Delights of Delhi

I had a few adventures while in Goa and in Delhi. On republic day, back in Delhi, I avoided the crowds at the Republic Day parade and went to the Lodhi Gardens with Susanne Gervay and Bill Franklin. Families were having picnics  with lots of children sitting on colourful saris and men were playing cricket games. The women and girls wore Saris, Skirts, Salwar Kameez and Kurtas in gorgeous fabrics, many brightly coloured, embroidered, sequinned, jewelled and/or sparkling with glitter, their Sunday best. It was very serene as we wandered around the gardens, lakes, tombs and ruins. We strolled down Lodhi Rd to find the Khan markets and found a great little café and some beaut shops.

Lake at Lodhi Gardens Republic Day 2010

Shops inside the walled city of the Red Fort, Delhi

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I went to a new, highly polished Mall with Meenakshi to look at the shops, some of the well known brands here and some very Indian brands such as ‘Tantra’.

Meenakshi and I went to the Cinema in the Mall complex and saw The 3 Idiots in Hindi. It is a comedy-tragedy-drama. I managed to follow most of it in Hindi because of the excellent acting and portrayal of the story; and Meenakshi explained the bits I didn’t fully understand. I laughed and I cried. The three young actors who play the 3 idiots are fantastic. The 3 Idiots is now showing at Hoyts in Sydney with English subtitles, if you have a chance to see this film it is well worth it. I also watched Slumdog Millionaire in Hindi – I had no-one to explain it this time and I hadn’t seen it before but I followed most of it pretty well.

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Susanne Gervay, Sujata Sankranti, Meenakshi Bharat, me and others at the University of Delhi Jan 2010

I went again to Delhi University with Meenakshi, Sujata, Susanne and also to the British Council which were both a great pleasure. I met Tanya Agarwal, Anu Bhardwaj,  Jyoti Singh Visvanath, Sayoni Basu and Anita.

Susanne Gervay with Anita

Fear Factor editors and authors, me, Sujata Sankranti, Jaspreet Singh, Meenakshi Bharat and Susanne Gervay

Sharon with Sayoni Basu who has worked in publishing in OUP and Penguin and is currently publishing director in Scholastic India.

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We had delicious dinners hosted by Meenakshi and Sujata. Meenakshi organised another day of readings with local authors (different ones from last year). I met Jaspreet Singh from Canada. Jaspreet has a story “Elephants” in Fear Factor.  His latest book is Chef.

I managed to see inside the impressive Red Fort in Delhi this time; as well as the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Delhi that was so busy when I went last year with Sujata and Barbara that we left. The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is just magnificent. Unfortunately they don’t allow photos to be taken inside the temple walls but it is truly awesome both inside the temple and exhibition room and outside in the lotus garden looking at the incredible carved elephants and other animals and figures. 149 full size carved elephants surround the outside of the temple. Aphorisms and proverbs on little signs are dotted among the elephants.

I couldn’t resist another close look at the Bahai Lotus Temple and went with Susanne, Bill and Ajeet. We went inside the temple and also the visitor’s centre to learn more about it.

Bahai lotus temple delhi india

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I  went again to Old Delhi to take in and photograph some of the streetscape in that busy ancient part of town where locals have traded for centuries and the streets are so narrow that cars can’t enter.

Streetscape in Agra

Streetscape in Agra 2010

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Around almost every corner in Old Delhi and New Delhi there is some architectural or natural wonder, whether dwelling, temple, minaret, fort, mausoleum, hotel, garden, Hauz Khas, bridge, lake, stream or a glimpse of the incomparable Yamuna River.  Traffic seems chaotic and peak hour almost insane with the long delays but somehow most of the time it works.

Hauz Khas or Royal Water Tank

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More recently, the metro (400 kms) is being constructed to help move the growing population around the city and help ease the volume of traffic. The stadium and Commonwealth Games village are being built. Delhi airport is now streamlined, efficient and looking very smart.

I enjoyed all the sumptuous food, incredible surroundings and excellent company while in Delhi — and there certainly was plenty of each.

The Three Idiots is on in Sydney at Hoyts.

It’s a ‘must see’. I went to see this movie with Meenakshi in Delhi. The dialogue was all in Hindi but even without subtitles it was the best movie I’ve seen in ages.

Trailer at:
http://www.hoyts.com.au/movies/details/3_idiots.aspx

Today’s Writing Tip

Think of a time when something gave you courage, taught you ‘mind over matter’. Write about this experience.

Days of Goa and Goan nights.

So many excellent presentations with two or three parallel sessions made it difficult to choose which to attend sometimes at the IASA 2010 conference.

Susanne Gervay chairing session with presenter Thamilarasi P

Susanne chairing session with presenter Jyoti Nandan

I chaired two sessions, the first included Susanne Gervay speaking about ‘Youth Literature: A Global Strategy for Social Justice’; Pam Macintyre’s digital storytelling presentation ‘Advance Australia (Un)Fair? Australian Identity in Award Winning Fiction for Young People’; Reema Sarwal discussing ‘A Cinderella for 21st Century Australia: Reading Tamaika’s Meta-Fictional Journey from The Princess of Shadows to the Queen of Quentaris’. Another presenter was slotted in at short notice and unfortunately had to give a shorter presentation, Purushottama Bilimoria narrated a visual presentation about ‘Desi Performative Arts in Australia: from Lightfoot to Creative Australian-Indian Dance Movements’, with reference to Anna Pavlova and others.

Sharon with Sarany Mukherjee Uni of Calcutta who presented a paper at the conference.

During the second session, Alice Healy presented “History is an Advanced Literary Art’, with reference to Kate Grenville, Inga Clendinnen, Kim Scott and Hazel Brown ; V. Lakshmanan referred to Bryce Courtnay’s The Power of One to discuss racism; Saranya Mukherjee spoke about Lucid Life: Slippery Truth using a re-vision of Malouf’s The Great WorldThe Conversation at Curlow Creek; Virender Pal presented his paper ‘Psychic Disintegration of Ivy: A study of Alexis Wright’s Plains of Paradise’. and

Sharon presents her paper and digital storytelling "Near Pavilions"

My own digital story-telling presentation ‘Near Pavilions’ was chaired by Makarand Paranjape, author of Sacred Australia published here by Cloud of Magellan (Melbourne) and in the National Library of Australia.

Sujata, Susanne, me and Meenakshi in the Garden at the International Centre Goa where we launched "Fear Factor Terror Incognito".

Following that afternoon session we had an al-fresco launch in the Centre gardens of a collection of stories from India and Australia Of Sadhus and Spinners edited by Santosh Sareen, Bruce Bennett, Susan Cowan and Asha Kanwar, which was launched by Richard Nile and the Indo-Aus anthology Fear Factor Terror Incognito. Sujata Sankranti and Susanne Gervay spoke about and read from Fear Factor Terror Incognito. The event was attended by editors, authors, conference delegates, Professors Sareen and Gopal; Australian professors and Dr Lachlan Strahan, Deputy High Commissioner for the Australian High Commission.

Goa Launch of Fear Factor Terror Incognito - Professor Sareen holding up a copy

Susanne Gervay reading from her story 'Days of Thailand' at the launch of Fear Factor Terror Incognito

A lot of copies of Fear Factor Terror Incognito were sold and we signed a great many of them, as well as having our photos taken. Many thanks to all who bought copies and I hope you find it as thought-provoking and as good a read as we do.

Over the five days of the conference organisers provided enormous amounts of Indian and European dishes, as well as tea, coffee and snacks ensuring that we were all well fed. The International Goa Centre accommodation is bright, spacious and comfortable; internet connection is available, though it has to be shared, and the surrounding gardens are well-kept and beautiful. The local sights are well worth exploring. We were treated to a boat ride and cultural programme on the ‘Santa Monica’ which departed from below the Mandovi Bridge in Panjim. We also did our own exploring around Goa and its lovely beaches.

Dressed for the evening in Goa

Beach on Arabian Sea at Goa

The conference concluded with a valedictory address by Alan Mayne and speakers Stephen Muecke, Richard Nile, Satendra Nandan and R Narayan. My thanks to the AIC for a travel grant and CAL for cultural development grant to enable me to attend.

I have become a life member of IASA and am appreciative of the work that they do. The conference was an unforgettable experience. I have taken a lot from it back with me to Australia. Including the anthology which I am enjoying reading and the lovely IASA commerative clock and Certificate.

And so on to Delhi, where our book Fear Factor Terror Incognito is already in most good Indian bookshops, including those in shiny malls and local haunts such as the Khan Markets.

Delhi book shop and Jyoti with a copy of Fear Factor Terror Incognito

Writing Tip for Today
Write about a place that has inspired your wildest dreams. Recently, for me, it has been a visit to Goa and the Arabian Sea. Just the words ‘Arabian Sea’ conjure up Tales of Arabian Nights and memories of reading this book with an introduction by Sir Richard Burton which brought these tales to me many years ago. What do the words ‘Arabian Sea’ conjure up for you? Is there a place equally as magical for you? Transport yourself there on a magic carpet and write a fabulous story.

Indian Association for the Study of Australia (IASA) Goa 2010 Conference

Beach at Goa on the Arabian Sea January 2010

International Centre Goa, venue for the IASA Goa 2010 Conference and our accommodation during the conference.

The lush green countryside in Goa with its ubiquitous and essential palm trees, the golden sandy beaches on the Arabian Sea, the busy town of Donna Paula, a river cruise, nights lit up by fairy lights, lots of singing and dancing formed the backdrop for the IASA conference.

The warm and delightful Aruna from University of Adelaide in Goa.

The best part of the conference was meeting so many people from all states of India and Australia. I enjoyed such stimulating conversations about every topic imaginable; exchanged information and ideas; and became better acquainted with other participants in India and Australia, which was without a doubt the highlight of the five-day conference for me.

Makarand Paranjape, who chaired and presented at the conference. He is author of "Sacred Australia" which is in the National Library of Australia. Publisher : Clouds of Magellan

Reema Sarwal co-editor of Reading Down Under: Australian Literary Studies Reader. Edited by Amit Sarwal and Reema Sarwal www.s3publications.com

I was extremely impressed by the diversity of the topics in the
presentations that connect India and Australia, as well as by the depth of
knowledge
of Australia and Australian literature both past and contemporary by those  who presented the best papers.

At the Inaugural Session held at the University of Goa, Professor Santosh K Sareen, President of IASA gave a welcome address, this was followed by an introduction to the conference by Professor Darvesh Gopal, General-Secretary of IASA. Dr Lachlan Strahan, the Australian Deputy High Commissioner for India addressed the audience on behalf of the Australian High Commission about these connections as well as the differences and challenges facing both India and Australia. AIC Board Member, Professor of English at the University of Queensland, author and editor of a number of books on life narrative, Australian literature and Australian Studies, Professor Gillian Whitlock, addr essed the audience on behalf of the Australia India Council (AIC) and told us of developments, plans and goals for the future. We all lamented the news that Professor Bruce Bennett was not able to attend and wish him well.

Dr Nina Caldeira gave a vote of thanks and we then moved on to the Conference Dinner at ‘A Lua’ Lawns, Meces-Goa. Before leaving for the dinner I caught up with Santosh and Darvesh, as well as Heather Neate and Asha Das from the AIC.

With Professor Darvesh Gopal, Secretary-General of IASA and Susanne Gervay, Australian author

Professor Santosh K Sareen, President of IASA

At ‘A Lua’ I surprised myself by dancing under the stars and fairy lights. The very professional person singing turned out to be the talented Dr Yanthan, one of the conference delegates who presented a paper. More very talented and professional performers were among the researchers from the North East of India, Renembo, Mridusmita and Irene. I am not talented at either singing or dancing and was reluctant to display my ineptitude but the company was very persuasive and I ended up having the time of my life, dancing to the fantastic music by the band and the impromptu performers. I discovered that young Indian men can really rock, especially those from the Punjab. I’m told that ‘Punjabi Rocks!’; though those from the North East and Delhi moved just as well to music ranging from Kenny Rodgers to Elvis to Bollywood. Even some of the more courageous professors joined in the dancing. There was no doubt that everyone on the dance floor was having the ‘time of their lives’.

And that was only the first day – more later about my two weeks with authors, editors, academics, friends and colleagues in India—the writing, reading, walks, talks, music, dancing, cinema, sight-seeing, dining, socialising, presenting, discussions and book launches.

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Writing Tip for Today.

Write the music you hear, whether it is in your mind, broadcast on the radio, playing on a CD, music from a film, or even singing. Music can alter one’s mood. Try writing to different styles of music, vary the tempo and beat. It is not writing about the music but the sound – what you hear, where it takes you, how it makes you feel. Write to music regularly and try reaching for the metaphysical.

Delhi and Goa

It hasn’t been easy to update this blog while travelling around India.

However,  Susanne Gervay has been clever enough to update her blog while in India, so for the latest go to
http://www.sgervay.com/blog/

More later…

New Translations of Books by Australian Authors

New Translations of Australian Books.

Shokufeh Kavani has translated a book by Anita Heiss from English to Farsi:

**Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937

The translated version by Shokufeh Kavani  has been published by Morvarid Publishers, 2009, Tehran, Iran.  Article in Persian Mirror:

The Diary of Mary Talence Sydney 1937 written by Anita Heiss translated by Shokufeh Kavani

WHO AM I? THE DIARY OF MARY TALENCE, SYDNEY 1937,

written by Anita Heiss,

English version is published by Scholastic Press (2006) Sydney, Australia

Anita Heiss Blog

Anita’s website

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Susanne Gervay’s book “Butterflies”

Susanne Gervay’s book Butterflies which has already been translated and published in Indonesia, is now being translated again. Great news, Susanne.

It is great to see Australian books being translated and published in other countries, too.

http://twitter.com/sgervay

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TODAY’S WRITING TIP

Draft a story or poem set in another country or an imaginary or future country. Explore the similarities as well as the differences. Imagine the characters’ daily lives, backgrounds, hopes, dreams, desires, beliefs and aspirations as well as their flaws, quirks, failures and disappointments. What drives and motivates your characters? How does the setting affect the characters? Does it inspire, challenge or defeat them?

Is there conflict between the characters and the landscape; or the characters and the society in which they find themselves? Another story to develop for the New Year.

Asian Festival of Children’s Content

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Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous and prolific New Year.

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What better way to begin the New Year than with a notice about the Asian Festival of Children’s Content.

From: Jade Yong,

National Book Development Council of Singapore

Re: Asian Festival of Children’s Content

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC). I work with the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS or Book Council in short) - a nonprofit charitable organisation set up in 1969 and we are organising the first Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) from 6 to 9 May 2010. We are expecting about 300 to 400 delegates from all over Asia, Australia and New Zealand, North America and Europe to attend the event.

NBDCS has been organising the Asian Children’s Writers & Illustrators Conference (ACWIC) for the past 10 years and this time will take the lead and launch the inaugural AFCC. The conference will feature new programmes, including the Asian Children’s Media Market, Children’s Book Award, Children’s Writers Award as well as workshops and master classes.

The goals of the Asian Festival of Children’s Content are to:
·        Develop the writing and the illustrating of Children’s stories and content.
·        Promote publishing of Asian content.
·        Provide the world with access to such material created in Asia.

We hope we would be able to get your support on this by helping to promote AFCC on your website / blog or perhaps put a link to it. The link is: http://www.bookcouncil.sg/newsletters/afcc/eflyer.html

Regards;

Jade Yong
National Book Development Council of Singapore
DID: 65 6848 8292      Fax: 65 6742 9466       W: www.bookcouncil.sg

NBDCS is a non-profit organisation that promotes storytelling, reading, writing and publishing through a variety of interesting and innovative programmes.

For more information:

AFCC Fact Sheet (30 Nov 09)

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Today’s Writing Tip

Draft a children’s story with an Asian theme or setting, try aiming for the 8 – 12 year age group rather than the very expensively produced picture books for young readers. Remember to use the appropriate level of vocabulary, keep the story well paced and focussed, don’t over-do the descriptions unless you are deliberately slowing the narrative pace of the story. Really well developed characters involved in a well thought-out plot with lots of action will always appeal to readers of this age group. Try out your draft on some young readers who will give honest feedback and continue to develop your story.

Pre Order your copy of Fear Factor Terror Incognito

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Fear Factor Terror Incognito

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For Pre-orders and special offers!

You can pre-order your Picador Australia copies of

Fear Factor Terror Incognito

an Indo-Aus collection of stories at:

Abbey’s Bookshop

Fishpond

Angus & Robertson

http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/by/bharat/394265/

QBD

Collins Books Featured Book

Co-op Bookshop

From the Picador Australia (Pan Macmillan) webpage: “A unique collaboration between Australia and India, the stories represent these writers’ protests against the phenomenon of modern terror. They do not offer solutions. Instead, they lead readers along the hidden paths of an unfamiliar psychology to make their own discoveries.

A joint publication with Picador UK and Picador India, Fear Factor: Terror Incognito is essential reading for anyone interested the global phenomenon of terror.”

From jagrancityplus:

“It is an attempt to ward off fear and restore humanity by reminding the readers about mankind, unity, peace and harmony. It motivates them to uphold humanitarian values and light the fire of anti-terrorism, thereby making the planet safe for the entire human race,” Meenakshi Bharat said. The articles have been contributed by famous authors from Australia and the Indian subcontinent, including David Malouf, Salman Rushdie, Neelum Saran Gour, Tom Keneally, Rosie Scott, Jeremy Fisher, Susanne Gervay, Tabish Khair, Denise Leith, Andrew YM Kwong, Devika Brendon, Gulzar, Meera Kant, Guy Scotton, Sujata Sankranti, Kiran Nargarkar, Temsula Ao, Jaspreet Singh and Janhavi Acharekar; with a foreword by Yasmine Gooneratne. They do not offer solutions; instead they lead readers along hidden paths to make their own discoveries”

And …

We made the Wall St Journal! There is news about Rushdie + a mention of the anthology in Tabish Khair’s column in MINT at:

http://www.livemint.com/2010/01/01221827/The-Bollywood-novel.html?h=B

MONTHLY LITERARY COLUMN by Tabish Khair in MINT (Mumbai) & The Wall Street Journal.

Also First City (Monthly) New Delhi

“Fear Factor Terror Incognito” review First City Monthly New Delhi

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Reserve your copy of Fear Factor Terror Incognito today by pre-ordering at any of the above bookstores online or in-store.

Rain, reflection and reviews

Compliments of the Season to you

I hope you have enjoyed the holiday season and your celebrations whether Yuletide and Solstice; Christmas and Boxing Day; Hanukkah; Ashura or combinations of the different seasonal events.

We have even had the gift of rain that has washed and replenished this parched land. Listening to the sound of rain on the roof was bliss.

Clean the women’s library, London

My Christmas and Boxing Day were peaceful and shared with friends and family, some through the magic of technology. We were fortunate enough to enjoy lovely food and thoughtful gifts. It was low-key due to the many demands on time and energy throughout the year but relaxed and cheerful. Thanks to all who sent cards, e-cards, calendars, letters and gifts which are all very much appreciated.

Another of the unexpected pleasant surprises over the holiday season has been reading the reviews of the Indo-Aus anthology “Fear Factor Terror Incognito”. For the authors and readers as well as others who may be interested, here they are:

Fear Factor Terror Incognito Reviews

Dainik Jagran

CITYPLUS

JagranCityPlus Central Delhi

December 28 2009

City buzz

Book explains fear factor of terrorism

Addressing the dread of living with unpredictable peril, constant fear and terrorism, Oxford Bookstore  and Picador India hosted last week the launch of the book ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’, a cross-cultural anthology of stories by Indian and Australian authors. The book was launched by Joginder Paul, renowned Urdu writer. It was followed by a panel discussion on escalating terrorism all over the world, in which poet and academician Sukrita Paul Kumar and renowned theatre personality Renu Chopra participated, among others.

The book is edited by Meenakshi Bharat, professor of Venkateshwara College and author of many literary works. “It is an attempt to ward off fear and restore humanity by reminding the readers about mankind, unity, peace and harmony. It motivates them to uphold humanitarian values and light the fire of anti-terrorism, thereby making the planet safe for the entire human race,” Meenakshi Bharat said. The articles have been contributed by famous authors from Australia and the Indian subcontinent, including David Malouf, Salman Rushdie, Neelum Saran Gour, Tom Keneally, Rosie Scott, Jeremy Fisher, Susanne Gervay, Tabish Khair, Denise Leith, Andrew YM Kwong, Devika Brendon, Gulzar, Meera Kant, Guy Scotton, Sujata Sankranti, Kiran Nargarkar, Temsula Ao, Jaspreet Singh and Janhavi Acharekar; with a foreword by Yasmine Gooneratne. They do not offer solutions; instead they lead readers along hidden paths to make their own discoveries.

http://www.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?cityid=10&articleid=19045&editionid=117&catgid=6

The Telegraph

Calcutta India

Friday, December 25 , 2009

Paperback Pickings

Walk on the Wild Side

Fear Factor: Terror Incognito (Picador, Rs 295) edited by Meenakshi Bharat and Sharon Rundle brings together stories from two different lands to explore the theme of terrorism. This anthology of short stories also serves another latent purpose. It is a collaborative effort to understand whether the artist responds to these violent times any differently than the layman. The answer, the editors argue, is in the affirmative. An artist — whether an author, a painter or poet, located in India or abroad — often attempts to examine the complex factors that have led men and women to inflict terrible retributions on society. Fear Factor includes contributions by Salman Rushdie (“For Kashmir, for Paradise” taken from Shalimar the Clown), Kiran Nagarkar (“In search of Essar” from God’s Little Soldier) as well as a kitschy story by Gulzar in which a Muslim man, hounded by the fear of death in riot-torn Mumbai, ends up killing a fellow Muslim on a local train.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091225/jsp/opinion/story_11904171.jsp

http://www.telegraphindia.com/section/frontpage/index.jsp

Whisper Words by Neha Tara Mehta in New Delhi India mentions "Fear Factor Terror Incognito".

World Wide News

Whisper Words

by Neha Tara Mehta in New Delhi

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Expressbuzz

Monday, December 14, 2009 2:01 PM IST

Indian Express

‘Malayalam media keeps dignity’

Express News Service

First Published : 29 Nov 2009 02:32:29 AM IST

Last Updated :

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malayalam media has a character of its own and it keeps a certain level of dignity amongst the vernacular media in the country, said Sujata Sankranti, writer and lecturer in English at the Delhi University. She was addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club …

Sujata’s short story ‘’An Eye for an Eye’’ [published in ‘Fear Factor Terror Incognito’] is an excerpt from her forthcoming novel ‘’In the Shadow of Legends’’. Regarding the theme of her novel, Sujata said that an act of terror did not end with the act. Its consequences go beyond the act. She said that her story [in the anthology] was about the consequences of terrorism.

She also read out from her work and said that she was happy to present the story … Sujata had won first prize for her story ‘’The Wrap and the Weft’’ (sic) in the Commonwealth Short Story Competition in 1998.

Comments

Fear Factor-Terror Incognito is an important cross cultural anthology with India and Australia with respected editors Meenakshi Bharat from India and Sharon Rundle from Australia. Meenakshi and Sharon meet many challenges to get this cutting edge anthology published. It is a major achievement to be published in India, Australia and UK by Picador. The stories explore terrorism as it impacts on us all through narrative fiction and includes the wonderful writing of Sujata, Booker Prizes winners to emerging authors with new voices. It was a brave venture that crosses the oceans to unite our region in the commonality of us all, as we face this threat. I was privileged to write my story ‘Days of Thailand’ that sits besides some of the world’s great Indian and Australian authors. Susanne Gervay www.sgervay.com

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=%E2%80%98Malayalam+media+keeps+dignity%E2%80%99&artid=JiTNt5yu9Bw=

DELHI EVENTS

“Fear Factor: Terror Incognito” a collection of stories, book launch & discussion

http://bit.ly/7r6ktS

When:

12/10/2009 6:30pm-8pm India Standard Time
(12/11/2009 12am local)

Event Details : Oxford Bookstore, New Delhi in association with Picador India is hosting the launch of ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’, a collection of stories to instil humanity, wisdom and ward off fear, written by famous writers like Gulzar, Salman Rushdie, Thomas Keneally to name a few.  Edited by Meenakshi Bharat, Professor of Venkateshwara College, New Delhi and Sharon Rundle, author, the book will be release by eminent Urdu writer Joginder Paul, followed by a panel discussion with famous poet and academician Sukrita Paul Kumar and renowned theatre personality Renu Chopra.

About the book: ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’ is a collection of stories meant as a call for humanity and sanity in response to the fear mongering that goes on today. And, actually, it’s a very firmly light and cheeky collection with a great perspective and sense of humour.

http://www.delhievents.com/2009/12/factor-terror-incognito-collection-of.html

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Today’s Writing Tip

Now that the tension and excitement leading up to the festivities is over and we have a brief respite before ringing in the New Year, it’s time to reflect and draft a piece of writing to work on through the year. Then you’ll have a story, poem, play or article ready to submit by next September for the 2010 Festive Season.

Launch of Book in New Delhi

Newly released edition of Fear Factor Terror Incognito was launched in New Delhi, India, on December 10.

I wish I could have been there but news from co-editor Meenakshi in New Delhi is that the book launch for the Picador India edition of Fear Factor Terror Incognito:

“went off absolutely wonderfully.  A release by Joginder Paul, with him commending the book. Renu Chopra did a fine dramatic reading. I will have a recording of her reading.”

Author Sujata Sankranti also emailed to say that the New Delhi launch went very well and there was a reading from her story “An Eye for an Eye”, which is included in the book.

Photos from Meenakshi of the Delhi launch at Oxford Bookshop by Urdu writer Joginder Paul.

Speakers: Meenakshi Bharat (editor),  poet and academic Sukrita Paul Kumar and theatre personality Renu Chopra.

Fear Factor Terror Incognito book launched in New Delhi by Joginder Paul

Invitation from Picador India to book launch

Next Indian launch will be in Goa in January 2010.

Media

Whisper Words by Neha Tara Mehta in New Delhi India mentions "Fear Factor Terror Incognito".

Media attention for the Indo-Australian collection of stories, Fear Factor Terror Incognito, from newspapers, blogs and webpages has begun.

The Delhi book launch and the visit to Kerala by Sujata Sankranti Rao has gained some media coverage for the book. I’m told that ten media networks covered Sujata’s visit to Kerala.

Worldwide News India
“Whisper Words” by Neha Tara Mehta (please see above)

delhi events.com

http://janhavistories.com/

expressbuzz.com

Jeremy Fisher’s Blog

Susanne Gervay’s Blog

Pan Macmillan Picador Australia Fear Factor Terror Incognito

While the book can’t be imported into Australia as it will be published here in the New Year, overseas readers can buy a copy from Oxford Books in Delhi where it has been given the ‘thumbs up’.

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Writing Tip for Today

Try creating a digital storyboard. You can use a video software program on your PC or go to Microsoft Photo Story or a similar website to begin digital storytelling–using pictures, text, audio commentary and music to tell a story.

Writing and Publishing News

No change to parallel importation legislation

The government has decided against accepting the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to remove parallel importation restrictions which means there will be no changes. This is a victory for the ASA and its members who waged a vigorous campaign against changes to the legislation. It was a long and hard fought campaign involving a great many people and many letters and petitions. You can read more about this and find further links on Jeremy Fisher’s blog

It’s a great delight to announce that the Pan Macmillan Picador India edition of “Fear Factor Terror Incognito” has been released and is on the bookshelves in India right now. I have received copies and seen it. The book is a beautifully produced smart looking edition. I am very proud to be associated with this anthology.

Fear Factor Terror Incognito

I have had very kind and encouraging comments from some of the authors who contributed to this volume of stories and have just received their author copies from Delhi. Congratulations to all of you and thank you all for your patience. I very much appreciate all your positive comments about the anthology and the ‘fine production qualities this book displays’.
http://drjeremyfisher.blogspot.com

The Pan Macmillan Picador Australia edition will be released in March 2010, with a Sydney launch and other events in Sydney, featuring co-editor Meenakshi Bharat and Sujata Sankranti who are visiting from Delhi, India.

Well done to Dr Andrew Y M Kwong, whose story ‘Snake Business’ is included in “Fear Factor Terror Incognito”. Andrew has received some very good advice and comments from Varuna about his book length manuscript. It is a gripping and strong narrative. Andrew is now working on his final draft and I’m sure it is only a matter of time before his memoir will be published. Andrew was a refugee from Communist China and has been a well respected doctor and Australian citizen for many years now. His narrative is a moving tribute to the endurance and triumph of the human mind and spirit over unimaginably horrific conditions and experiences. It is told with the ease and confidence of a true storyteller. One to watch out for.

Congratulations to Roanna Gonsalves. ABC Radio National read Roanna’s ‘Curry Muncher’ story and has commissioned her to write and present a program about Indian students. Roanna is working on her first novel with the support of Varuna Writers Centre and an Australia Council New Work Grant for Emerging Writers. Her novel was long-listed for the Vogel Award Her short story Curry Muncher, inspired by the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia, was published in Eureka Street in June 2009. You can read more of Roanna’s work and her story ‘Curry Muncher’

More congratulations to Christopher Cheng for his 2009 Lady Cutler award, this is an annual award presented for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature. Christopher is a children’s Author and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Co-Regional Advisor–Australia & New Zealand, he was also Federal Literacy Ambassador for Literacy and Numeracy Week for four years from 2004 – 2008.

Susanne Gervay gave the citation speech at the Lady Cutler Award 2009 ceremony.

More at: http://nsw.cbca.org.au/news.htm and with photos on Susanne’s blog

More information about the Lady Cutler Award,

Christopher Cheng has also released a new book: “60 Classic Australian Poems”, Written by Christopher Cheng and illustrated by Gregory Rogers, which has been published by Random House Australia, see link at http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Books/Default.aspx?Page=Book&ID=9781741664140

Elizabeth Webby launched the latest anthology from The Company of Writers at the NSW Writers’ Centre on December 4. “Secret Cows” is now available from the Company of Writers and selected bookshops.