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World Book Night has further extended its deadline for applications from individuals wanting to become a book-giver. Those interested now have until to 24th January to submit their names.
Twenty thousand members of the public are being recruited as "an army of passionate readers" for the new event scheduled for 5th March, each one giving away multiple copies of their chosen book to others.
World Book Night reported receiving 10,000 applications within seven days of the initiative's official launch on 2nd December. Canongate m.d. Jamie Byng, who chairs the event, said the number of applications now stands at over 18,000. "We feel it's only a month since we launched, and to be nearly at the 20,000 mark is quite an achievement," he said. "We've had amazing, heartfelt responses from the people who want to give books out."
Byng added the event would get more exposure in the next two weeks, with Philip Pullman set to appear on BBC 1's The One Show, and coverage to come on BBC Breakfast and on Chris Evans' BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. "We're doing everything we can to make sure we get the most people possible applying, because we think the more we get the bigger we can make World Book Night, not just this year but in subsequent years," Byng said.