Some of the island’s top short story writers will come together for an evening of appreciation of creative writing next week.

Organised by the story-telling group ’Short Stories and Ludicrous Tales’, the evening, entitled ’A Library Is Not Just a Room Full of Books’, takes place on Thursday, October 11, from 7pm, and will feature 10 local authors talking about what inspires them to write, their influences and also reading excerpts from their favourite short stories and authors.

The free event is being held to celebrate Libraries Week, and takes place at the Henry Bloom Noble library, Duke Street, Douglas.

The evening will feature many writers who took part in last weekend’s Short Story Slam, party of the 2018 Manx Litfest, in particular the winning writer, Kim Kneen.

Kim has taken part in the Short Story Slam competition for the past three years, and has gradually made her way to the top, coming third in 2016 and second in 2017, before ultimately coming out on top last weekend.

’I read my story, called "Saltwater", which is about a young mother and her daughter, who are trying to cope in the face of losing her husband,’ said Kim.

For the Library Week event, Kim will be talking about her own experiences with becoming a writer.

She said that she was inspired to take up writing seriously after attending workshops run by the Litfest during 2015, and now she writes and reads in public whenever she can.

’Before I began to write three years ago, I think the last time I had written anything was at school.

’Going to the writing groups and events gave me the confidence to begin writing again, and I met a lot of people similar to me, which helped spur me on.’

Kim will be reading a passage from the book ’The Trick To Time’, the by the author Kit De Waal.

’I chose her book, as she was a judge in a competition I entered a few years ago,’ she said.

’Kit was very complimentary about my writing, and gave me some very encouraging feedback,along with some very nice comments, so I’ll repay that by reading from her book.’

For more details and to book a free ticket, contact the Henry Bloom Noble Library on 696461.