Flipbacks - Giving the electronic book a run for its money?

Are they flipbooks

or perhaps foopbicks

or even flapjacks? - hold the maple syrup please!

But no. Say after me flipback....

flipbook, close but no cigar,

say again - flipback

Invented by the ever practical Dutch and published in NZ by Hodder and Stoughton, these new editions are a state of the art way of presenting text on paper that draws its inspiration from hymnal and bible publishing industry.

By using very thin but still strong paper with traditional binding, Flipbacks present a 700 page novel that is 120mm high, 82mm wide and 16mm thick. Hard bound in an easy to use format they are read from top to bottom and can be held easily in one hand. They are true pocket/purse books that are about the size of an iPhone.

They are perfect for taking on holiday, being light enough and small enough to not tip you over your baggage allowance. As a possible rival to the popular Kindle and Ipad downloadable book software, the Flipbacks are cheaper (RRP $27.99), you don’t need to be technologically savvy to read them and they don’t need to be charged. The print book lives!

A book in hand is worth ten in a stick.

The Going West literary weekend ‘Landfall in Unknown Seas” will be featuring the Flipback on Saturday 10th September in one of the popular “Miscellany” sessions titled “Flipbacks: Don’t flip your lid!”

"Flipbacks! You open them top to bottom and get a full length novel the size of a mobile phone. Bookman Graeme Beattie joins Murray Gray of Gone West Books to examine how using contemporary technology combined with the ancient technique of using the wafer-thin paper of bibles has produced the truly portable book"

For more information about the Going West literary weekend, including ticket prices and online purchasing visit Going West Festival Literary Weekend “Landfall in Unknown Seas” or www.eventfinder.co.nz

Contact Anna Fomison on 09 3010101 extn 428168 or email anna.fomison@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for more information.

Email going.west@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to go on the Going West Festival mailing list.