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Book Aid International

Magazine

If you feel like some seasonal charity, spare a thought for Book Aid InternationalSupplies much-needed books to developing countries, raising funds from publishers and general public; 'Reverse Book Club' is masterly idea-for just £5 ($10) month you can provide 48 books to go to where they're most needed, a charity which sends 500,000 books a year to sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.  That means that this year 404,123 books have already gone to to more than 1,000 libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa and other countries where they are desperately needed.

I've always been a fan of their brilliant Reverse Book Club, which has the proud claim: 'Three books for £6 ($10) - and you'll never receive any of them! The Club is endorsed by Michael Palin, who says:

'This is a book club with a difference - you pay the money and somone else gets the books!

It's a brilliant way of helping readers in the world's poorest countries. It's simple, practical and cost less per month than your Sunday newspaper. And each monthly gift of £6 means Book Aid International can send three more books!'

Visit the Book Aid International website to find out more about their programmes and see exactly how this practical and successful charity is transforming the lives of some of the world's poorest people.

Chris HolifieldManaging director of WritersServices; spent working life in publishing,employed by everything from global corporations to start-ups; track record includes: editorial director of Sphere Books, publishing director of The Bodley Head, publishing director for start-up of upmarket book club, The Softback Preview, editorial director of Britain’s biggest book club group, BCA, and, most recently, deputy MD and publisher of Cassell & Co. She is also currently the Director of the Poetry Book Society; During all of this time aware of problems faced by writers, as publishing changed from idiosyncratic cottage industry, 'occupation for gentlemen', into corporate business of today. Writers encountered increasing difficulty in getting books edited or published. Authors create the books which are the raw material for the whole business. She believes it is time to bring them back to centre stage.