New Delhi, January 27, 2006: To write or not to write – is one of the factors that http://www.oxfordbookstore.com in association with Reader’s Digest, has taken in its stride with the launch of the latest version of e–Author, a literary initiative to encourage new ideas of aspiring writers. Chief Guest, Jairam Ramesh, the highly acclaimed columnist and author, launched e-author version 4.0 this evening at Oxford Bookstore New Delhi. The fourth consecutive launch was followed by an interactive session on Emerging Trends in Indian Writing with the judges of the online contest. The essence of this launch was to encourage the young aspiring writers to participate in the contest and showcase their writing skills in the genre of short story writing this year.

e-Author is a platform initiated by Oxford Bookstore to provide a literary stage to the budding writers within the country and to those who are serious about pursuing a career in writing. In its fourth year, it promises to value the tireless endeavours of true and dedicated writers. The distinguished panel of judges for e-author version 4.0 are Ashok Mahadevan – Editor Reader’s Digest, Diya Kar Hazra – Senior Commissioning Editor, Penguin Books India, Jairam Ramesh – MP, Columnist & Author, Kunal Basu – Author, Swapan Dasgupta – Journalist and Samit Basu – Author.

The eminent jury members present at the launch acknowledged this idea to inspire India’s next generation of writers. They gave cogent and encouraging views on Emerging Trends in Indian Writing in English. The session was enriched by each of the renowned personalities giving their own thoughts and perspective from the field to which they belonged. Gautam Sen, Director of Gandhi-Einstein Foundation and former lecturer of London School of Economics moderated the interactive discussion and concluded the deliberations in a versatile manner.
This engaging interaction turned out to be an excellent source of reference for the aspiring writers who comprised the enthusiastic audience at the launch.

Speaking on this occasion, Ms Priti Paul, Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group said, “We are extremely positive about launching e –Author for the fourth consecutive year at New Delhi. Through this competition, we will be able to provide a forum for the aspiring authors where their talent will be recognized and nurtured. I wish all the contestants the very best for all their creative endeavours.”

Mr Rajiv Chowdhry, Chief Executive Officer, Apeejay Oxford Bookstores Private Limited said, “Over the years, e-Author has enjoyed phenomenal success from across the country. This is the only online event in India that has made e-writing so very prestigious and challenging. We hope e-Author version 4.0 will scale new heights with the launch in New Delhi. We have changed the format to short story writing this year in keeping with the various requests that we have been getting over the years. We welcome all aspiring writers to showcase their talent and be a part of a very innovative contest”.

The flow of competition is as follows:

· January 27, 2006 (Friday): Launch of e- Author version 4.0
· March 9, 2006 (Thursday): Last date for submitting entries
· May 9, 2006 (Tuesday) : The three finalists of e – Author version 4.0 will be declared
· June 30, 2006 (Friday): The three short listed authors will have to submit three more short stories each
· July 6 to August 6, 2006: There will be a second round of judging by the eminent panel of judges
· August 21, 2006: The three winners of e- Author version 4.0 will be declared and their e – books will be published at http://www.oxfordbookstore.com

It will be a rich experience for the winners as the total prize money of Rs 100,000 will be divided between the winner who will receive Rs.50, 000 with the first and the second runner-up receiving amounts of Rs.30, 000 and Rs.20, 000 respectively. The winning authors will have the privilege of getting their books published online at http://www.oxfordbookstore.com. In addition, the three winners’ short stories will be printed in a special supplement of Reader’s Digest.

In their classic style, the editor of Reader’s Digest, Mr Ashok Mahadevan summed up the purpose of e-Author succinctly, “Reader’s Digest is committed to good writing – not just in journalism, but in fiction too. And Oxford Bookstore’s e-Author contest are an admirable way to encourage young, talented writers.

Lauding this initiative of http://www.oxfordbookstore.com, the internationally acclaimed author Mr Pico Iyer remarked, “”Writing to me is the deepest, the richest and most fulfilling life I can imagine. It gives you a sense of possibility and power, creates a clearing in the wilderness and makes a still point in a turning life like nothing else I know. Young authors need constant encouragement to write better each time and this forum which Oxford provides is a wonderful platform. I sincerely hope that the e-Author concept will arouse the writer in many of us. It is the kind of enterprise that all the world is the richer for.”

It is a matter of prestige and pride for Oxford Bookstore to have the earnest support of elites and eminent authors such as Amitav Ghosh, Anita Nair, Taslima Nasreen, Sudha Murthy, Shashi Deshpande and many more who have all judged the entries at different points during the last three years of the launch of e – Author.

For more information, log on to http://www.oxfordbookstore.com.