NGO Encourages Over-60 To Use Web To Write Books

Booktrust, one of Britain's leading reading charities, has announced a new campaign titled 'The Bookbite Project' which will aim towards encouraging elderly people to join book clubs and write their own novels if they want to.

The campaign, which has the backing of the government, is being promoted by several leading writers such as Sir Andrew Motion and Marina Lewycka and intends to encourage 'silver surfers' by offering advice and competitions through its website and magazine.

Sir Andrew Motion, former poet laurate, commenting on the new initiative by the Booktrust, said that “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.”

The campaign to encourage elderly writers comes after a survey conducted by the Bookbite project revealed that people aged 60 and above were fairly confident when it comes to using the internet to find information on books.

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The survey, which interviewed 1,162 elderly people, revealed that more than 55% claimed that the internet was a crucial part of their lives, whereas 31% were keen to go online to publish short stories and join book clubs.