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| Over-60s encouraged to pen books | Over-60s encouraged to pen books |
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| A campaign to encourage older people to join book clubs and even write their own novels has been launched. | A campaign to encourage older people to join book clubs and even write their own novels has been launched. |
| The Bookbite project is run by reading charity Booktrust and has the backing of leading writers such as Sir Andrew Motion and Marina Lewycka. | The Bookbite project is run by reading charity Booktrust and has the backing of leading writers such as Sir Andrew Motion and Marina Lewycka. |
| The government-funded campaign will offer advice and competitions through its website and magazine. | The government-funded campaign will offer advice and competitions through its website and magazine. |
| It comes after research on behalf of Bookbite pointed to a generation of "silver scribblers" on the internet. | It comes after research on behalf of Bookbite pointed to a generation of "silver scribblers" on the internet. |
| Former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion said Bookbite was a "terrific idea". | Former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion said Bookbite was a "terrific idea". |
| "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," he said. | "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," he said. |
| FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service | |
| Older successful authors are not without precedent - Marina Lewycka was 59 when her first novel, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, was nominated for the Orange Prize. | Older successful authors are not without precedent - Marina Lewycka was 59 when her first novel, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, was nominated for the Orange Prize. |
| Mary Wesley, famous for the Camomile Lawn and Jumping the Queue, started writing novels in her 70s and Frank McCourt's memoir Angela's Ashes came out when he was 66. | Mary Wesley, famous for the Camomile Lawn and Jumping the Queue, started writing novels in her 70s and Frank McCourt's memoir Angela's Ashes came out when he was 66. |
| Family trees | Family trees |
| The Bookbite survey of 1,162 people over 60 suggested they were increasingly confident with the internet and they were using it to find information about an older medium - books. | The Bookbite survey of 1,162 people over 60 suggested they were increasingly confident with the internet and they were using it to find information about an older medium - books. |
| Our experience suggests that older generations aren't just learning how to use the web - they're taking advantage of it like never before Mark Johnson, HarperCollins | Our experience suggests that older generations aren't just learning how to use the web - they're taking advantage of it like never before Mark Johnson, HarperCollins |
| More than 55% said the internet was a crucial part of their lives, while 31% were keen to go online to publish short stories and join book clubs. | More than 55% said the internet was a crucial part of their lives, while 31% were keen to go online to publish short stories and join book clubs. |
| In addition, 29% of those surveyed said they wanted to research their family tree online - rising to 40% among those aged 76 and over. | In addition, 29% of those surveyed said they wanted to research their family tree online - rising to 40% among those aged 76 and over. |
| But 66% said there were major barriers to surfing the web, such as cost, confidence and lack of access. | But 66% said there were major barriers to surfing the web, such as cost, confidence and lack of access. |
| Publisher HarperCollins has found that a "very high number" of aspiring writers over 50 are contacting their authonomy website, a new community site for writers, readers and publishers. | Publisher HarperCollins has found that a "very high number" of aspiring writers over 50 are contacting their authonomy website, a new community site for writers, readers and publishers. |
| Mark Johnson, digital producer for authonomy, said: "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. | Mark Johnson, digital producer for authonomy, said: "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." | "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." |
| Bookbite launches on Monday, and more than 100,000 magazines will be distributed throughout England via the charity WRVS, other organisations such as Age Concern and local libraries. | Bookbite launches on Monday, and more than 100,000 magazines will be distributed throughout England via the charity WRVS, other organisations such as Age Concern and local libraries. |
| It will also be available to download from the new website from next week - www.bookbite.org.uk | It will also be available to download from the new website from next week - www.bookbite.org.uk |