In my blog post here, I talk about the idea of creating an equivalent project in the UK to the McSweeney's-affiliated 826 National in America (Wikipedia entry).
The basic idea of 826 is a series of nonprofit organizations that teach writing skills to school kids, and are fronted by unique retail stores, including a pirate supply shop, a time-travel store, and a spy supply shop.
A snip from the Wikipedia page that I think summarises the project well:
The 826 National mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.
Why am I posting about this here? A brief snip from my blog post:
Something to talk about at Bookcamp - a London version of 826, where schoolkids come to play with words and storytelling, and generate their own perspectives on the world they live in, with some advice and nudging from people who know about literature. What better way to nurture the next generation of readers (and writers)??
I think Bookcamp is a great opportunity to discuss the potential for launching a UK version, or something inspired by, 826. Roddy Doyle has just been involved in the launch of Fighting Words, a Dublin 826-inspired project.
I'd like to know if other BookCamp attendees would be interested in discussing this project - what would be needed to start something, the possibility of attaching a name-author to the project, logistics, the role of technology in establishing/promoting/sustaining such a venture. I could have probably been more eloquent here, but I'm a bit rushed for time and wanted to make sure I put something in place for people to look at.
-- Kevin O'Neill