1) Have you always been comfortable with the idea that you were a writer? If not when did you accept yourself to be one? I started writing poems when I was six and my first publications were in school magazines from the age of eight and then in my teens I had humorous articles published …
India 09: Market Focus at The London Book Fair
The British Council presented the largest ever festival of Indian writers overseas at the London Book Fair this week (20-22 April). Over 45 Indian writers representing 15 major Indian languages participated in literary events in London and at venues across the UK. Vikram Seth, award winning writer of ‘A Suitable Boy’ featured as Author of …
The Critic by Sala Choudhury
Ahmed looked at the battered sign above the shop window. His pride and joy, the first restaurant in the road to have neon lights. But these days not all the lights worked, his once prized possession now read “TANDOO BATI HOSE”. He put his key in the door and opened the rickety door, a waft …
Playing on the mountain by Palo Stickland
Trundling up in this chairlift Hunching into my collar Higher and higher Colder and colder Leaving behind the clamour Of those who, ant-like Follow each other Down the lower slopes I am first To reach the top Lifting the safety bar Sliding on to the waiting piste A crown of peaks all around Sharp, snow …
Commonwealth Writers Prize Shortlist Announced
The shortlists for the 2009 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book and Best First Book from Europe and South Asia were announced this month (February 18, 2009). The full shortlists are: Best Book Award Chris Cleave The Other Hand Shashi Deshpande The Country of Deceit Philip Hensher The Northern Clemency Jhumpa Lahiri …
The Photocopier by Pravin Jeyaraj
“Please, sir, can I have a break?” I looked up from the photocopier-cum-printer. Who said that? Everyone was either on the telephone, tapping away at their keyboards or reading through some legal document. I didn’t recognise the voice. “Angela, did you ask me something just now?” I asked the lawyer whose desk was the closest …
In the hot seat with Mahjabeen Zafar
1) I first heard about you when I was on toowrite.com where you’d just been named the winner of their short story competition…what impact did that have on you as a writer? Well, writing is one of the most solitary arts, you sort of scribble away in your room, regardless of whether you are going …
Finding the One with Shelina Janmohammed
The Asian Writer catches up with Shelina Janmohammed to find out more about why she felt compelled to write her first book, Love in a Headscarf… Followers of your blog will see you as a serious writer, who likes to address the issues about British Islam and the muslim struggle, did you feel that you …
Silent Night by Sharmila Chauhan
Sunshine sparkled through the grey afternoon. I sat in on the bench, wrapped in my own obliqueness. I was lost. I looked up at the clouds, at the tiny tapering ends, almost invisible. Was it an infinite haze of vapour droplets? I mused, watching as the black birds circled the pale billows. Suddenly the sun …
Bhangra Moves by Sarfraz Ahmed
Coloured fabrics flew through the wind, Like flags upon a ship, Music flowed through her body, Occasionally she’d take a sip, And if she liked the taste, She’d hold the music, For a little longer in her hips, Now and then she’d tease it out, Through her fingertips, Bodies reacting like electricity, While the music …