PAST AND PRESENT IF:BOOK ACTIVITIES
We’ve worked with publishers including Palgrave Macmillan and Winged Chariot, literature organisations including the Arvon Foundation, Spread the Word and the Poetry Society, education agencies, schools, libraries, universities including De Montfort and the Centre for Democracy at Westminster, writers including Cory Doctorow, Kate Pullinger, Naomi Alderman, Daljit Nagra and Andrea Levy… we’ve been funded by Arts Council England, Esme Fairbairn Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Clore Duffield and others…
if:book’s Director Chris Meade has given talks across the UK and around the world – TOC Bologna, the London, Frankfurt and Guadalajara Bookfairs, in Moscow with the British Council, in Brisbane with if:book Australia, IFBOOKTHEN Milan, OPENEDITION Marseilles… we’ve undertaken research for universities, publishers and funders, we’ve run training workshops, curated and created books and digital reading experiences – and much more.
IF:BOOK SALONS
Our if:book salons have been held at the Poetry Cafe, Jackson’s Lane, Random House, Something Else productions, the Poetry Book Society, the South Bank, Moors Bar, Betsey Trotwood, Somerset House, the Free Word Centre and the if:book cafe.
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE TRUE AND NOT TRUE
2010 digital sampler produced for the Arvon Foundation’s Jerwood mentored writers scheme. WWW.FUTUREOFTHEBOOK.ORG.UK/ARVON.
BINNED
2012 digital sampler for the Arvon/Jerwood scheme, illuminated by Toni Le Busque and Sasha Hoare. WWW.FUTUREOFTHEBOOK.ORG.UK/ARVON3/.
HOW POWER CORRUPTS
A collaboration with The Centre for Democracy at Westminster University, the Free Word Centre, the Roundhouse group and Palgrave Macmillan. May 2011. WWW.ROUNDHOUSEJOURNAL.ORG
NEARLYOLOGY
Chris Meade is Nearlywriter in Residence at Hornsey Library, creating a fiction online involving readers’ stories of the things they almost did. Follow it at WWW.NEARLYOLOGY.NET
NEW MEDIA WRITING PRIZE
In 2012 if:book UK is proud to support this international prize, now in its 3rd year, showcasing exciting and creative stories and poetry integrating a variety of digital media. A collaboration with Bournemouth University and Dreaming Methods WWW.NEWMEDIAWRITINGPRIZE.CO.UK
THE LIBRARY COFFEE HOUSE
In colllaboration with Haringey Libraries, if:book helped to set up what is now The Library Coffee House at Hornsey Library as part of our work on the Future of the Book Place. The Coffee House is now run independently by artist Robin Stevenson. The cafe sells drinks, books, notebooks and if:book reading experiences; hosts meet ups, creative workshops, study circles and courses on digital possibilities for literature.
PROJECT WONDA
We’ve piloted a project for primary schools with funding from the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Authority (QCDA).
Virtual writer Wonda’s story was created by author Aoife Mannix, assisted by Chris Meade and if:book associate Kati Rynne. Year 5 children in three schools helped Wonda write her story and escape into reality, communicating with Wonda via blogs and Skype. We’re evaluating WONDA now and shaping it into a replicable package – but the pilot was loads of fun, and the students liked it too.
YOUNG POETS NETWORK
A digital resource for emerging poets from 12 – 25 years old, with the Poetry Society.
if:book took three young poets to the 2011 Alpha-Ville Festival to work with coders on digital installations of their work, made a Twitterpoem with Inua Ellams and much more.
HOTBOOK
Our futuristic education project for secondary schools was funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Read extracts at www.ifsopress.com
Bookfutures
The blog of if:book’s Director, Chris Meade
WWW.BOOKFUTURES.COM
FOUND
Funded by Booktrust, an unforgettable project in schools involving a lost boy and the Hauser Institute for forgetfulness and memory loss – with actor Toby Jones.
WWW.HAUSERFOUND.BLOGSPOT.COM
READ:WRITE
A historic report on the digital possibilities for literature by Mary Harrington & Chris Meade, commissioned by Arts Council England.
FLO
The white paper on literature organisations in the 21st century
The Golden Notebook
Eight women read Doris Lessing’s masterpiece in real time. See what they said and add your own comments. In collaboration with Harper Collins and Apt Studios
if:book blog USA
Blog of the Institute for the Future of the Book, our sister organisation in the USA
IF:BOOK AUSTRALIA
Our sister organisation based at the Queensland Writers’ Centre
FICTIONAL STIMULUS
our digital reading experience to boost the book was first run in 2009.
Presented by novelist Kate Pullinger, including new writing by Cory Doctorow, Naomi Alderman, Kate Pullinger and poetry from Jacob Polley, Daljit Nagra, Eva Salzman plus new media renderings of classics by William Blake, Shakespeare and more, the FICTIONAL STIMULUS is an introduction to the future of reading in the 21st Century and beyond.
SONGS OF IMAGINATION AND DIGITISATION
An illuminated book for the digital age, published by if:book with support from Arts Council England. Unlike more conventional books on paper, this one contains sound and moving images, involves walks and talks, even an imaginary brain made of copper plates, plus opportunities to enter your own thoughts and ideas.
THE UNLIBRARY
Founded with Anke Holst in 2011 as a collaboration with Haringey Council, a work space in Hornsey Library, London, and a network of writers, businesses, teachers and others exploring creative collaborations.
STORIES TO TOUCH
Research with WingedChariot into the use of their beautiful iPad apps in London schools, funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.