Manx Litfest's main event for writers is back! There's something for everyone, no matter what stage your writing is at, including talks, workshops, Q&As and masterclasses from visiting and local authors. Among those taking part this year are non-fiction authors Elise Downing and Fiona Lang, novelist Rona Halsall, poet Stacey Astill and - in a first for Writers' Day - a Q&A focussed on writing and illustrating children's books, with Clara Vulliamy and Jenny Løvlie.
One-to-on pitch slots with literary agent Hayley Steed, from the Madeleine Milburn Agency, will also be on offer. These will be running throughout the day, during which writers will be able to meet Hayley for feedback on their manuscripts. If you have a submission-ready manuscript and wish to apply for a slot, please contact manxlitfest@gmail.com. Agent pitch-slots are always highly sought after, and there are only 10 available this year, so please get in touch as soon as possible.
Writers’ Day gets underway with tea/coffee and registration at 9am, and concludes at 4pm. Tea, coffee and a buffet lunch are included in the price.
Tickets for Writers' Day (£30) www.ticketsource.co.uk/manxlitfest
Tickets for Agent Pitch Slot (£25) contact manxlitfest@gmail.com
We are thrilled to announce that genius-storyteller Ben Haggarty will be with us on the Saturday, as well, running a full day's workshop packed with exercises, discussion and storytelling.
This workshop will give participants an introduction to the core principles of contemporary spoken-word storytelling, the process of visualisation and of narrative patterns.
This incredible workshop has been described as 'being given the keys to a box of storytelling secrets' with 'a brilliant teacher and mentor - skilled, astute and generous with his time.'
Attendees will be paired up for some of the exercises, so why not bring along a friend?
Don’t miss Ben's one-man show, Greek Myths Unleashed, on the Friday evening of Litfest.
One for our younger readers, as children's author and illustrator, Clara Vulliamy and children's book illustrator, Jenny Løvlie visit the Family Library.
Jenny Løvlie
Jenny Løvlie is a Norwegian illustrator based in Cardiff. She grew up in Northern Norway, spending the summers in the great outdoors under the never-setting sun, and the dark winters reading, drawing and making.
Jenny studied Illustration and Animation at Kingston University in London, graduating with a BA Hons in 2014. She draws inspiration from the landscapes and folklore of Scandinavia and loves using bold colours, interesting textures and strong shapes. Her many children’s books include A Dress with Pockets by Lily Murray, Agnes’s Place by Marit Larsen and Princesses Break Free by Timothy Knapman.
Løvlie Illustration (lovlieillustration.com)
Clara Vulliamy
Clara will be talking, reading and drawing all things Dog Squad, following the publication of her latest book, 'The Dog Squad: The Newshound.'
Born in London in 1962, the daughter of author and illustrator Shirley Hughes, Clara Vulliamy has written and illustrated numerous books for children. She studied Fine Art at the Chelsea School of Art, The Ruskin (Oxford) and The Royal Academy. After graduating, she became a portrait painter and an illustrator for magazines and newspaper—including doing a weekly cartoon for The Guardian Women’s Page—and it was only when she had children of her own that she began to focus on children’s books.
Clara lives in Twickenham with her husband Mark, who is an artist and designer, and their children Leah and Martha.
Sunny side up! | clara vulliamy - writer and illustrator of children's books (claras.me)
If writing and/or performing poetry is your thing, we are thrilled to announe that award-winning poet, Jay Hulme, will be compère at our new event, celebrating poetry in all its forms.
There has always been an element of friendly competition at our poetry event, and this year is no different - we are inviting up to 20 performers to get in touch to perform a 3 minute poem during the evening, to be in with a chance of winning prizes in one of three categories:
- Entertainment - voted for by the audience
- Content - voted for by the evening's performers
- Compère's choice - chosen by Jay
This is also an opportunity for all Manx poets to showcase their work outside of performance, and there will be tables and poster boards at the venue displaying information about where to go to read or listen to local poets - whether that is online or in-person, any upcoming or regular events, book releases, as well as any physical copies of any published work for people to look at.
If you would like to perform on the evening, or would like to display any information about your poetry, please email manxlitfest@gmail.com for more information.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/manxlitfest
