Our main event for writers, with something for everyone, whatever stage your writing is at.
A mixture of workshops, panel Q&As, talks and masterclasses, this day is not to be missed by those looking to learn more about the writing craft, meet and talk to fellow writers, and make invaluable contacts within the industry.
Joining us as part of Writers’ Day 2025 are a host of our visitors, including literary agent, Kate Nash, writers, Joanne Harris, Clare MacKintosh, MJ Arlidge, Elise Downing and Susie Alegre, storyteller and creator of the Mona’s Isle podcast, Kyle Withington, as well as some familiar faces of local writers from the Isle of Man.
Ticket price includes lunch, as well as tea and coffee. Please let us know about any dietary requirements.
Writers’ Day
This year we are joined by Kate Nash, director and literary agent with the Kate Nash Literary Agency.
As a former author, publisher, publicist and marketer, Kate has seen every side of publishing and set up her own literary agency so she could do “the best job in publishing”. Kate’s reading tastes – from crime fiction to rom coms – are highly commercial.
By the start of September 2025 you will need to submit an introductory letter, and the first three chapters of your story, or the first twenty pages. She would also like a full synopsis of your novel – and please do include all your spoilers.
You will then be given a 10 minute time slot on the 27th to get feedback on your work.
This will take place at St Ninian's church in Douglas, which means you can still take part in Writers' Day.
Kate is currently unable to give feedback on Children’s books or Erotica.
To puchase a Writers' Day ticket with an included pitch slot session, please first contact manxlitfest@gmail.com for terms and conditions.
Agent Pitch Slot
Suitable for children in Years 3-6, attendees will be thinking about Manx myths by playing some word games to get their brains warmed up. After that they'll listen to some poems to spark ideas, before getting down to writing some poetry of their own about a Manx mythical creature.
Jacqueline is a primary school teacher and writer from the Isle of Man. She has had poems published in ‘The Caterpillar’, ‘Tyger Tyger’ and ‘The Dirigible Balloon’. As a teacher she is passionate about instilling a love of poetry and reading in the children she teaches, encouraging them to be writers themselves.
Parents/guardians do not need to reserve tickets, but are required to stay with their child(ren) for the duration of the workshop.
Mythical Creatures: A Poetry Workshop
Polar Bear and Sea Lion: Live Illustration, with Pauline Hazelwood
Pauline is the author of the hugely popular Saddletank series of railway story picture-books, featuring steam locomotive characters and full colour illustrations on every page.
One of the books in the series, Polar Bear and Sea Lion, is especially loved on the Isle of Man, as it features the two engines at Groudle Glen!
Inspired by the pleasures of reading to her own three children, Pauline is keen to make exciting stories based on fact, in order to encourage an early interest in history, engineering, mechanics and geography, and to celebrate the railway heritage of the British Isles.
Pauline will be creating a cartoon scene with ideas from the audience, as well as reading from her well-loved book, ‘Polar Bear and Sea Lion’.
Parents/guardians do not need to reserve tickets, but are required to stay with their child(ren) for the duration of the session.
Here be Myths: A Storytelling Workshop, with Kyle Withington
Join Kyle, writer and producer of the Manx-made Mona’s Isle Podcast for a lively workshop exploring folklore as a living part of our culture, not just ancient tales from the past.
Aimed at upper primary and early secondary students, this session will inspire young imaginations to invent their own legends and explore what makes a story that’s worth retelling.
Kyle is a Manx-born writer and digital artist, raised amid the Isle of Man’s vibrant theatre scene and trained in digital production aboard the ‘ComputerBus’ that toured local schools.
As the writer and narrator of the Mona’s Isle podcast, he reimagines the island’s rich folklore through immersive storytelling, blending traditional tales with contemporary audio drama.
Parents/guardians do not need to reserve tickets, but are required to stay with any primary school aged child(ren) for the duration of the session.
This year’s celebration of poetry will be hosted by Mark Grist, as local poets perform in the hopes of winning those coveted book vouchers!
As ever 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 Mark
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 for poets to display 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 staceyastillpoetry@gmail.com for more information.
This event is sponsored by Bridge Bookshop.