Asia Writes

04 August 2011

Date: 24 - 26 September 2011

The Valley of Kashmir will resonate with the sound of poetry, literary dialogue, debate and discussions, and readings with Srinagar hosting J&K's first ever National literature festival from 24th-26th September, 2011. Harud: The Autumn Literature Festival' will provide a platform to celebrate the written word and create a forum for the rich literary tradition that exists in the region. Harud (autumn in Kashmiri) will be free to the public and will emphasize on local writings from Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh including a special focus on folk and oral traditions.

The sessions will include conversations on culture, travel, history, film and poetry, amongst other themes. Kashmir's first literature festival, 'Harud: The Autumn Literature Festival', will be held from 24 – 26th September 2011, at the Delhi Public School grounds in Srinagar followed by a series of symposiums and discussions on September 26 at the Kashmir University. The festival is a platform to celebrate books, poetry and dialogue, and also the resounding voice of the valley.

The Harud Festival is organized by the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Via: indiatimes.com

Contact Information:

Website: http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/

28 July 2011

The finalists for the five categories of the Vodafone Crossword Book Awards were announced on July 27th at a function at Alliance Francaise de Delhi:

Fiction:

• Saraswati Park by Anjali Joseph
• The Quarantine Papers by Kalpish Ratna
• Jimmy the Terrorist by Omair Ahmed
• The Crimson Throne by Sudhir Kakar
• Way To Go by Upamanyu Chatterjee

Non- Fiction:

• Fault Lines: How Hidden Fractures Still Threaten the World Economy by Raghuram Rajan
• Known Turf by Annie Zaidi
• Memories of a Rolling Stone by Vina Mazumdar
• The Tell - Tale Brain: Unlocking the Mystery of Human Nature by V.S. Ramachandran
• The Lost River: On The Trail of the Sarasvati by Michel Danino

Translation:

• The Golden Gandhi Statue from America by Subimal Misra & translated by V Ramaswamy
• Manasarovar by Ashokamitran & translated by N. Kalyan Raman
• This Is Not That Dawn by Yashpal & translated by Anand
• Litanies of Dutch Battery by N.S. Madhavan & translated by Rajesh R
• The House with Five Courtyards by Govind Mishra & translated by Masooma Ali

Children's writing:

• Mr. Oliver’s Diary by Ruskin Bond
• The Book Of Guardians : The Fang Of Summoning by Giti Chandra
• Sahyadri Adventure - Koleshwar's Secret & Anirudh's Dream by Deepak Dalal
• KONI: The Story of a Champion by Moti Mandy
• At Least a Fish by Anushka Ravishankar

Popular award:

• The Immortals of Meluha by Amish
• Keep the Change by Nirupama S
• Dork by Sidin Vadukut
• Chanakya’ s Chant by Ashwin Sanghi
• Johnny Gone Down by Karan Bajaj
• Connect the Dots by Rashmi Bansal
• You can sell by Shiv Khera
• Simply Fly by Captain Gopinath
• Corporate Chanakya by Radhakrishnan Pillai
• When the penny drops by R Gopalakrishnan

Contact Information:

Website: http://www.crossword.in

26 July 2011

Dates: 3 - 4 September 2011

This will be a meeting of professional storytellers that nurtures and empowers through keynotes and workshops that offer in-depth involvement in diverse areas of story telling. Teachers, librarians, professionals, parents and aspiring storytellers will have the opportunity to share the insights of the storytelling experts coming to our shore.

Fees:

Full Congress Fees (for two Days):

• S$350/person (normal rate)
• S$300/person (early bird registration by 12 Aug 11)
• S$300/person (group registration of 3 persons or more)

One Day Fee: S$250/person
Half Day Fee: S$200/person (inclusive of Lunch)

Day 1: 3 Sept 2011

Keynote: Storytelling as an Experimental Discipline: Sustaining the Art of Storytelling in Today's Society by Abbi Patrix

• Session 1: A Thousand Voices Speaking Perfectly Loud! by Randel McGee
• Session 2: Helping Struggling Readers: How Storytelling Can Make a Difference by Sherry & Bobby Norfolk
• Session 3: Storymaking with Children with Special Needs – A Different Point of View by Ruth Kirkpatrick
• Session 4: Interact & Bond with Children with Special Needs and the Hearing Impaired using Simple Storytelling Techniques by Roger Jenkins
• Session 5: Storytelling for Babies and Toddlers by Beatriz Montero
• Session 6: Culture, Language and Your Stories by Lilli Rodrigues-Pang

Day 2: 4 Sept 2011

Keynote: Myths Within: Exploring the Story's Psychological Elements by Dr. Gideon Arulmani and Kamini Ramachandran

• Session 7: Storymaking with Young People by Ruth Kirkpatrick
• Session 8: Improvised Stories by Lilli Rodrigues-Pang
• Session 9: La Maison du Conte: Transmission and Research (sharing session) by Abbi Patrix
• Session 10: The Moral of the Story: Character Education Through Storytelling by Sherry & Bobby Norfolk
• Session 11: Telling Together: Interactive Storytelling for Children with Special Needs by Sheila Wee
• Session 12: Happily Ever After: Using Stories to Help Adolescents Meet Life's Challenges by Dr. Gideon Arulmani & Kamini Ramachandra

Visit www.bookcouncil.sg/sisf or download programme brochure and book your seat now!

Contact Information:

For inquiries: info@bookcouncil.sg

Website: http://www.bookcouncil.sg/sisf

25 July 2011

Date: 27 July 2011

Join us for the shortlist function of the Vodafone Crossword Book Award 2010. Member of the Parliament Mani Shankar Aiyar, Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan; award-winning journalist and author Mark Tully; editor and award-winning author Ira Pande; and journalist and award-winning author Arunava Sinha will announce the shortlist.

Editor, writer and critic Anita Roy will be the moderator for the evening for the discussion on: The Unknown Storyteller.

Wednesday, 27th July 2011 at 7.00 pm
M. L. Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Francaise de Delhi,
72, Lodhi Estate, Lodhi Road.
Delhi - 110003

Please join us for high tea, 6.30 pm onwards. Entry is free. RSVP at crosswordconnect@gmail.com

Contact Information:

For inquiries: crosswordconnect@gmail.com

Website: http://www.crossword.in/

18 July 2011

Date: 25 - 27 August 2011

UMPIL TO HOLD ANNUAL CONVENTION AND THE RIZAL SESQUICENTENNIAL LITERARY CONFERENCE FOR TEACHERS

As a commemorative event and significant part of its annual convention, the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) will hold the Rizal Sesquicentennial Literary Conference for Teachers on 25-27 August 2011 at the Claro M. Recto Hall, College of Arts and Letters, Rizal Building, College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. Guest of honor is National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera.


For details, call Ms. Eva Cadiz c/o UP Institute of Creative Writing, 9221830, or email the conference director and UMPIL Secretary General Michael M. Coroza at mcoroza@ateneo.edu.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: mcoroza@ateneo.edu

Website: http://umpil.org/

17 July 2011

Deadline: 31 August 2011

The Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, launched by the UAE National Chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), is an incentive for the children’s book industry in the Arab World intended to encourage publishers, authors and illustrators to develop the quality of books, in both form and content, as well as to motivate children to be open to the world of knowledge and culture. The significance of this award is manifested in encouraging children’s book industry partners to provide the best, to help the book Award initiative become a milestone in enrichment and creativity in the Arab world, and to further stimulate the imagination and creativity of children.

The Award also contributes to developing the children’s literature publishing industry, since the book is one of the most prominent and important contemporary cultural elements, serving as the key tool of knowledge within children’s programmes provided by advanced technology. Etisalat’s support of this award reflects the advanced awareness of this institution and highlights its leading role in community participation at both the local and national levels.

We invite creative and talented people to participate in the award, which we hope will contribute to the emergence of a new generation of children’s books that can attract children and encourage them to read.

THE UAE BOARD ON BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (UAEBBY)

The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) is the national section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), which was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953. UAEBBY officially came into being on 1st January 2010, following IBBY’s approval of the UAE as a member, which was a direct result of the efforts of Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Emirates Publishers Association, and Founder and CEO of Kalimat Publishing House. As a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, UAEBBY aims to act as a bridge to facilitate communication and information exchange with establishments and institutions concerned with children’s books, to develop and promote children’s literature and artistic works, and to exchange skills with authors and illustrators. The organisation is also responsible for organising contests and conferences on children’s books, facilitating access to children’s books, especially in remote areas of the UAE, promoting authorship and production of children’s books in the UAE, developing public libraries for children throughout the country, encouraging translation of children’s books from and into Arabic, and helping to raise the bar for children’s books in the UAE to international levels.

AWARD OBJECTIVES:

The Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature is designed to support the children’s book industry in the Arab world and achieve the following objectives:

• Upgrading the children’s book industry in the Arab world.
• Enhancing the Arab child’s culture and enriching it with everything that’s contemporary and distinguished.
• Consolidating the position of the children’s book against the technological alternatives.
• Motivating publishers, writers and illustrators to be innovative in the publishing of children’s books.

AWARD ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) is responsible for the supervision of the Award in compliance with its regulation.

Nomination Conditions:

1. The book should be published in the Arabic language.
2. The book should not have been published more than 3 years ago.
3. The book should not be a local, Arab or international award winner.
4. It should be an original work. Translated works shall be excluded.
5. Educational and scientific series and books are not eligible for entry.
6. The nominated book should not be a republication of an old version.
7. The book should be printed and published in a hard copy.
8. The award includes children’s books targeting children from 0-14 years of age.
9. Each publisher may nominate a maximum of three books.
10. Intellectual rights shall be taken into consideration upon the submission of applications.
11. The jury shall be authorized to overlook any nomination that does not comply with the conditions.
12. The award jury may withhold the award.
13. None of the candidates may object to the decisions of the awarding jury.
14. The winning publisher shall publish 2,000 copies of the winning book bearing the logos of the Award and the UAEBBY, for non-profit purposes.

PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE FOR NOMINATION

1. Nominations for the Award open on 1 June 2011.
2. The application form for nomination should be filled in accordance with the approved form and submitted along with the following:
• Seven non-refundable copies of the nominated title(s).
• Author’s and illustrator’s contracts for the nominated title(s), or acknowledgement of contracting.
• Profile of the publishing house and up-to-date CVs for the author and illustrator.
• An overview of the nominated works, along with the justifications for their nomination.

3. The submission deadline for nominations is 12 noon on 31 August 2011.

4. Nominations should be sent by express mail, and the following information should appear on the envelope:

Etisalat Award for Arabic
Children’s Literature
Al Qasba – Block D – First Floor
Sharjah P.O. Box: 5424
Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
Tel +97165542111 Fax +97165542345
e-mail: info@uaebby.org.ae

VALUE OF THE AWARD

The value of the Award is one million dirham’s (AED1 million), distributed as follows:

• 50% of the Award value goes to the publisher.
• 50% of the Award value to be distributed among the other parties involved, in a manner decided upon by the Jury.

JUDGING OF THE AWARD

First: In order to achieve the principle of transparency and professionalism in the selection
of members of the Jury, we take into account the following regulations:

• Literary works by members of the Jury are excluded from nomination for the Award.
• As far as possible, the Jury must be diverse, with members having a range of qualifications and specialties (publisher, author, critic, illustrator, and judging expert)
• The Jury may seek help from experts in the fields of science, literature or the arts when needed, in a way that does not contradict the principle of confidentiality and full neutrality, with adherence to matters mentioned in clauses 1 and 2.
• There must be full confidentiality in the selection of members of the Jury, and their names must not be revealed before the winner of the Award has been announced.
• The Jury must comprise a geographically diverse selection of members.

Second: The Award’s Board of Directors shall form a panel of judges (the Jury) every year, provided that it comprises a minimum of five members with relevant expertise, competence and integrity.

Third: The Jury’s sessions shall be presided over by a Chairman, to be chosen by the Award’s Board of Directors. The Jury shall select a Rapporteur.

Fourth: The names of the members of the Jury and its session should remain secret, and Award Management may announce the names of the Jury at the closing ceremony.

Fifth: The Jury’s work shall begin the day after the closing date for nominations for the award, and end with the submission of its report on the date determined by the Award’s Board of Directors.

Sixth: The Jury shall present a written report on the results of their work, explaining their reasons for having chosen the winner.

Seventh: Decisions by the Jury shall be reached by majority vote. In the case of a tie, the Chairman shall cast the deciding vote.

Eighth: If a Jury member cannot attend a session due to an emergency, his written report shall be sufficient and he shall have no right to object.

Ninth: The Jury is confidential and the names of its members should not be announced. It is not permitted for a Jury member to announce his name or the results of the arbitration or its deliberations.

Tenth: A Jury member shall step down from the membership if one of his relatives of first or second degree submits a nomination application for the award.

Eleventh: The Jury shall consider the books nominated for the Award according to the conditions approved in the Award’s work system.

Twelfth: The Jury shall submit its detailed report, signed by its members, to the Award’s Board of Directors for approval of the results.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: info@uaebby.org.ae

For submissions: Etisalat Award for Arabic, Children’s Literature, Al Qasba – Block D – First Floor, Sharjah P.O. Box: 5424, Sharjah – United Arab Emirates

Website: http://www.ibby.org/

05 July 2011

Deadline: 31 August 2011 (from 30 June 2011)

The NCCA Writers’ Prize is a biennial award given to five (5) writers, one for each of the following categories: Poetry (Waray language), Novel ( Cebuano language), Essay (Bicolano language), Short Story (Panay language) and Drama (Filipino language). The award, in the amount of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS gross, will assist the winner during the writing stage of the project. The award is good for one year, after which a manuscript of the writing project will be submitted to the NCCA for possible publication or staging. The Novel manuscript shall be submitted to the Man Asia Literary Prize as official entry of the Philippines, after it has been translated into the English language and published by the NCCA.

The NCCA, in line with its mission to “encourage the continuing development of a pluralistic culture by the people themselves,” will be creating the opportunity to have a direct hand in the development of Filipino literature. With the cash award, the NCCA Writers Prize winners will be freed from the demands of their work and shall be able to focus on the writing of the complete manuscript for one year.

Eligibility

The award is open to all Filipino writers, of legal age, except to the officers and members of the NCCA Secretariat and the incumbent Executive Council Members of the NCCA Committee on Literary Arts.

Mechanics

For the 2011 NCCA Writers Prize competition, the following shall be the requirements in the submission of entries:

1. Applicants must submit an accomplished application form, which is available at the NCCA Planning, Policy Formulation, and Programming Division (P/PFPD) (download application form), together with the applicant’s curriculum vitae; with a 3 – 5 page concept paper discussing the rationale and significance of the project, and the initial output of the project which shall be submitted in four (4) printed copies. For 2011, the categories and the expected initial output for each category are:

Category Initial Output

1. Novel – Cebuano language, first 50 pages

2. Poetry – Waray language 10 poems; 1 poem per page

3. Short Story – Panay language, first three chapters with a total minimum of 50 pages

4. Drama – Filipino language, 1-act for a full length drama and two (2) 1-act plays

5. Essay – Bicolano language, first 3 essays of no less than 50 pages

All the sample works shall be in typewritten form. Spacing shall be double space, Font shall be Arial 11. Manuscript and concept paper shall not bear the name of the applicant in any of the pages. All manuscripts received with identifying marks shall be disqualified.

2. Applicants are allowed to apply only in one (1) category.

3. Applications will be evaluated by an Ad Hoc Screening Committee, the lists of the members of the Screening Committee for each category shall be provided by the Committee on Literary Arts. There will be three members of the Ad-Hoc Screening Committee per category.

4. The Award will be released in four tranches, with the first tranche to be given during the Awards Ceremony at the beginning of the writing period and the succeeding tranches upon submission of the following percentage of the writing project:

2nd tranche - 50% of the writing project

3rd tranche - 75% of the writing project

4th tranche - 100% of the writing project

5. The NCCA shall give the awardees one year to finish their manuscripts. The NCCA will allow a maximum extension of six (6) months only with written justification from the awardee.

6. Completed manuscript by the winners, which means that it is 100% completed, must be submitted in two forms: Two (2) printed copies and two (2) electronic copies in MSWord format in a diskette. The completed project output shall be as follows:

Category Project Output

1. Novel – Cebuano language Minimum of 50,000 words

2. Poetry – Waray language 30 poems

3. Short Story – Panay language Minimum of 15 chapters

4.. Drama – Filipino language 2 or more acts for a full-length drama and five (5) 1-act plays

5. Essay – Bicolano language 12 essays or no less than 200 pages

7. The award is non-transferable. All privileges shall be enjoyed by the winner himself/herself based on the successful evaluation of the work in progress. A member from the Ad-Hoc Screening Committee of each category shall be assigned as Reader to evaluate the succeeding materials to be submitted by the winner. Upon submission of the positive evaluation of the Reader for the second and third tranches, the corresponding amounts shall be released immediately to the winner. However, for the fourth tranche, the same will be released only upon completion of evaluation of the completed manuscript by the Reader. Revisions, however, may be recommended by the Reader. Only upon final approval of the completed manuscript shall the final tranche be released to the winner.

8. Deadline of submission of application together with the curriculum vitae of applicant and other requirements has been extended from June 30, 2011 to Aug. 31, 2011. All applications shall be addressed to:

2011 NCCA WRITERS’ PRIZE Secretariat
Planning, Policy Formulation and Programming Div. (P/PFPD) - Institutional Programs
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
NCCA Building, 633 General Luna St.
Intramuros, Manila

Attention: Frances S. Alincastre
Planning Officer III

9. Entries that were not selected shall not be returned anymore.

10. Works may deal with any topic, but those dealing with environmental issues and climate change are also welcome.

COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP RIGHT

1. The winner hereby grants the NCCA the first option to publish the completed manuscript. The NCCA will have the right to produce or authorize to be produced, for staging, telecasting, broadcasting, or cinema or other forms of exhibition from time to time any output of the winning manuscripts. The NCCA will also be allowed to include the completed manuscripts in the NCCA Website. The first option to publish of the NCCA expires one year after completion of the writing project.

2. It is understood that the entry submitted has not been submitted to any other award body or has not received any prize and is not a completed manuscript but a work in progress. Any violation of the guidelines shall mean withdrawal of the prize and any amount paid to the winner shall be returned to the NCCA. The award then will be transferred to the person who garnered the second highest votes during the Screening of the materials.

For inquiries,please contact Ms. Frances S. Alincastre at tel. No. 527-21-92, loc. 503 or 527-2214 (DL), and e-mail address: haraya_naaw@ncca.gov.ph.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: haraya_naaw@ncca.gov.ph

For submissions: 2011 NCCA WRITERS’ PRIZE Secretariat, Planning, Policy Formulation and Programming Div. (P/PFPD) - Institutional Programs, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, NCCA Building, 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila

Website: http://www.ncca.gov.ph

03 July 2011

Asia Writes's featured writer, Kulpreet Yadav, has released his second novel, A Waiting Wave, published by Pustak Mahal.


A Waiting Wave

The British abandoned their mansions, the Japanese gave up their bunkers and the Dutch departed in a hurry forgetting to ship their cows back to Europe. Any guesses about the place being referred to?

Before going into the details about the setting, the first ever for a novel, there’s the advance praise to consider.

Advance praise for A Waiting Wave:

“It is marvellous how Kulpreet has managed to write this deft and entertaining bit of breezy prose. His touch is surprisingly assured.” - Upamanyu Chatterjee, Author of the cult Indian classic ‘English August’

"Kulpreet Yadav's passionate story brings the Andamans to life in such vivid detail that it made me long to drop everything and go there at once." - Indra Sinha, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, 2007 and regional winner, Commonwealth Writer’s Prize, 2008

Kulpreet Yadav is a promising young writer who shows much talent.” - Jug Suraiya, author and columnist, ‘The Times of India’

"Kulpreet Yadav knows how to make a sentence sound at once dignified and youthful, and most of all careful. These pages bulge provocatively with color and sensation. I’m reeled in by a humid, sweet-smelling aggrandizement of the human condition, and I like it." - Natasha Stagg, editor-at-large, Sonora Review, literary magazine, University of Arizona

“If you are a travel freak, this is a must have. Detailed information about the Stone Age tribes of the Andaman Islands, their culture and the ability to converse with their ancestors, it’s all there.” - Sharell Cook, India Travel, About.com, ‘The New York Times’ company

Fast, action-packed and hugely engrossing, ‘A Waiting Wave’ sure is a thumping good read.
Shridhar Raghavan, Scriptwriter of Khakee, Apaharan, Dum Maaro Dum and Bluffmaster

“Kulpreet is gifted with an inventive and graphic imagination that will immerse the readers in this engrossing island saga.” - Sid Khullar, Food commentator and Editor, Chef-at-Large

“Kulpreet Yadav uses a language all his own, a syntax malleable enough to encompass the emotions and thoughts of his truly distinctive protagonist, Harrison Massey. An enjoyable read.” - Steven Miller, fiction editor, Leaning House Press

“The author uses myriad shades to display the essence of true emotions in this promising novel. From separation to self-discovery, the tale drips in the sweet flavour of wanting love between the characters.” - Faraaz Kazi, author of 'Truly Madly Deeply'

“Very riveting and refreshing account. Takes you to Andamans, even if you have never been there. Very enlightening and entertaining.” - Subhash Arora, President, Delhi Wine Club and Editor, DelWine

Now the location! In case you haven’t got it right the first time, the place is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an Indian territory in the Bay of Bengal, that’s the setting for Kulpreet Yadav’s second novel ‘A Waiting Wave’. Even on this day, alongside others who have settled from mainland India, members of five tribes co-exist. Three are Negrito tribes, the Onges who believe in the ‘spirit of the turtle’, the Sentinelese who inhabit a solitary island and are still in the Stone Age, and the Jarawas who are gentle. While out of the remaining two Mongoloid tribes, the Nicobari and the Shompens, the former have government jobs and the latter live in the jungles.

Though action-adventure in essence, the story is based on modern age relationships. It’s about a couple, who, after having discovered love working together at a corporate office in New Delhi, exchange the wedding wows. But soon differences arise and the two separate. While the protagonist returns to Port Blair, his hometown, his wife stays at Delhi. He is convinced their differences are irreconcilable until a Tsunami consumes him. Lucky to be alive, as he struggles in a wild world he realizes, yet again, he is still in love with his wife. But it is already too late and to live and profess his love once again he will have to fight the savage Sentinelese tribe, besides surviving the deadly salt water crocodiles, the blood sucking leeches and rampant malarial mosquitoes. And, yes, not to forget the ghosts in the Japanese bunkers from WW II and those in the abandoned British mansions as he fights the odds.

The reason to set the story in Port Blair and the surrounding islands, the author feels, is primarily due to the fact that both at the Indian and at the world level, even to this day, Andaman and Nicobar is a strange land, too far away, and meant for, perhaps, domestic Indian tourists. He hopes to change all of that with this book.

The archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands stretches over 800 kilometers – consider Delhi-Ahmedabad, London-Zurich, or Singapore-Phuket to get the sense of distance – comprises of 570 odd islands, many of which are still pristine in the literal sense, waiting for the humans to come and explore. In terms of flora, fauna and avifauna these islands are a minefield too. On his treks through the thick of jungles, the author says he has come across surveyors on their maiden visits confiding that the expanse of natural wealth that’s home to these islands has the potential to make a significant difference to the natural world, the way the world sees it today.

It’s taken one year to write this book. Though fiction – didn’t want the people to run away from a reference book, is the author’s excuse – the prose is immersed with significant findings, based on what he has physically seen, or read at the state library where, in fairly good condition, a few out of print dissertations and books from the bygone era are available.

About the author

Kulpreet Yadav is an Indian novelist who also loves to write shorter fiction and travelogues. Many of his works have found place in some of the best publications from around the world. ‘A Waiting Wave’, his second novel, was conceived and written at Port Blair where he lived alone for a year researching the islands and imagining ways to sustain love. Contact the author via kulpreetyadav@gmail.com

02 July 2011

PSICOM Publishing Inc.

Ranging from children's books, humor books, cookbooks, comics, novels, romance, chicklit and ghost stories, PSICOM has reached the shelves of Filipino young readers nationwide.

True Philippine Ghost Stories

Whether it's about a ghostly apparition inside your room or your evil doppelganger terrorizing your friends, we all have our own ghost stories to tell. It's a part of our culture. It's a part of our lives. And for over 30 installments of True Philippine Ghost Stories, TPGS is proud to have been a part of that haunting that keeps you up at night.

Stupid Love by Amelia Lince

We can never say when love will be sent and received by our hearts... As fast as electronic mail, love can conquer you anytime, anywhere. Take a look at life and all its romances. It might be fond rememberings or tragic endings. Whatever it is, collected here are true stories which prove that love exists. No matter how stupid, there will always be Love. Stupid Love!

Send your works to psicomeditors@yahoo.com. In subject line - SUBMISSION: (STORIES or NOVELS or COMICS). Preferred format is: short story (500 to 1000 words) OR 2 sample chapters with brief synopsis (novel/book). INCLUDE author information (contact details, etc.).

Contact Information:

For inquiries: psicomeditors@yahoo.com

For submissions: psicomeditors@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.psicompublishing.com/

27 June 2011

Date: 9 July 2011

US-based FilAm writer Cecilia Manguerra Brainard will be giving a rare and intimate ‘writeshop’ with literature teachers and students on the Fundamentals of Creative Writing on July 9, 10am at Powerbooks Greenbelt 4. A highlight of the session will be her presentation on the “dugtungan” novel --a new writing form used for ANGELICA’S DAUGHTERS, a newly released novel by Brainard and other accomplished Filipina writers Nadine Sar...real, Susan Evangelista and Erma Cuizon. Brainard is in town for the release of her latest fiction collection entitled ‘Vigan and other Stories”. Below are excerpts of a review of the book by writer Allen Gaborro:

In “Vigan and Other Stories”, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard sets in motion a sundry compendium of cultural and historical narratives that are vibrant, dynamic, fanciful, nostalgic, and melancholic. Leaping decades and continents, the narratives in what is her third collection of short stories are noted for their compelling characters and choice themes. “Vigan” brings home for Filipinos a past and present idea of their collective self-identity.

Arguably a Filipina version of Virginia Woolf or, perhaps just as accurately, Isabelle Allende, Brainard’s fictional publications are marked by a balance between the public and the private, the individual and the collective, and the local and the universal. Set around the intermingling and intertwining of all these designations, “Vigan”, like her other works, was conceived by the author above all as, according to Oscar Campomanes, “an investment in the cultural development of the ancestral homeland.”

Cobbling together an enthralling ensemble of characters, Brainard sews together a heartfelt and intimate tapestry of an anthology that comes upon the reader with an exceptional perception of the human condition, especially as it pertains to women and to Filipinos. Combined with Brainard’s supple and introspective prose, “Vigan” merits comparison with other wonderful and engaging Asian American short story anthologies.

Perfectly balancing her personal reminiscences and her poetic license, Brainard’s stories become a matter of the heart, the human emotions, and of the challenges that fate has in store for people. In her story “The Artist”, Brainard takes us back to the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule. Historical names and terms from this period like the Galleon Trade, Legazpi, Magellan, the Parian—or Chinese neighborhood of Manila—make cameo appearances in the story. But however brief these appearances are, they still give the plot of “The Artist” historical weight.

“Vigan” the story is a sort of reconstruction of the author’s previous stays in the city which is located in the northern province of Ilocos Sur. Situated on South China Sea. The city serves as the backdrop for her story about a young girl dealing with the death of her father and with the tragic experiences of her “bad luck” mother.

Seats to the writeshop are limited so reservations must be made promptly. For inquiries and reservations, please contact Anvil Publishing by email: anvilpublishing@yahoo.com.

Time: Saturday, July 9 · 10:00am - 1:00pm

Location: Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4

Contact Information:

For inquiries: anvilpublishing@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.anvilpublishing.com/

26 June 2011

Do you ponder the "what-ifs"? Have you read stories that you wished you could write your own alternative endings to?

If you're nodding along unwittingly, Noise Singapore invites you to join Press Play, a continue-the-story adventure that unfolds in three different stages. Beginning with Stage Zero by Singaporean novelist Wena Poon, Press Play challenges you to write your own short continuation to any (or all) of the stories from the preceding stage. This story can spin off in any direction and as far as your imagination takes you!

Click on the box to expand the paragraph that you wish to continue reading. Simply press the "PLAY" button here to send us your stories by the deadline for each stage! These 3 different stages are only open during their respective stated periods.

* Stage 1: 1 June - 3 Jul 2011
* Stage 2: 25 Jul - 7 Aug 2011
* Stage 3: 29 Aug - 11 Sep 2011

You can submit as many alternative continuations as you like for the different stages. Each of our little boxes can only take up to maximum of 2,500 characters.

Noise Singapore and writers Wena Poon and O Thiam Chin will be picking the most imaginative and best written paragraphs at each stage.

Winners of each stage will win $150 worth of BooksActually or Kinokuniya vouchers (you actually get to choose).

Judges:

Wena Poon

When growing up in Singapore, Wena Poon was addicted to Star Wars and Batman. She began writing action adventure novels when she was in Secondary One. She went to Nanyang Girls, Raffles Girls, and Raffles Junior College. She is the author of the short story collections Lions In Winter and The Proper Care of Foxes, the science fiction series The Biophilia Omnibus, and the Spanish bullfighting adventure novel Alex y Robert, which was serialized and broadcast worldwide by the BBC as a Book At Bedtime. Her fiction and poetry have won or been nominated for numerous literary prizes in the UK, Singapore, and Malaysia. Her website is www.wenapoon.com.

Thiam Chin

O Thiam Chin's short stories have appeared in many literary anthologies and journals, including Asia Literary Review, Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, Cha: An Asian Literary Journal, Kyoto Journal, Asiatic and Asia Writes. He is the author of three collections of short stories, Free-Falling Man (2006), Never Been Better (2009), longlisted for the Frank O' Connor Short Story Award and nominated as one of the best 10 fiction books in the Popular-The Star Readers' Choice Awards in 2010, and Under The Sun (2010). He was an honorary fellow of the Iowa International Writing Program in 2010. Having just completed his fourth story collection, The Rest Of Your Life And Everything That Comes With It, he is currently working on his first novel.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: click here

For submissions: submit here

Website: http://www.noisesingapore.com/sideprojects/pressplay

25 June 2011

Night Heron Press is a royalty-paying publisher. We provide our authors with cover art, ISBN numbers, advanced review copies, editorial services, as well as marketing and promotion.

We are currently accepting submissions from both unpublished and established writers.

We accept fiction in all traditional genres of literature, including fantasy, science fiction, literary fiction, romance, and erotica. We are open to non-traditional genres, so long as we feel the stories are well-crafted and engaging.

We encourage the submission of gay and lesbian literature, as well as literature featuring characters from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

We currently accept work in the following categories:

• Short Story (2,500 – 20,000 words)
• Novella (20,000-50,000 words)
• Novel (50,000-150,000 words)
  

For novella and novel-length fiction , please query first with a 1-2 page letter. Be sure to include a short synopsis of your book, its word count, and any relevant publishing credits you may have. You may include the first twenty pages within the body of the e-mail. Excellent advice on writing query letters can be found here: Writing Query Letters

Short stories may be sent as an attachment, in .RTF format. Please use 1.5 spacing, and 12 PT Times New Roman font. Include a cover letter with a short synopsis, your bio, and any previous publishing credits. If you are submitting for consideration in an anthology, please indicate which.

Submissions may be sent to submissions@nightheronpress.com

We give careful consideration to every submission we receive, and this is a time-consuming process. Please allow at least 4 weeks before inquiries regarding the status of your query or manuscript.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: submissions@nightheronpress.com

For submissions: submissions@nightheronpress.com

Website: http://www.nightheronpress.com/

22 June 2011

Deadline: 31 January 2012

The Charles Pick Fellowship is dedicated to the memory of the distinguished publisher and literary agent, Charles Pick, whose career began in 1933 and continued until shortly before his death in January 2000. He encouraged young writers at the start of their careers with introductions to other writers and practical and financial help. Of six months duration and worth £10,000, the Fellowship seeks to continue this spirit of encouragement by giving support to the development of a new and as yet unpublished prose writer.

Martin Pick, Charles Pick’s son, announced (on 20 June 2011 at the Worlds Literature Festival) that this fellowship is being expanded to include an additional fellowship specifically for writers from South Asia. The fellowship enables a writer to spend six months in residence at the University of East Anglia. It will be chaired by Professor Amit Chaudhuri and the short list decided by Professor Jon Cook, Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia and a founding Board member of the Asia-Pacific Writing Partnership.

This fellowship is for an unpublished author from South Asia writing in English.

Applicants should submit no more than 3,000 words. Short listed applicants will be awarded £1,400 and have the opportunity to join a mentored workshop in South Asia with one or more distinguished writers.

The deadline for the fellowship is 31 January 2012. For more information, contact:

School of Literature and Creative Writing,
University of East Anglia,
Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ
Phone 01603 592286
Fax 01603 507728
charlespickfellowship@uea.ac.uk

Via: apwriters.org

Contact Information:

For inquiries: charlespickfellowship@uea.ac.uk

Website: http://www.uea.ac.uk

21 June 2011

Deadline: 31 July 2011

The 2011 Muslim Writers Awards welcomes submissions from Muslim writers across the world. We have a broad range of categories from screen play to novel writing to journalism. Our awards ceremony is an opportunity to showcase talent from both published and unpublished writers. We also work with a number of literary agents and publishers who are eager to read and review writing submitted to us.


The Muslim Writers Awards 2011 is calling submissions from over 16 writers for the following categories:

* Unpublished Novel Award
* Unpublished Short Story Award
* Unpublished Poetry Award
* Unpublished Children’s Story Award
* Screenplay Award
* Young Journalist Award (16-25)
* Blogger’s Award
*Published Novel Award

To submit work for unpublished categories at the Muslim Writers Awards 2011, please click here. To submit for the Unpublished Novel or Blogger Award catergories, please download and complete the Entry Form below.

Terms and Conditions

ELIGIBILITY

1. All entries must be submitted in the English language.
2. All entries must be original and the authors own unaided work.
3. Submissions must not infringe any copyright or contain defamatory or otherwise unlawful matter.
4. All entrants must be over the age of 16. Entrants for the Young Journalism award must be aged 16-25 at the time of the closing date.
5. Entries submitted in previous Muslim Writers Awards competitions will not be accepted.
6. The closing date for the competition is midnight on the 31st of July 2011 and submissions will not be accepted after this date.
7. Entries into unpublished categories must not have been previously published.
8. Entries for the Screenplay award will not be accepted if they have been optioned, sold or produced.
9. Entries for the Published Novel award will be accepted if they have been first published after the 30th of January 2009.
10. Entries for the Unpublished Short Story award must not exceed 8,000 words.
11. Entries for the Unpublished Novel award must be a minimum of 8,000 words.
12. Entries for the Unpublished Children’s Story award must be a minimum of 8,000 words.
13. Entries for the Screenplay award must be no shorter than ten minutes screen time.
14. For both the Young Journalist award and the Unpublished Poetry award, entrants may submit up to three articles/poems. All articles/poems must be placed in one Microsoft Word document, with each article/poem clearly labelled.
15. For the Blogger award category, entrants must have the at least 30 postsin the period of the last twelve months up to the submission entry date.
16. For all other categories, only one entry per category will be accepted.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

1. All unpublished entries can only be submitted electronically through our online submissions managers, Submishmash, unless already submitted by post before 16th June 2011.
2. Entrants should complete all the required fields on Submishmash when submitting their work.
3. Unpublished submissions should be typed in font Times New Roman, font size 11, in a Microsoft Word document format, with numbered pages.
4. Unpublished submissions must bear the title of the entry in the ‘Header’ of each page.
5. Unpublished submissions must not bear the authors name on the copy of the submission.
6. Five copies of each book, accompanied by a completed Entry Form available to download online, must be sent to Muslim Writers Awards, E1 Business Centre, 7 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1DU.
7. Entries must be a in a book form. Books published between January 2010 and November 2011 may be submitted in proof form if necessary after obtaining permission from Muslim Writers Awards.
8. The submission of an authors work by the publisher will be taken as agreement by the author that he/she is willing for the submitted work to be considered.
9. Entries received for the 2010 competition will automatically be re-entered for MWA 2011.
10. Once received, entries cannot be amended.
11. For the Unpublished Novel award, the Unpublished Short Story award, and the Unpublished Children’s Story award please include a short synopsis of the work (up to 500 words).
12. The closing date for the competition is 23:59:59 on 31st July 2011.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. Judging for the Muslim Writers Awards will be as follows:
2. Stage 1: A team of readers will read all submissions and select the top entries.
3. Stage 2: The top entries will be put to the judging panels which will assess the entries, giving each a score.
4. Stage 3: The judging panels will convene to discuss the winner of the award.
5. The decisions of the judging panel are final and binding, and Muslim Writers Awards will not enter into correspondence or negotiation regarding the results.
6. Due to the high volume of submissions, the organisers are unable to contact all entrants to inform them of their progression through the selection process. Only shortlisted entrants will be contacted.
7. Young Muslim Writers Awards winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in London during November 2011. More details will be available closer to the time.
8. Details of winners will be made available on the Muslim Writers Awards website after the Awards ceremony.

PUBLICITY

1. Each winner will agree to take part in publicity for the promotion of the Awards which will include - but is not restricted to- his/her name and photograph being used. Writers will not receive payment for this.
2. Winners will retain the copyright to their work but grant Muslim Writers Awards the right to publish their work in the anthology and excerpts on the Muslim Writers Awards website.
3. Submissions do not need to be centred on topics of Islam or Muslim identity, however this is equally welcome.
4. The submission of an entry will be deemed to imply the acceptance of these conditions of entry.

Download:

• MWA11 Blogger Award Entry Form.pdf >>
• MWA11 Published Novel Award Entry Form.pdf >>

Contact Information:

For inquiries: click here

For submissions: click here

Website: http://muslimwritersawards.org.uk

15 June 2011

Blaft Publications is an independent publishing house based in Chennai, India. Our list includes bestselling Indian crime novels, experimental fiction, pulp art, and graphic novels. Our books are distributed in India by Westland Books and in the US by Small Press Distribution.

Submission Guidelines:

Translators: We like to get submissions and proposals from translators, especially those working with languages that are underrepresented in English translation. Please mail us at blaft[at]blaft.com.

Comics Artists / Graphic Novelists: Please send submissions of complete or nearly complete short comics and graphic novels to blaft[at]blaft.com. If your graphic novel still only exists as an idea in your head, please wait to contact us until you've actually got something to show.

Writing in English: Though we do publish some English fiction, it is not our main focus. You can send manuscripts or samples to submit[at]blaft.com, but be aware that we often get more English manuscript submissions than we have time to get around to reading, and we can be (very) slow to respond.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: blaft[at]blaft.com

For submissions: blaft[at]blaft.com or submit[at]blaft.com

Website: http://www.blaft.com

14 June 2011

Palestine International Institute with the generous contribution of Engineer Muhammad Jaber Member of the Board of Directors are proud to launch The Gassan Kanafani (Novel and Short Story) Award. The award is given to the chosen writer every year on the 8th July, being the anniversary of Ghassan Kanafani’s martyrdom.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: pii@orange.jo

Website: http://www.pii-diaspora.org

12 June 2011

What are some other things you can do to help sell your manuscript?

First, we expect you to enjoy reading romance fiction. If you are already a fan, your appreciation for this type of book will be apparent in the writing. If you have not done so already, we encourage you to read many, many books from each series. The series that emerges as your favourite is probably where you should submit your manuscript.

Second, remember reading is an emotional experience. We hope you will write from the heart and we will feel touched by what you have to say. When you put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard), do so because you have something to share with other readers.

Guidelines for writing different series of Mills & Boon

MILLS & BOON® MODERN ROMANCE™
Length: 50,000

Modern Romance is the last word in sensual and emotional excitement. Readers are whisked away to exclusive jet-set locations to experience smouldering intensity and red-hot desire.

At the heart of your novel there must be two memorable and engaging characters who leap from the page but who remain credible, no matter what their situation. When the hero strides into the story he's a powerful, ruthless man who knows exactly what - and who - he wants and he isn't used to taking no for an answer! Yet he has depth and integrity, and he will do anything to make the heroine his. Though she may be shy and vulnerable, she's also plucky and determined to challenge his arrogant pursuit.

Modern Romance explores emotional themes that are universal. These should be played out as part of highly-charged conflicts that are underpinned by blistering sexual anticipation and released as passionate lovemaking. However, Modern is not the home of purple prose, cliché or melodrama; we want to see writing that offers unique perspectives and bursts with originality.

A Modern Romance is more than just a book; it's an experience, an everyday luxury. Let the pleasure and passion envelop you as you take a ride in the fast lane of romance.

MILLS & BOON® ROMANCE
Length: 50,000 words

Do you love a happy ending? Do you love to get lost in a story that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions? Whether your writing is witty or has you reaching for the hankies - if you love a true romance this is the series for you!

Do you want to walk in your heroine's shoes?

We celebrate women: their lives, triumphs, families, hopes, dreams…and most importantly their journey to falling in love. These are heroines every woman can relate to, root for, a friend you can laugh with and cry with. There should be a sense that the story really could happen to you!

Do you want pure Romance?

Behind every strong woman…there's a strong man. A guy you could meet on the sunniest of days, but who'll be there for you on the rainiest. Each story delivers 100% pure romance - but happily leaves the explicit detail on the cutting room floor! Readers come to this series to experience the feel-good high of love blossoming!

Do you want to explore a rainbow of emotional scenarios?

Vibrant, hilarious, heart-wrenching, exciting, uplifting, unexpected, intelligent, warm…all this and more can be found in Harlequin Romance.

So - wherever in the world your book is set, whether it's fun and flirty or deeply emotional, let your imagination fly. The possibilities in Romance are endless

Desire :
Length: 50,000–55,000 words

At 50–55,000 words, Desire books are filled to the brim with strong, intense storylines. These sensual love stories immediately involve the reader in a romantic, emotional conflict and the quest for a happily-ever-after resolution. The novels should be fresh, fast-paced, modern and present the hero and heroine's conflicts by the end of chapter one. Readers need to understand immediately what obstacles will impact the characters throughout the novel.

The Desire hero should be powerful and wealthy — an alpha male with a sense of entitlement, and sometimes arrogance. While he may be harsh or direct, he is never physically cruel. Beneath his alpha exterior, he displays some vulnerability, and he is capable of being saved. It's up to the heroine to get him there. The Texan hero should own the ranch, not work on it, and the urban hero should be someone in charge, not a handyman. The Desire hero often has fewer scenes from his point of view, but in many ways, he owns the story. Readers should want to fall in love with and rescue the Desire hero themselves!

The Desire heroine is complex and flawed. She is strong-willed and smart, though capable of making mistakes when it comes to matters of the heart. The heroine is equally as important as the hero, if not more so. There is room for both protagonists' perspective, but Desire novels are usually 60% heroine and 40% hero.

The conflict should be dramatic and original. Unexpected and new takes on classic plot lines, such as secret pregnancies, marriages of convenience and reunion romances, are welcome. Plots that focus on suspense or paranormal are best directed elsewhere. The story can be set anywhere in the world, but the tone should be true to the author's voice.

Desire novels are sensual reads and a love scene or scenes are needed, but there is no set number. Rather, the level of sensuality must be appropriate to the storyline. Above all, every Desire novel must fulfill the promise of a powerful, passionate and provocative read.

MILLS & BOON® HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Length: 70,000 – 75,000 words

Do you dream of waltzing in the strong arms of a Regency rake, or maybe of walking on the wild side with a Medieval warrior? Our readers’ dreams are wide-ranging, which is why we encourage submissions for all time periods, from ancient civilisations up to and including the Second World War.

Write what you know. Research is key to writing a strong historical romance. While you don’t need to be a professional historian, you do need to be able to bring a period vividly to life through accurate historical detail. The trick? Having done your research, know what to leave in and what to prune out.

There is no limit to the level of sensuality if it seems appropriate to both the characters and the story. We look for a range from traditional non-explicit stories through to highly sensual. Any lovemaking should evolve naturally out of the developing relationship.

Story focus. The central relationship is the key driving force of the story. The characters must be convincing because, despite their living in a time distant from our own, the emotions they experience will be the same then as now – love is timeless.

Special Moments (special edition)
Length: 55,000–60,000 words

Sophisticated, substantial and packed with emotion, Special Edition demands writers eager to probe characters deeply, to explore issues that heighten the drama of living and loving, to create compelling romantic plots. Whether the sensuality is sizzling or subtle, whether the plot is wildly innovative or satisfyingly traditional, the novel's emotional vividness, its depth and dimension, should clearly label it a very special contemporary romance. Subplots are welcome, but must further or parallel the developing romantic relationship in a meaningful way.

Submissions Procedure

Mills & Boon requires the first three chapters and a short synopsis of the story. The synopsis of your story should give a clear idea of both your plot and characters and be no more than two pages. Your covering letter should outline pertinent facts about yourself as a writer including your familiarity with the romance genre and previous publishing experience. Please indicate what series you think your project is appropriate for, and if it is completed. We now also accept queries or submissions by email. Please email us at aspiringauthor@millsandboonindia.com

You can also send your manuscript at:

Harlequin Mills & Boon India Pvt Ltd,
Level 1, Trade centre,
Bandra- Kurla Complex,
Bandra (E),
Mumbai - 400051.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: aspiringauthor@millsandboonindia.com

For submissions: aspiringauthor@millsandboonindia.com

Website: http://www.millsandboonindia.com

10 June 2011

Pop Culture Publishing is a publishing house made with the intention of making books that everyone will talk about. Tired of seeing unreadable 'literary' fiction and dumbed down 'mass-market' books, PCP aims to make intelligent, entertaining books for the modern reader.

Pop Culture Publishing is looking for writers for their upcoming graphic fiction projects. If you're interested, e-mail them at info@twentyonwardsmedia.com

Contact Information:

For inquiries: info@twentyonwardsmedia.com

For submissions: info@twentyonwardsmedia.com

Website: http://www.popculturepublishing.com/