Author, Author
You’d think that a book shortlisted for the 2009 Commonwealth Writer’s Prize, including two short stories nominated for the Pushcart, would be noticed for its literary value. But Murzban Shroff’s debut collection of stories, Breathless in Bombay, has spelt only trouble for this Bombay-born and based writer. First, for using the word “ghati”—an outraged Marathi manoos dragged him to the Bombay High Court. And now it’s a Madras HC advocate who’s had him summoned to a court in Kodaikanal for the “lurid and obscene” material in one story. Are writers becoming soft targets for those seeking free publicity? Shroff’s publisher, Picador, is beginning to wonder.
Sources & Targets
Publishers in India who wanted to buy translation rights to books published in other Indian languages, including English, know how hard it can get: not knowing who to contact, dozens of e-mails dashed off with no response, phone calls made in vain. But this may all come to an end with a unique ‘rights table’ that is being planned as part of the Third Thiruvananthapuram Book Fair. For three days, from December 20-22, publishers from across India will sit together to buy and sell translation rights to books published in all languages. Nearly 30 publishers are going to participate.
Writer at his HQ
Here’s a book launch that should please the skinflint publisher as well as the writer hoping to go on a six-city book tour: a business book, Bootstrapping by Sraman Mitra, was recently launched by Hachette live in six cities, with the author interacting simultaneously with journalists in all six cities. By telemedia, of course.
