The National Reading Campaign has launched a massive national strategy to raise the profile of reading for pleasure among Canadians.
“What did you read today?” is a public awareness campaign created by a coalition of librarians, educators, booksellers, publishers, readers and writers to help make reading a national priority.
As book writers, we are deeply invested in the reading habits of Canadians. If you are interested in joining this campaign, you can help by:
- Changing your Facebook, Twitter, and website photo to one that shows you reading
- Adding What did you read today? as a tagline on your emails, with a link to nationalreadingcampaign.ca
- Tweet the contest: Kobo has promised to donate $1 to the National Reading Campaign for every contest entry tweet up to $10,000
- Spread the word about the “What did you read today?” contests
On Wednesday, November 14,, the National Reading Campaign launched two “What did you read today?” contests: one for the general public and one for kids. Both contests run until December 31, 2012 and are open to Canadian residents only.
About the contest for the general public
To enter the contest, the National Reading Campaign is asking Canadians to tweet what they’re reading to @readingcampaign with the hashtag #whatdidyoureadtoday? for a chance to win one of ten Kobo™ eReaders pre-loaded with a selection of eBooks.
About the contest for kids
Public libraries and schools can win $1000 in new books for their library by using the Campaign’s “What did you read today?” contest kit to create a space where young readers can post what they’re reading.
What is the National Reading Campaign?
Since 2008, The Writers’ Union of Canada has actively supported the development of the National Reading Campaign. Past Chair Wayne Grady and former Atlantic regional representative Sylvia Gunnery sat on its steering committee and attended the organizational Summits. National Council remains committed to the project.
The National Reading Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that brings together people from every region of Canada who are concerned about Canada’s changing reading habits. They represent school and public librarians, parents, readers, educators, writers, students, book and magazine publishers, booksellers, reading promoters, and everyone involved in reading in Canada. Through summits, the development of a National Reading Plan, a public awareness campaign and many other efforts, they aim to make reading a national priority, because when Canada reads, Canada grows.
The ultimate goal is to promote reading amongst all Canadians, reflecting the value of reading as a tool for democracy and civic engagement, as a means to equalize the playing field for all Canadians, as a way for Canadians to learn about themselves, and as a vehicle for joy. In 2012, The National Reading Campaign was incorporated as a not-for profit organization.
Visit www.nationalreadingcampaign.ca to learn more.
What are you reading today?
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The Writers’ Union of Canada is our country’s national organization representing more than 2,000 professional authors of books. Founded in 1973, the Union is dedicated to fostering writing in Canada, and promoting the rights, freedoms, and economic well-being of all writers.
For additional information:
Kelly Duffin, Executive Director The Writers’ Union of Canada 416.703.8982 Ext. 221 kduffin@writersunion.ca www.writersunion.ca
Merilyn Simonds Chair, The Writers’ Union of Canada 613-985-0925 chair@writersunion.ca
