Welcome to
the very first
Books
for Older Readers Newsletter: March 2018
How it began……
During an online chat about six
months ago 62 year-old debut novelist, Claire Baldry, asked a group of
likeminded facebook users a question which generated hundreds of responses. She
enquired “Why aren't traditional publishing houses more interested in novels
with older characters at the centre of the plot?” Answers to her question
immediately exploded over Facebook. She had inadvertently unplugged a torrent
of opinions. One blogger spoke for many when she said “I've been banging on
about this for ages, but no one seems to listen".
So Claire set up a facebook group and created
a website, which she called ‘Books for Older Readers’. She later confessed ”I would love to tell you that my actions were
the result of a longstanding literary vision, but that would not be truthful. I
was motivated by a combination of curiosity, the desire to help out and a
self-interested wish to increase the sales of my own recently published book”.
Initial reactions to the website were
mixed. Enthusiasm and gratitude were interspersed with (sometimes angry)
accusations on social media that Claire was being ageist and trying to pigeon
hole reading tastes. But Claire kept going. As she explained “I never really
understood the ageist argument, because books are already described as ‘young
adult’ or ‘chicklit’. My website was certainly not intended to tell people of
any age what they should be reading. It was simply a tool for readers who were
seeking books which reflected some of those issues and emotions experienced by
people in mid-life and beyond.”
Despite the occasional criticism, the
facebook group proved extremely popular. Moreover, the website hits quickly
grew from hundreds to thousands. People
began to blog about the initiative, and very many authors asked for their books
to be featured on the site. Readers were interested in browsing the digital
bookshelves to discover new titles which might appeal to them. Claire found herself
at the start of what could now be described as a literary campaign.
The Website
The Books for Older Readers website
now features 45 very varied titles with more on the way. If you haven’t had
time to look recently, this is the link www.booksforolderreaders.co.uk
BBC Radio London
Where Next?
There is no master plan for the
future direction of the group. Claire’s view is that now the website seems to
be taking off, she will just wait and see where it leads.
There will definitely be further
(probably shorter) newsletters. More giveaways have been discussed, and
hopefully the group will attract future and increasing press coverage. Look out
for stalls and speakers at occasional Literary Festivals.
With continuing success, both
‘older’ readers, and writers whose books appeal to those readers, could become
the winners.
Giveaway
With winners in mind, and to
celebrate their very first newsletter, the Books For Older Readers group are
offering a 3 Book Bundle to one lucky newsletter subscriber. For a chance to
win, subscribers must have a UK address and sign up by 31st March
2018. This is the link. http://www.booksforolderreaders.co.uk/subscribe-to-newsletter/4594153382
Thank you to
the following authors for contributing to the giveaway
‘Different Genes’ by
Claire Baldry “Brilliantly
written with depth and heart”
‘The Faerie Tree’ by
Jane Cable “The whole emotional content is quite perfectly handled”
Dates for your
Diary
13th
March Caroline James: Publication Date ‘The Best Boomerville Hotel’
17th
March Claire Baldry: Book Signing of ‘Different
Genes’ at Rother Books in Battle
31st
March BFOR Newsletter
Subscription Giveaway Deadline
1st
May Linda
MacDonald: Publication of New Edition of ‘Meeting Lydia’
4th
May Faith
Hogan: Publication of New Edition of ‘Secrets We Keep’
5th
May Barbara Quinn: Book
Signing of ‘The Summer Springsteen's
Songs Saved Me’
at Asbury Park, New Jersey,
USA
1st June Bethany Askew: Talk Ilminster Literary
Festival
We are delighted that you have taken
an interest in our group.
Thank you for your support.
