Released on: July 7, 2008, 2:24 am

Press Release Author: Kasturi Wasmatkar

Industry: Media

Press Release Summary: 'Indiaplaza Golden Quill Book Awards' is an annual award
powered by Indiaplaza.in, to be conferred to an Indian author domiciled in India.
The award is for an original full length novel or work of fiction in English or a
translation into English of an original full length novel or work of fiction of any
Indian language published in India in the previous calendar year. The award also
actively promotes these authors and their books.



Press Release Body: . Unique book awards for Indian Authors with both, critics &
online readers' choice
. Impressive panel of judges to include Sir Mark Tully, Shanta Gokhale & Anita Nair

Bangalore, July 01, 2008: Indiaplaza.in, (formerly fabmall.com) India's leading
online shopping destination, today announced the inaugural Indiaplaza Golden Quill
Book Awards. Initiated as an annual event, the award is aimed at encouraging and
promoting excellence in writing amongst Indian authors.

Leading publishing houses in India have been invited to nominate their best books
published in the calendar year 2007 for the long-list of the award. A panel of
well-known book reviewers and critics will then shortlist 5 books which will be
evaluated by a preeminent panel of judges for the final Critics' Choice Award. A
unique aspect of The Indiaplaza Golden Quill Book Awards is readers and booklovers
through an online voting system hosted on www.indiaplaza.in will nominate the
'Reader's Choice Award'.

Both the winners will be awarded the 'Golden Quill' trophy and presented with a cash
prize of rupees 1 lakh each.

The judges' panel includes celebrated writer and former BBC journalist Sir Mark
Tully; writer, journalist & well known theatre critic Shanta Gokhale, and award
winning writer & popular columnist Anita Nair. Mahasweta Devi, novelist and Padma
Vibhushan (2006), Magsaysay (1997), Jnanpith (1996) Awards winner will be the
Guiding Spirit for the Indiaplaza Golden Quill Book Awards 2008. Ms. Arundhati
Ghosh, Deputy Director, India Foundation for the Arts will ensure that the entire
process from long listing to the short listing is fair and transparent.

Commenting on the launch, K. Vaitheeswaran, Co-founder and COO, Indiaplaza.in said,
"With the great success that Indian authors are achieving in the global literary
arena, we believe it is an apt time to establish an award that will recognize Indian
writers based in India. As India\'s largest online bookstore, we have served book
lovers in India while also expanding the market with a selection of over 4 million
titles. With this endeavour, we aim to provide a further fillip to writing and the
habit of reading books."

"We will continue our support to nurture the talent of Indian writers and over the
next few years introduce more Golden Quill awards in other categories like Indian
language fiction & non-fiction, Children's Books, Business Management besides
others," added Vaitheeswaran.

Commenting on her association with the Indiaplaza Golden Quill Book Awards, panelist
Shanta Gokhale said, "Writers write because they have to; but do so largely without
public encouragement. So when an award like the Golden Quill is announced, there is
much hope and excitement. Also, where the Golden Quill Award is concerned, there is
a reassurance that their work will be evaluated in a transparent and impartial way."


The complete details on the awards, author profiles and regular updates will be
available at www.indiaplaza.in/goldenquill


Web Site: http://www.indiaplaza.in/Goldenquillaward/

Contact Details: Kasturi Wasmatkar
Email: kasturi@corvoshandwick.co.in
Phone: +91 99010 24428