British Council And Art X Company Announce The 12 Fellows For The ‘International Publishing Fellowship 2022: India’

on May 13, 2022

The British Council and Art X Company have released the names of the twelve Indian and British fellows who will participate in the 'International Publishing Fellowship 2022: India (IPF2022)'. IPF 2022 will be a year-long programme consisting of reciprocal study tours, masterclasses, networking opportunities, and professional upskilling, aiming at fostering increased discussion and exchange between the translation publishing ecosystems of both countries.

The translation publishing business in both countries reacted positively to the fellowship, and the final fellows were chosen after a written application and a shortlist interview stage. Bijal Vachharajani (Pratham Books), Rahul Soni (Harper Collins India), Raman Shresta (Rachna Books), Riddhi Maitra (BEE Books), Sarabjeet Garcha (Copper Coin Publishing), and Yogesh Maitreya (Panther's Paw Publications) are among the fellows who will represent India. Alice Mullen (Poetry Book Society), Deborah Smith (Tilted Axis Press), Molly Slight (Scribe Publications UK), Sarah Braybrooke (Bonnier UK), Sarah Cleave (Comma Press), and Tamara Sampey-Jawad (Fitzcarraldo Editions) are among the fellows from the United Kingdom.

The fellowship's main activities will begin in late May and include peer-to-peer learning sessions, public talks with experts, and research excursions to the United Kingdom and India. The fellowship will also provide selected fellows with a development money at the end of the programme, which they can use to further improve their professional abilities and networks in the translation sector.

The fellowship's first public session will take place on June 25, 2022, and will focus on acquisitions and rights. In addition to skill development and networking opportunities, the fellows will work on specific projects and present them to the cohort throughout the fellowship. Information regarding the fellowship's public programmes can be found at https://www.britishcouncil.in/programmes/arts/International-Publishing-Fellowship-2022 and will be published on the Art X Company's social media accounts.

Jonathan Kennedy, Director Arts India, British Council, said: “We are delighted to announce the International Publishing Fellowships that enables connections between literary professionals from India and the UK. Our pioneering study in collaboration with The Art X Company titled ‘India Literature and Publishing Sector Research’ was a step in this direction and helped shape the strategic Fellowship programme. The research highlighted the need for a forum for exchange between Indian and international publishers to support the creative economy of each. The Fellowships respond to that ask and aims to create a global network for Indian publishers to strengthen a more diverse, inclusive and equitable literary sector.”

Dipti Rao, Director – Projects and Operations, The Art X Company, said: This opportunity for publishers to develop networks in both India and UK is a direct response to research-based insights garnered from the publishing sector. The recent renewed interest in translated works in the global market further offers the perfect environment for the IPF’s own focus on translations and supporting small publishers’ efforts to extend the reach of local-language lore. The 2022 cohort of Fellows includes representatives from smaller towns, under-represented literary genres, and unconventional perspectives, all at critical developmental stages of their careers, where the IPF is able to provide the environment for potential inflection points for these professionals. The first of two study trips will take place in September, as the 12 fellows gather in the UK, to represent the future of global publishing in the regions.

The International Publishing Fellowship 2022 is part of India/UK Together, a Cultural Season, which will be launched later this year. The Season will feature a large programme of creative cooperation, education, and cultural interaction online and in cities throughout both countries to commemorate India's 75th anniversary of independence. From September 2022 to March 2023, the Season will feature a variety of creative partnerships, including significant projects aimed at developing India's literary and publishing economy.