The Institute for the Future of the Book has been appointed by Arts Council England to undertake research into digital developments in literature. This is exciting news for us, not least because it marks the official launch of our London office.
Over the next few months Chris Meade and Sebastian Mary Harrington will be talking to a wide range of organisations including Arts Council England literature clients and others whose work could provide useful models to the sector.
We’ll be looking at book publishing and magazines, reader development, writers including collaborative and new media authors and the blurring of distinctions between amateur and professional, live literature and festivals, plus other web activity that could provide inspiration to agencies working to spread the word about the word – and we’ll be posting questions and comments on the ifbook blog as we go along.
Sebastian Mary Harrington’s scarf captured live under construction at the Institute’s London HQ, skillfully knitted in the colours of The Institute for the Future of the Book – and The School of Everything – to celebrate the start of our new research project.
if:book
A Project of the Institute for the Future of the Book
Congrats!
Are you familiar with the Beyond the Book project in the UK? They do interesting stuff on social reading practices, though not with a digital emphasis. They’ve done some really interesting research on “one book, one community” programs.
I’ve come across it yes, thanks, a wonderful idea which I believe began in.. Chicago? At Booktrust we ran ‘Get London Reading’. I’m keen to hear of similar initiatives with a stong digital dimension.
Well, once you are settled into your London office, I’d like to treat you to a nice cup of ReadySteadyBook.com tea! Let me know when y’all are free and we can go for a natter!
Looking forward to it, Mark.