22nd Hong Kong Book Fair attracts 950,000 visitors

Jumbo Editorial Team

The 22nd Hong Kong Book Fair 2011 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 20 to 26. It proved to be a resounding success with 950,000 book lovers, including some 15,000 overseas visitors having lined up in droves to browse through the latest offerings from publishers.

More than 300 cultural events were held to promote reading culture and it’s encouraging to have nearly 130,000 attended these cultural events. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council the Gross Exhibition Space was 47,524 square meters.

The Fair lived upto its big reputation of offering something for everyone. Since its inception in 1990, the Hong Kong Book Fair has expanded quickly into a great summer event.

This year, more than 500 exhibitors participated in the Fair which also featured some 270 cultural events under the theme “Reading the World．Reading as Self-Discovery”.

Alongside the always-popular General Books Pavilion, new and expanded highlights were very well received. The enlarged English Avenue drew large numbers of visitors, and showed that Hong Kong is a hub not just of Chinese culture and literature, but of the English-language books of all type.

In 2010, English Avenue had taken up about 50% more space than the previous year, featured the largest display of English books in the Fair’s history.

What a pleasing sight it must have been for the organizers to find around 1,000 people lined up for entry from 5 am on the opening day.

The e-books and e-learning Resource Zone were expanded by almost 60 percent and a new Digital Reading Interactive Zone featured booths selling electronic readers.
The dates for the 23rd edition have also been finalized and the Hong Kong Book Fair 2012 will be held at the same venue from July 18 to 24.

The event will be supported by Anglo-Chinese Textbook Publishers Organization, Association of Christian Publishers Ltd, Educational Booksellers Association, HK Book & Magazine Trade Association, HK Book & Stationery Industry Association, HK Educational Publishers Association, HK Publishers & Distributors Association, HK Publishing Federation, HK Publishing Professional Society and Sino United Publishing (Holdings) Ltd.

Relocated 8th Inverness Book Festival 2011 creates greater buzz

Jumbo Editorial Team

The eighth edition of the Inverness Book Festival, having become a regular feature in the Scottish calendar, created greater buzz after being held during the month of August for the second year running.

It has now been firmly anchored in the summer calendar. The festival first relocated from October to August in 2010 and there was a real buzz to these last few days of the school summer holidays in the Highlands. In 2011 the event was held from August 10 to 13, finishing just in time to get down to Edinburgh for more things literary.

Eden Court, the biggest Arts venue in the Highlands with a fantastic aspect over the river Ness and its islands, played host to the event. It is a tremendous haven in the city centre with beautiful walks, catering facilities, cinema and theatre to further entertain during the festival.

Yet again there was an august gathering with great writers and personalities speaking about their lives and work. Events were organized for all the family with rhyme time for children from as young as 6 months.

This year's line-up witnessed a wide selection of authors from around the Highlands and Islands give the event a real local flavour. There were plenty of authors from the rest of Scotland too, talking about land ownership, capturing Himmler and Highland cowboys.

Readers’ favourites Louise Welsh and Christopher Brookmyre were there to share about their latest works.

There were more kids events this year with the enthusiastic Sonsie Music folk providing lively singing and fun to entertain adults as much as kids. It was a real wonderful occasion to get the whole family involved in an event encouraging older kids reading to younger ones with the lovely people from Picture Kelpies.

Ushered in by bright and enticing posters in the style of Penguin books, the 8th Inverness Book Festival was described as an exciting medley of writers from a huge range of genres. From Scottish historians, to popular crime writers and children’s novelists, the schedule suited a huge range of tastes.

Marvi Memon’s My Parliamentary Dairies launched in Karachi

Jumbo Editorial Team

Marvi Memon, a former parliamentarian, launched her book ‘My Parliamentary Dairies’ at a five-star hotel of Karachi on August 27.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Marvi remarked that during her three years in the National Assembly, she had a choice; either to enjoy the perks of power ignoring the injustice with 99% of Pakistanis and playing the politics of hypocrisy or strive to bring a change in the system. “So I decided to bring that change”, she said.

Marvi said that she had taken her first step. She traveled through the length and breadth of Pakistan to highlight the issues and injustices that enslaved the nation. She spoke about people’s struggle for rights on the floor of the House, in the streets and in front of the judiciary.

Marvi said that her people and she lived, laughed, cried, ate and struggled together and most importantly believed in each other. The former MNA said that she simply fought for people’s rights.

“We have to rediscover the meaning of Pakistan and act honesty and loyally with our family and country or we can continue watching and contributing to the downward slide till the meaning of Pakistan becomes irrelevant,” she pointed out.

“We should treat each other as the Quaid-e-Azam advised, with no discrimination and no distinction among the communities, castes or creeds,” Marvi urged.

She has dedicated the book to her son Murtaza and all children of Pakistan. She plans to have the book translated and published not only in Urdu and Sindhi but all other national and regional languages.

Marvi served as Member of Parliament from March 2008 to June 2011 as a PML MNA. She resigned from her party and parliament in order to set new standards in politics.

She was born in Karachi in July 1972. After schooling in Karachi, Paris and Kuwait, she graduated from the London School of Economics with a B.Sc (Econ) Honors in International Relations. She started her career as a banker at Citibank Pakistan where she specialized in Marketing and Quality Management for the consumer bank.

Brief Profile: Patricia Fry

Jumbo Editorial Team

Patricia Fry is acclaimed as one of the leading authorities in the world on publishing and book promotion with her latest title, 34th overall, Promote Your Book: Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for Enterprising Authors, released in the United States on August 10, having made quite an impact right away.

She has been working with freelance writers and authors for over two decades. She is a literary and manuscript consultant, an editor and a teacher. She has been helping write a book with more publishing potential and she also guides in preparing a more successful book proposal.

She began writing for publications in 1973 as a part-timer. She continued writing at every opportunity even after accepting a full-time job. In 1990, however, she quit her job and began devoting all of her time to her writing career. She is the Executive Director of Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network (SPAWN), a networking organization which she helped form in 1996.

Over a dozen of her 34 books relate to writing/publishing as she continues to contribute dozens of articles each year to writing/publishing magazines such as, Writer's Digest, Authorship, PMA Independent, Absolute Write, Freelance Writer's Report, Byline, SPAWNews, SPANnet, NAWW Newsletter and others.

Fry has been a very popular figure, as reflected in the testimonials on her website. She has been praised lavishly by all those having interacted with her professionally over the years. Her caring and warm attitude towards her clients and associates besides the exceptional wealth of knowledge and expertise she possesses, have earned her the kind of accolades she so richly deserves.

Over 2,500 delegates attend IFLA 2011

Jumbo Editorial Team

Over 2,500 delegates from all over the world attended the 77th IFLA General Assembly and Congress held in Puerto Rico, San Juan, from August 14 to 18 with the theme of “Libraries beyond libraries: Integration, Innovation and Information for all.”

The opening ceremony and the inaugural reception took place at the Puerto Rico Convention Centre in San Juan on August 14. The World Library and Information Congress trade exhibition was held at the same venue in conjunction with the Congress.

Simultaneous interpretation services were made available in seven languages viz. English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin) and Arabic. The service was made available for the opening and closing sessions and other selected sessions.

The closing ceremony was highlighted with honours and awards. Paul Sturges of Loughborough was awarded the IFLA medal for his work on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression. Sebastian Wilke and Dierk Eichel for their work on behalf of the New Professionals Special Interest Group won the IFLA Communicator of the Year.

New IFLA President, Ingrid Parent, declared the World Library and Information Congress 2011 closing, hoping to see all participants again at Helsinki in 2012 while Singapore was selected as the venue for 2013.

“It was my great pleasure to have attended IFLA 2011 and take my professional commitment to the Standing Committee of the Latin America and the Caribbean Section, of which I take part as a member until 2013 representing Argentina-quite an honor for me,” Silvia Cecilia Anselmi, Head of the Technical Services Department at the Library of the School of Architecture, Design and Urbanism, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, remarked.

“I am proud and enthusiastic about representing my country and showing some of its projects and activities to the international library community. This year, because of the quality and quantity of presentations, IFLA WLIC enabled me to learn about Puerto Rican, Latin American and international experiences,” she added.

Brief Profile: Shahid Afridi

Jumbo Editorial Team

Shahid Afridi has been one of the most popular cricketers of the recent past. His swashbuckling and at times casual approach towards the game drew criticism from certain quarters but it didn’t deter him from doing what pleased him more. He was acclaimed as a genuine match-winner in the limited-overs contests.

His powerful stroke-play brought the crowd in every part of the world to their feet. The atmosphere remained charged from the moment he took guard at the crease. He was not afraid to deposit the first ball he faced beyond the fence if he had made up his mind to do so.

Not necessarily the most consistent of performers but he was one of the characters to have charmed the spectators. His agricultural shots didn’t satisfy the purists but they enlivened the proceedings besides breaking the hearts of the opposing teams.

Although many power-hitters have come and gone his record of fastest hundred off 37 balls in One-day Internationals has stood for 15 years. When on song he had the capacity to win the match on his own either batting or bowling. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Cricket World Cup 2011.

He scored 6695 runs at an average of 23.49 in 325 ODIs with his strike-rate being an astronomical 113.82. He scored six centuries and 31 half centuries. He also captured 315 wickets. He played 27 Tests, scoring 1,716 runs and grabbing 48 wickets. He also captained Pakistan in every format of the game.

**Shahid Afridi has contributed foreword to Crash of the Titans

Foreword: Crash of the Titans

By Shahid Afridi

It was a great honour for me to have been provided the opportunity to lead the Pakistan team in ICC World Twenty20 Cricket Championship 2010 in the West Indies. It was a big challenge since Pakistan was also the defending champion.

Keeping in view Pakistan’s great track record in the fastest version of cricket there were great expectations from to successfully defend the crown. This brand of cricket is very difficult and unpredictable because of the quick changing nature of the game.

Since I had contributed my bit in having guided Pakistan to title winning performance ten months ago in England there was greater responsibility as well as additional pressure on me to deliver once more.

To be frank Pakistan, India and South Africa were among the firm favorites to win the title. But the Australians who had dominated the Test and One-day Internationals and England showed great adaptability in this fiery brand to reach the final.

We were not at our best in the initial stages of the competition but mainly because of the prayers of the nation and a resounding win over South Africa we managed to storm into the semifinals that had looked quite unlikely only a few days ago.

I must say that we considered ourselves unfortunate to lose in semifinals after having posted a healthy total of 191 against Australia. However I think that Mike Hussey played the innings of life that knocked us out of the race.

I still don’t think that I had committed any mistake by bringing on Saeed Ajmal for the final over. He had bowled the final over against South Africa so admirably and that’s why we made the unanimous decision on entrusting him with the final over against Australia too.

Saeed Ajmal, having bowled so well throughout the tournament, could not rise to the occasion against the rampaging Mike Hussey who unleashed powerful strokes all round the wicket to take the game away from Pakistan. Definitely it was a big disappointment for us to have given it away after our batsmen had posted such an imposing total.

I must compliment England for winning the title. They thoroughly deserved the trophy after having produced sterling performance most consistently. They displayed great innovation under their Director Operations, Andy Flower, to topple the formidable Aussies in the final. Paul Collingwood marshaled his troops so well in the field leaving little space to maneuver for their opponents.

***For further details about Crash of the Titans, please write to jumbopublishing@yahoo.com or call Asad Raza at 0333-2304024

Patricia Fry’s Promote Your Book hitting headlines

Jumbo Editorial Team

Patricia Fry has carved a niche for herself by bringing out some fabulous books and the latest addition to the list is Promote Your Book: Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for Enterprising Authors, released the other week by Allworth Press, New York. The book has been an instant hit, having received a dozen five-star reviews very quickly.

This is 34th published book by the California-based Fry, who has been writing for various publications since 1973. The majority of her books relate to publishing and book promotion.

Promote Your Book is going to catch the imagination of any writer, aiming to make it big on the international scene. It provides invaluable guidance even to the published authors, many of whom are not entirely well versed with the selling techniques.

The book gives the enterprising authors an advantage they need in order to more successfully navigate the publishing industry and gain a better understanding of their responsibilities. It makes them realize that their approach to book promotion holds the key to their book's success.

In Promote Your Book, Fry has put together a well-organized collection of the most successful low-cost and no-cost ideas providing solutions for both aspiring and seasoned authors in any genre. This book has been designed with the novelist in mind as well as the nonfiction and children's author.

Fry, considered one of the leading authorities on publishing and book promotion, has brought perspective and success stories of two dozen others throughout the pages of this highly informative and useful book.

Crash of the Titans hits stands

Jumbo Editorial Team

Crash of the Titans, authored by Ehsan Qureshi, has hit the stands. It chronicles the third edition of the ICC World Twenty20 Cricket Tournament 2010 staged in the Caribbean.

It is eighth sports book to be brought out by Jumbo Publishing with the earlier titles being Spotlight on World Cup 2003, Top of the Charts, Mission Caribbean, Cricket Fever, Fiasco, Cricket Milestones and Reflections.

Crash of the Titans is also the eighth book to be authored by Ehsan Qureshi who had earlier written The Book of One-day Internationals, Pakistan Snooker Book, World Cup 1992, World Cup 1996, World Cup 1999, World Cup 2003 and Fiasco.

Printed on art paper, the 162-page hardbound Crash of the Titans has quite a few brilliant snaps of the ICC World Twenty20 which is covered in detail with report and scorecard of each and every game played in the tournament remembered for producing unexpected results until the end.

A copy of Crash of the Titans costs Rs 600 in Pakistan with the shipment to be arranged by the publishers on a complimentary basis.

**For getting a copy of Crash of the Titans, please write to jumbopublishing@yahoo.com or call Asad Raza at 0333-2304024

Century of posts completed on Jumbo Publishing’s Blog

Jumbo Editorial Team

Every modern business uses the internet to promote and educate people about their products, with the publishing industry being no exception. It has become a part of the strategy now to many organizations to have a blog to serve this purpose.

Every company attempts and desires to have blogs that are informative, entertaining and consistent but only a few of them accomplish the goal of being classified as particularly useful.

Jumbo Publishing’s blog debuted with its maiden post ‘Book Review: Spotlight on World Cup 2003’ on January 16, 2011 and since then a minimum of 12 articles have been posted every month. The century of posts on the blog was completed with ‘Architect Arif Hassan’s Shirakti Taraqi launched’ on August 4, 2011.

In between these two posts there have been 98 others which have earned laurels and appreciation for the blog and it has been rated among the best in the publishing industry.

It continues to provide a lot of industry information, besides throwing light on its own publications. There has been consistent coverage of the international book fairs being held in the different corners of the world.

The posts on Jumbo Publishing’s blog are precise and to the point that’s why considered worth reading. The popularity of the blog continues growing globally and the number of hits remain on the rise.

Architect Arif Hassan’s Shirakti Taraqi launched

Jumbo Editorial Team

‘Shirakti Taraqi’ or participatory development, a book written by renowned architect Arif Hassan was launched recently. The launch was followed by a lecture by the author on participatory development and an interactive discussion.

The book unfolds the story of Karachi and Pakistan, and its contents offer a detailed description of the Orangi Pilot Project, its Research and Training Institute and Urban Resource Centre.

The book also discusses various non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and their projects being planned and implemented on the pattern of the project.

Architect Arif Hassan outlined the striking aspects of the project, including the background of Orangi, the inception of the project and the working culture developed during its implementation. The Orangi project was initiated in the 1980s by Akhtar Hameed Khan to enable the local residents solve their own sanitation problems.

On development in Pakistan, the iconic architect stated that his work and writings were mostly inspired by Khan’s works, which set ideal examples of pro-people and pro-poor development.

Dr Nasim-ul-Hassan, one of the speakers, while commenting on Arch Arif Hassan’s book, said that participatory development is inevitable for Pakistan’s prosperity, as it has the potential to ensure the delivery of basic human rights and needs like safe drinking water and food security.

He said that the government and non-government sector,which controls and delivers the development, need to understand and practice the philosophy behind the term. “Without participatory development, there will be no progress. Money alone cannot do anything,” he said.

Harris Khalique, writer and analyst, remarked that Arch Arif Hassan, through his writings and academic lectures, has promoted the idea that education in Pakistan should be linked with the real life and the people of the country.

Other books by Arch Arif Hassan, shared at the event, include “Bay Zabta Inqlab”, which discusses the observations of social and financial change in Pakistan, “Karachi”, which discusses planning and development alternatives, and “Hijrat aur Pakistan mein Chhotey Shehr”, which discusses immigration and the issues of smaller cities.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard launches Christine Nixon's Fair Cop

Jumbo Editorial Team

The Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has launched the much talked about Christine Nixon's book, Fair Cop, while urging the readers to judge for the former chief commissioner's actions for themselves.

The Prime Minister declared Fair Cop, written by Christine Nixon in collaboration with Jo Chandler, edited by Cathy Smith and published by Victory Press, officially launched at the historic Windsor Hotel.

“I want to begin by thanking Melbourne University Publishing (MUP) for making this event possible. The MUP has for decades played an extraordinary role in our national conversation. You’ve given our country its greatest work of scholarship – the Australian Dictionary of Biography. You’ve published works by distinguished writers such as Gore Vidal, Barry Jones, Don Watson, Paul Kelly and Stuart Macintyre. And you’ve published controversial works, including the book the subject of today’s launch,” Prime Minister Gillard acknowledged.

“And that is no surprise because Fair Cop canvasses some of the very deepest-seated issues in contemporary society: The role of women; The nature of policing; Changing styles of leadership; Our response to nature’s cruelty; Accountability in public life. Any of these topics would be the subject of understandable discussion on their own. To raise all of them in one volume has made controversy inevitable,” she added.

“I am not here today to adjudicate that controversy. Readers will be able to judge for themselves. I am here because Christine Nixon is a high-achieving Australian whose long journey of public service deserves our attention and regard,” the Prime Minister reckoned.

“Whatever your standpoint, this book records the life of a significant Australian whose achievements - from the day she stepped into the Police Academy in 1972, to the day she left the Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority last year, are worthy of attention and respect. It is a life told frankly and fluently by its authors. Controversial – certainly. But indispensable for all who want to understand the recent history of our nation,” she believed.