It was interesting to hear top novelist Cecila Ahern, still only twenty-seven years old, describe this morning how she prefers to write everything longhand, reflecting on life, before taking her draft to the word processor. She was talking about her latest book “The Gift” - a story of a man who’s life is in a perpetual state of “busyness” and the effect a present of time makes.

So here is an author who doesn’t despise technology, but perhaps uses it differently to the digital native group to which she belongs. Other folk definitely crossing the border between literature and technology are those engaging in the massively popular book awards run by the school library service in Birmingham. Over the years thousands of young people have been debating and voting for their favourite books and this year the theme is ‘chills.” Simple use of technology to provide an enagaging medium that students love to use. The target group is key stage three - 11 to 14 year olds - and to see their online debate unfold over the following weeks will be truly encouraging. Check it out yourself at www.bgfl.org/ks3chills