Advertisement
Books

John Bird launches new magazine to get the nation ‘reading deeper’

Chapter Catcher gives readers access to dozens of fiction and non-fiction excerpts to encourage critical reading

Big Issue founder Lord John Bird has revealed Chapter Catcher, a new magazine with a social echo – set to improve literacy among UK readers.

The 64-page magazine features dozens of short chapters from fiction and non-fiction books, designed to give readers a taste of novels they might not have picked up otherwise. Charities that sell the magazine get half of the sales proceeds.

Lord Bird described Chapter Catcher as “a revolution in social literacy”.

Issue one of the magazine, which costs £4.99, features specially curated excerpts from writers including Stephen Fry, Virginia Woolf, Polly Clark, Richard Wiseman and Natalie Haynes.

“If we’re to solve the big issues of today – the climate crisis, poverty, short-termism – we need to start thinking differently, and that starts with reading differently,” Lord Bird added.

He hopes one section of the book, ‘in process’, will inspire unpublished writers to submit their work. “I want to encourage the growth of writing and break down the world of publishing and magazines,” he said. “It’s the beginning, in my opinion, of a new way of encountering writing and a new way of encountering reading.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

It’s hoped the quarterly magazine will also play a part in boosting bookshops and libraries. Phil Ryan, who helped Lord Bird set up the Big Issue nearly three decades ago, took on the roles of publisher and managing editor for the magazine, and said the Chapter Catcher concept was floated by the pair in the early 1990s.

“We’re going to encourage you to go and order that book you might otherwise never have read but enjoyed the chapter of.

“In the Brexit referedndum, a lot of people voted without any deep reading – they accepted nonsense on buses or scaremongering. Both sides were as bad. We need to get people out their comfort zone.”

Ryan said future plans include incorporating graphic novels into the magazine.

He added: “People have a box set mentality now. If you like a writer, you go and read all their boks. We’re not reviews, we’re not plugging a book. But sometimes people get a bit narrow and we want to try and broaden their view of reading.”

The Chapter Catcher team encourage those who want a copy to request it from their local bookshop or library.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
UK's 'cruel' benefits system is 'ruining lives' and 'violating human rights', Amnesty report finds
keir starmer walking
Benefits

UK's 'cruel' benefits system is 'ruining lives' and 'violating human rights', Amnesty report finds

Widower of disabled woman in bitter, years-long legal battle after DWP denied him benefits
Department for Work and Pensions

Widower of disabled woman in bitter, years-long legal battle after DWP denied him benefits

Transphobia and homophobia are terrible for the economy, report finds
London Trans+ Pride
LGBTQ+ rights

Transphobia and homophobia are terrible for the economy, report finds

Migrant care worker left homeless after being 'exploited' UK employer: 'It's a national scandal'
Cardboard and a sleeping bag, on the church premises where Joseph is sleeping
Immigration

Migrant care worker left homeless after being 'exploited' UK employer: 'It's a national scandal'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue