London, 19.30pm 4th January 2010 Former scooter salesman Raphael Selbourne scoops the Costa First Novel Award for Beauty. Beauty – in name and appearance – is a twenty-year-old Bangladeshi, back in England having disgraced her family by fleeing an abusive arranged marriage. Placed on the jobseekers’ treadmill and under continuing domestic pressure, in desperation she …
Like a Diamond in the Sky
Continuing our new series of featuring writers from across the South Asian region, we interview Shazia Omar, dubbed as one of Bangladesh’s most exciting new authors.
Ever thought of becoming a writer?
By Farhana Shaikh You’re having another bad day at the office and quite frankly you’re boss is determined to make things difficult for you…you reach for that bottom drawer, and pull out that manuscript you’ve half written, blushing as you read over the details of that last love affair you had with that boy last …
Dreaming of a Literary Agent
When Abhijit Dasgupta dreamt of writing a novel he never thought the process of getting an agent would take him on such a journey; addicted to that Send button he queried no less than a thousand agents. And rejection was going to hinder him.
10 Top Tips for Getting Started on Your Novel
Part two of top ten writing tips with Jacqui Lofthouse.
Children of a lesser God
Children of a lesser God – dedicated to the children of Africa by Naina Mehta
Gordon Still Walking 2009
Gordon Still Walking 2009 by Freiburg based poet, Satis Shroff.
What is the true value of creative writing courses?
Are Creative Writing courses rubbish? Was Anita Desai correct when she said that they were awful and distract new writers to find their own voice? Find out what other readers think and have your say.
Gopika Kapoor on Spiritual Parenting
The first of a series of interviews which reach out to Indian authors paving a new way we talk to author of bestselling book, Spiritual Parenting, Gopika Kapoor.