Orange Prize for Fiction: Not Orange Anymore!

The British Orange Prize for Fiction was started in the year 1996 to encourage women fiction writing. It aimed at recognizing excellence and originality in women's writings from throughout the world. The prize money for the award is thirty thousand pounds and a bronze medal called 'Bessie', a limited edition medal that was designed by the artist Gizel Niven. The prize was sponsored by the French telecom giant, Orange. But the prize will no longer be 'orangy' now as the sponsorship comes to an end in the year 2012. Discussions are on with new potential brand partners. Let's see in what new shade the fiction prize appears next!

Mountain Echoes 2012

The Bhutan Festival of Literature, Art and Culture - 2012 The best writers, musicians, film-makers, actors, artists and cultural icons - not just from Bhutan and India, but from around the world - will gather in Thimpu, Bhutan as part of Mountain Echoes 2012, from 20-24 May, 2012. From conversations on literature, art, music and cinema at the Tarayana Centre and Taj Tashi, to a Rock Concert at the Clock Tower, to film screenings and workshops at the Nehru Wangchuk Centre - Mountain Echoes 2012 has a little for everyone. So watch this space for more information and make sure you catch the most heavenly Literature Festival on earth from the 20th to the 24th of May 2012 in Thimphu, Bhutan. The speakers participating are: Karma Singye Dorji Kunzang Choden Vikram Seth Wendell Rodricks Kishwar Desai Tshering Tobgay Ashok Ferrey Ali Sethi Dayanita Singh Ugyen Pande Patrick French Gulzar

Shimla Book Fair 2012

Shimla Book Fair organized by National Book Trust (NBT), began in Shimla on 12 May, 2012. The fair was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal. The fair that started at Indira Gandhi Khel Parisar, Mall Road, Shimla will continue till 17 May. NBT Director, M.A. Sikandar, said that more than 50 publishers from across the country have put their books on display. It was in the year 2001 that the first book fair was held here. Things have improved a lot since then. "An event like “Shimla Book Fair” provides ample opportunities to the both Publishers and Booksellers to display and sell their publications and reach to students, community and public at large under one roof. We are also attempting to invite various schools, colleges, universities, libraries and NGO’s etc. to visit the fair and purchase books in large quantity", said Pradip Chhabra, Deputy Director (Exhibition), NBT.