Why you're never too old to begin a fresh chapter in life

Commissioning editors in publishing have noticed a marked shift upwards in the age of authors either submitting work or being published for the first time, with increasing numbers of approaches being made by writers in their late 50s and beyond.

Research shows that a huge number of older people now take an active interest in writing, and many of them use the internet to research both reading and writing, using a new medium to broaden their knowledge of

older ones.

The age at which someone writes an original, compelling and saleable book probably isn't of that much interest to a publisher, but HarperCollins say they've seen a remarkable number of over-50s using their new community site for writers, readers and publishers.

"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 about sharing their passions online," says Mark Johnson of authonomy (www.authonomy. com).

The Government is now helping to fund a campaign called Bookbite, which aims to further encourage this interest in the written word that people with a few miles on the clock are exploring through the internet. The project isn't about getting everyone to write a book, but to foster a love of reading and writing across many informal situations, including book groups, diary keeping or family research.

Launching this week, Bookbite, which is run by the reading charity Booktrust, show that older people with more time on their hands are finding new ways to explore the written word to write about their own lives and learn about the past, as well as exploring fiction and many other genres.

A Bookbite survey of more than 1,100 people aged 60-plus reveals that while younger people are largely turning their back on traditional pastimes like reading and creative writing in favour of playing on the computer, older users are using the net to reinvigorate their love of

words, with more than 31 per cent of this age group keen to publish short stories or join book clubs online.

Almost 30 per cent of over-60s want to research their family history online, and as respondents get older that figure rises to 40 per cent of those aged 76-plus. An amazing 46 per cent of over-60s keep a diary, would like to or have already written their memoirs. More than 60 per cent believe it's important for older people to record their lives for the younger generation.

In an attempt to engage with those who don't read much or write for pleasure, Bookbite is distributing 100,000 Bookbite magazines directly into people's homes, with the help of the WRVS and other charities involved with older people as well as libraries. It will also be downloadable from the Bookbite website. The 36-page publication aims to encourage people to go online and use a host of different resources available to encourage an interest in words.

"It's really interesting that we're seeing this surge in reading and writing from a group of people who have education, and maybe further education, life experience, talent and ideas as well as a huge amount of wisdom," says Viv Bird, chief executive of Booktrust. Bookbite provides a forum for them to develop their interest.

"The internet has provided more opportunities for their generation (a generation which probably still writes letters as well) to explore different kinds of reading and outlets for their writing, whether articles, memoirs, non-fiction, short stories or even novels.

"The website offers people a chance to win cash prizes for stories

about their lives, and other niches they might want to contribute to, such as The Letter I Would Have Written...But the message from our

point of view isn't that everyone should be trying to publish something so much as reading and writing provide a chance to become part of a new kind of community, whether it is a book group or a writing forum on the web."

Bird says the government has been keen to back the Bookbite project because "the over 60s don't often get a look-in" and the campaign fits into its wider strategy to encourage informal learning opportunities, especially for a generation who might feel that not enough services are aimed in their direction.

"The message is 'anyone can do it', says Viv Bird. "A few people might get published, but anyone can learn to get more out of reading and write something meaningful, whether it's a message in a birthday card or their life story."

n www.bookbite.org.uk