English director Joe Wright will adapt Alex von Tunzelmann's book Indian Summer.
Published in 2007, the book chronicles the last days of Britain's colonial rule in India and the symbolic end of their status as a world superpower. William Nicholson, is adapting the book for Wright to direct early next year in India. Working Title will produce and Universal will distribute the film.
"After making The Soloist in Los Angeles, I was looking for something that was primarily about the British experience," Wright told Variety.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Madras University hosts Urdu seminar
Madras University inaugurated its first international Urdu seminar on the ‘Concept of Human Dignity in Urdu Literature'.
Urdu scholars from various parts of India and the UK are participating in the two-day seminar, organised by the university's department of Arabic, Persian and Urdu.
Urdu scholars from various parts of India and the UK are participating in the two-day seminar, organised by the university's department of Arabic, Persian and Urdu.
Pilot who made save gets huge book deal
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who landed a troubled USAirways jet in the Hudson River, without any deaths has signed a $3 million deal with a HarperCollins imprint, William Morrow.
Sullenberger saved more than 150 people's when he landed the stricken plane in the Hudson river.
Sullenberger saved more than 150 people's when he landed the stricken plane in the Hudson river.
Global winners of Commonwealth book awards announced
The regional winners of the Commonwealth Writers' Prizes for Best Book and Best First Book were announced on March 12. Jhumpa Lahiri has been nominated for Unaccustomed Earth in the best book category. The prize is worth £1,000.
Two Canadian authors, Marina Endicott and Joan Thomas, have won awards with the Commonwealth Writers' Prize.
Winners by region:
AFRICA:
• Best Book: Mandla Langa of South Africa for The Lost Colours of the Chameleon
• Best First Book: Uwem Akpan of Nigeria for Say You're One of Them
Langa prevailed over authors such as Damon Galgut (The Imposter) and Zoë Wicomb (The One That Got Away) while Akpan won over authors such as Jane Bennett (Porcupine) and Jassy Mackenzie (Random Violence).
EUROPE AND SOUTH ASIA:
• Best Book: Jhumpa Lahiri of the UK for Unaccustomed Earth
• Best First Book: Mohammed Hanif of Pakistan for A Case of Exploding Mangoes
Hanif was up against writers such as Joe Dunthorne (Submarine) and Sulaiman Addonia (The Consequences of Love) for the prize, while Lahiri beat out writers such as Chris Cleave (The Other Hand) and Salman Rushdie (The Enchantress of Florence).
SOUTH EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC:
• Best Book: Christos Tsiolkas of Australia for The Slap
• Best First Book: Mo Zhi Hong of New Zealand for The Year of the Shanghai Shark
Tsiolkas beat out authors such as Aravind Adiga (Between the Assassinations) and Tim Winton (Breath) while Mo Zhi Hong triumphed over Adiga (The White Tiger) and Nam Le (The Boat).
The winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony in New Zealand on May 16, 2009.
CANADA AND THE CARIBBEAN REGION:
• Best Book: Marina Endicott of Canada for Good to a Fault
• Best First Book: Joan Thomas of Canada for Reading By Lightning.
Endicott won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize Best Book Award, for Canada and the Caribbean, for her novel Good to a Fault. The novel recounts the chaotic journey a lonely woman and her family take after a car accident. "With delicate precision, Good to a Fault tackles some of the big, eternal questions — love, mortality, God — in a deceptively modest story populated with very ordinary people brought together in extraordinary circumstances," said Michael Bucknor, chair of the judging panel for the Canada and Caribbean region, in a statement.
The winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony in New Zealand on May 16, 2009.
Two Canadian authors, Marina Endicott and Joan Thomas, have won awards with the Commonwealth Writers' Prize.
Winners by region:
AFRICA:
• Best Book: Mandla Langa of South Africa for The Lost Colours of the Chameleon
• Best First Book: Uwem Akpan of Nigeria for Say You're One of Them
Langa prevailed over authors such as Damon Galgut (The Imposter) and Zoë Wicomb (The One That Got Away) while Akpan won over authors such as Jane Bennett (Porcupine) and Jassy Mackenzie (Random Violence).
EUROPE AND SOUTH ASIA:
• Best Book: Jhumpa Lahiri of the UK for Unaccustomed Earth
• Best First Book: Mohammed Hanif of Pakistan for A Case of Exploding Mangoes
Hanif was up against writers such as Joe Dunthorne (Submarine) and Sulaiman Addonia (The Consequences of Love) for the prize, while Lahiri beat out writers such as Chris Cleave (The Other Hand) and Salman Rushdie (The Enchantress of Florence).
SOUTH EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC:
• Best Book: Christos Tsiolkas of Australia for The Slap
• Best First Book: Mo Zhi Hong of New Zealand for The Year of the Shanghai Shark
Tsiolkas beat out authors such as Aravind Adiga (Between the Assassinations) and Tim Winton (Breath) while Mo Zhi Hong triumphed over Adiga (The White Tiger) and Nam Le (The Boat).
The winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony in New Zealand on May 16, 2009.
CANADA AND THE CARIBBEAN REGION:
• Best Book: Marina Endicott of Canada for Good to a Fault
• Best First Book: Joan Thomas of Canada for Reading By Lightning.
Endicott won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize Best Book Award, for Canada and the Caribbean, for her novel Good to a Fault. The novel recounts the chaotic journey a lonely woman and her family take after a car accident. "With delicate precision, Good to a Fault tackles some of the big, eternal questions — love, mortality, God — in a deceptively modest story populated with very ordinary people brought together in extraordinary circumstances," said Michael Bucknor, chair of the judging panel for the Canada and Caribbean region, in a statement.
The winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony in New Zealand on May 16, 2009.
Leipzig book fair starts
The Leipzig Book Fair, on from March 12-15 is the second largest book fair in Germany after the Frankfurt Book Fair.
China, which, will be the guest of honor at the Frankfurt book fair in October this year, is promoting its literature and publishing sector at the fair.
The fair, which is held annually over four days at the Leipzig Trade Fairground Leipzig, Saxony, is the first large trade meeting of the year and plays an important role in the market and is often where new publications are first presented.
China, which, will be the guest of honor at the Frankfurt book fair in October this year, is promoting its literature and publishing sector at the fair.
The fair, which is held annually over four days at the Leipzig Trade Fairground Leipzig, Saxony, is the first large trade meeting of the year and plays an important role in the market and is often where new publications are first presented.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
For a fresh look
For the publishing troubled, the focus on India seems to be an ongoing story. Frankfurt and Paris had the spotlight on India last year, and London follows is following it up with an ambitious line –up of India centric events at London this year.
The London Book Fair, on at the British capital’s Earls Court from April 20-22 this year, is focusing on India as an emerging market and literary hub. This trade fair will look at not only English writing from the south Asian nation but also other vernacular languages, Alistair Burtenshaw, group exhibition director of the event, says during a recent visit to India to promote the fair.
Burtenshaw admits that the global publishing industry is reeling at the moment. But he is confident of the rebound for the sector as well. “Publishing is a very forward looking industry,” he says. “Even in a challenging economic environment, they are going to look ahead. Out industry relies on great writing, and that is not going to stop.”
The London Book Fair, part of Reed Exhibitions, is one of the largest trade fairs in the world for the sector. While leading publishers, distributors, exporters, agents and writers are present, since 2004, each year, the fair has also selected a ‘market focus’ country. A major area where Burtenshaw hopes LBF will see activity is the sale of copyrights, especially for new authors. While Indian literature has already made deep inroads in the western markets, Burtenshaw feels the fair will help the industry look at India through fresh eyes.
The fair sees about 75-100 seminars over three days and usually draws about 25,000 attendees. Last year, there were about 1,800 exhibitors, from 36 countries and 413 companies. This year, publishers, booksellers and industry representatives from 67 countries will be present at the fair. The growth of the LBF in recent years has also meant the fair has a more international flavour, with about half the exhibitors coming from overseas.
About 45 writers, including major names like Vikram Seth, Amit Chaudhuri, Anita Nair, Javed Akhtar, Amartya Sen and Ramchandra Guha are among the writers scheduled to attend the fair. Already 78 Indian exhibitors have signed up, far exceeding expectations, says Burtenshaw. About 40 cultural events, including seminars and workshops, are planned. “It will help Indian publishers to sell rights of works by Indian authors to other markets,” he says.
The fair aims to focus on different aspects of Indian publishing. With India already the world’s third-largest producer of English language titles, and a still growing economy compared to negative growth rates in most of the OECD economies, the country offers considerable marketing opportunities.
“This will see writing not only from Indians writing in English, but also from the other languages spoken in the country,” says Burtenshaw. The British Council is putting together the programmes, and Sujata Sen, Director, East India, British Council, points out, there are 32 languages in India with over a million speakers, and there is great scope for translation. She points to Sahitya Akademi’s programme, and hopes more translation rights will be discussed.
And the events will not be limited to LBF alone but will also form part of the Edinburgh, hay, Norwich and Newcastle literature festivals. As part of the build up, the Kolkata Book Fair this had its spotlight on Scottish writers, and BCL organized about 50 events during the festival, points out Sen. “It is all about long term sustainability and engagement, adds Burtenshaw. “The rationale is to create greater business opportunities.
With a going rate of £254 per square metre to rent place at the fair, participation does not come chap. But Capexil is giving financial assistance to participants. LBF has also been helping out potential Indian exhibitors through workshops and seminars, conducting workshops for agents on how they can make a book successful, on participation guidelines, how to set up appointments, which titles to promote, how to present stands, preparing the right publicity material etc. While many of the subsidiaries of international publishing houses have been participating in their global stands, many have also taken stands in the India pavilion, Among the participants from India at the fair are Roli, Rupa, Macmillan India, Mapin, Niyogi, OUP India, Penguin India, Sterling, UBSPD, Zubaan, Wisdom Tree, Ratna Sagar, Research Press, Pearson Education, Palgrave Macmillan, McGraw Hill, IBH, Cambridge University Press India besides a host of printers.
Whether the fair is able to achieve its goals remains to be seen, but what already seems guaranteed is the greater visibility of the India in one of world’s global financial capitals desperately in need of some succour.
The London Book Fair, on at the British capital’s Earls Court from April 20-22 this year, is focusing on India as an emerging market and literary hub. This trade fair will look at not only English writing from the south Asian nation but also other vernacular languages, Alistair Burtenshaw, group exhibition director of the event, says during a recent visit to India to promote the fair.
Burtenshaw admits that the global publishing industry is reeling at the moment. But he is confident of the rebound for the sector as well. “Publishing is a very forward looking industry,” he says. “Even in a challenging economic environment, they are going to look ahead. Out industry relies on great writing, and that is not going to stop.”
The London Book Fair, part of Reed Exhibitions, is one of the largest trade fairs in the world for the sector. While leading publishers, distributors, exporters, agents and writers are present, since 2004, each year, the fair has also selected a ‘market focus’ country. A major area where Burtenshaw hopes LBF will see activity is the sale of copyrights, especially for new authors. While Indian literature has already made deep inroads in the western markets, Burtenshaw feels the fair will help the industry look at India through fresh eyes.
The fair sees about 75-100 seminars over three days and usually draws about 25,000 attendees. Last year, there were about 1,800 exhibitors, from 36 countries and 413 companies. This year, publishers, booksellers and industry representatives from 67 countries will be present at the fair. The growth of the LBF in recent years has also meant the fair has a more international flavour, with about half the exhibitors coming from overseas.
About 45 writers, including major names like Vikram Seth, Amit Chaudhuri, Anita Nair, Javed Akhtar, Amartya Sen and Ramchandra Guha are among the writers scheduled to attend the fair. Already 78 Indian exhibitors have signed up, far exceeding expectations, says Burtenshaw. About 40 cultural events, including seminars and workshops, are planned. “It will help Indian publishers to sell rights of works by Indian authors to other markets,” he says.
The fair aims to focus on different aspects of Indian publishing. With India already the world’s third-largest producer of English language titles, and a still growing economy compared to negative growth rates in most of the OECD economies, the country offers considerable marketing opportunities.
“This will see writing not only from Indians writing in English, but also from the other languages spoken in the country,” says Burtenshaw. The British Council is putting together the programmes, and Sujata Sen, Director, East India, British Council, points out, there are 32 languages in India with over a million speakers, and there is great scope for translation. She points to Sahitya Akademi’s programme, and hopes more translation rights will be discussed.
And the events will not be limited to LBF alone but will also form part of the Edinburgh, hay, Norwich and Newcastle literature festivals. As part of the build up, the Kolkata Book Fair this had its spotlight on Scottish writers, and BCL organized about 50 events during the festival, points out Sen. “It is all about long term sustainability and engagement, adds Burtenshaw. “The rationale is to create greater business opportunities.
With a going rate of £254 per square metre to rent place at the fair, participation does not come chap. But Capexil is giving financial assistance to participants. LBF has also been helping out potential Indian exhibitors through workshops and seminars, conducting workshops for agents on how they can make a book successful, on participation guidelines, how to set up appointments, which titles to promote, how to present stands, preparing the right publicity material etc. While many of the subsidiaries of international publishing houses have been participating in their global stands, many have also taken stands in the India pavilion, Among the participants from India at the fair are Roli, Rupa, Macmillan India, Mapin, Niyogi, OUP India, Penguin India, Sterling, UBSPD, Zubaan, Wisdom Tree, Ratna Sagar, Research Press, Pearson Education, Palgrave Macmillan, McGraw Hill, IBH, Cambridge University Press India besides a host of printers.
Whether the fair is able to achieve its goals remains to be seen, but what already seems guaranteed is the greater visibility of the India in one of world’s global financial capitals desperately in need of some succour.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Manmohan Shetty on Marvel's international advisory board,
Comic-book publishing company Marvel on March 10 formed an international advisory board to explore opportunities for expanding Marvel's character brands overseas.
Indian film producer Manmohan Shetty will represent India on the board. S
hetty, president of the Film and Television Guild of India, is the founder and former chairman of Adlabs Films Ltd. His new media company, Walkwater Media Ltd., produces film and television content. Marvel started makingfilms last year with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, said it plans to capitalize on the global visibility its films are bringing to its characters.
hetty, president of the Film and Television Guild of India, is the founder and former chairman of Adlabs Films Ltd. His new media company, Walkwater Media Ltd., produces film and television content. Marvel started makingfilms last year with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, said it plans to capitalize on the global visibility its films are bringing to its characters. The board, which is comprised of executives from key international markets, is chaired by Marvel Director James Halpin. Marvel has appointed a board member for China, and is looking out for other members.
Spider-man is Marvel's most popular character. marvel has not spelt out how plans to localize its characters in India.
Chandigarh to host national convention of Indian publishers
The Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) in association with Punjabi Publishers’ Association, is organising the 12th National Convention of Indian Publishers from 13-14 March 2009 at the Punjab Arts Council Auditorium, Rose Garden, Sector 16-B, Chandigarh.
The theme of the Convention is ‘Indian Book Publishing: Present and Future Perspectives’. The convention aims to to bring together publishers and book specialists on one platform to realise their strength and identity and to share their experiences and views in search of a better future for language publishing in India.
Discussions are planned on subjects like – Copyright: How to enforce it?; Publishing in Regional languages (Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English); Problems of Publishers and Booksellers; Publishing of Translations; and Authors: Their Problems and Perspectives and Readership: Is it Declining? Leading publishers from all over India and prominent literary luminaries are expected to participate in and address the Convention.
The theme of the Convention is ‘Indian Book Publishing: Present and Future Perspectives’. The convention aims to to bring together publishers and book specialists on one platform to realise their strength and identity and to share their experiences and views in search of a better future for language publishing in India.
Discussions are planned on subjects like – Copyright: How to enforce it?; Publishing in Regional languages (Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English); Problems of Publishers and Booksellers; Publishing of Translations; and Authors: Their Problems and Perspectives and Readership: Is it Declining? Leading publishers from all over India and prominent literary luminaries are expected to participate in and address the Convention.
Agra to host SAARC lit fest
The city of the Taj will host about 60 writers, poets and scholars from all the eight south Asian countries at the SAARC Festival of Literature, to be held in the city from March 13-16.
Besides literature, considerable attention is expected to be on terrorism, ethnic angst and popular culture. "The focus this year is on terrorism. The foundation is organising the festival at a time when expectations from the creative fraternity and peace activists have soared in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and sensitivities of the creative fraternity across the SAARC region, particularly in Pakistan and India, are shaken and bruised," festival founder Ajeet Caur said.
Caur set up the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature in 1997, which received the government seal in 1999.
13 writers from Pakistan and 8 from Afghanistan are to attend the festival. Afghanistan and Myanmar are participating at this annual festival for the first time.
Expected participants include Jayant Mahapatra, who will inaugurate the festival, Mahashweta Devi, Kapila Vatsyayan, Gulzar, Abid Hussain, M J Akbar, Mushirul Hasan, Seema Mustafa and Indira Goswami.
Besides literature, considerable attention is expected to be on terrorism, ethnic angst and popular culture. "The focus this year is on terrorism. The foundation is organising the festival at a time when expectations from the creative fraternity and peace activists have soared in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and sensitivities of the creative fraternity across the SAARC region, particularly in Pakistan and India, are shaken and bruised," festival founder Ajeet Caur said.
Caur set up the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature in 1997, which received the government seal in 1999.
13 writers from Pakistan and 8 from Afghanistan are to attend the festival. Afghanistan and Myanmar are participating at this annual festival for the first time.
Expected participants include Jayant Mahapatra, who will inaugurate the festival, Mahashweta Devi, Kapila Vatsyayan, Gulzar, Abid Hussain, M J Akbar, Mushirul Hasan, Seema Mustafa and Indira Goswami.
British historian wins Gelber prize
British historian Lawrence Freedman has won the Lionel Gelber Prize for his book on the West Asian politics.The $15,000 prize honours books on international affairs. Freedman's book A Choice of Enemies: America Confronts the Middle East deals with the situation in the region.
The prize is given annually by the Lionel Gelber Foundation in partnership with the Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto and Washington-based Foreign Policy magazine.
Rare Harry Potter book fetches $19,120 at auction
A first-edition Harry Potter book was sold for about $19,000, at an auction. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone includes an autograph from author JK Rowling.The paperback was one of 200 copies printed and is a rarity compared with later editions of the popular series that were printed in the millions, according to auctioneers, Heritage Auction Galleries said.
The auction in Dallas, US, had estimated that the 223-page book would sell for as much as $12,000. Last year, an 800-word prequel to the blockbuster Harry Potter novel series fetched nearly $50,000 for a writer's group and dyslexia charity.
Obama nominated for UK literary award
It's a politician who leads the nominations for this year's British Book Awards. US president Barack Obama leads the nominations for this year's British Book Awards by making the shortlist for both author and biography of the year.
Both The Audacity of Hope, and his life story, Dreams from My Father, became UK bestsellers during his 2008 run for office. Dreams from My Father was originally published in 1995 and tells of his early life as a black boy growing up with his white grandparents and is frank about his drug use and flirtations with the Black Power movement.
Obama's biography faces competition for biography of the year from memoirs by JG Ballard, Dawn French, Paul O'Grady, Julie Walters and Marcus Trescothick.
For author of the year, Obama's competition includes Stephanie Meyer. The four volumes of her teenage vampire saga, Twilight, are currently the four best selling children's books in the UK according to industry magazine The Bookseller. Others to get best author nods are Rose Tremain, Diana Athill, Costa prize winner Sebastian Barry and Aravind Adiga, who picked up the 2008 Booker prize.
Also nominated are Tom Rob Smith's thriller Child 44 for both the newcomer and the crime thriller categories. While Kate Atkinson's When Will There Be Good News is nominated for crime thriller and in the best read category which will be voted for by the public.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 3.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Penguin to bring classics back at Delhi's first open air library
Classic literature is making a comeback to the capital through a unique open air library as India's leading English publisher Penguin India is trying to revive interest in reading classics with a six-day open-air 'Penguin Classics Library' at the amphitheatre Delhi's India Habitat Centre from March 12 to18.
The library is the first of its kind in the capital. It will offer readers an entire range of Penguin classics comprising more than 1,500 books from around the world, down the ages in three imprints - Black, Modern and Puffin.
Readers will also be able to browse, read and discuss their favourite books. To promote interactive participation, the publishing house will also start a 'Blog a Penguin India Classic' at blogapenguinindiaclassic.blogspot.com, where readers and book clubs across the country can blog about their favourite Penguin classics. The library will have makeshift book racks across the amphitheatre and readers can sit on the steps, flanking the amphitheatre - which will be converted to carpeted seats - to read.
The library will unveil its treasure with a jazz concert March 12 and follow it up with exciting events throughout the week.
Rabindranath Tagore's classic Nationalism, a political comment in which the Nobel laureate criticised the nation-state in both east and west and offered his vision of a society independent of it, will be released March 17 at the library.
The library will also have separate section on Indian classics. The publishing house will also host special classic promotion campaigns across Indian cities.
The library is the first of its kind in the capital. It will offer readers an entire range of Penguin classics comprising more than 1,500 books from around the world, down the ages in three imprints - Black, Modern and Puffin.
Readers will also be able to browse, read and discuss their favourite books. To promote interactive participation, the publishing house will also start a 'Blog a Penguin India Classic' at blogapenguinindiaclassic.blogspot.com, where readers and book clubs across the country can blog about their favourite Penguin classics. The library will have makeshift book racks across the amphitheatre and readers can sit on the steps, flanking the amphitheatre - which will be converted to carpeted seats - to read.
The library will unveil its treasure with a jazz concert March 12 and follow it up with exciting events throughout the week.
Rabindranath Tagore's classic Nationalism, a political comment in which the Nobel laureate criticised the nation-state in both east and west and offered his vision of a society independent of it, will be released March 17 at the library.
The library will also have separate section on Indian classics. The publishing house will also host special classic promotion campaigns across Indian cities.
Alice Walker to highlight Israeli attack effects
Pulitzer-prize winning author Alice Walker is traveling to Gaza along with other female activists to highlight the devastation of the Israeli offensive on Gaza's residents.
"I feel that what is happening in the Middle East is very important because the situation is so volatile," said Walker who wrote The Color Purple, speaking on Saturday from the Rafah border crossing as her group waited to travel into Gaza, according to AP.
Walker is part of a group of about 60 women going to Gaza to deliver aid and meet with NGOs and residents. The trip, organized by the U.S. anti-war group Code Pink, is intended to push both Israel and Egypt to open the borders into Gaza, said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink who helped organize the trip.
"I feel that what is happening in the Middle East is very important because the situation is so volatile," said Walker who wrote The Color Purple, speaking on Saturday from the Rafah border crossing as her group waited to travel into Gaza, according to AP.
Walker is part of a group of about 60 women going to Gaza to deliver aid and meet with NGOs and residents. The trip, organized by the U.S. anti-war group Code Pink, is intended to push both Israel and Egypt to open the borders into Gaza, said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink who helped organize the trip.
OBIT: Dogri writer dead
Famous Dogri writer Ramnath Shastri died in Jammu on march 8 after a brief illness. Shastri, 95, is survived by his wife and three sons.
Besides the Padma Shri, had won the Sahitya Akademi award for his contribution to Dogri literature and State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages award.
Besides the Padma Shri, had won the Sahitya Akademi award for his contribution to Dogri literature and State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages award.
Boyle to star at Lit.Cologne
Wrong again. Europe's biggest literature festival is not held at Frankfurt, though it is also a German city.
From March 12 -21, the city of Cologne hosts Europe's largest literature festival: The lit.Cologne presents internationally renowned authors from all around the world. The star this year is set to be TC Boyle, who will read fom his latest novel. At lit.Cologne, dicover the latest trends in literature and get to know interesting places throughout the city. The festival is famous for its unusual locations and events: You can listen to crime stories at the Cologne police headquarters, and enjoy poems on a ship on the Rhine river.
From March 12 -21, the city of Cologne hosts Europe's largest literature festival: The lit.Cologne presents internationally renowned authors from all around the world. The star this year is set to be TC Boyle, who will read fom his latest novel. At lit.Cologne, dicover the latest trends in literature and get to know interesting places throughout the city. The festival is famous for its unusual locations and events: You can listen to crime stories at the Cologne police headquarters, and enjoy poems on a ship on the Rhine river.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Pamuk vows Bombay
Orhan Pamuk had bombay hanging on to hear his every word as leading bibliophimes turned up to hear his speak.
And he spoke at length of literature, his reason for writing, the use of different narratives for a historical novel, his experience with translation and other issues.
His latest book, The Museum of Innocence was released in 2008 and is a 600-page love story. It is being translated into English.
Pamuk, who has lived in and written on Istanbul, said he is very influenced by what he sees, he says. This self-discipline for 35 years had made him what he is.
His books reflect a sharp sense of otherness, that he admits to feeling all along. “I don’t belong, I always felt the sense of otherness. I don’t think I feel at home in the West or in a non-Western world,” he said.
And he spoke at length of literature, his reason for writing, the use of different narratives for a historical novel, his experience with translation and other issues.
His latest book, The Museum of Innocence was released in 2008 and is a 600-page love story. It is being translated into English.
Pamuk, who has lived in and written on Istanbul, said he is very influenced by what he sees, he says. This self-discipline for 35 years had made him what he is.
His books reflect a sharp sense of otherness, that he admits to feeling all along. “I don’t belong, I always felt the sense of otherness. I don’t think I feel at home in the West or in a non-Western world,” he said.
Infosys mentor is comic book hero
Amar Chitra Katha will publish a comic book on IT czar Narayana Murthy as part of its efforts to have more contemporary icons as part of its title lineup.
ACK Chief Executive Samir Patil said it was at the ideation stage still. The company would look at the story/biography and then mould it for using it in a comic book format.
Another book is scheduled to be on Sachin Tendulkar.
Amar Chitra Katha is famous for bringing figures from history and mythology in the comic book format. However it has not yet profiled a living person in its history.
ACK Chief Executive Samir Patil said it was at the ideation stage still. The company would look at the story/biography and then mould it for using it in a comic book format.
Another book is scheduled to be on Sachin Tendulkar.
Amar Chitra Katha is famous for bringing figures from history and mythology in the comic book format. However it has not yet profiled a living person in its history.
Orissa bans book on Aurobindo
The Orissa government has decided to strictly enforce a ban on Peter Heehs' The Lives of Sri Aurobindo after state CID reports indicated that circulation of the book could inflame religious sentiments.
The ban would be imposed by invoking Section 95 of the Criminal Procedure Code as the book reportedly contains defamatory content about the spiritual leader.
It is published by Penguin India.
The ban would be imposed by invoking Section 95 of the Criminal Procedure Code as the book reportedly contains defamatory content about the spiritual leader.
It is published by Penguin India.
Barnes and Noble buys e-book retailer
Barnes & Noble has bought e-book seller Fictionwise.com, as part of the mega-chain's attempt to sell digital books online.
The sale cost it $15.7m and is its second attempt to sell books online after its 2000 botched atempt with Microsoft.
Fictionwise, which will be a separate business unit, offers its own eReader app for smartphones, other handheld devices, desktop computers, and laptops. Rival Amazon launched Kindle 2, the second version of its e-book reader. And earlier this week, Amazon unveiled its Kindle app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
The sale cost it $15.7m and is its second attempt to sell books online after its 2000 botched atempt with Microsoft.
Fictionwise, which will be a separate business unit, offers its own eReader app for smartphones, other handheld devices, desktop computers, and laptops. Rival Amazon launched Kindle 2, the second version of its e-book reader. And earlier this week, Amazon unveiled its Kindle app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Major authors to be India in March
After the eagerly followed visit by Orhan Pamuk to Bombay, Kamila Shamsie and MG Vassanji are to be in India in March for the launch of their books.
Shamsie will be here on tour for her ambitious new novel, Burnt Shadows, which travels across modern history, starting from Guantanamo Bay and to Nagasaki, Delhi and other places resonant in our recent past.
Vassanji meanwhile has written his first non fiction book, In Place Within, which explores the country of his birth, India. His previous novel, The Assassin's Song, was a searching look at Gujarat after the 2002 riots and won wide acclaim globally.
Shamsie will be here on tour for her ambitious new novel, Burnt Shadows, which travels across modern history, starting from Guantanamo Bay and to Nagasaki, Delhi and other places resonant in our recent past.
Vassanji meanwhile has written his first non fiction book, In Place Within, which explores the country of his birth, India. His previous novel, The Assassin's Song, was a searching look at Gujarat after the 2002 riots and won wide acclaim globally.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Random House launches 2009 catalogue
Kebabs, tikkas, beer, wine and animated networking dominated the evening. But the attention should have on the catalogue at Random House's catalogue launch on March 7 evening in a park in Jor Bagh.
Succintly put, it is beautiful. Designed by Claudia Stein, the cover is takes you back to the time of wonderfully bound notebooks. The chintz pattern is in green on the cover and separators are in olive, mauve, light orange, brick red and green. Surprisingly, the content actually is a little less ambitious than last year's catalogue. If you get a chance, have a dekko. It is not online yet, but i shall try to get the cover scanned.
Succintly put, it is beautiful. Designed by Claudia Stein, the cover is takes you back to the time of wonderfully bound notebooks. The chintz pattern is in green on the cover and separators are in olive, mauve, light orange, brick red and green. Surprisingly, the content actually is a little less ambitious than last year's catalogue. If you get a chance, have a dekko. It is not online yet, but i shall try to get the cover scanned.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Seminar on green publishing
The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) and the German Book Office (GBO) are organising a seminar on publishing and ecology on March 14.Pathways to Green Publishing 2009: Industry perspectives on the economics of ecological practices is an event which aims to create a common platform for stakeholders from the publishing, paper manufacturing, and printing industries to interact and find clean-green solutions for this sector. It will also bring together policy makers from the high echelons of the Indian government to deliberate on issues related to sustainability.
The conference will try to provide a common platform for the media, corporates, the world of writing, and education to interact and find solutions for a greener tomorrow.
It will also provide a unique opportunity to share the immense knowledge of the best known names in the publishing and printing industry and the media to the participants who attend the conference. The conference aims to offer the intellectual research base of TERI to the participants for conducting energy audits in their respective organizations and also put before the members research carried out by TERI in the field of publishing, waste management in printing, paper etc.
Among those expected to participate are Manas Saikia, Managing Director, Cambridge University, Kapish G Mehra, Managing Director, Rupa and Co, Chetan Bhagat, author, Himani Dalmia, author, Paro Anand, Urvashi Butalia, Director, Zubaan Books and Prof Ramu Ramaswamy, Scholars without Borders.
Vassanji turns to non fiction
Novelist MG Vassanji has turned to non fiction and is going to write on India, the homeland of his ancestors.
Vassanji’s grandparents left India to settle in Africa. An African by birth, Vassanji’s relationship with India in childhood was complex and contradictory, fed by legends and stories. Now, in this powerfully moving tale of personal discovery, he explores his connection to the land that for so long was a place only of the imagination for him. Part travelogue and description, part history and meditation, and above all a quest for a lost homeland, A Place Within begins with diary entries from Vassanji’s very first wide-eyed trip to India in 1993, then moves on to accounts from his subsequent and obsessive visits. An intimate chronicle filled with fantastic stories and unforgettable characters, A Place Within is rich with images of bustling city streets and contrasting Indian landscapes, from the southern tip of India to the Himalayan foothills, from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. Here, too, are the amazing histories of Delhi, Shimla, Gujarat and Kerala, and of Vassanji’s own family, members of the Khoja sect that draws on both Hinduism and Islam.
Vassanji is the author of six novels: The Gunny Sack, which won a Commonwealth Prize; No New Land; The Book of Secrets, which won the very first Giller Prize; Amriika; The In-Between World of Vikram Lall, which also received the Giller Prize in 2003, and The Assassin’s Song; which was shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. He is also the author of two collections of short fiction, Uhuru Street and Elvis Raja.
Vassanji’s grandparents left India to settle in Africa. An African by birth, Vassanji’s relationship with India in childhood was complex and contradictory, fed by legends and stories. Now, in this powerfully moving tale of personal discovery, he explores his connection to the land that for so long was a place only of the imagination for him. Part travelogue and description, part history and meditation, and above all a quest for a lost homeland, A Place Within begins with diary entries from Vassanji’s very first wide-eyed trip to India in 1993, then moves on to accounts from his subsequent and obsessive visits. An intimate chronicle filled with fantastic stories and unforgettable characters, A Place Within is rich with images of bustling city streets and contrasting Indian landscapes, from the southern tip of India to the Himalayan foothills, from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. Here, too, are the amazing histories of Delhi, Shimla, Gujarat and Kerala, and of Vassanji’s own family, members of the Khoja sect that draws on both Hinduism and Islam.
Vassanji is the author of six novels: The Gunny Sack, which won a Commonwealth Prize; No New Land; The Book of Secrets, which won the very first Giller Prize; Amriika; The In-Between World of Vikram Lall, which also received the Giller Prize in 2003, and The Assassin’s Song; which was shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. He is also the author of two collections of short fiction, Uhuru Street and Elvis Raja.
Bahri expands westwards
Delhi's iconic bookstore, Bahrisons, which for long has been associated with Khan Market, is to finally expand.
The new store called Bahrisons booksellers (Westend) opens on March 7 in Rajouri Garden Main Market, Delhi.
The store was inaugurated by Sheila Dikshit, chief minister, Delhi.
The new store called Bahrisons booksellers (Westend) opens on March 7 in Rajouri Garden Main Market, Delhi.
The store was inaugurated by Sheila Dikshit, chief minister, Delhi.
Colombia, Spain mark Marquez birthday
Colombia is marking the 80th birthday of its most celebrated author, Gabriel García Márquez on March 6.
Marquez was born in 1928 in Aracataca, his hometown, woke up to 80 cannon salvos, while paper and metal yellow butterflies then filled public spaces, says BBC.
Spain has already marked the occasion with a marathon reading of the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Marquez, who has been writing for over six decades, and has won numerous prizes, including the Nobel for literature, has fans across the world who follow his writings avidly. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of One Hundred Years of Solitude and 25 years since Garcia Marquez was awarded the Nobel Prize.
It has also been announced that the zinc and wood house in which "Gabo" - as he is known in Colombia - lived as a child will be restored.
Marquez was born in 1928 in Aracataca, his hometown, woke up to 80 cannon salvos, while paper and metal yellow butterflies then filled public spaces, says BBC.
Spain has already marked the occasion with a marathon reading of the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Marquez, who has been writing for over six decades, and has won numerous prizes, including the Nobel for literature, has fans across the world who follow his writings avidly. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of One Hundred Years of Solitude and 25 years since Garcia Marquez was awarded the Nobel Prize.
It has also been announced that the zinc and wood house in which "Gabo" - as he is known in Colombia - lived as a child will be restored.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
According to a poll conducted by BBC, George Orwell's 1984 and Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace are among the books people are most likely to have lied about reading. Four in 10 respondents (42%) pretending to have read it Orwell's nove, while a third (31%) said they had lied about reading War and Peace.Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children came in at seventh place, with 14% admitting to lying about having read it.
A total of 1,342 people took part in the online survey in January and February this year. The survey released to mark World Book Day. Visitors to the World Book Day website were given a list of 10 books and asked which they had lied about reading.
Forsyth in real life thriller
Author of many a successful thriller, Frederick Forsyth, was embroiled in a real life one as he was in Guinea-Bissau when the country's president was assassinated on March 9.
Forsyth was in the troubled west African nation, notorious for 30 years of coups and civil unrest, to work on the research for his new book when its latest round of bloodletting began.
He was woken in his hotel room by an explosion early on Monday morning, the sound of a rocket-propelled grenade attack at the home of the late president, Joao Bernardo Vieira. "They went to his villa, threw a bomb through the window which hurt him, but didn't kill him," Mr Forsyth told the BBC's World Today programme from Bissau, the capital. "The roof came down, that hurt him but didn't kill him either. He struggled out of the rubble and was promptly shot. This, however, still didn't kill him. They then took him to his mother-in-law's house and chopped him to bits with machetes."
Forsyth was in the troubled west African nation, notorious for 30 years of coups and civil unrest, to work on the research for his new book when its latest round of bloodletting began.
He was woken in his hotel room by an explosion early on Monday morning, the sound of a rocket-propelled grenade attack at the home of the late president, Joao Bernardo Vieira. "They went to his villa, threw a bomb through the window which hurt him, but didn't kill him," Mr Forsyth told the BBC's World Today programme from Bissau, the capital. "The roof came down, that hurt him but didn't kill him either. He struggled out of the rubble and was promptly shot. This, however, still didn't kill him. They then took him to his mother-in-law's house and chopped him to bits with machetes."
Shobhaa De turns activist!
To protest the recent attacks on women in two of Karnataka's leading cities, Bangalore and Mangalore, author Shobhaa De has formed the Sita Sene.
The group will gather volunteers - men and women - in Mumbai and meet at the Gateway of India on March 8, International Women's Day to protest.
According to information on her blog, a strong action plan is advocated, along with a helpline for women in distress and other measures.
Her blog reads, "I read the reports of fresh attacks on women in Bangalore and felt sickened. `This must stop!' I said to myself. The idea of launching a Sita Sena to counter the Ravanas came to me in a flash. I communicated it to my dear, dear 'blogdost' Aham, who immediately swung into action and created a site. His plan is to congregate at the Gateway of India on March 8, International Women's Day," she wrote on the blog.
She warns against people not taking action. "This is why I want the campaign to be a pan-India initiative. And soon we will have several Kabuls sprouting up all over India. Shame the men. Show your contempt. Speak up!"
The group will gather volunteers - men and women - in Mumbai and meet at the Gateway of India on March 8, International Women's Day to protest.
According to information on her blog, a strong action plan is advocated, along with a helpline for women in distress and other measures.
Her blog reads, "I read the reports of fresh attacks on women in Bangalore and felt sickened. `This must stop!' I said to myself. The idea of launching a Sita Sena to counter the Ravanas came to me in a flash. I communicated it to my dear, dear 'blogdost' Aham, who immediately swung into action and created a site. His plan is to congregate at the Gateway of India on March 8, International Women's Day," she wrote on the blog.
She warns against people not taking action. "This is why I want the campaign to be a pan-India initiative. And soon we will have several Kabuls sprouting up all over India. Shame the men. Show your contempt. Speak up!"
OBIT: Playwright Horton Foote dead
US playwright and Oscar-winning screenplaywriter of To Kill A Mockingbird Horton Foote has died at the age of 92.
Foote, who had written about 50 plays in seven decades, won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1962 for his screen adaptation of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. He also won for another Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1983 for Tender Mercies.
Foote also was awarded the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for drama The Young Man from Atlanta. Foote died in his sleep at his temporary home in Hartford, according to The Hartford Stage theatre.
Foote, who had written about 50 plays in seven decades, won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1962 for his screen adaptation of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. He also won for another Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1983 for Tender Mercies.
Foote also was awarded the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for drama The Young Man from Atlanta. Foote died in his sleep at his temporary home in Hartford, according to The Hartford Stage theatre.
OBIT: Yadvendra Sharma dead
Noted Hindi writer Yadvendra Sharma "Chandra" passed away in Bikaner on March 5 after a prolonged illness. He was suffering from septicaemia, family sources said. He was 77.
He had written 100 books, including 60 novels, 30 short stories, poems, and short plays. And had won many awards, including Rajasthan Sahitya Academy's top literary "Meera award.
He had written 100 books, including 60 novels, 30 short stories, poems, and short plays. And had won many awards, including Rajasthan Sahitya Academy's top literary "Meera award.
Dublin book fair starts
The Dublin book fair began on March 5 with a call to have the Irish capital designated as a Unesco City of Literature.
Over 100 of the country’s leading authors, poets, children’s writers, social commentators and media personalities will gather in City Hall over the next three days for a series of 44 readings, public interviews, workshops and book launches as part of this year’s festival.
Over 100 of the country’s leading authors, poets, children’s writers, social commentators and media personalities will gather in City Hall over the next three days for a series of 44 readings, public interviews, workshops and book launches as part of this year’s festival.
Harper announces new imprint
Publishing giant Harper Collins has announced that it is starting a new imprint, It Books, which will cover pop culture, sports, style, internet content etc.
The imprint is scheduled to launch in the second half of the year with 21 titles. The move comes about a month after announcing a restructuring in the company, which had caused layoffs and the shuttering of an entire division.
Carrie Kania, currently publisher of HarperCollins’s paperback unit, Harper Perennial, will head the imprint. Upcoming titles include The Style Strategy by Nina Garcia, a judge on Project Runway, and Chocolate, Please, a memoir by the comedian Lisa Lampanelli.
The imprint is scheduled to launch in the second half of the year with 21 titles. The move comes about a month after announcing a restructuring in the company, which had caused layoffs and the shuttering of an entire division.
Carrie Kania, currently publisher of HarperCollins’s paperback unit, Harper Perennial, will head the imprint. Upcoming titles include The Style Strategy by Nina Garcia, a judge on Project Runway, and Chocolate, Please, a memoir by the comedian Lisa Lampanelli.
Boston University allows open access
In another blow to already cash-strapped US universities, a measure that is exected to have global repurcussions, Boston University has become the first major US higher education institution to post its academics' research online. This thus bypasses the traditional route of publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals, which the university said, restricts public access.
By this move, academics will be able to choose whether or not to make their work available on Boston's web archive, but the faculty governing body has endorsed the idea, as have all 17 of its schools and colleges. Anyone may use the research, as long as authors are cited and the intended use is not for financial gain.
By this move, academics will be able to choose whether or not to make their work available on Boston's web archive, but the faculty governing body has endorsed the idea, as have all 17 of its schools and colleges. Anyone may use the research, as long as authors are cited and the intended use is not for financial gain.
Haig wins Blue Peter award
Shadow Forest by author Matt Haig has been named book of the year at the Blue Peter Book Awards. It tells the story of two orphans in Norway stuck in a wood full of trolls. A panel of eight child judges picked the winner.
Shadow Forest also won the 'Book I Couldn't Put Down' category. Haig said he was "over-the-moon". The book beat winners from two other categories to win the overall award.
There were two other category winners. Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton, illustrated by David Tazzyman, won the Most Fun Story with Pictures prize, and Horrible Geography Handbooks – Planet in Peril by Anita Ganeri took the Best Book with Facts prize.
According to Wikipedia, the Blue Peter Book Awards are a series of literary prizes for children's literature awarded annually by the BBC television programme Blue Peter, and inaugurated in 2000. An overall award, The Blue Peter Book of the Year, is selected from the winners of three categories: "The Book I Couldn't Put Down", "The Best Book with Facts", and "The Best Illustrated Book to Read Aloud".
Shadow Forest also won the 'Book I Couldn't Put Down' category. Haig said he was "over-the-moon". The book beat winners from two other categories to win the overall award.
There were two other category winners. Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton, illustrated by David Tazzyman, won the Most Fun Story with Pictures prize, and Horrible Geography Handbooks – Planet in Peril by Anita Ganeri took the Best Book with Facts prize.
According to Wikipedia, the Blue Peter Book Awards are a series of literary prizes for children's literature awarded annually by the BBC television programme Blue Peter, and inaugurated in 2000. An overall award, The Blue Peter Book of the Year, is selected from the winners of three categories: "The Book I Couldn't Put Down", "The Best Book with Facts", and "The Best Illustrated Book to Read Aloud".
Dhanbad hosts book fair
A two-day book exhibition was inaugurated on March 4 at Dhanbad's Zilla Parishad grounds. It has been organised by the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC). The exhibition is being organised simultaneously at Dhanbad and Bokaro.
Eklavya Prakashan, Rajkamal Prakashan, Krishna Prakashan Private Limited and Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti participated in the fair.
Eklavya Prakashan, Rajkamal Prakashan, Krishna Prakashan Private Limited and Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti participated in the fair.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
'Indian publishing has opportunities'
At a time when the world seems to be focusing solely on the financial crisis, there are regions where the talk is about using that very fact as an opportunity!
This also rather succinctly sums up the Publishers’ Round Table “Global:Local” held February 27, organised by the Frankfurt Book Fair and the German Book Office New Delhi. With the presence of arguably the local industry’s most significant publishers and other players, as well as international participation from Argentina, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, China and the Arab World, the one-day round table represented a hitherto seldom experienced platform on the Indian subcontinent.
“Global vs. local” was the theme that set the ball rolling by questioning the whole notion of publishing for a local market and the need to be thinking globally. Moderated by publisher Karthika VK of Harper Collins India, this particular session had speakers like Ajay Shukla talking about the success of STM publishing. He illustrated the global reach of a nation like India, where content is now being developed not only to cater to the indigenous market but also to global markets. Insights were also offered on local experiences in different parts of the world like China, Morocco and South America.
The second session focussed on publishing services. The key word for globalisation in the last decade has been outsourcing. With its huge knowledge base and skilled manpower, India has been tapping into this opportunity rather well. Similar trends in China and South America were observed, as well. Naresh Khanna, publisher of Indian Printer and Publisher, moderated the discussion and also presented his research on the huge and unexplored potential of the Indian market. The session was then steered into a rather animated discussion about the competence of outsourcing companies and service providers. Richard Charkin of Bloomsbury cited his own experience of printing in India, which was not such a profitable activity for his own publishing house.
The session after lunch dealt with the role of independent publishers in a global scenario. Urvashi Butalia moderated the discussion and pointed out the challenges and advantages of being an independent publisher, as opposed to a multinational publisher which is governed more by market forces, minimising risk and slow decision making processes. This view was immediately countered by Mike Bryan of Penguin who said that the reverse is true for them. Their passion and risk taking is sometimes much greater than that of the independents. Interestingly, it was later discussed that both these publishing houses have also found a harmonious way of co-publishing which is a good marriage of the global and local!
The last, highly anticipated session was about the global financial crisis and its impact on publishing. With input coming from every part of the world, the picture looks rather fuzzy. Richard Charkin established that the UK is witnessing a very bad slump, primarily due to the breakdown of retail. Ana Maria Cabanellas from Argentina pointed out that publishers in South America are already coping with the crisis by coming up with innovative models. Haissam Fadel remarked that the Arab World, when it comes to trade publishing, is rather new in the field and, hence, still hasn’t seen good days to be able to talk about bad ones. Stella Chou from China was very optimistic and considered this to be a very temporary phase. The opinion from India was on the one hand similar to the UK with a huge slump in retail but in the words of the major educational publisher Dhanesh Jain of Ratna Sagar, this is also clearly a time for opportunities: “If mobile telephony can reach 400 million people, then books or content of any sort has a huge potential.”
Positively associated with the Frankfurt Book Fair, the platform was well received by Indian publishers as an activity for bringing people together and creating an exchange. Prepared by the German Book Office New Delhi, the event, in the words of Richard Charkin, “is the very essence of publishing having a global consensus”.
The Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest book fair in the world – with more than 7,000 exhibitors from over 100 countries. It also organises the participation of German publishers at more than 25 international book fairs and is associated with the Cape Town Book Fair in South Africa and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. It maintains the most visited website worldwide for the publishing industry at http://www.book-fair.com/. The Frankfurt Book Fair is a subsidiary of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association.
This also rather succinctly sums up the Publishers’ Round Table “Global:Local” held February 27, organised by the Frankfurt Book Fair and the German Book Office New Delhi. With the presence of arguably the local industry’s most significant publishers and other players, as well as international participation from Argentina, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, China and the Arab World, the one-day round table represented a hitherto seldom experienced platform on the Indian subcontinent.
“Global vs. local” was the theme that set the ball rolling by questioning the whole notion of publishing for a local market and the need to be thinking globally. Moderated by publisher Karthika VK of Harper Collins India, this particular session had speakers like Ajay Shukla talking about the success of STM publishing. He illustrated the global reach of a nation like India, where content is now being developed not only to cater to the indigenous market but also to global markets. Insights were also offered on local experiences in different parts of the world like China, Morocco and South America.
The second session focussed on publishing services. The key word for globalisation in the last decade has been outsourcing. With its huge knowledge base and skilled manpower, India has been tapping into this opportunity rather well. Similar trends in China and South America were observed, as well. Naresh Khanna, publisher of Indian Printer and Publisher, moderated the discussion and also presented his research on the huge and unexplored potential of the Indian market. The session was then steered into a rather animated discussion about the competence of outsourcing companies and service providers. Richard Charkin of Bloomsbury cited his own experience of printing in India, which was not such a profitable activity for his own publishing house.
The session after lunch dealt with the role of independent publishers in a global scenario. Urvashi Butalia moderated the discussion and pointed out the challenges and advantages of being an independent publisher, as opposed to a multinational publisher which is governed more by market forces, minimising risk and slow decision making processes. This view was immediately countered by Mike Bryan of Penguin who said that the reverse is true for them. Their passion and risk taking is sometimes much greater than that of the independents. Interestingly, it was later discussed that both these publishing houses have also found a harmonious way of co-publishing which is a good marriage of the global and local!
The last, highly anticipated session was about the global financial crisis and its impact on publishing. With input coming from every part of the world, the picture looks rather fuzzy. Richard Charkin established that the UK is witnessing a very bad slump, primarily due to the breakdown of retail. Ana Maria Cabanellas from Argentina pointed out that publishers in South America are already coping with the crisis by coming up with innovative models. Haissam Fadel remarked that the Arab World, when it comes to trade publishing, is rather new in the field and, hence, still hasn’t seen good days to be able to talk about bad ones. Stella Chou from China was very optimistic and considered this to be a very temporary phase. The opinion from India was on the one hand similar to the UK with a huge slump in retail but in the words of the major educational publisher Dhanesh Jain of Ratna Sagar, this is also clearly a time for opportunities: “If mobile telephony can reach 400 million people, then books or content of any sort has a huge potential.”
Positively associated with the Frankfurt Book Fair, the platform was well received by Indian publishers as an activity for bringing people together and creating an exchange. Prepared by the German Book Office New Delhi, the event, in the words of Richard Charkin, “is the very essence of publishing having a global consensus”.
The Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest book fair in the world – with more than 7,000 exhibitors from over 100 countries. It also organises the participation of German publishers at more than 25 international book fairs and is associated with the Cape Town Book Fair in South Africa and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. It maintains the most visited website worldwide for the publishing industry at http://www.book-fair.com/. The Frankfurt Book Fair is a subsidiary of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association.
King of e-books too
Stephen king has forayed into the e-word. And his latest 'book' UR, is already a hit, although it is not in any bookshop yet.
UR is available only as an e-book and was released to coincide with the launch of Amazon's upgraded Kindle reader, have reached "five figures" after barely three weeks on the market.
In 2000 King's novella Riding the Bullet was downloaded hundreds of thousands of times, overwhelming Amazon.com and other online sites. Amazon.com does not give specific sales numbers of the Kindle or for individual books, although experts say popular titles sell in the thousands or better.
The Kindle 2, a slimmed-down model with upgraded components and storage capacity, went on sale Feb. 9 for $359. The gadget downloads books, newspaper stories and blog posts over a wireless network.
UR, available as a download for $2.99, is about a college English instructor whose pink Kindle allows him to access new books by famous dead authors as well as newspapers that tell of a future event that he is compelled to try to forestall.
Random House buys Ten Speed Press
Random House, the world’s largest publisher of consumer books, has acquired Ten Speed Press, a Berkeley, California, US-based independent publisher of business, cooking and mind, body and spirit titles.
The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The deal is the company’s first purchase since Markus Dohle took over as Random House’s chief executive in May 2008.
Ten Speed Press, founded by Philip Wood in 1971, publishes about 100 hardcover titles a year. Its books include the best-selling What Color Is Your Parachute?, the job-hunting bible by Richard Bolles, and The Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen.
Ten Speed will be integrated into the Crown Publishing Group, one of four divisions at Random House. Jenny Frost, president and publisher of Crown, said that there would be some layoffs at Ten Speed as its distribution and warehousing units were consolidated into Crown’s operations. But she said the company planned to retain Ten Speed’s editorial staff in Berkeley.
The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The deal is the company’s first purchase since Markus Dohle took over as Random House’s chief executive in May 2008.
Ten Speed Press, founded by Philip Wood in 1971, publishes about 100 hardcover titles a year. Its books include the best-selling What Color Is Your Parachute?, the job-hunting bible by Richard Bolles, and The Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen.
Ten Speed will be integrated into the Crown Publishing Group, one of four divisions at Random House. Jenny Frost, president and publisher of Crown, said that there would be some layoffs at Ten Speed as its distribution and warehousing units were consolidated into Crown’s operations. But she said the company planned to retain Ten Speed’s editorial staff in Berkeley.
Puffin issues two Ray classics
Puffin India is publishing two new exciting titles, The Diary of a Space Traveller and Other Stories and One Dozen Stories by Satyajit Ray, with an introduction by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
They have translated from the Bengali by the author and Gopa Majumdar. Satyajit Ray (1921–92) was one of the greatest film-makers of his time. In 1992, he was awarded the Oscar for Lifetime Achievement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In the same year he was also honoured with the Bharat Ratna.
Ray was also a writer of repute, and his short stories, novellas, poems and articles, written in Bengali, have been immensely popular. He has published several books in Bengali, most of which became bestsellers. He is also the author of the famous Feluda stories, the translations of which are available in Penguin.
They have translated from the Bengali by the author and Gopa Majumdar. Satyajit Ray (1921–92) was one of the greatest film-makers of his time. In 1992, he was awarded the Oscar for Lifetime Achievement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In the same year he was also honoured with the Bharat Ratna.
Ray was also a writer of repute, and his short stories, novellas, poems and articles, written in Bengali, have been immensely popular. He has published several books in Bengali, most of which became bestsellers. He is also the author of the famous Feluda stories, the translations of which are available in Penguin.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
DLF Place has “Fun-day” for kids with poems, stories
DLF Place, Saket, an emerging shopping and cultural destination in Delhi organized a book reading and storytelling session by famous personalities like children story writer Anupa Lal, cartoonist and illustrator Tina Rajan and theater person Stephen Marazz, for the young minds, at Eureka Bookstore in the mall.
Aimed at increasing the interaction level and knowledge of children and bring out the creativity in them amid fast moving lives DLF organized this event. The event was hosted by authors adept in writing stories and poems for the children. Lal dramatized different stories to children taking them to the imaginary world of the characters of the story.
The dramatized story session with Marazz was full of energy. While narrating the story he made the kids sing, dance and act (characters of the story) on the beats of his music.
In the third session Urban Crayon and Tina Rajan a famous cartoonist and illustrator made the session informative for the kids. They illustrated facts about Delhi and made the kids draw various monuments like Qutub Minar, India Gate, Lotus Temple in a simplified manner.
Aimed at increasing the interaction level and knowledge of children and bring out the creativity in them amid fast moving lives DLF organized this event. The event was hosted by authors adept in writing stories and poems for the children. Lal dramatized different stories to children taking them to the imaginary world of the characters of the story.
The dramatized story session with Marazz was full of energy. While narrating the story he made the kids sing, dance and act (characters of the story) on the beats of his music.
In the third session Urban Crayon and Tina Rajan a famous cartoonist and illustrator made the session informative for the kids. They illustrated facts about Delhi and made the kids draw various monuments like Qutub Minar, India Gate, Lotus Temple in a simplified manner.
Pamuk in Mumbai on Mar 5
Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk is to visit India on March 6.
He will be speaking at the Crossword, Kemps Corner.
A muse for Istanbul, Pamuk is described as one of most original voices in contemporary fiction. His books have sold over seven million copies globally, and have been translated into more than 50 languages, making him perhaps the most widely-read international writer today.
His best known novels are My Name is Red, The White Castle, The Black Book, The New Life and Snow.
He will be speaking at the Crossword, Kemps Corner.
A muse for Istanbul, Pamuk is described as one of most original voices in contemporary fiction. His books have sold over seven million copies globally, and have been translated into more than 50 languages, making him perhaps the most widely-read international writer today.
His best known novels are My Name is Red, The White Castle, The Black Book, The New Life and Snow.
Assamese literature to go online
Literature from Assam is set to be available in cyberspace. The Asam Sahitya Sabha plans to make select literary works available through its portal.
The newly elected executive members of the Sabha have favoured the idea of getting Assamese literature a wider audience spread over the globe by making use of the internet, disclosed by Sabha president Padma Shree Rong Bong Terang.
The newly elected executive members of the Sabha have favoured the idea of getting Assamese literature a wider audience spread over the globe by making use of the internet, disclosed by Sabha president Padma Shree Rong Bong Terang.
Dubai poetry fest from March 4-10
Dubai-based the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has announced more than 100 poets from 45 countries are expected to participate in the first edition of the Dubai International Poetry Festival 2009, which will be held March 4 to 10 at Madinat Jumeirah and House of Poetry in Shindagha, Dubai.
The festival is the first of its kind in the region, both in terms of its rich content, which includes various forms of local and classical poetry and modern, in terms of size, scope of worldwide participation and concept. The Festival's theme reflects the universal nature of poetry as a bridge between cultures, fostering global unity through poetic expression regardless of nationality, beliefs, status, or economic circumstances.
The festival is the first of its kind in the region, both in terms of its rich content, which includes various forms of local and classical poetry and modern, in terms of size, scope of worldwide participation and concept. The Festival's theme reflects the universal nature of poetry as a bridge between cultures, fostering global unity through poetic expression regardless of nationality, beliefs, status, or economic circumstances.
Penguin group announces record 2008 profits
Penguin Group, the international publishing company, on March 2 announced record profits of £93m for 2008, representing growth of 26% over the previous year. The company achieved a profit margin of 10.3%, meeting its commitment to a double digit margin in 2008. Sales rose 7% to £903m. This exceptional performance was achieved in spite of one of the most challenging retail environments in recent times.
The strengthening of the dollar in the course of the year boosted both the sales and the profits of the company in sterling terms but, even on an underlying basis, sales were up by 3% and profits showed growth of 4%. These numbers were all struck after a profit charge to reflect liquidity issues in the UK at the Woolworths Group.
The improved profitability was the result of a company-wide focus on margin improvement through operational efficiency, consistent and disciplined investment in author and product development and the development of a globally coordinated publishing organisation benefiting from worldwide scale.
These strong Penguin results were part of an excellent overall Pearson performance in 2008. Penguin Group Chairman and Chief Executive, John Makinson, said: "We are hugely proud of Penguin's performance in 2008. In a very difficult market for consumer books, which deteriorated progressively during the year, Penguin achieved outstanding growth in sales and profit allowing us to meet our longstanding commitment to a double digit profit margin. This performance was underpinned by exceptional publishing around the world which we expect to continue in 2009."
In India Penguin, the largest English-language publisher, grew sales and won almost all the major awards including the Vodafone Crossword award for Best Book fiction for A Girl and A River by Usha K R and Best Book non- fiction for The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple. The launch of the Allen Lane imprint in India was spearheaded by the publication of founder and chairman of Infosys Nandan Nilekani's Imagining India.
The strengthening of the dollar in the course of the year boosted both the sales and the profits of the company in sterling terms but, even on an underlying basis, sales were up by 3% and profits showed growth of 4%. These numbers were all struck after a profit charge to reflect liquidity issues in the UK at the Woolworths Group.
The improved profitability was the result of a company-wide focus on margin improvement through operational efficiency, consistent and disciplined investment in author and product development and the development of a globally coordinated publishing organisation benefiting from worldwide scale.
These strong Penguin results were part of an excellent overall Pearson performance in 2008. Penguin Group Chairman and Chief Executive, John Makinson, said: "We are hugely proud of Penguin's performance in 2008. In a very difficult market for consumer books, which deteriorated progressively during the year, Penguin achieved outstanding growth in sales and profit allowing us to meet our longstanding commitment to a double digit profit margin. This performance was underpinned by exceptional publishing around the world which we expect to continue in 2009."
In India Penguin, the largest English-language publisher, grew sales and won almost all the major awards including the Vodafone Crossword award for Best Book fiction for A Girl and A River by Usha K R and Best Book non- fiction for The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple. The launch of the Allen Lane imprint in India was spearheaded by the publication of founder and chairman of Infosys Nandan Nilekani's Imagining India.
Kashmir Univ hosts book fair
A 3-day international book fair organized by the Allama Iqbal Library of University of Kashmir began in Srinagar on March 2.
Taylor and Francis, Springer, Tata McGraw Hill, Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press are among the international publishers participating in the fair.
Taylor and Francis, Springer, Tata McGraw Hill, Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press are among the international publishers participating in the fair.
Monday, March 2, 2009
BBC to film Swarup’s Six Suspects
The BBC is to make Oscar winner Vikas Swarup's next novel, Six Suspects into a film.
BBC and Starfield Productions of the UK are finalising a screenplay writer in the next stage of making Six Suspects into a film.
The BBC is already producing an audio-book of Swarup’s new novel, which is also being translated into 10 languages. UK's Radio 4 is making a radio play of Six Suspects in less than six months after the book’s publication.
Swarup's Q&A hit pay dirt at the Oscars by winning eight statuettes.
Six Suspects is a thriller with its genesis in Jessica Lal murder case in Delhi, in which a barmaid was shot dead in 1999 for refusing to serve drinks after hours to the son of a powerful politician.
BBC and Starfield Productions of the UK are finalising a screenplay writer in the next stage of making Six Suspects into a film.
The BBC is already producing an audio-book of Swarup’s new novel, which is also being translated into 10 languages. UK's Radio 4 is making a radio play of Six Suspects in less than six months after the book’s publication.
Swarup's Q&A hit pay dirt at the Oscars by winning eight statuettes.
Six Suspects is a thriller with its genesis in Jessica Lal murder case in Delhi, in which a barmaid was shot dead in 1999 for refusing to serve drinks after hours to the son of a powerful politician.
Magazine publisher Hearst to go e way
Hearst Corporation, which publishes magazines like Cosmopolitan and Esquire, is preparing to launch an electronic reader. With this it hopes to for magazines what Amazon's Kindle is doing for books.
Hearst, which also the financially stricken San Francisco Chronicle, has developed a wireless e-reader with a large-format screen suited to the reading and advertising requirements of newspapers and magazines.
The device and its technology is likely to debut this year.
Hearst, which also the financially stricken San Francisco Chronicle, has developed a wireless e-reader with a large-format screen suited to the reading and advertising requirements of newspapers and magazines.
The device and its technology is likely to debut this year.
BeBook to unveil e-book at Cebit
Dutch company Endless Ideas will showcase the BeBook electronic book reader at Cebit this year.
According to the company's site, the new model has been redesigned to include 3G cellular and/or a WiFi data link, touchscreen navigation and RSS support. The device will also get ePub DRM (digital rights management) support over the next few months and is due to be launched in the middle of this year.
The first-edition BeBook, which was launched in 2008, has won praise for its ease of use and inclusion of around 20,000 classic books with each reader.
According to the company's site, the new model has been redesigned to include 3G cellular and/or a WiFi data link, touchscreen navigation and RSS support. The device will also get ePub DRM (digital rights management) support over the next few months and is due to be launched in the middle of this year.
The first-edition BeBook, which was launched in 2008, has won praise for its ease of use and inclusion of around 20,000 classic books with each reader.
Ludhiana gets own book fair
Ludhiana joins the increasing list of cities with their books fairs.
The Ludhiana Book Fair opened on March 1 as city bibliophiles appreciated the vast range of books put on display.
The 10-day book fair is organised by the National Book Trust. Books on various subjects including Punjabi literature, books for children and self-help books have been put on show in more than 100 stalls.
The Ludhiana Book Fair opened on March 1 as city bibliophiles appreciated the vast range of books put on display.
The 10-day book fair is organised by the National Book Trust. Books on various subjects including Punjabi literature, books for children and self-help books have been put on show in more than 100 stalls.
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