Erskine</a>, where the focus will be on his historical novels.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9qp--vDkEk/Uh-lvLQAIRI/AAAAAAAAAR4/wb9Z-r9fuBI/s1600/Scent+of+Death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9qp--vDkEk/Uh-lvLQAIRI/AAAAAAAAAR4/wb9Z-r9fuBI/s200/Scent+of+Death.jpg" width="130" /></a><br />
The following night, he will be appearing at our crime writers' event (with <a href="http://www.flaviadeluce.com/" target="_blank">Alan Bradley</a>, author of the Flavia de Luce series), which will take place at the Promenade Suite in the Villa Marina.<br />
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Andrew's stock couldn't be much higher right now - fresh off winning his third Crime Writers' Association <a href="http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/2013/historical.html" target="_blank">Historical Dagger Award</a> last month for his latest novel, <i>The Scent of Death</i>, the book has today been announced as one of the six titles selected for the <a href="http://www.crimethrillerawards.com/specsavers-crime-thriller-awards-on-itv3-2013-shortlist-announcement-heralds-the-return-of-the-tv-book-club/" target="_blank">ITV3 Crime Thriller Book Club</a>.<br />
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Tickets will be on sale for Andrew's events very soon (and all other Litfest events, of course). To make sure you don't miss out, visit our <a href="http://manxlitfest.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and sign up to our newsletter, or keep an eye on the site itself or follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.<br />
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Thanks for reading<br />
John Q<br />
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Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-59385414294808140882013-08-12T14:04:00.000-07:002013-08-14T12:17:09.076-07:00The Isle of Man Bank Poetry Trail...As might be expected, it's starting to get a little busy around Litfest HQ. With the festival just over six weeks away, there's more jobs than there are pairs of hands and it's pretty full-on. But there's one task that we don't have to worry about. One that we're more than happy to leave to someone else...<br />
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After the success of last year's collaboration, the Poetry Trail around Douglas is once again being sponsored by the lovely people at Isle of Man Bank (who, let's not forget, are also kindly sponsoring our Schools Day on the Friday of Litfest). In a slight change from last year's set up, the organisers of the trail - the Isle of Man Poetry Society - decided to shake things up a little.<br />
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They ran a competition for poets to submit their work for consideration, with the best 20 poems chosen to be placed in the windows of shops, businesses and organisations around Douglas. A cracking idea we agreed. And so the closing date for entries has passed, and now it's time for the judges to deliberate and make their choices for the poems that will be go around the capital a couple of weeks before Litfest starts, remaining in place for a week once the festival is over.<br />
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The fantastic news is that the competition attracted a whopping <br />
83 entries. Well, fantastic news for the Poetry Trail, the Poetry Society, Isle of Man Bank as sponsors and Manx Litfest. But for the judges now faced with the unenviable task of whittling those 83 down to just 20, well... good luck folks!<br />
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Seriously though, huge thanks to everyone who took the time to submit a piece, to Isle of Man Bank for its much-valued ongoing support, and of course to the judges who are giving their time for what is bound to be an incredibly difficult decision.<br />
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Good luck to all entrants - we'll have news of the chosen poems in due course.<br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-18284341346682657092013-08-09T13:57:00.003-07:002013-08-09T14:11:04.188-07:00If you like a lot of books on your shelves, join our clubA quick post tonight, as the witching hour is approaching and we're busy preparing for tomorrow - day two of the <a href="http://www.royalmanx.com/" target="_blank">Royal Manx Agricultural Show</a> at Knockaloe. We're with our friends from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BridgeBookshop?fref=ts" target="_blank">Bridge Bookshop</a> in Port Erin and have a stall in one of the main marquees, selling books by authors appearing at this year's festival and tickets to a few events.<br />
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The big move today was sending artwork for the first batch of Friends of Manx Litfest membership cards off to our partner printer - <a href="http://bridson-horrox.com/" target="_blank">Bridson & Horrox</a> - and they should be with us next week, to send out to those very kind book-loving souls who have signed up to be our Friends.<br />
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It's a cracking deal - just £15 per person per year, and for that there's a range of benefits, including discounted Litfest tickets, a 10% discount on all purchases at the Bridge Bookshop, an invite to our informal launch event on the evening of Thursday, September 27 (where you get to meet some of the authors) and two free tickets to selected Litfest events.<br />
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If you're interested in signing up, drop us a line at manxlitfest@gmail.com and we'll send you a form. Or, if you're around the Royal Show tomorrow, you can drop by and pick up/complete a form. We'll soon have the form and information about the Friends on our website.<br />
<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-23453999078824063712013-08-06T13:55:00.001-07:002013-08-06T13:55:26.272-07:00A most welcome surprise in the post...There are certain things guaranteed to put a smile on your face first thing in the morning. Opening some mail from the previous day and finding a cheque for £100 made payable to Manx Litfest and an accompanying note saying 'every little helps!' is right up there with the best of them.<br />
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The kind-hearted soul who sent the cheque and note asked to remain anonymous, so we can't divulge any details, but it is a most welcome donation towards the costs of putting on Litfest 2013.<br />
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Fast forward to tonight, and we're looking at the first typed up, day-by-day draft schedule for the festival weekend of September 26-29. Much of it we've already thrashed out with those involved, but there are still several aspects to be finalised and some venue issues to sort out.<br />
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There have been emails today from visiting guests with information about their flights/airports, and so our spreadsheet of authors/poets/performers continues to be filled out as each part of the festival planning slots into place.<br />
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We're also turning our eye to the schools day on the Friday of Litfest (September 27). We have a team of authors and poets ready to go out around schools (25 at last count) to deliver a host of talks, readings and workshops and we're about to launch into the job of marrying the authors and poets up with the schools. Last year most of our team visited three schools each during the day - it will most likely be a similar situation again this year.<br />
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Our other eye is well and truly focused on the <a href="http://www.royalmanx.com/" target="_blank">Royal Manx Agricultural Show</a> at Knockaloe this coming Friday and Saturday (August 9/10). We'll be there with our partner bookseller, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BridgeBookshop?fref=ts" target="_blank">Bridge Bookshop</a> in Port Erin, and as with the Southern Show a couple of weeks ago, we'll have tickets to some events on sale and books by Litfest authors.<br />
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If you're in the west over the weekend, feel free to pop in and talk books. We'll happily indulge you.<br />
<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-29414492367817406482013-08-04T13:35:00.000-07:002013-09-13T06:12:54.976-07:00Lingua Franca joins the Litfest sponsors' team again!<div class="cms-editable" id="about-list">
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Our trip to the north of the Island on Saturday morning was to meet the lovely Franca Fritz, whose translation business <a href="http://www.linguafranca.im/" target="_blank">Lingua Franca</a> sponsored our talk on The Hobbit by <a href="http://colinduriez.macmate.me/inwriting/Home.html" target="_blank">Colin Duriez</a> last year.</div>
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Franca was keen to support us again and we're thrilled to announce that Lingua Franca will this year be sponsoring the talk by historical author <a href="http://www.victorialambbooks.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Lamb</a>, who you may also know under her real name Jane Holland, under which she writes poetry and literary fiction.</div>
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For Victoria (pictured below) it's a return to the place she called home for many years - her mother was the prolific bestselling romance author Sheila Holland, who was best known for writing as Charlotte Lamb. The family lived at Crogga on Old Castletown Road until Sheila passed away in 2000.</div>
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Victoria's most recent novel is Witchfall (published last month), the second in her young adult Tudor series, which picks up the story started in Witchstruck, which earlier this year was named Young Adult Romantic Novel of the Year by the <a href="http://www.rna-uk.org/" target="_blank">Romantic Novelists' Association.</a></div>
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So a huge Litfest thank you to Franca, who, alongside husband Heinrich, has translated well over 200 books - indeed she took a break from meeting a novel translation deadline to discuss Litfest over a brew. Franca has also translated for companies, museums, media outlets and sports organisations, including FIFA, UEFA and America's Cup. Among the long list of novelists she has translated for are Ethan Hawke and Faye Kellerman.</div>
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Be sure to check back here and on our <a href="http://manxlitfest.com/" target="_blank">website</a> for details of Victoria's schedule over Litfest weekend (September 26-29).<br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-67000412610709571722013-08-02T09:46:00.004-07:002013-08-02T09:51:52.073-07:00A peek behind the curtain...As of yesterday, there are just eight weeks to go until Manx Litfest 2013 rumbles into action. We've a rather cool line-up of authors and poets taking part, some visiting from across the waters, and others who live on this fair isle. <br />
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We're conscious that we've not been updating this blog anywhere near as often as we ought to be. Slapped wrists for that. Time is a factor, as is the ease of firing snippets of news and info out via social media. But not everyone bothers with Facebook and Twitter.<br />
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In order to do a Frankenstein and breathe new live into this blog, we'll be updating on a regular basis (daily, where possible) in the run-up to the festival weekend of September 26-29. We'll use this blog to provide an insight into what goes on behind the scenes as the Litfest committee collectively goes grey from stress and nails are bitten down to the quick.<br />
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Today has so far seen a meeting with an IOM-based author regarding potential for launching the print version of his novel during Litfest weekend (it's already out as an e-book), speaking with a potential sponsor (and arranging to meet them tomorrow morning) and developing an idea to give as many Isle of Man authors as possible a platform during this year's festival.<br />
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From here on in the planning does get pretty much full on. Plans have developed at a good pace over the last six months, but this is where the screws start to turn and we're conscious of deadlines looming for specific elements of the festival - programme design and sign-off, finalising travel and accommodation for our visiting writers, devising the questions for our Book Fanatics' Quiz Night, making sure there is enough PG Tips teabags at Litfest HQ (seriously, we ran out the other night. You couldn't make this stuff up).<br />
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Tonight, it's all about emails. Hundreds of the blighters to send. Well, tens at least. Tune in tomorrow for the latest Litfest shenanigans.<br />
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Now, go read a book. Everyone. Yes, that includes you.<br />
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Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-9373940373316922212013-06-15T07:15:00.000-07:002013-06-15T07:15:06.107-07:00Ben Haggarty returns for Manx Litfest 2013!<span class="userContent">As
we've mentioned before, this year's line-up of visiting authors and
poets will see different faces from last year... with one or two
exceptions.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5RDaPe8NuU/Ubx2uyRyI7I/AAAAAAAAAPg/5qNK7HLbteU/s1600/Ben+Haggarty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5RDaPe8NuU/Ubx2uyRyI7I/AAAAAAAAAPg/5qNK7HLbteU/s320/Ben+Haggarty.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="userContent">One of those exceptions is the obscenely talented performan<span class="text_exposed_show">ce
storyteller <a href="http://www.benhaggarty.com/index.html" target="_blank">Ben Haggarty</a>, founder and artistic director of the <a href="http://www.crickcrackclub.com/MAIN/HOME.HTM" target="_blank">Crick Crack Club</a>,
who has confirmed he will be back again to entertain spellbound
audiences this September.</span></span><br />
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Last year Ben performed Fairytales for Grown-ups on the Saturday night
and a family show on the Sunday - The Devil, The Tsar and the Three Dry
Biscuits - and the feedback we received from punters for both
performances was incredible. This year he'll be dazzling us with
different shows, and we'll have full details very soon.<br /> <br /> Ben
will be based at <a href="http://www.ballakermeen.com/studiotheatre/index.html" target="_blank">The Studio Theatre</a> at Ballakermeen High School, again
with a show aimed at older children and adults on the Saturday night,
and one for the family on Sunday afternoon. What's more, he'll be
staging workshops over the weekend for anyone (young and old) interested
in studying the craft of performance storytelling.<br /> <br /> Make sure you book early - Ben really is one name who is not to be missed.</span></span>Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-36406578423059905302013-02-28T10:03:00.002-08:002013-02-28T10:03:55.170-08:00Manx Litfest Reading Club - March focus on Andrew TaylorWith our 2013 festival seven months away, we're in that exciting period where we secure authors/poets/storytellers and announce their participation to our growing pack of eager literary fans.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXM8_F-FkCg/US-bN9aKjII/AAAAAAAAAO0/95-9bKDDyKg/s1600/Andrew+Taylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXM8_F-FkCg/US-bN9aKjII/AAAAAAAAAO0/95-9bKDDyKg/s200/Andrew+Taylor.jpg" width="150" /></a>The first name to be announced, earlier in February, was <a href="http://andrew-taylor.co.uk/" target="_blank">Andrew Taylor</a> - and what better way of kick-starting the Manx Litfest Reading Club in the run-up to September's festival than by choosing Andrew as our reading choice for the month of March.<br />
So, for the next 31 days, indulge yourselves in Andrew's work. No set book - if you're new to his work, then perhaps a standalone or the first in one of his series; if you're a fan, then find one of his books you've not got round to reading.<br />
One thing's for certain - Andrew has a long enough back catalogue to choose from.<br />
His first novel <i>Caroline Minuscule</i>, published in 1982, won the <a href="http://www.thecwa.co.uk/" target="_blank">Crime Writers' Association's</a> John Creasey Memorial Award - and the awards kept on coming.<br />
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He is the only author to have won the CWA's Historical Dagger twice, with <i>The Office of the Dead</i> and <i>The American Boy</i> - the latter, a gothic mystery linked to Edgar Allan Poe's childhood years in England, was a Richard & Judy pick in 2005. Andrew also won the Cartier Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence in crime writing and over the years has been shortlisted for a host of leading awards.<br />
Other landmarks include the <i>Lydmouth</i> series - eight crime novels in total - set in a 1950s fictional town (Lydmouth) on the England/Wales border, and his Roth trilogy, which was adapted for television as <i>Fallen Angel</i> and broadcast on ITV1 in 2007, starring Charles Dance and Emilia Fox.<br />
<span style="color: black;">The chilling <i>Bleeding Heart Square</i> was named winner of Sweden’s Golden Crowbar, the Martin Beck Award 2009, and also shortlisted for the CWA's Historical Dagger.<br />His latest offering, <i>The Scent of Death</i>, has just been published.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">So take your pick - you're spoilt for choice. Feel free to post your thoughts on this blog post or when you see discussions start on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">We'll announce the Reading Club's choice for April in due course...</span><br />
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Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-43913348722580074922012-09-24T13:11:00.000-07:002012-09-24T13:11:04.477-07:00Thursday's sponsors... ManSat & Manx Dyslexia AssociationOne thing we know at Litfest HQ is that without our sponsors and supporters, our inaugural literary gathering - which kicks off this Thursday, September 27 - wouldn't be taking place.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LJ6OFg3kQA/UGC45NPeGPI/AAAAAAAAAFA/z5ETa1CuN6k/s1600/mansat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="84" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LJ6OFg3kQA/UGC45NPeGPI/AAAAAAAAAFA/z5ETa1CuN6k/s200/mansat.jpg" width="200" /></a>On Thursday, we have two events which are sponsored...<br />
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Ulla Corkill's talk 'The Life and Times of Sir Hall Caine' takes place at 12.30pm at Greeba Castle, his home for many years which is still owned by his family. It was a sell-out affair pretty quickly, as there were only 24 seats available, not to mention the fact that Ulla is an authority on Caine and a respected speaker. <br />
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Sponsor for the talk (and light buffet lunch) is <a href="http://www.mansat.com/" target="_blank">ManSat Ltd</a>, the pioneer in the Manx space industry on its creation in 1998, which now works with the Isle of Man Government in preparing orbital filings to the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) for all satellites.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whjgtRbH5_c/UGC90QjjNrI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/vF0lD0q1fg4/s1600/Manx+dyslexia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-whjgtRbH5_c/UGC90QjjNrI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/vF0lD0q1fg4/s1600/Manx+dyslexia.png" /></a>The second sponsored event sees poet Gez Walsh talk about dyslexia in the main marquee within our festival hub in the Villa Marina Gardens. Gez started writing poetry to encourage his dyslexic son to read and he's now one of the UK's leading children's poets, travelling around the UK visiting schools, libraries, festivals and theatres delivering his own unique brand of humour. The talk on Thursday evening - starting at 7.00pm - is aimed at parents of children with dyslexia and is a free event, open to all.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.manxdyslexia.org/" target="_blank">Manx Dyslexia Association</a> is generously sponsoring this event, along with a second talk on Saturday lunchtime (September 29), which will see Gez give a talk/performance for youngsters. That starts at 1.00pm and is another free event.<br />
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Our sincere thanks to ManSat and the MDA for backing our first festival - their support is very much appreciated by everyone involved with Manx Litfest.<br />
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Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-49001767912828268242012-08-31T09:59:00.001-07:002012-08-31T09:59:23.069-07:00Tickets! Schedule! Books! Litfest book bags! Come and see us at The Strand...If you're in or around Douglas tomorrow (Saturday), please feel free to stop by The Strand, where we'll have a stall - in the usual exhibitor spot in front of the escalator.<br />
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The team will be on hand to talk all things Manx Litfest, and we'll have tickets on sale, along with books by some of our Litfest authors. We'll also have the full schedule for you to devour - but if you really can't wait, check it out on our <a href="http://manxlitfest.com/book-tickets/" target="_blank">website</a>. We'll also have the positively cool and funky Litfest bags, ideal for carryng a skutch of books over your shoulder. <br />
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But it's tickets that you book lovers seem most keen on - which is understandable. Some of our events are on sale on the Villa Gaiety <a href="http://www.villagaiety.com/whatson.xml" target="_blank">website</a>, but we'll have tickets to all our events with us at The Strand.<br />
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What's more, we'll be selling raffle tickets tomorrow, with the top prize being a book by every author/poet appearing at Manx Litfest - you might need to check you've got some spare room on your bookshelf for that little lot - and other prizes of tickets to various events.<br />
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Our sincere thanks to John Shakespeare and the team at The Strand for accommodating us tomorrow - come on down, say hello and have a chat. Providing you buy at least one ticket. Okay, that last bit was a joke. You need to buy at least two tickets.<br />
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Enjoy your weekend, folks! Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-16328550265521879512012-08-19T13:32:00.000-07:002012-08-19T13:33:35.263-07:00Name that ale...!We may have mentioned this way back when, but now that the first ever <a href="http://manxlitfest.com/" target="_blank">Manx Litfest</a> is just around the corner (September 27-30) it's time to officially announce it - and give you fine people the chance to win a prize.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu6WAWh2SiM/UDFJ9m8v3vI/AAAAAAAAAEE/S01R32mou_k/s1600/bushys-clips-017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu6WAWh2SiM/UDFJ9m8v3vI/AAAAAAAAAEE/S01R32mou_k/s200/bushys-clips-017.jpg" width="200" /></a>We have teamed up with <a href="http://www.bushys.com/" target="_blank">Bushy's</a> boss Martin Brunnschweiler to create a special ale for Litfest. The only problem is, we don't have a name for it. And that's where you come in.<br />
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This week we're asking our friends and followers to suggest a name for the Litfest ale. This being a literature festival, we're thinking that names that have some kind of literary link or theme might be best. But who's to say what kind of ideas we're going to receive from you lot...<br />
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Suggestions can be made in the comments section below this blog post, by tweeting us over on <a href="https://twitter.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/manxlitfest" target="_blank">Facebook</a> - either post a comment to our FB page, or reply to one of the FB posts about this competition. You can also email your nominated ale names to manxlitfest@gmail.com<br />
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The deadline for suggestions is midnight (IOM time) on Friday, September 24. We'll then gather them all together, pool our collective wisdom (won't take long) and announce the winner a couple of days later. The winner will receive two tickets to the (invite only) official Litfest launch reception at the Villa Marina on Thursday, September 27 (5.30pm-7.30pm) and two tickets to a Litfest event of your choice (subject to availability).<br />
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So, ladies and gents, start your engines... and get those suggestions rolling in!<br />
<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-1342331585879655342012-07-14T02:29:00.000-07:002012-07-14T02:29:36.000-07:00A shout-out on Huffington Post - all is right with the world<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNSC8Fs0EC4/UAE7XQ0aWzI/AAAAAAAAADs/vv0d9Td1Imo/s1600/hilary-robinson-wi-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNSC8Fs0EC4/UAE7XQ0aWzI/AAAAAAAAADs/vv0d9Td1Imo/s200/hilary-robinson-wi-1.jpg" width="150" /></a>We're not ones to name-drop.<br />
Oh, who are we trying to kid. Course we are.<br />
A Google alert pinged into our inbox last night to tell us that we'd had a mention on none other than the Huffington Post.<br />
The shout-out came courtesy of children's author Hilary Robinson, who we're delighted to confirm will be joining us at Manx Litfest in September.<br />
If you have a look on her <a href="http://www.hilaryrobinson.co.uk/" target="_blank">website</a>, you'll see that not only is Hilary a prolific author, she's also a broadcaster, radio producer and feature writer. She's also a patron of the Children's University, which earlier this year opened a branch on the <a href="http://www.iomcu.im/" target="_blank">Isle of Man</a>, and in addition to her events within Litfest, we're in talks to arrange an event with IOMCU.<br />
Anyway, Hilary has put together a fine article for the Huffington Post - <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/hilary-robinson/top-tips-for-writing-and-selling-your-book_b_1639575.html" target="_blank">top tips for writing and selling your book</a> - and gives us a most welcome name drop at the end of the piece, which left us blushing a little.<br />
We'll have details of Hilary's events in due course.<br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-89000389283311572392012-07-12T13:54:00.000-07:002012-07-12T14:05:59.890-07:00Isle of Man authors - your Litfest needs you!If we give the impression of a (cough) well-oiled machine, gliding smoothly along towards the inaugural Manx Litfest in September, you'd be forgiven for not seeing the manic pedalling and twisting of leavers that is going on behind the curtain.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MI7ZVHsu08M/T_83r_Hr09I/AAAAAAAAADg/NhMLkjGXl98/s1600/Ben+Haggarty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MI7ZVHsu08M/T_83r_Hr09I/AAAAAAAAADg/NhMLkjGXl98/s320/Ben+Haggarty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
One of the key elements we're working on now is finalising the schedule. The framework for the weekend is largely in place - so, for example, the official opening reception will take place on the Thurs evening (Sept 27 at the Villa Marina; the talk by <a href="http://www.redhammer.info/clients/martin-bell/" target="_blank">Martin Bell OBE</a>, the man in the white suit, will take place in the Gaiety Theatre on Friday night (Sept 28); the crime writers' panel, featuring <a href="http://www.rjellory.com/" target="_blank">RJ Ellory</a>, <a href="http://www.anncleeves.com/" target="_blank">Ann Cleeves</a> and IOM-based <a href="http://chrisewan.com/" target="_blank">Chris Ewan</a> will be on the Saturday night (Sept 29); the same night as performance storyteller <a href="http://www.benhaggarty.com/index.html" target="_blank">Ben Haggarty </a>(right) will wow crowds at Erin Arts Centre, with <a href="http://www.crickcrackclub.com/CRICRACK/TOURFT.HTM" target="_blank">Fairy Tales for Grown-ups</a>; and Sunday (Sept 30) will see Castle Rushen transformed for our <a href="http://www.manxnationalheritage.im/whats-on/detail/narnia-meets-middle-earth-with-manx-litfest/" target="_blank">Narnia meets Middle-Earth</a> family day.<br />
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That's just a taste of what's in store. What we're busy doing now is completing the schedule in and around the framework of events, and a vital part of this is the involvement of the many Isle of Man-based writers and poets who have been in touch with us over the last year or so. An important aspect of Manx Litfest, particularly when applying to organisations for funding - such as the Manx Heritage Foundation, Manx Lottery Trust and Isle of Man Arts Council, who have all given us significant support - has been the need to provide a platform for local literary talent to showcase their work.<br />
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With that in mind, if you are an IOM-based writer or poet, and haven't been in touch with us yet, please drop us a line and we will do our utmost to include you in the programme (obviously, if 793 previously unknown IOM writers suddenly thrust their arms skyward, we might be in a bit of trouble...)<br />
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Seriously, though, we'd like to hear from you - give us a shout at manxlitfest@gmail.com<br />
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If you have already done so, and haven't been contacted in the last few days, bear with us - there's plenty of you to get through! Of course, if you haven't heard anything by, say, July 20 - feel free to drop us a line and give us a not very subtle nudge... <br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-5171366722423232952012-06-12T11:11:00.000-07:002012-06-12T11:11:49.682-07:00R.J. Ellory drops in on Radio Litopia<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiH349BckAs/T9eFgMt-9eI/AAAAAAAAADE/ykVxkbdJfeg/s1600/RJ+Ellory+2+B&W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiH349BckAs/T9eFgMt-9eI/AAAAAAAAADE/ykVxkbdJfeg/s320/RJ+Ellory+2+B&W.jpg" width="268" /></a>We're not sure we should be posting this. A long, in-depth interview with one of the authors who will be joining us for the inaugural Manx Litfest in September? We just don't want you learning so much about him that there's no need to come and see him during the festival. But, of course, you wouldn't do that, would you...<br />
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So, here's the <a href="http://www.litopia.com/radio/r-j-ellory-a-quiet-belief-in-what-if/" target="_blank">link</a> - you can click on it to listen on your laptop, or download it as an MP3 file. R.J. was our Manx Litfest Reading Club choice for May and promises to be a big draw during litfest. You can check out his books on his <a href="http://www.rjellory.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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If you're a writer not familiar with Radio Litopia, have a look around and visit the <a href="http://www.litopia.com/" target="_blank">Litopia Writers' Colony</a> - a cool place to hang out with other writers (not to mention the odd publisher and agent. Hang on, that doesn't read too well for the publishers and agents, does it...)<br />
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And all this talk of Litopia will segue nicely into tomorrow's Big Announcement about Manx Litfest - but you'll have to wait to find out what that's all about...Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-21991226049044749572012-06-11T13:03:00.000-07:002012-06-11T13:03:43.122-07:00Litfest charity status confirmed!Following on from being incorporated - thanks to the fantastic team at <a href="http://www.applebyglobal.com/locations/isle-of-man.aspx" target="_blank">Appleby Isle of Man</a> for their legal support - we've had confirmation that our request for charitable status has been confirmed by the General Registry in the Isle of Man.<br />
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This means we're now officially a charity - number 1100 - and the bank account is opened with the <a href="http://www.iombank.com/iom/personal-banking.ashx" target="_blank">Isle of Man Bank</a>. Talking of money, we've secured sponsors for a few of the events during Litfest weekend (don't forget - September 27-30 - put those dates in your diary) and we'll start announcing event sponsors soon.<br />
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There are still opportunities for companies, organisations and individuals to support an event - they vary in cost, but we've purposely kept the packages as competitive as possible; plenty of good deals still available. If anyone is interested, please drop us a line at manxlitfest@gmail.com<br />
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Or, if you know someone who you think might be interested in supporting Manx Litfest,.feel free to pass on our details. We won't hold it against you...<br />
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Till next time, happy reading.<br />
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<br />Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-74418562268125568692012-03-31T05:48:00.001-07:002012-03-31T05:51:02.997-07:00Jasper Fforde kicks off the new Manx Litfest Reading Club!<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">What's that you say?A reading club? Featuring authors appearing at Manx Litfest? Why. yes!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">And below is a press release we've just issued on the very subject - but please note, while it's aimed at IOM media, all you followers and fans who aren't based in the Isle of Man are more than welcome to join in the fun:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Manx Litfest is launching a reading club to promote authors who will attend this year’s inaugural festival in September.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Starting in April, the club will focus on one author each month with the aim of encouraging as many people as possible to read a book by that particular writer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It will be a ‘virtual’ group – there will be no meetings, but everyone is encouraged to get involved with discussions about the author on Manx Litfest’s blog, Facebook page and on Twitter, and it’s hoped that existing book clubs will want to get involved by reading and discussing the authors as part of their normal programme.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Festival Director John Quirk explained: ‘There are lots of book clubs around the Island. Some are organised by libraries or as part of a larger organisations, such as the WI, and some are just groups of friends who happen to be mad about books and who meet at each other’s houses – or in their local pub, as is often the case!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">‘The Manx Litfest reading club will act as a complement to these already existing clubs. We don’t want to replace any groups or draw members away from their clubs, but if they want to read our Litfest authors too, they can join in. Or, as one or two groups have already indicated, they are tweaking their reading list to incorporate our monthly choices.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3o51NQ15HA/T3b8GPFKgQI/AAAAAAAAACw/nYjW6QCkmr0/s1600/Jasper_Fforde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3o51NQ15HA/T3b8GPFKgQI/AAAAAAAAACw/nYjW6QCkmr0/s320/Jasper_Fforde.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">‘And it’s not a set book each month – you can read any title by the author we’re focusing on, with the goal of discussing their writing in general, not just one particular book. Ultimately, we just want to encourage reading and ensure that when our authors arrive for Manx Litfest, there is an appreciative, well-read audience in place.’</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The first author to go under the microscope is Jasper Fforde, author of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thursday Next</i> series and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nursery Crime</i> series, as well as the young adult book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Last Dragonslayer</i>, and its sequel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Song of the Quarkbeast</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">‘People keep asking me what genre Jasper writes in, or how I would classify his writing,’ said John. ‘And to be honest, I still don’t know what the best reply is. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thursday Next</i> series is a mix of humour, fantasy, alternate history and sees Thursday, a “literary detective” based in Swindon, investigating crime in a world where the line between fact and fiction becomes increasingly thin, with characters able to jump in and out of books.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0u3kKOrlHk/T3b8lDT9B7I/AAAAAAAAAC4/q0f8P9PVJhQ/s1600/Jasper+Fforde+The+Big+Over+Easy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0u3kKOrlHk/T3b8lDT9B7I/AAAAAAAAAC4/q0f8P9PVJhQ/s200/Jasper+Fforde+The+Big+Over+Easy.jpg" width="150" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">‘For my part, I’m currently reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Big Over Easy</i>, the first of the Nursery Crime novels. It’s based in the same alternate world as Thursday Next and features Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and his sidekick Mary Mary investigating the grizzly demise of a certain Humpty Dumpty. Jasper is an ingenious writer – these books might sound like they are aimed at children, but they are bona fide crime novels, albeit not what you’d normally expect from a crime novel.’</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">The author focus during May will be on acclaimed crime writer RJ Ellory, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Quiet Belief in Angels, The Saints of New York, Candlemoth </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simple Act of Violence</i>, which was named the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year at the 2010 Harrogate Crime Writing Festival, beating Ian Rankin, Peter James and Mark Billingham.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Manx Litfest will run from Thursday, September 27 to Sunday, September 30 this year. It will feature visiting authors and poets alongside Isle of Man-based writers in a colourful celebration of storytelling.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Among the other names appearing at the festival are Martin Bell MBE, former BBC war correspondent and one-time MP for Tatton, along with Ann Cleeves, Chris Ewan, Jeremy Strong, Elizabeth Buchan, Neil Ansell, Thommie Gillow, Michael Curtis, Tom Palmer and Hilary Robinson.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The main Litfest hub will be the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre complex, with other events held at venues around the Island, including Castle Rushen, Erin Arts Centre and the Manx Museum.</span> Manx Litfest is being supported by the Manx Heritage Foundation and the Isle of Man Arts Council, and is grateful to the support of a host of companies and individuals, including Isle of Man Advertising & PR, Appleby Isle of Man, Words & Spaces, Assist Consultancy, Signrite and local artist Ali Crellin.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Book fans can find out more about the festival plans by visiting <a href="http://www.manxlitfest.com/">www.manxlitfest.com</a> and by following on Twitter (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/manxlitfest">www.twitter.com/manxlitfest</a>) and Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/manxlitfest">www.facebook.com/manxlitfest</a>).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div>Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-90970274919886740002012-02-21T13:37:00.000-08:002012-02-21T13:37:54.564-08:00A quick word about Sir Hall Caine...One of the key reasons for staging Manx Litfest is to provide a platform for 'Manx' writers (and by that we mean Manx-born or Isle of Man-based), both past and present.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qM6Ch6hIEnA/T0QM61nGH0I/AAAAAAAAACc/bc_fYFw5OIw/s1600/caine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qM6Ch6hIEnA/T0QM61nGH0I/AAAAAAAAACc/bc_fYFw5OIw/s200/caine.jpg" width="139" /></a>Arguably the most famous Manx writer - although he was actually born in Runcorn, Cheshire - was <a href="http://www.hallcaine.com/hctoc.htm" target="_blank">Sir Hall Caine</a>, who in his pomp during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was one of the biggest-selling authors around, and that includes Dickens, Stoker (a great friend of Caine, who dedicated Dracula to him) and Hardy. Caine was a member of the Manx Government for a time, had an airport in the Island named after him, and Alfred Hitchcock's final silent film, The Manxman, was based on one of Caine's novels.It's strange then, that today Caine is largely unknown outside of the Island, most of his books out of print or difficult to source.<br />
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If there's one place in the Isle of Man with which Caine is synonymous, it's <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Greeba+Castle&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=U2I&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&prmd=imvnso&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=hwxET5LZDovB8QPtiO2GCA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CA4Q_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=637" target="_blank">Greeba Castle</a>, which Caine bought in 1896 and fixed up, living there until his death in 1931.We'll be featuring Caine, and a host of other Isle of Man writers, on our website in the run up to the festival, so we won't go into too much background about him here.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iQNjxXahzI/T0QOEaVGDhI/AAAAAAAAACk/xd8lAUykmYQ/s1600/Greeba+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iQNjxXahzI/T0QOEaVGDhI/AAAAAAAAACk/xd8lAUykmYQ/s320/Greeba+Castle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>What we can reveal is that, working with Caine's great granddaughter who still owns Greeba Castle (picture courtesy of Peter Killey at <a href="http://manxscenes.com/">manxscenes.com</a>), we're looking to use the castle during Manx Litfest as a venue for a talk (hopefully two...) on Caine. These will be limited ticket events (it might have the word 'castle' in its name, but there are no huge rooms to seat hundreds) so keep an eye out on our website, on this blog, on Facebook and in the media for announcements about when dates and times are firmed up and tickets go on sale.<br />
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Thanks for reading.Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-45613716202290595012012-01-24T15:33:00.000-08:002012-01-24T15:33:05.357-08:00Funding boost from Manx Heritage FoundationWe've been away from the blog for a little while, frantically working our fingers to the bone behind the scenes, sending emails, making phone calls, biting nails and brewing cuppas.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoSyOBpiWQQ/Tx8_nsRL8qI/AAAAAAAAACI/yattTM-C_QA/s1600/MHF+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoSyOBpiWQQ/Tx8_nsRL8qI/AAAAAAAAACI/yattTM-C_QA/s1600/MHF+logo.png" /></a>One major snippet of recent news we've neglected to post about is our first piece in the funding jigsaw falling into place for this September's inaugural festival. It comes courtesy of the <a href="http://www.manxheritage.org/" target="_blank">Manx Heritage Foundation</a>, which has very kindly awarded us a £5,000 grant. The Foundation looks to support and promote all aspects of Manx culture on the Island and does a fine job.<br />
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Here's a link to a piece about the grant on the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-16614249" target="_blank">BBC site</a>. There's still a long way to go, but we're expecting further funding news over the next few weeks from various trusts we've applied to - fingers crossed.<br />
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Although the blog has been a touch quiet these last couple of months, you'll see quite a change over the coming weeks, as different aspects of the festival start to come together, including the schedule for the weekend.<br />
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Back soon...Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-2383731266653792292011-11-25T13:32:00.000-08:002011-11-25T13:32:15.212-08:00Calling all Tolkien fans...As any serious fan of JRR Tolkien will know, next year marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of <i>The Hobbit</i> - not to mention that the end of the year will see the release of the first part of The Hobbit movie.<br />
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So what would any self-respecting litfest do to celebrate such an occasion? Why, sign up a respected Tolkien scholar, of course.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHQC88LfDEI/TtAJHLlqsvI/AAAAAAAAABw/tmMQ6hQz2uk/s1600/Tolkien+handbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHQC88LfDEI/TtAJHLlqsvI/AAAAAAAAABw/tmMQ6hQz2uk/s1600/Tolkien+handbook.jpg" /></a>So we're just a little bit delighted to announce that <a href="http://web.mac.com/colinduriez/inwriting/J.R.R._Tolkien.html">Colin Duriez</a>, Tolkien biographer and walking Middle Earth encyclopedia, has agreed to attend our inaugural litfest in September next year. Colin has a new biography of Tolkien out late next year (yes, fingers are crossed that it will be available in time for the litfest) and this follows previous books <i>The Tolkien Handbook</i> and <i>Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings - A Guide to Middle Earth</i>.<br />
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Colin also serves as conference director for <a href="http://www.festivalintheshire.com/index.html">Festival in the Shire</a>, a celebration of all things Tolkien held each year at Pafiliwn Bont in Wales, and was one of the commentators used by Peter Jackson for the extended DVD versions of his <i>Lord of the Rings</i> movies.<br />
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What's more, Colin's expertise doesn't just run as far as Tolkien - he's also written several books about Narnia creator CS Lewis, including a book charting Lewis and Tolkien's close friendship. And for fans of Hogwarts, he's also the author of <i>The Unauthorised Harry Potter Companion</i>.<br />
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So, welcome onboard, Colin - we're looking forward to welcoming you to the Isle of Man next September. Oh, and please try to think on and bring some fine weather with you...Manx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104555614198912380.post-90610400345774753482011-10-20T13:04:00.000-07:002011-10-20T14:41:36.019-07:00The publicity bubblePublicity generated by the media - including all this social media of blogs, Facebook and Twitter etc - can be somewhat misleading. When you're organising an event, large or small, you do what you can to get the word out there; it appears in the newspapers and on the radio, you tweet and facebook about it. People follow you, or like you, and support what you're doing by making comments and, hopefully, spreading the word.<br />
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News about Manx Litfest has, over the last year or so, appeared in the Manx Independent and Courier a few times, been in Manx Tails a couple of times, the BBC Isle of Man website, featured on Manx Radio on more than just a few occasions; we've built up 218 or so followers on Facebook, and 330-odd on Twitter. We've been out and met with a few book groups, touched base with organisations such as the WI, spoken with various sponsors and venues, including Manx National Heritage re all its various sites. And we've been spreading the news by word-of-mouth with just about everyone we meet.<br />
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And when you talk on Facebook and Twitter to followers, within the bubble of publicity we've created, it's easy to think that everyone knows what we're up to. Let's face it - you'd think that, on an island of, what, 90,000 people (give or take), it wouldn't be too hard for word to spread like the proverbial wildfire.<br />
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But it ain't that easy. Sure, there's plenty of folk who know what we're trying to achieve. But when I'm out and about meeting people, I mention Manx Litfest and more times than I'd like the response is a blank expression, a shake of the head, and the words: 'Nope. Don't know anything about it...'<br />
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It can be rather disheartening. It's clear there's still a stack-load of publicity to still to do. There are parts of the Isle of Man we need to reach - and not forgetting further afield around the British Isles. Clearly, a literary festival isn't for everyone. There are people, so rumour has it, who don't read books. I know. I can't believe it either. But there are many who do. And we want to reach them.<br />
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So, a plea to everyone reading this - if you could, tell just one person, each day, and help spread the word. If you're part of a group - be it sports, arts, a charity, a social club - tell those involved. In the next few weeks, you'll start to see posters and flyers about Manx Litfest appearing in book stores and libraries etc. If you see a flyer, take one - if you already have one, pick up another and pass it to someone you know who loves books. If you have somewhere in your office/shop/club where you could put up a poster or two, drop us an email - manxlitfest(at)gmail.com and we'll pop a few posters in the post to you. Same thing if you have somewhere to store a stack of flyers.<br />
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It's all about reaching the readers. There are plenty of you out there. So let's hook up.<br />
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Cheers<br />
JohnQManx Literary Festivalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672444587451212684noreply@blogger.com0