Asia Writes

22 March 2013

Deadline: 31 March 2013

The Young Muslim Writers Awards is back, and we're looking for young people who love to write! We are proud to announce the 2013 Awards are presented by the Yusuf Islam Foundation, an umbrella organisation which operates in the field of education, community development and philanthropy.

Whether it's writing a short story or penning a poem that you enjoy, submit your work to the competition.

As always shortlisted entries will be assessed by panels of esteemed judges, and the shortlisted entrants will be invited to a high-profile televised Awards ceremony scheduled for July 2013 in London.

The Young Muslim Writers Awards 2013 is calling submissions from under 16 writers for the following categories:

• Short Story Key Stage 1
• Short Story Key Stage 2
• Short Story Key Stage 3
• Short Story Key Stage 4
• Poetry Key Stage 1
• Poetry Key Stage 2
• Poetry Key Stage 3
• Poetry Key Stage 4

To submit work please click here, where you will be taken to our online submissions manager. Email submissions will not be accepted.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:

• All submissions must be in the English language.
• All entrants must be original and the authors own unaided work.
• All submission should be typed, in a Word document format, double spaced, and in size 12 Times New Roman or Arial fonts with numbered pages.
• Entrants can only submit one entry for the 'Short Story' category, and up to three poems in the 'Poetry' category.
• The name of the author must not appear anywhere on the document.
• Once received, entries cannot be subsequently amended.
• Submissions will not be accepted after midnight on 31at March 2013.
• The decisions of the judging panel are final and binding, and Muslim Writers Awards will not enter into correspondence or negotiation about the results.
• Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which is scheduled to be held in May 2013. More details will be available closer to the time.
• Details of winners will be made available on the Muslim Writers Awards website after the Awards ceremony.
• 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.
• Winning entries may be published in the Muslim Writers Awards Anthology. 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.
• Submissions must not infringe any copyright or contain defamatory or otherwise unlawful matter.
• All entrants agree to have their email address added to the MWA mailing list.
• The submission of an entry will be deemed to imply the unqualified acceptance of these conditions of entry.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries: mail@muslimwritersawards.org.uk

For submissions: via Submittable

Website: http://muslimwritersawards.org.uk/

06 July 2012

Deadline: 14 September 2012

The competition aims to encourage new scholarship and a platform for fresh ideas in the study of radicalisation and political violence, and to bring an international perspective to this work, by involving ICSR’s international partners.

The essay prize, run by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, has been commissioned in honour of Sir Chaudhry Muhammed Zafrullah Khan, an alumnus of King’s College London, international jurist and a distinguished Pakistani diplomat who was became the first Asian President of the International Court of Justice and the seventeenth President of the UN General Assembly.

For this year’s competition, candidates are asked to respond to the following question: ‘Does the killing of bin-Laden represent a watershed in US-Pakistan relations?'

The competition is open to students of any nationality, enrolled on undergraduate or master’s courses at any of the institutions partnered to ICSR:

• War Studies Department, King’s College London
• ICT, IDC Herzliya
• RCCP, Jordan Institute of Diplomacy
• ISTAR, University of Pennsylvania
• Center for Peace and Security Studies, Georgetown University
• Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, Islamabad
• Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi

The deadline for applications is 14 September 2012.

One prize, of £1,000, will be awarded to the author of the best essay. The award will be made on the basis of originality, logical argument, sound analysis, style, clarity and conciseness. Essays should be no longer than 2,000 words.

Students are asked to send one copy of their essay to Katie Rothman at: Strand Bridge House, 138-142 Strand, London, WC2R 1HH or katie.rothman@icsr.info

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: katie.rothman@icsr.info

Website: http://www.icsr.info

29 June 2012

Deadline: 6 July 2012

Pakistan Dental Association (PDA), Karachi, is organizing an Essay and Poetry competition for dental students on the topic of "Dentistry".

Each essay should be of 250 words in English while poetry could be submitted in both English and Urdu. The first prize for the essay competition will be a gold medal and Rs 10, 000. The prize has been sponsored by Bari Dental Clinic. Winner of the poetry competition will get Rs 5,000 from Dr. Aizaz Khan of Khan Dental Clinic. The last date for submission of both the essay and poetry is July 6.

Entries of both the essays and poetry could be sent to the Office of Dental News or Office of General Secretary, PDA, Karachi 10-11 Osif Arcade, Block 15, Main University Road or through e-mails - Jahangirmohammadferoz@yahoo.com or nrmaxfac@yahoo.com.

Via: dentalnewspk

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: jahangirmohammadferoz@yahoo.com or nrmaxfac@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.pda.org.pk/

08 June 2012

Deadline: 11 June 2012

Free Word – a global meeting place for literature, argument and free thinking. Established in 2008, Free Word is an international centre for innovation and collaboration, pushing boundaries to promote, protect and democratise the power of the written and spoken world for creative and free expression.

Free Word is home to eight resident organisations and over 25 associates working across literature, literacy and free expression. There are currently eight resident organisations at the centre, including Apples & Snakes; Arvon Foundation; ARTICLE 19; Booktrust; English PEN; Index on Censorship; The Literary Consultancy; The Reading Agency.

Working closely with its resident organisations and associates, Free Word develops, hosts and runs an extensive programme of discussions, lectures, films, exhibitions and performances in its 90 seater lecture theatre and event space, on its website as well as at venues and festivals nationally and internationally.

Encouraging debate across the worlds of culture and politics, these events give a platform to often unheard voices, opening up new perspectives and challenging official narratives.

TRANSLATOR IN RESIDENCE PROGRAMME
Crossing Cultures: Translating Tales
at the Free Word Centre, London
September 2012 – May 2013

Now in its second year, the Translator in Residence Programme, ‘Crossing Cultures; Translating Tales’, was established in association with the Translators Association with support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

The Translators in Residence (TIR) Programme forms part of Free Word’s commitment to Translation, which is delivered through the partnership work we launched in 2010 with the Global Translation Initiative and also includes International Translation Day in the Autumn and the Literary Translation Centre at the London Book Fair each Spring.

TIR 2012/13 will build on the work of the TIR 2011/12 that forged a new approach to translation, going beyond the academic to stage playful and interactive activities that made people think about translation in new ways. Aimed at popularising and demystifying translation, the 2011/12 programme combined poetry, games, the environment, food and music and highlighted how translation enriches and is part of our everyday lives.

With thanks once again to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, we are delighted to offer two four-­month residencies at Free Word spanning September 2012 through to May 2013.

There is some flexibility in the timing of the two residencies and how the successful candidates’ time is allocated across the September – May period. We would expect at least one of the residencies to have started by the end of September. We will consider the residencies happening concurrently, or with some overlap. We also recognize that some of the activities planned may extend beyond the designated residency period.

A fee of £5000 is available for each individual residency, together with a small budget to realise projects.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Translators will be responsible for researching ideas and developing innovative projects which will be realised with the support of Free Word, and where appropriate working with Free Word Founder Members and Associates, including The British Centre for Literary Translation, English PEN, the Reading Agency and Arvon.

Part of the programme of events should also include developing a project with the local community; this might include working with local schools, colleges, businesses or community groups.

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be practising literary translators.

We are looking for one translator in residence who is working from Turkish, as Turkey will be the country focus for the London Book Fair in April 2013 The second translator will be working from another language that is widely spoken in the local community, i.e. the local boroughs of Islington, Hackney, City and Tower Hamlets. These include: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Greek, Gujarati, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese.

The role of translator in residence will be both challenging and rewarding. Therefore, we're looking for a professional, practising translator, with an aptitude for working in community settings and a proactive, collaborative approach that will engage a wide range of participants and audiences.

APPLICATIONS

Please send a CV and covering letter outlining why you want to be translator in residence at the Free Word Centre. Please include an outline of some initial ideas on how you would fulfil the project objectives and send to Siobhan@freewordonline.com by 11 June at 10am.

Interviews will be held at the Free Word Centre on 20 June.

Please note this is an application for both residencies falling within the September 2012 – May 2013 period – applicants can give a preference for the four-­‐month period they would like their residency to cover.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: Siobhan@freewordonline.com

Website: http://www.freewordonline.com/

24 May 2012

Deadline: 1 June 2012

The SI Leeds Literary Prize is a new prize for unpublished fiction by Black and Asian women resident in the UK aged 18 years and over.

The prize aims to act as a loudspeaker for Black and Asian women’s voices, enabling fresh and original literary voices from a group disproportionately under-represented in mainstream literary culture to reach new audiences.

The inaugural prize will be awarded in October 2012, and will consist of:

• £2,000 to the winner
• £750 to the runner-up
• £250 as a third prize

In addition to the cash awards Peepal Tree Press will offer the winning, runner-up and third placed authors two 1:1 consultancy sessions in professional development support through its Inscribe programme. With the winner’s consent, the winning manuscript will be given serious consideration for publication by Peepal Tree Press. In addition, the winner, 2nd and 3rd prize winners will be invited to read short extracts from their work at the 2012 Ilkley Literature Festival.

HOW TO ENTER

The prize is open to Black and Asian women writers aged 18 or over, based in the UK and writing fiction in English. Only unpublished original work is eligible for the prize. The fee per entry is £15. To find out if you are eligible to enter, please check the eligibility section.

All entries must be made by post using the entry form and cover sheet, and have to be submitted before the closing deadline of 1 June 2012. All submissions must be made following the format set out in the rules, so please read these carefully before you apply. If you have any queries about the format or timescale for the prize, please contact us.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO ENTER?

The Award is open to published and unpublished women writers, over the age of 18, of Black or Asian descent who are resident in the UK. Ethnicity will be self-defined by entrants. As a guideline, Black or Asian descent in the context of the Award signifies any Black background.

The Award is open to unpublished novels and/or collections of short stories of any genre of no less than 30,000 words. Manuscripts that have been previously published will not be eligible. However, whilst the main body of the novel or collection of short stories should comprise unpublished work, submissions will be accepted where no more than 25% of the work has been previously published. Manuscripts currently available for sale online, either in full or in significant proportion (i.e. more than 50% of the total manuscript) will be ineligible. Manuscripts either partially or wholly available online for no charge will be eligible.

Memoirs, biographies and autobiographies are not eligible.

Entries must be in English.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. THE AWARDS

1.1 All entries will be read to create a long list of 12 titles for the judges. The best entries will be forwarded to the judges who will compile a shortlist of 6 outstanding works of fiction submitted for the SI Leeds Literary Prize 2012 (“the Award”), from which they will select a winner, a runner-up and a third placed entry.

1.2 The winning award is £2,000 and this will be presented to the author of the best
eligible novel or collection of short stories in the opinion of the judges.

1.3 There will be a runner-up award of £750 for the second placed novel or collection of short stories.

1.4 There will be a third place award of £250 for the remaining shortlisted novel or
collection of short stories.

1.5 In addition to the cash awards Peepal Tree Press will offer the winning, runner-up and third placed authors 2 one-to-one consultancy sessions in professional development support through its Inscribe programme. With the winner’s consent, the winning manuscript will be given serious consideration for publication by Peepal Tree Press.

1.6 In addition the winner, 2nd and 3rd prize winners will be invited to read short
extracts from their work at the 2012 Ilkley Literature Festival.

2. ELIGIBILITY

2.1 The Award is open to published and unpublished women writers, over the age of 18,
of Black or Asian descent who are resident in the UK. Ethnicity will be self-defined by entrants. As a guideline, Black or Asian descent in the context of the Award signifies

- any Black background, including:-
- Black African
- Black Caribbean
- any other Black background
- any Asian background, including
- Bangladeshi
- Indian
- Pakistani
- Thai
- Malay
- Philippine
- Vietnamese
- Chinese
- Japanese
- countries in the Middle East
- any other Asian background
- any mixed background, including
- Asian and White
- Black and White
- Any other background from more than one ethnic group.

Under the terms of Positive Action in the Equality Act 2010, these eligibility criteria are justified on the following grounds:

• That the Award Partners reasonably think that Black and Asian women writers suffer a disadvantage linked to their race and gender, and have a disproportionately low level of participation in the UK writing industry and bestseller lists

• That the action taken by the Award Partners encourages this group to overcome this disadvantage and encourages participation

• That the prize is a proportionate response to the issue.

2.2 The Award is open to unpublished* novels and/or collections of short stories of any genre of no less than 30,000 words.

2.3 *Manuscripts that have been previously published will not be eligible. However, whilst the main body of the novel or collection of short stories should comprise unpublished work, submissions will be accepted where no more than 25% of the work has been previously published. Manuscripts currently available for sale online, either in full or in significant proportion (i.e. more than 50% of the total manuscript) will be ineligible. Manuscripts either partially or wholly available online for no charge will be eligible.

2.4 Entrants must warrant that the entry is a complete original work of fiction and is entirely the author's own work; that it does not infringe any existing copyright, moral or other rights of any third party, contains nothing obscene, libellous, unlawful or defamatory of any living person or corporate body.

2.5 Memoirs, biographies and autobiographies are not eligible.

2.6 Entries must be in English.

2.7 Authors may submit more than one novel or collection of stories. An additional entry fee for each submission is required (see HOW TO ENTER below).

2.8 The Award is not open to employees of Peepal Tree Press, Ilkley Literature Festival and members of SI Leeds (the Award Partners) or anyone connected with the Award or their direct family members.

2.9 Entries that are submitted posthumously will not be eligible for the Award.

3. COPYRIGHT AND TERMS OF USE

3.1 By submitting a novel or collection of short stories to the Award the entrant acknowledges and agrees that excerpts (chosen by the Award Partners) of the winning, or other short-listed, novel or collection of stories may be read out or reproduced as part of the Award Partners’ promotion and documentation of the Award, including Award Partners’ marketing and publicity literature, events, and websites and as a feature of the 2012 Ilkley Literature Festival free of any fees or royalty payments.

3.2 The Award Partners undertake to ensure that copyright of all manuscripts entered for the Award is protected. Non short-listed manuscripts will be shredded.

4. JUDGING

4.1 The SI Leeds Literary Prize will be looking for the most original and engaging writing and will consider all entries on the basis of quality of prose and narrative voice. The Award aims to support and award excellence, creativity and originality.

4.2 Manuscripts will be judged anonymously, i.e. without knowledge of the author’s name, age or background. (Please see HOW TO ENTER below)

4.3 Judging of the Award will be as follows:

Stage 1: All entries will be read by a team of readers and will be sifted in accordance with the Award criteria. A long list of no more than 12 novels/collections of short stories will be put forward to the judging panel.

Stage 2: The judging panel will read all long-listed entries and will select a Short List of 6 outstanding novels/collections of short stories submitted for the Award.

Stage 3: The judging panel will further discuss and agree the winning, runner-up and third placed entries.

4.4 Shortlisted authors will be contacted personally by email or telephone.

4.5 The Judges’ decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.

4.6 The judging will be fair and independent. The judging panel will be appointed by the Award Partners and will include a distinguished and experienced literary professional as its chair.

4.7 Any permitted reference to the Award by the shortlisted writers will be advised by the Award Partners.

5. HOW TO ENTER

5.1 Manuscripts must be sent by post together with the completed entry forms and entry fee. Manuscripts arriving by post without the completed entry forms or entry fee will not be eligible.

5.2 Manuscripts should be sent in their entirety, i.e. as a finished novel or a finished collection of short stories. Incomplete works are not eligible. Authors may not add to or alter their manuscript after it has been entered for the Award.

5.3 Manuscripts must be submitted printed in double-spaced lines of 12 point font on single-sided A4 paper. Pages must be numbered.

5.4 The author’s name should not appear on the manuscript. Use the form provided to enter your name, title of novel or collection of short stories and contact details. Your manuscript will be logged against your name but will be judged anonymously.

5.5 Manuscripts will not be returned. Authors requiring an acknowledgement of receipt of their manuscript should enclose a stamped addressed envelope marked SI Leeds Literary Prize Acknowledgement. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt.

5.6 The Entry Fee for each manuscript submitted is £15.00 payable by cheque to SI Leeds.

5.7 Entries must arrive by Friday 1st June 2012. Late entries will not be eligible.

5.8 The Award Partners reserve the right to cancel the Award at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. If cancelled, the entry fee would be refunded.

5.9 The Award Partners reserve the right to refuse entry to the Award for any reason at its absolute discretion.

5.10 By submitting a manuscript the entrant agrees to attend the Award ceremony in the event of being shortlisted for the Award and also, in the event of winning the Award, to undertake a mutually acceptable limited programme of activities to promote the Award. Entrants are responsible for all reasonable costs associated with attending the Award ceremony.

5.11 The entrant agrees that she will contribute where possible to press and publicity activities for the Award and hereby grant the Award Partners all necessary rights in her contribution for press/publicity activities for the Award

Download entry form >>

Download cover sheet >>

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: click here

Website: http://sileedsliteraryprize.wordpress.com/

19 May 2012

Deadline: 16 July 2012

Multiculturalism, and the representation of it, has long presented challenges for the medium of comics (including manga and bande dessinée). Questions surround the ways in which characters of differing cultures and/or nationalities can and should be presented; answers to which have ranged from anthropomorphism to xenophobia. Issues also exist around the diversity of creators and characters, and the (lack of) visibility for characters that do not conform to particular cultural stereotypes. At Comics Forum 2012, the fourth event in the Thought Bubble conference series, we will attempt to draw out some of the complexities of this field in order to better understand both the problems and the achievements of the medium in dealing with multiculturalism.

Subjects for discussion may include, but are not limited to:

• Cultural diversity (or lack thereof) in comics, manga and bande dessinée
• Ways in which multiculturalism has been represented, visually and/or linguistically in comics
• Moves towards increasing the representation of particular cultural groups in comics, either as creators or characters (e.g. Milestone Comics)
• The modification of existing comics and properties to address new markets (e.g. Spider-Man: India)
• Controversial representations of cultures and relations between cultures (e.g. Tintin au Congo)
• The modification of existing works in new-media representations (e.g. the omission of Ebony White in the film version of The Spirit; the controversies surrounding Idris Elba’s role as Heimdal in Thor)

Proposals of 250 words are invited for talks of 15-20 minutes in length, and should be emailed along with a short biography (around 100 words) to Ian Hague (Department of History, University of Chichester) at: I.Hague@chi.ac.uk. The deadline for submission is 16/07/2012 and notification of acceptance or rejection will be emailed by or before 30/07/2012.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries/ submissions: I.Hague@chi.ac.uk

Website: http://comicsforum.org/

16 May 2012

Deadline: 18 June 2012

(Note: The competition is free to enter and open to anyone in the world over the age of 16.)

The 2012 William Soutar Writing Prize has been launched and this year the competition is open to short story writers. This is the tenth year of the prize which awards poets and short story writers in alternate years and is run by Perth & Kinross Council's Libraries and Information Services in memory of Perth's most famous poet.

The first prize is a week's writing course at one of the prestigious Arvon writers' centres, worth around £600 and there is a second prize of £100. There will also be a special local award of £50 for the best short story by a resident of Perth and Kinross. Entries this year will be judged by writer and broadcaster Billy Kay.

GUIDELINES

This is an annual competition now in its tenth year, alternating between poetry and short stories. For 2012, short stories may be entered. Entry is free and open to anyone in the world over the age of 16, but you are limited to two short stories.

JUDGE: Billy Kay

PRIZES

• First Prize A writing course at Moniack Mhor, the Arvon Centre in Scotland (for which the normal fee would be approximately £600), or another of the UK Arvon Centres. The winner will be announced on Writers’ Day, Saturday 25 August 2012
• Second Prize £100 Book Tokens
• Local Prize £50 of Book Tokens will also be awarded for the best work from a resident of Perth and Kinross

THE COMPETITION RULES

• The deadline for all entries is Monday 18 June 2012
• All entrants must be 16 years of age or over
• Stories must not exceed 2000 words
• A maximum of two stories may be submitted
• All entries must be typed or word processed, on one side of the paper only
• Two copies of each sort story submitted must be provided
• Entries may be in English or Scots
• The competition is open to anyone throughout and outside the United Kingdom
• All entries are judged anonymously and the name of the writer must not appear on the manuscript
• Stories must not have been previously published
• Competition entries cannot be returned - please do not include a pre-paid envelope
• The Judge’s decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into
• Alterations cannot be made to stories once they have been submitted
• Entries must be accompanied by an entry form
• There is no entry fee for this competition
• Local entries (writers living in Perth & Kinross at time of entry) can also be additionally entered for the local Soutar prize. They should tick the LOCAL box on the entry form
• It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that the above rules are adhered to

Failure to comply with the above rules will result in disqualification from the competition. The winner(s) will be notified a few days before the formal announcement on 25 August 2012. Unsuccessful entrants will not be individually notified. If a local entrant wins one of the main prizes, they will not also be eligible for the local prize.

The winning names will be posted on our website. The writers of the winning short stories grant Perth & Kinross Libraries and Information Services the right to use the stories in publicity material for one year from 25 August 2012. The copyright of each story remains with the author.

Download: entry form

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For submissions: return your completed form and two copies of each submission to Jill Mackintosh, AK Bell Library, York Place, Perth PH2 8EP, UK

Website: http://www.pkc.gov.uk/

15 May 2012

Deadline: 28 May 2012

(Note: Allowed languages in the 'Other Tongue' category are Spanish, French, German, Italian, Urdu, Mandarin or Arabic.)

Mother Tongue / Other Tongue is open to all mainstream and supplementary secondary schools in the North West and pupils can enter as individuals or groups of any size. It is, in effect, two separate competitions.

MOTHER TONGUE

Entries for this category will be in two parts:

The first part is the poem, song or lullaby. This can be an original, creative piece, written in any language at all (except English). It can also be a poem or song that is ‘remembered’ – i.e. something in your Mother Tongue that you recall, or that has been told to you by a relative.

The second part of the entry will be a short written explanation of the first part. This will be either a translation, or an account of why the entrant has chosen to share this piece i.e. why it is important to them or the person who told it to them. This part of the entry must be written in English but pupils can be helped to scribe or edit this by teachers, parents, carers or by friends. We welcome jointly-written entries.)

OTHER TONGUE

Entries for this category will be a single, original poem, written in a language that is being studied in school and is not the first language spoken by the entrant. This must be an original piece of work, giving pupils the opportunity to be creative with their Other Tongue. Allowed languages in this category are: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Urdu, Mandarin or Arabic.

PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY

The best entries will be illustrated and published. Posters of the winning pieces will be displayed at the Manchester Children’s Book Festival Family Fun Day on June 30th, 2012. There will also be a prize giving ceremony with Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, in the Capitol Theatre between 3 and 4pm with a special performance by the Huaxia Chinese School. This will form part of a wider celebration of other languages and cultures.

Download: entry cover sheet

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: email youngprize@theportico.org.uk or call +44 (0)161 236 6785

Website: http://www2.hlss.mmu.ac.uk

14 May 2012

Deadline: 15 June 2012

The AMYA (Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association)Young Muslim Writers Awards was established in 2012 and seeks to support and encourage the creative and imaginative pens of young budding Muslim writers. It is further hoped that entrants, the thinkers of tomorrow, will be spurred on by the awards to use their pens to promote peace, respect and dignity – all essential qualities of a practising Muslim.

SHORT ESSAY BRIEF

In these testing and fast moving times, when the various news mediums are becoming more and more condensed, it is important to be economical with what one writes. Efficient writing and the skilled use of simple language to convey powerful messages is, therefore, of paramount importance.

This year’s competition, therefore, invites members of AMYA UK to submit a powerful short piece of writing on a contemporary topic and in a language which is accessible to the general reader of average understanding.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. All entries must be in English.

2. Entries must be the original and unpublished work of the writer and not infringe any copyright.

3. The piece must be written on a topic that is of contemporary importance to the Western reader.

4. It should propose solutions to the issues highlighted which are practical and realistic.

5. Where possible and relevant, the entry should seek to forward the Islamic perspective regarding both the problem and solution, all the while keeping the terminology simple and understandable (e.g., Arabic terms should be kept to an absolute minimum and the respective accurate English translations of such terms should be used as much as possible).

6. The piece should be constructed as though it is written for a popular broadsheet or current affairs periodical.

7. It should be between 1,000 – 1,200 words (roughly 2 A4 pages) and contain no footnotes or endnotes.

8. Entries must be submitted by midnight, Friday 15th June 2012, in Microsoft Word format (e.g., .doc, .docx.).

9. Entries must be submitted electronically to sultanulqalam@khuddam.org.uk.

10. Entries which fail to adhere to any of the above requirements will have marks deducted or, in extreme cases (i.e., excessively long entries), be withdrawn from the competition.

WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT

Writers have absolute freedom in choosing the topic of their submission provided that it meets the above criteria. Though by no means exhaustive, below are some suggested topics:

1. Impact of increasing unemployment on British youth and future generations.

2. Employment and the Social Security system.

3. Is secularism compatible with Islam?

4. The rise of right-wing movements in Europe.

5. Money, greed and the financial crisis.

6. Is freedom of speech without boundaries?

7. Can Sharia law add benefit to the West?

8. The future of the Euro and the European single Market economy.

9. Sustainable energy development.

10. Information technology, social networking and new societal norms.

11. The female right to self determination in Muslim countries; ideals and realities.

12. CERN, particles and God.

13. Islamic finance versus Capitalism.

14. Can a third world war be avoided?

15. British and Muslim: clarity or confusion?

16. What is the Muslim led contribution to European culture and civilisation.

MARKING

Submitted finalist entries will be assessed anonymously by a panel of four assessors heralding from a number of varied and relevant backgrounds, namely:

• Catrin Nye, BBC Journalist
• Dr. Zia Shah, Editor; Muslim Sunrise
• Ahmad Salam, Economist
• Adam Walker, National Spokesperson, AMYA UK; Chairman MASQ UK

The top three Young Muslim Writers will be awarded prizes at the forthcoming National Ijtema and have their entries published both online and in print.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries/ submissions: sultanulqalam@khuddam.org.uk

Website: http://m4h.amya.org.uk/

08 May 2012

Date: 15 - 31 May 2012

The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature, the first and only Festival in the UK dedicated to the celebration of writing about Asia and Asians, and has firmly established itself as a highlight in the UK’s literary calendar through its innovative and topical events programme.

Asia House has offered a Pan-­Asian literature programme for over 10 years, and in that time has both seen and contributed to significant growth in the number and quality of books on Asian subjects being published in the UK. The global events of the past year have provided a broad canvas for debate and discussion, and these are reflected in this year’s Festival line up.

Themes for 2012 include the geopolitics of oil in a Pan-­Asian context; the fall out of the British Empire; and ‘Women, Power and Politics’ -- a discussion with the authors of two new biographies on Aung San Suu Kyi and Sonia Gandhi, that will look at the power held by both women, and what the future holds for them, as well as other political women throughout Asia. The fiction programme will include ‘An evening in Sri Lanka’, an event moderated by BBC News Presenter George Alagiah, welcoming three of the country’s best contemporary writers, Romesh Gunesekera, Roshi Fernando and Shehan Karunatilaka, who will look at contemporary Sri Lankan writing home and abroad.

Hardeep Singh Kohli will open the Festival with his new book The Food of the Grand Trunk Road -- one of South Asia’s longest and oldest roads. In the book, Hardeep takes a fascinating look at the food, culture and traditions that have sprung up along a route which runs from Bengal, across north India, into Pakistan and up to Afghanistan. The Festival will also welcome, amongst others, Mohammed Hanif, Kwasi Kwarteng, Nikita Lalwani, Kamila Shamsie, Hanan al Shaykh, Ahdaf Souief, Rosie Thomas and Marina Warner.

Adrienne Loftus Parkins, Festival Director said “This year we have the strongest, most balanced programme yet, with a broader range of countries than ever before and, for the first time, the inclusion of writing about Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma. Once again in 2012 we are recognising the growing contribution being made by vibrant women writers from across Asia, introducing some important new voices to UK audiences. We are proud to continue fostering the understanding of Asian cultures through literature.”

The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature celebrates its 6th year in 2012 and will continue to provide a unique and imaginative opportunity for audiences to experience Asian and British Asian culture through literature. Countries featured in this year’s Festival include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bengal, Burma, Iran, Iraq, the Arab world, China, Cambodia and Vietnam as well as Pan-­Asian and British Asian writing.

The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature takes place from 15–31 May at Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1.



CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: enquiries@asiahouse.co.uk

Website: http://www.festivalofasianliterature.com/

20 April 2012

Date: 15 - 31 May 2012

The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature, the first and only Festival in the UK dedicated to the celebration of writing about Asia and Asians, and has firmly established itself as a highlight in the UK’s literary calendar through its innovative and topical events programme.

Asia House has offered a Pan-­Asian literature programme for over 10 years, and in that time has both seen and contributed to significant growth in the number and quality of books on Asian subjects being published in the UK. The global events of the past year have provided a broad canvas for debate and discussion, and these are reflected in this year’s Festival line up.

Themes for 2012 include the geopolitics of oil in a Pan-­Asian context; the fall out of the British Empire; and ‘Women, Power and Politics’ -- a discussion with the authors of two new biographies on Aung San Suu Kyi and Sonia Gandhi, that will look at the power held by both women, and what the future holds for them, as well as other political women throughout Asia. The fiction programme will include ‘An evening in Sri Lanka’, an event moderated by BBC News Presenter George Alagiah, welcoming three of the country’s best contemporary writers, Romesh Gunesekera, Roshi Fernando and Shehan Karunatilaka, who will look at contemporary Sri Lankan writing home and abroad.

Hardeep Singh Kohli will open the Festival with his new book The Food of the Grand Trunk Road -- one of South Asia’s longest and oldest roads. In the book, Hardeep takes a fascinating look at the food, culture and traditions that have sprung up along a route which runs from Bengal, across north India, into Pakistan and up to Afghanistan. The Festival will also welcome, amongst others, Mohammed Hanif, Kwasi Kwarteng, Nikita Lalwani, Kamila Shamsie, Hanan al Shaykh, Ahdaf Souief, Rosie Thomas and Marina Warner.

Adrienne Loftus Parkins, Festival Director said “This year we have the strongest, most balanced programme yet, with a broader range of countries than ever before and, for the first time, the inclusion of writing about Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma. Once again in 2012 we are recognising the growing contribution being made by vibrant women writers from across Asia, introducing some important new voices to UK audiences. We are proud to continue fostering the understanding of Asian cultures through literature.”

The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature celebrates its 6th year in 2012 and will continue to provide a unique and imaginative opportunity for audiences to experience Asian and British Asian culture through literature. Countries featured in this year’s Festival include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bengal, Burma, Iran, Iraq, the Arab world, China, Cambodia and Vietnam as well as Pan-­Asian and British Asian writing.

The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature takes place from 15–31 May at Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1.



CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: enquiries@asiahouse.co.uk

Website: http://www.festivalofasianliterature.com/

29 February 2012

Deadline: 31 March 2012

The Education and Personal Development Committee of the Filipino Women’s Association in UK invites everyone to participate in an essay writing competition. This competition is open to all Filipino 17 years old and above and must be a resident in the UK.

The essay should have either of the following topic: ’Education as a Transformative Factor in Society’ or ‘The Effect of Education on my Life’.

All entries should be written in English and sent electronically as a Word document in an A4 doubled spaced font 12 document with word count not exceeding 5000 words to sebastiane@woldingham.surrey.sch.uk by the 31st of March 2012.

Winners will be notified at the end of May 2012 and will present the award at the Philippine National Day Dinner and Dance on the 9th of June 2012.

Prizes includes plaques, certificates, cash and surprise gift. For more information, please send an email to Elsie Sebastian: sebastiane@woldingham.surrey.sch.uk or to Bing Cabatic: rcabatic@tiscali.co.uk .

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: rcabatic@tiscali.co.uk

For submissions: sebastiane@woldingham.surrey.sch.uk

Website: http://fwa-uk.com/default.aspx

19 February 2012

Deadline: 1 June 2012

The SI Leeds Literary Prize is a new prize for unpublished fiction by Black and Asian women resident in the UK aged 18 years and over.

The prize aims to act as a loudspeaker for Black and Asian women’s voices, enabling fresh and original literary voices from a group disproportionately under-represented in mainstream literary culture to reach new audiences.

The inaugural prize will be awarded in October 2012, and will consist of:

• £2,000 to the winner
• £750 to the runner-up
• £250 as a third prize

In addition to the cash awards Peepal Tree Press will offer the winning, runner-up and third placed authors two 1:1 consultancy sessions in professional development support through its Inscribe programme. With the winner’s consent, the winning manuscript will be given serious consideration for publication by Peepal Tree Press. In addition, the winner, 2nd and 3rd prize winners will be invited to read short extracts from their work at the 2012 Ilkley Literature Festival.

HOW TO ENTER

The prize is open to Black and Asian women writers aged 18 or over, based in the UK and writing fiction in English. Only unpublished original work is eligible for the prize. The fee per entry is £15. To find out if you are eligible to enter, please check the eligibility section.

All entries must be made by post using the entry form and cover sheet, and have to be submitted before the closing deadline of 1 June 2012. All submissions must be made following the format set out in the rules, so please read these carefully before you apply. If you have any queries about the format or timescale for the prize, please contact us.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO ENTER?

The Award is open to published and unpublished women writers, over the age of 18, of Black or Asian descent who are resident in the UK. Ethnicity will be self-defined by entrants. As a guideline, Black or Asian descent in the context of the Award signifies any Black background.

The Award is open to unpublished novels and/or collections of short stories of any genre of no less than 30,000 words. Manuscripts that have been previously published will not be eligible. However, whilst the main body of the novel or collection of short stories should comprise unpublished work, submissions will be accepted where no more than 25% of the work has been previously published. Manuscripts currently available for sale online, either in full or in significant proportion (i.e. more than 50% of the total manuscript) will be ineligible. Manuscripts either partially or wholly available online for no charge will be eligible.

Memoirs, biographies and autobiographies are not eligible.

Entries must be in English.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. THE AWARDS

1.1 All entries will be read to create a long list of 12 titles for the judges. The best entries will be forwarded to the judges who will compile a shortlist of 6 outstanding works of fiction submitted for the SI Leeds Literary Prize 2012 (“the Award”), from which they will select a winner, a runner-up and a third placed entry.

1.2 The winning award is £2,000 and this will be presented to the author of the best
eligible novel or collection of short stories in the opinion of the judges.

1.3 There will be a runner-up award of £750 for the second placed novel or collection of short stories.

1.4 There will be a third place award of £250 for the remaining shortlisted novel or
collection of short stories.

1.5 In addition to the cash awards Peepal Tree Press will offer the winning, runner-up and third placed authors 2 one-to-one consultancy sessions in professional development support through its Inscribe programme. With the winner’s consent, the winning manuscript will be given serious consideration for publication by Peepal Tree Press.

1.6 In addition the winner, 2nd and 3rd prize winners will be invited to read short
extracts from their work at the 2012 Ilkley Literature Festival.

2. ELIGIBILITY

2.1 The Award is open to published and unpublished women writers, over the age of 18,
of Black or Asian descent who are resident in the UK. Ethnicity will be self-defined by entrants. As a guideline, Black or Asian descent in the context of the Award signifies

- any Black background, including:-
- Black African
- Black Caribbean
- any other Black background
- any Asian background, including
- Bangladeshi
- Indian
- Pakistani
- Thai
- Malay
- Philippine
- Vietnamese
- Chinese
- Japanese
- countries in the Middle East
- any other Asian background
- any mixed background, including
- Asian and White
- Black and White
- Any other background from more than one ethnic group.

Under the terms of Positive Action in the Equality Act 2010, these eligibility criteria are justified on the following grounds:

• That the Award Partners reasonably think that Black and Asian women writers suffer a disadvantage linked to their race and gender, and have a disproportionately low level of participation in the UK writing industry and bestseller lists

• That the action taken by the Award Partners encourages this group to overcome this disadvantage and encourages participation

• That the prize is a proportionate response to the issue.

2.2 The Award is open to unpublished* novels and/or collections of short stories of any genre of no less than 30,000 words.

2.3 *Manuscripts that have been previously published will not be eligible. However, whilst the main body of the novel or collection of short stories should comprise unpublished work, submissions will be accepted where no more than 25% of the work has been previously published. Manuscripts currently available for sale online, either in full or in significant proportion (i.e. more than 50% of the total manuscript) will be ineligible. Manuscripts either partially or wholly available online for no charge will be eligible.

2.4 Entrants must warrant that the entry is a complete original work of fiction and is entirely the author's own work; that it does not infringe any existing copyright, moral or other rights of any third party, contains nothing obscene, libellous, unlawful or defamatory of any living person or corporate body.

2.5 Memoirs, biographies and autobiographies are not eligible.

2.6 Entries must be in English.

2.7 Authors may submit more than one novel or collection of stories. An additional entry fee for each submission is required (see HOW TO ENTER below).

2.8 The Award is not open to employees of Peepal Tree Press, Ilkley Literature Festival and members of SI Leeds (the Award Partners) or anyone connected with the Award or their direct family members.

2.9 Entries that are submitted posthumously will not be eligible for the Award.

3. COPYRIGHT AND TERMS OF USE

3.1 By submitting a novel or collection of short stories to the Award the entrant acknowledges and agrees that excerpts (chosen by the Award Partners) of the winning, or other short-listed, novel or collection of stories may be read out or reproduced as part of the Award Partners’ promotion and documentation of the Award, including Award Partners’ marketing and publicity literature, events, and websites and as a feature of the 2012 Ilkley Literature Festival free of any fees or royalty payments.

3.2 The Award Partners undertake to ensure that copyright of all manuscripts entered for the Award is protected. Non short-listed manuscripts will be shredded.

4. JUDGING

4.1 The SI Leeds Literary Prize will be looking for the most original and engaging writing and will consider all entries on the basis of quality of prose and narrative voice. The Award aims to support and award excellence, creativity and originality.

4.2 Manuscripts will be judged anonymously, i.e. without knowledge of the author’s name, age or background. (Please see HOW TO ENTER below)

4.3 Judging of the Award will be as follows:

Stage 1: All entries will be read by a team of readers and will be sifted in accordance with the Award criteria. A long list of no more than 12 novels/collections of short stories will be put forward to the judging panel.

Stage 2: The judging panel will read all long-listed entries and will select a Short List of 6 outstanding novels/collections of short stories submitted for the Award.

Stage 3: The judging panel will further discuss and agree the winning, runner-up and third placed entries.

4.4 Shortlisted authors will be contacted personally by email or telephone.

4.5 The Judges’ decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.

4.6 The judging will be fair and independent. The judging panel will be appointed by the Award Partners and will include a distinguished and experienced literary professional as its chair.

4.7 Any permitted reference to the Award by the shortlisted writers will be advised by the Award Partners.

5. HOW TO ENTER

5.1 Manuscripts must be sent by post together with the completed entry forms and entry fee. Manuscripts arriving by post without the completed entry forms or entry fee will not be eligible.

5.2 Manuscripts should be sent in their entirety, i.e. as a finished novel or a finished collection of short stories. Incomplete works are not eligible. Authors may not add to or alter their manuscript after it has been entered for the Award.

5.3 Manuscripts must be submitted printed in double-spaced lines of 12 point font on single-sided A4 paper. Pages must be numbered.

5.4 The author’s name should not appear on the manuscript. Use the form provided to enter your name, title of novel or collection of short stories and contact details. Your manuscript will be logged against your name but will be judged anonymously.

5.5 Manuscripts will not be returned. Authors requiring an acknowledgement of receipt of their manuscript should enclose a stamped addressed envelope marked SI Leeds Literary Prize Acknowledgement. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt.

5.6 The Entry Fee for each manuscript submitted is £15.00 payable by cheque to SI Leeds.

5.7 Entries must arrive by Friday 1st June 2012. Late entries will not be eligible.

5.8 The Award Partners reserve the right to cancel the Award at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. If cancelled, the entry fee would be refunded.

5.9 The Award Partners reserve the right to refuse entry to the Award for any reason at its absolute discretion.

5.10 By submitting a manuscript the entrant agrees to attend the Award ceremony in the event of being shortlisted for the Award and also, in the event of winning the Award, to undertake a mutually acceptable limited programme of activities to promote the Award. Entrants are responsible for all reasonable costs associated with attending the Award ceremony.

5.11 The entrant agrees that she will contribute where possible to press and publicity activities for the Award and hereby grant the Award Partners all necessary rights in her contribution for press/publicity activities for the Award

Download entry form >>

Download cover sheet >>

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: click here

Website: http://sileedsliteraryprize.wordpress.com/

06 August 2011

Deadline: 7 - 24 October 2011

Sir Christopher Ondaatje, Amit Chaudhuri and Romesh Gunesekera line up alongside some of the most exciting voices of South Asian literature – Mohammed Hanif, Soumik Datta, Mirza Waheed, Gautam Malkani, HM Naqvi and Sonia Faleiro – as the second annual DSC South Asian Literature Festival is announced.

• DSC Limited to continue support as title sponsor for the festival
• Festival to open with packed weekend of events in Shoreditch
• New production to celebrate the Nobel Prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore

With events at leading cultural venues in London, including the Free Word Centre, British Library, the Nehru Centre, and an opening weekend at Rich Mix in Shoreditch, the DSC South Asian Literature Festival [SALF] returns to deliver a full programme of events in October, bringing together the written word with rich imagery, film, music, performance and art. Renowned authors, actors, poets and musicians - home-grown, international and from the subcontinent - and leading voices from the worlds of politics, academia and broadcasting, assemble in London and across the UK in this unique cross-disciplinary festival.

In its second year SALF is set to host top names such as Sri-Lankan-Canadian adventurer Sir Christopher Ondaatje, discussing his works and travels in a new collection of writings with Booker-Prize shortlisted author Romesh Gunesekera; celebrated Kashmiri writer Mirza Waheed pays tribute to renowned Kashmiri poet Aga Shahid Ali; Mohammed Hanif launches his hugely anticipated follow-up to the Commonwealth prize-winning A Case of Exploding Mangoes, appearing at the festival in his only major London event; a bevvy of Britain’s critically acclaimed new writers including Nikesh Shukla, Niven Govinden, Kavita Bhanot, Suhayl Saadi and Gautam Malkani gather to launch the defiant anthology ‘Too Asian, Not Asian Enough’; a gala-dinner to announce the shortlist of the second DSC Prize for South Asian Literature with last year’s winner H M Naqvi appearing at an exclusive event in the UK for the first time since taking home the $50,000 prize; award-winning Indian reporter and author Sonia Faleiro launches Beautiful Thing, her eye-opening account of Bombay’s dance bar underworld; a revealing look for the first time at the story behind the making of Granta magazine’s latest issue commemorating 9/11, Ten Years Later; Independent Foreign Fiction Prize shortlisted-translator Arunava Sinha arrives from India to take part in events and a workshop emphasising the importance of translating literature; and a performance by Seema Anand on the stories from the 'Hamzanama' - a collection of Persian tales dated from more than a millennia ago.

Organisers are in discussion with more than 80 authors and artists, with the final programme to be announced early September.


The eclectic mix of events, programmed in association with a range of notable partners including the British Centre for Literary Translation, Writer’s Centre Norwich, Vayu Naidu Company, Baithak Records, The Literary Consultancy and the Reading Agency, will also welcome Chelsea Theatre and The Women’s Library as new venue partners, as well as bookshops and libraries across the capital. The festival will travel to key cities including Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Leicester and Norwich during the series of events in London.

The festival is also thrilled to announce a pilot programme for a South Asian Reading Campaign, due to take place during the first week of the festival [10-14 October]. The campaign is a book industry-wide initiative with events and promotions in schools, libraries and bookshops, and puts reading and education right at the heart of SALF’s vision for South Asian literature in the UK. Full details will be announced early September.

The DSC South Asian Literature Festival was founded by publishing colleagues Jon Slack and Bhavit Mehta, who have set up the not-for-profit organisation Amphora Arts to produce the Festival. It is sponsored by DSC Limited, one of India’s leading infrastructure companies, with a global reputation and presence across four continents. As principal sponsors of the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival and creators of the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature, SALF is a natural alliance for the company’s interests in literature and the arts.

Festival directors Bhavit Mehta and Jon Slack:

“We’re very pleased to bring back the festival for its second year, particularly within such a challenging climate for the arts. Many of our partners are back with us and it’s terrific to have the renewed commitment from DSC Ltd, and for the festival to be continuing its association with the DSC Prize. Programming the festival is what we relish the most and we’re incredibly excited at what is being lined up. There’s more emphasis on translation, a strand of the festival we intend to develop into a major component. And we’re thrilled to be commissioning an original production for the festival with the talented Soumik Datta, easily one of the most exciting performers in Britain today.”

Manhad Narula, Director, DSC Limited:

“We came on board as the title sponsor of the festival last year and are happy with the impact the DSC South Asian Literature Festival made in its inaugural year. It was well received in literary circles because of its specific focus on South Asian literature and we are confident it will be able to reach out to wider audiences this year and engage with new issues and themes. As a company we are committed to supporting South Asian literature which is why we created the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature in 2010 and whose first winner we announced in January this year. The DSC South Asian Literature Festival is a very valuable and important part of this vision, and we look forward to being the title sponsor for many years to come.”

Contact Information:

For inquiries: annabelr@fmcm.co.uk or katec@fmcm.co.uk

Website: http://www.dscsouthasianlitfest.com/

20 July 2011

Deadline: 25 August 2011

Training is multimedia based, with examples from all branches of media with a combination of exercises and group discussions.

Eligibility:

Journalists from the developing world with a minimum of two years experience with a general news or specialist reporting background wanting to gain new online skills to help them work smarter. No prior technical skills required.
Funding:

Full bursaries for journalists from the developing world/countries in political transition working for organisations with no resources for training. Bursaries would include return air travel (economy class), accommodation and a modest living allowance. This arrangement is subject to variation.

Part-funded bursaries are available for journalists from the developing world/countries in political transition who work for organisations that have limited resources for training, in this instance Thomson Reuters Foundation waives the tuition cost. Participants will be expected to cover air travel and accommodation costs. In exceptional circumstances journalists from the developed world will be considered for part-funded bursaries.

Non-funded - Thomson Reuters Foundation also offers training for journalists from any region from an organisation that has the resources to fully cover the following costs of the programme: tuition fees: £200 per day (£1000 for a 5-day London course), also travel and accommodation costs and living expenses. If necessary, Thomson Reuters Foundation can provide a list of hotels for participants who require accommodation in London. If you have any questions please email: foundation@thomsonreuters.com

Submissions:

* A biography of up to 250 words outlining your career.
* A statement of between 250 and 500 words describing any factors affecting your work as a journalist. Explain how you hope to benefit from the course for which you are applying.
* Two recent examples of your published work, preferably relevant to the course for which you are applying, with a brief summary in English (if necessary). TV/Radio journalists can send in their scripts and a brief summary.

Start date: 31 Oct 2011

End date: 04 Nov 2011

Location: London, United Kingdom

Contact Information:

For inquiries: foundation@thomsonreuters.com

For submissions: apply online here

Website: http://www.trust.org/

06 July 2011

Deadline: 1 October 2011

The Asian Writer will be hosting a day of workshops and readings at the newly refurbished Central Library as part of the Everybody's Reading Festival, Leicester. Join us for a day of interactive workshops, book signings with authors, and a fabulous networking lunch.

Interactive workshop: Become a Writer - Getting your book written and published. A fun interactive workshop with great tips and advice on how to get writing and published.

How to be Asian in Britain (hosted by Leicester Libraries featuring a panel of authors including Costa nominated, Nikesh Shukla - author of Coconut Unlimited) - More to follow on this from Alison Dunne.

Come along and share your work at the Asian Writer Showcase. This interactive day will give you the tools and know how to get your book written, finished and published. The informal workshop will give you the tools you need to get your book written.

READINGS - Come and read!

We are now inviting writers to read at the event. If you're work is suited for performance and you are interested in reading at the event please contact Farhana at editor@theasianwriter.co.u​

REGISTRATION

Spaces are limited to attend the event and registrations will open via Eventbrite shortly. Full details to follow.

Time: Saturday, October 1 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Location: Leicester Central Lending Library

Contact Information:

For inquiries: editor@theasianwriter.co.u​k

For submissions: editor@theasianwriter.co.u​k

Website: http://theasianwriter.co.uk/

01 July 2011

Deadline: 31 January 2012

This year sampad is delighted to be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rabindranath Tagore with Inspired by Tagore an international writing competition. Tagore was a hugely influential South Asian poet and many sampad projects have celebrated his legacy or been sparked by a line of his poetry.

Entry forms with full details can be downloaded below or email inspiredbytagore@sampad.org.uk The closing date is 31 January 2012 and any writer from the age of 8 onwards, with an interest in South Asian Culture, can enter.

There are 2 categories: one for writers aged between 8 and 15, one for writers aged 16 and over.

Entries can be poetry, short stories or reportage, and writers can submit up to 6 pieces of work, maximum length 400 words, using Tagore’s poetry and writing as a starting point.

All winners will be notified by May 2012. The winning entries will be published in a book that will be launched in 2012 and winners will be given a copy of this book.

There will be a special prize for the overall winners: Best writer in 8 to 15 category will receive £200 and best writer in 16 and over category will receive £300. All winning writers will be published.

Rules:

• Please complete all sections of the entry form. Only typed/word processed submissions are acceptable. Use continuation sheets if necessary.
• Any writer from the age of 8 onwards, with an interest in South Asian Culture, can enter.
• There are 2 categories: one for writers aged between 8 and 15, one for writers aged 16 and over. Please state your age on your entry form.
• Entries can be poetry, short stories, reportage, and writers can submit up to 6 pieces of work, maximum length 400 words, using Tagore’s poetry and writing as a starting point.
• Each piece must be given a title and must be in English.
• Entries must not have been published or broadcast previously, and must be the original work of the author. Please note entries cannot be returned under any circumstances.
• The closing date is 31 January 2012.
• Completed entry forms should be emailed to: inspiredbytagore@sampad.org.uk or printed off and posted tosampad, c/o mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham B12 9QH, UK
  

Results

• All winners will be notified by May 2012. The winning entries will be published in a book that will be launched in 2012 and winners will be given a copy of this book.
• There will be a special prize for the overall winners:
• Best writer in 8 to 15 category will receive £200 and best writer in 16 and over category will receive £300. All winning writers will be published.

Copyright

The copyright of each piece remains with the author. Authors of the winning works will grant sampad the right to publish or broadcast the works. Other uses of the pieces are subject to permission from sampad.

Note

The judges’ decision is final. No other correspondence will be entered into.

Download entry form >>

Contact Information:

For inquiries:

For submissions: inspiredbytagore@sampad.org.uk

Website: http://www.sampad.org.uk

25 May 2011

Deadline: 25 May 2011

A two-day symposium on 30th & 31st July 2011 at the Gordon Square Cinema, Birkbeck College, University of London

Keynote Speaker: Roland Domenig (University of Vienna)

Confirmed Plenary Speaker: Hirasawa Go (Meiji Gakuin University)

To celebrate the arrival in London of the Art Theatre Guild of Japan

(ATG) season at the BFI Southbank and the Theatre Scorpio retrospective programme at the Close-­‐Up Film Centre in July and August 2011, this international symposium will explore the many faces of Japanese independent arts in the 1960s and 1970s.

The symposium aims to contribute to the recent resurgence of critical and public interest in 1960s avant-­‐garde culture across the globe, and place ATG’s phenomenal creative output in an international context. We would like to focus in particular on how cultural spaces, such as the Art Theatre Shinjuku Bunka, were key in yielding an atmosphere where a network of heterogeneous artistic voices could interact and collaborate, develop a relationship with their audience, and experience their art within an international forum. Although the focus will remain on the circuit of ATG activities, the symposium aims to branch out further to explore alternative venues and fields of activity that were equally significant within the cultural climate.

Although all proposals will be considered, we particularly welcome papers that explore the following themes:

* Japanese Cinema of the 1960s/70s in an international context
* Japanese Cinema of the 1960s/70s and its relationship with other arts
* The meaning of independence in 1960s/70s Japanese culture industries
* Japanese experimental cinema and avant-­‐garde arts of the 1960s/70s
* The impact of ATG and other comparable cultural spaces on 1960s/70s Japan
* Examples of cross-­‐medial collaborations
* Audiences of 1960s/70s Japanese arts and reception of such works in Japan and elsewhere
* Comparative studies of cultural venues
* Comparative studies of new wave films in world cinema
* Studies of key directors and collaborators (cinematographers, actors, art directors, etc.) of 1960s/1970s Japanese cinema.
* The resonance of Japanese 1960s culture in the world today

We welcome proposals from researchers at any stage of their project, and we will accept proposals from those within and beyond the academic field of film studies.

Please send a 400-­‐word abstract and 200-­‐word (max) biography to atg.symposium@gmail.com.

The deadline for application is 25th May 2011. Successful candidates will be approached by 31st May 2011. To register a seat for the symposium or for any further questions, please contact the e-­‐mail address above.

Please note that selected papers will be considered for publication in a special issue of Vertigo Magazine dedicated to Theatre Scorpio. For more information on Vertigo Magazine, published by Close-­‐Up Film Centre, please visit: www.vertigomagazine.co.uk or www.closeupfilmcentre.com

Symposium Convenors: Oliver Dew (Birkbeck College, University of London) Julian Ross (Mixed Cinema Network, Universityof Leeds)

Contact Information:

For inquiries: atg.symposium@gmail.com

For submissions: atg.symposium@gmail.com

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