Publishing: Around the World

Geetanjali Shree’s Hindi Novel ‘Ret Samadhi’ wins The International Booker Prize 2022

Renowned Novelist Geetanjali Shree’s novel ‘Ret-Samadhi’ published by Rajkamal Prakashan has been selected for the International Booker Prize 2022. This is the first Booker Prize for a Hindi Novel. The translation of ‘Ret-Samadhi’ in English ‘Tomb of Sand’ by Daisy Rockwell has been selected for this award. On the announcement of the award, author Geetanjali Shree, translator Daisy Rockwell and publisher Ashok Maheshwari, Managing Director, Rajkamal Prakashan have expressed happiness and gratitude from London.

 VK Karthika from India shortlisted for 2022 IPA Prix Voltaire 

The International Publishers Association has recently announced the shortlist for the 2022 IPA Prix Voltaire, celebrating publishers from Afghanistan/Canada, Guatemala, India, Thailand and Ukraine. The award ceremony will be held at the 33rd International Publishers Congress in Jakarta on 12 November. The 2022 IPA Prix Voltaire shortlist is: VK Karthika, India, Samesky (Fah Deaw Kan) Publishing, Thailand Raúl Figueroa Sarti/F&G Editores, Guatemala, Nahid Shahalimi, Afghanistan/Canada and Ukrainian Publishers & Booksellers Association (UPBA), Ukraine.

London Book Fair director Ventris steps down

London Book Fair (LBF) director Andy Ventris is stepping down this summer after less than two years. He was appointed director in November 2020 and is leaving fair organizers RX, formerly known as Reed Exhibitions, in the summer to “take on a new challenge.” His next role has not been revealed, and a successor will be announced in due course.

 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair – A Big Hit!

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair kick started with added fanfare this year. The fair has returned this May 23-29 to the ADNEC Exhibition Center in Abu Dhabi. The theme of this year’s fair was “Inspire. Create. Enrich.” and the motto is “Reading is seeing.” It offered more than 450 events, including numerous leading literary and cultural figures from the region and worldwide.

 ‘Bollywood Ki Buniyaad’ by Vani Prakashan@Cannes Film Festival

Noted Indian critic Ajit Rai’s book ‘Bollywood Ki Buniyaad’ was recently launched at a particular function held at the Indian Pavilion of the 75th Cannes Film Festival. ‘Vani Prakashan has published Bollywood Ki Buniyaad.’ Filmmakers and cinema lovers from all over the world were present at the launch ceremony held at the Indian Pavilion of the Cannes Film Festival. Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India, while releasing the book, said: “This book reminds us of the glorious history of Hindi cinema. Today, people have forgotten the stories included in this book. I didn’t even know many facts that this book brings to light”.

NSW Premier’s Literary Awards 2022 for six women

Anita Heiss and five other women win this year’s NSW Premier’s Literary Award. They awarded six female authors prizes, spanning a range of categories, including the Indigenous Writers’ Prize, People’s Choice Award, and UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing. The $295,000 total prize money makes the prize the richest state-funded literary award in Australia. This year, 30 judges assessed 746 entries across all the categories — its highest number on record.