Any serious writer would know what Coleridge meant when he penned down these immortal lines on inspiration and creation. Since then times have changed, and in the present cyber age, inspiration can strike at the click of a mouse (the new age ‘muse’). But we at www.oxfordbookstore.com still value the tireless strivings of a true and dedicated writer.

For he on honey-dew hath fed,
And drunk the milk of Paradise. KUBLA KHAN

In our quest for this creative genius, we at www.oxfordbookstore.com announce the launch of e-Author version 3.0, an innovative online talent search competition held annually in association with Rupa & Co.

The objective of this online event is to provide a literary platform to budding writers where their talents will be tested and rewarded. The august panel of judges for this year includes Ms Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation, renowned authors, Ms Githa Hariharan, Ms Anita Nair, Ms Shashi Deshpande, Mr Aniruddha Bahal and Mr Michael Flannery, Assistant Editor, Features, The Statesman.

The total prize money is a handsome Rs 100,000 for the top three entries.
WINNER – Rs 50,000
FIRST RUNNER-UP – Rs 30,000
SECOND RUNNER-UP – Rs 20,000

The winning authors will have the privilege of getting the books published online at our website. Rupa & Co will also publish and promote their e-books, subject to the company’s approval.

With Oxford Bookstore, Bangalore, hosting the launch of e-Author version 3.0 on November 29, 2003, writers have ample scope to get their creative juices flowing. Summing up the initiative Mr. Rajiv Chowdhury, General Manager, e.books World Private Limited, said, “We are happy to launch this initiative in Bangalore after Kolkata and Mumbai. Bangalore is an important city in the south of India and we hope this will be a unique opportunity for the young aspiring writers in the city to know more about the contest and participate.”

For the competition, www.oxfordbookstore.com invites interested writers from across the country to send in the first chapter of the book that they might have been planning to write. The three chosen entries stand to win cash prizes of Rs 10,000, Rs 6,000 and Rs 4,000 in descending order of preference. The winning chapters will be published at www.oxfordbookstore.com. The last date for sending in your entries is January 20, 2004.