Book lovers of all ages are invited to join the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to smash the Guinness World Records title for the world's longest reading relay on 13th October at Waterstone's store in Piccadilly Circus, London.
World record attempt
Hundreds of people are set to gather for the world record attempt, during which each person will read aloud one sentence at a time from an exclusive story by Anthony Horowitz that has never been published in the UK. This record attempt marks the launch of Read for RNIB Day to raise awareness of reading services for blind and partially sighted people.
The attempt aims to break the current Guinness World Records title for most people in a reading relay. The record is currently 290 people, held by Austria. The organisers - RNIB, Waterstone's and Walker Books - hope over 350 book lovers will help Britain take the record title and celebrate Read for RNIB Day.
Anthony Horowitz exclusive
Participants will be asked to read from Anthony Horowitz's exclusive story 'The Double Eagle Has Landed', which will be accessible to everyone as it will be available in giant print, audio and braille, as well as standard print. Everyone who reads a sentence will also be given a special gift as a thank you for taking part.
Anthony Horowitz, English novelist and screenwriter, said: "I'm delighted that one of my stories has been chosen for this world record-breaking attempt. I'm afraid 13th October will be a sad day for Austria as we smash the record and fly the flag for the UK. All credit to RNIB and Waterstone's for encouraging literacy in such a fun and inclusive way."
Lesley-Anne Alexander, Chief Executive of RNIB, said: "This is a great event to launch Read for RNIB Day. Both RNIB and Waterstone's have worked very hard to make this event open to everyone of all levels of sight and reading abilities. We hope that everyone will have fun and help us be part of something great that secures us a place in the book of Guinness World Records."
Take part
Be part of the Read for RNIB Day Guinness World Records Attempt. Visit Waterstone's Piccadilly Circus, London from 9am or visit www.rnib.org.uk/readforrnibday
ENDS
For more information please contact Stacey Kerr, Senior Media Relations Officer, RNIB on 020 7391 2223, email stacey.kerr@rnib.org.uk
Notes to editors
Thanks to Walker Books and Guys Read, USA for their support and permission for the reading.
About RNIB
Everyday around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around 2 million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
About Anthony Horowitz
Anthony Horowitz has achieved global success with the ALEX RIDER novels - he brought the sequence to a bestselling close earlier in 2011 with SCORPIA RISING - but that's only part of the Horowitz story. Anthony is the UK's most popular male children's author, with not just one but three bestselling book sequences to his name - ALEX RIDER, THE POWER OF FIVE and THE DIAMOND BROTHERS - all published in the UK and Ireland by Walker Books. Anthony is also an acclaimed writer for adults and was recently been commissioned by Orion Books and the Conan Doyle literary estate to write a new SHERLOCK HOLMES novel, THE HOUSE OF SILK, to be published in November.
Anthony is also a supremely successful screenwriter, guaranteed to pull in TV's biggest audiences for the shows he creates and writes - including MIDSOMER MURDERS, POIROT, FOYLE'S WAR and COLLISION. In Spring 2011, ITV1 broadcast Anthony's latest 5-part primetime drama, INJUSTICE. Anthony is currently writing the screenplay for the second TINTIN movie, PRISONERS OF THE SUN, to be directed by Peter Jackson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg.
Anthony is a born polymath; juggling with seeming ease, writing books, journalism, TV series and movies, research trips and book tours. Yet, in spite of all the attention and plaudits he has received - from being named the National Year of Reading's first Champion Author to being invited to tea at 10 Downing Street (by three successive Prime Ministers) - Anthony's chief pleasure remains writing.
For more about Anthony's life and work, go to www.anthonyhorowitz.com