The Largest Book Give Away Ever Attempted is the promise detailed hERE.
If you’re too frickin’ lazy to click – or you simply prefer not to leave the cosy confines of MCN let me explain. The idea is that on the evening of 5th March 2011 20,000 people will give away 48 copies of their favourite book from a list chosen by the organisers.
The site heralds it thusly...
“20,000 passionate book lovers will give away 1,000,000 books on the inaugural World Book Night
"The countdown begins. World Book Night will take place on Saturday 5 March 2011 and will be broadcast in partnership with BBC Two. This dynamic and unprecedented industry-wide initiative to celebrate adult books and reading will see one million free books given away on World Book Night by 20,000 passionate readers to other members of the public across the UK and Ireland. World Book Night will take place two days after World Book Day, the established nationwide reading campaign.”
You can even contact the site and volunteer to be one of the 20,000.
Fantastic! Loving it!
Anything that is done on such a scale is bound to attract the interest of the meedya. If only for the one night books will be sexy.
Books chosen are by the likes of Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, Phillip Pullman, Yann Martel, Alan Bennett and Carol Ann Duffy. They’ve even included more popular writers like Marian Keyes and Lee Child.
However – and I hate that there is a however when it comes to something like this – all of the million books to be given away are by well-established, successful writers. All of whom will benefit from the attention of such a programme and I’m guessing it’s fair to say, none of whom really need it.
And what if your favourite writer/ book is not on the list? What if you LOVE books but you didn't really get any of the books listed?
Furthermore, there are a gazillion writers out there who are every bit as talented and readable who, because of the vagaries of public consumption and attention, and the sheer luck involved in making one writer more successful than another – and breathe – this is one long sentence – simply haven’t got the sales and fans that they deserve.
While I was digesting this thought some of my bloggy pals were already way ahead of me. Our Donna at Badsville (the doyen of Scottish crime fiction and no, I don’t know what it means either) has already blogged about setting up an Alternative World Book Night.
Her suggestion is that YOU pick a book that you love and feel deserves some attention and you talk about it/ write about it and give a copy away on the 5th of March 2011.
Whaddya think? I know this is a UK programme, but I'm sure my interweb friends all over the world could join in if they wanted. Let's give this some momentum. Are you in? If so, tell Donna hERE
All over that. Will tweet.
ReplyDeleteIs all over that an Americanism? I suppose it probably is. huh.
ReplyDeleteWe like Americanisms on MCN, Nevets. In fact you could say I'm all over it. them? that?
ReplyDeleteMichael - our Donna thanks you for your support. And you, too, Nevets - much appreicated. The more the merrier!
ReplyDeleteRock on with your bad self, Michael.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Donna!
you're all over it like a cheap suit
ReplyDeleteOr, as my wife would suggest, having seen my shirts, all over it like a cheap soup.
ReplyDelete