Press Release: Miscellaneous Announcements
A New Generation Of Silver Scribblers As Publishers Turns To The Over 60s
Posted at 4:05PM Monday 08 Feb 2010
A survey of more than 1,100 people aged 60 and over in the UK, has revealed a generation of 'silver scribblers' keen to use their growing familiarity with the internet to publish their own creative writing, join book groups and research their family history and stories. Independent research was conducted with 1,162 people aged 60 and over across the UK on behalf of Bookbite, a reading and creative writing project for the over 60s run by the reading charity Booktrust. While younger users turn their back on traditional pastimes such as reading and creative writing in favour of using and playing on the computer; for older users, the internet is actually helping to re-invigorate a love of books and writing, with more than 31% of internet users in this age group keen to go online to publish short stories and join book clubs. Spokespeople from the publishing industry have identified a marked shift in the age of authors either submitting or being published for the first time, with more and more approaches being made by those in their late 50s. Mark Johnson, Digital Producer for HarperCollins 'Authonomy' website commented: 'Our website aims to find emerging authors and we are increasingly attracting very high numbers of visitors aged fifty and above who are looking for an agent or a publisher for their work for the first time. Perhaps this is because age and experience can offer a clear advantage to anyone hoping to write engagingly or perhaps older people now have more time, and are more confident, to share their passions online. But our experience suggests that older generations aren't just learning how to use the web – they're taking advantage of it like never before." The survey revealed that this generation are at ease with going online with more than 55% of the over 60s surveyed saying that they view the internet as a crucial part of their lives and 93% that they perceive the internet as a positive development, with over 32% stating that they find having access to the internet liberating. The Bookbite survey found that despite 43% of respondents having no interest in using social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter or MySpace 19% revealed that they use it on a daily basis. Further statistics: Attitudes to Internet •93% state that they perceive the internet as a positive development, with over 32% stating that they find having access to the internet liberating •Despite this, 66% feel there are barriers to using the internet, with 20% feeling they lacked the knowledge of how to use it, with the rest citing confidence, cost, fear and lack of access as reasons against going online •However, unlike their younger internet counterparts (of whom 35% on Facebook are aged 20-29) the over 60s have little interest in using social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter or MySpace with over 43% saying that they have no interest in this at all Reading, Creative Writing and the Internet •Londoners are most keen on the internet, with 61% saying that it is crucial to their lives, but 32% say that they have no interest in ever using social networking sites •29% of over 60s want to research their family tree online, this rises to 40% amongst the over 76 year olds •Those in the north east are most keen on researching their family tree and publishing articles with 50% of over 60s in this region wanting to do this •46% of over 60s keep a diary or would like to, or have already written their memoirs Publishing – The Silver Scribblers •The results also showed that 62% of over 60s surveyed think it is important to record the lives and experiences of Britons for the younger generation •¼ of those surveyed would like their diaries to be published (with those in the north east most keen to publish) •This was felt most keenly amongst those aged 76 and over, with 67% wanting their diaries or memoirs to be published The survey was released today by Bookbite, a new reading and creative writing project for people aged 60 and over from the reading charity Booktrust. The programme will launch on 8 February 2010 with the distribution of more than 100,000 Bookbite magazines throughout England and the unveiling of the new easily accessible Bookbite website www.bookbite.org.uk. The 36 page magazine will be distributed directly into people's homes via older people's charity WRVS and by 175 other organisations including Age Concern, local library services and UK online centres. The magazine will also be available as a download from the Bookbite website. Funding for the project came from the Department of Business Innovation and Skills through their Transformation Fund who are keen to promote the importance of making available Informal Adult Learning opportunities. The fund is managed by the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). The project aims to encourage those who rarely or never read books to engage more in reading and writing for pleasure, using the internet to access additional resources where and when possible. Bookbite is also encouraging competition entries for 'My Story' and 'The Letter I Wish I had Written' with prizes of up to £500 in book tokens. The project aims to bring all types of information around reading, writing and getting the most out of going online together in one place with content specially chosen and written in consultation with a range of older people Sir Andrew Motion commented: 'Bookbite is a terrific idea, and Booktrust deserve great credit for developing and supporting it. To encourage the over-60s to discover and develop their interest in creative reading and writing reminds us that the life of the imagination offers its rewards at all times of life.' Viv Bird, Chief Executive of Booktrust commented: 'Our survey has shown the extent of the latent talent of a huge number of people aged 60 and over who are keen to experiment with creative writing and discover a wide range of great books. Bookbite provides the forum in which they are able to develop their interests, be it through discovering their family history, setting up a book club or writing short stories. The project has been developed following close consultation with those over 60, so we are confident that the magazine and website will prove interesting and stimulating for all and prove that it is never too late to enjoy new experiences around reading, writing and learning.' Interviews are available with a number of exceptional people who have come to reading, creative writing and computer literacy later in life. These include Joe Moisey who published his first book aged 87 years old, Vera Waters, a life coach and motivational speaker for the over 60s and Kate Kinsella who also published her first novel aged 73 after learning how to use a computer. Interviews are also available with Viv Bird, CEO of Booktrust and representatives from the Bookbite project. **For further information, images and interview requests please contact Ian Seymour on ian.seymour@booktrust.org.uk, Alice Ingall on alice.ingall@booktrust.org.uk and Katherine Solomon on katherine.solomon@booktrust.org.uk Notes to Editors Booktrust Booktrust is an independent charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to engage with books. The written word underpins all our activity and enables us to fulfil our vision of inspiring a lifelong love of books for all. Booktrust is responsible for a number of successful national reading promotions, sponsored book prizes and creative reading projects aimed at encouraging readers to discover and enjoy books. These include the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Children's Laureate, the Get London Reading campaign, the Booktrust Teenage Prize and Bookstart, the national programme that works through locally based organisations to give a free pack of books to young children, with guidance materials for parents and carers. Booktrust has developed two further free book programmes in the UK: Booktime, run in association with Pearson, gives a free book to every Year One pupil, and Booked Up, which gives a free book, from a choice of twelve, to every Year Seven pupil. See www.booktrust.org.uk NIACE NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (England and Wales), is supported by: BIS Department for Innovation and Skills and the Local Government Association. WRVS The Older Peoples Charity WRVS has 70 years experience of helping people in hundreds of communities throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Our volunteers and staff work together to support people in need who might otherwise feel lonely and isolated, whether at home, in hospital, or in times of crisis. UK online centres Set up by government in 2000 to provide public access to computers, the UK online centres network plays a key role in exploiting ICT to help improve individual lives, strengthen communities and achieve social inclusion. There are thousands of UK online centres cross England, and many use myguide to introduce people to the world of ICT. myguide is a simple web platform designed to make getting online easy, and was developed by the UK online centres team at Ufi in consultation with a wide variety of partners. UK online centres is a division of Ufi, and receives core funding from the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS) via the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Funding for the development of myguide comes from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
www.bookbite.org.uk
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Comments
Just to endorse the concept of writing after 60: I retired 2 years ago, and launched my first novel the very next day! After working and bringing up children, now is my time!! I feel I have a wealth of life experience to draw on as well as time to devote to being creative. About to launch my second novel at Waterstone's and am looking at e-possibilities. A whole new era of life. Writing begins at 60!
Posted by Miriam Wakerly <m.wakerly@ntlworld.com> at 10:31AM Tuesday 09 Feb 2010
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