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A new generation of Silver Scribblers as publishers turns to the over 60s

 

February 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.”

 

Please visit the Booktrust or Bookbite websites for more information.

 

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