VoW Book Awards 2023

 

Valley of Words (VoW), a not-for-profit initiative of the Valley of Words Foundation Trust based in Dehradun, will conduct its seventh edition, with a signature event held on 17th-18th November,2023 at Dehradun, and events with partner institutions in cities/campuses across India from August to December, 2023.

 

The Valley of Words mission to acknowledge the best of Indian literature, written in both English and Hindi from the previous calendar year i.e. 2022, is showcased through the VoW Book Awards in eight categories. The Longlist of ten books in each category, which is brought down to the five shortlisted titles around which are designed the English Literature and Hindi Sahitya verticals of the Festival, are decided by an eminent Jury.

 

Nominations are invited for the next edition of the VoW Book Awards during the period of January 15th — March 31st, 2023.

 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
 

• Submissions are accepted from all registered publishing houses having offices within the territorial jurisdiction of India. Additionally, the Publisher must be subject to Indian Laws.

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• All books which are submitted must have a registered ISBN number or equivalent indicator recognised by international book repositories.

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• There is no limitation on the number of submissions in each category. In other words, a publisher may send multiple books by different authors across categories.

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• Individual nominations/self-publications are accepted provided they have a valid accompanying ISBN number. The Individual nominations/self-publications must also conform to the rules of submission, registration, short-listing, and other pertinent steps. 

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• The publisher must have the consent of the author to submit the title or titles to the VoW Book Awards 2023. In addition, the publisher must secure the consent of the author to participate in promotional activity, including publication of the author’s name and image, in connection with the VoW Book Awards 2023, upon the request of VoW.

 

• Nominations are accepted in the following eight categories :

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1. English Fiction 

2. English Non-Fiction

3. Translations from Languages of India into English 

4. Hindi Fiction 

5. Hindi Non-Fiction

6. Translations from Languages of India into Hindi 

7. Writings for Young Adults – Bilingual (11-16 years)

8. Children’s Literature – Bilingual (5-10 years)

 

• Eligible titles must have been published in print during the course of the previous calendar year (January 1st to December 31st, 2022). Each entry should be the author’s original work or an authorised translation into Hindi or English.

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• Three identical physical copies of each book must be submitted by Indian Speed Post or Courier by the Publisher / Individual Applicant after filling out the nomination form (which can be accessed at Nominate a Book – Valley of Words). The category the book(s) submitted are to be adjudicated in must be clearly stated.

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• It is hereby clarified that e-copies of any book will NOT be accepted for adjudication.

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• The three copies of nominated books are to be sent to:

 

Mr. Bikram Singh

VoW Café-Library-Gallery

Near USHA, Sahastradhara Road,

Dehradun 248014
UTTARAKHAND

(+91 94129 20447)

 

Only those books received till 23:59 hours on the 31st of March, 2023, will be considered. Any book received after the above stated timeline will be deemed to not have been  submitted. However, the VoW Foundation Trust reserves the right to extend the date for filing the nomination(s).

 

It is clarified that proof of posting a submission is not proof of receipt by the VoW Foundation Trust. The VoW Foundation Trust will not accept any responsibility for submissions that are delayed, misdirected or otherwise lost prior to receipt.

 

1. Nominated books are maintained in the VoW Café’s Library space, which is entirely open-access to all. Select books are also donated to other libraries  / partner instituions in the country to ensure the widest possible reach of the nominated literature. 

2. Books will be received in good faith, with the presumption that plagiarism checks have been completed prior to nomination. The VoW Foundation Trust will not be liable for any issues pertaining to plagiarism or any connected issue which comes to light at any point of time, even after the Awards have been given.

3. The following publications are not eligible for submission:

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• Academic Books and Thesis, Edited Volumes,

• Anthologies or Books written by more than one author,

• Reference Books,

• Text Books,

• Guide Books,

• Educational Materials including books made of open access

• Study-Materials online,

• Manuals,

• Reprints and

• Television, Radio and Film Tie- ins/Trivia      

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1. A panel of judges, including at least one member who is independent of VoW, will select a Longlist and Shortlist from all valid entries received in accordance with the evaluation criteria.

2. The judges’ decision for the VoW Book Awards 2023 is final and binding and cannot be contested. No correspondence will be entertained by the VoW Foundation Trust from the authors or publishers in this regard.

3. Shortlisted entrants shall be sent notifications of their short-listing and the shortlisted titles will be posted on the VoW Website on or before 30th June 2023.

4. The Shortlisted entrants will be asked to confirm their physical presence at the Valley of Words International Literature and Arts Festival in Dehradun in November 2023 (“VoW 2023”).

5. Shortlisted books may be reviewed/featured in special issues of The Book Review & Tadbhav, in English and Hindi respectively, closer to the festival.    

6. A second panel of Judges, including at least one member who is independent of VoW, will select the eight finalists from all valid shortlisted entries on or before 30th September 2023.

7. All winners for the VoW Book Awards 2023 will be invited to attend VoW 2023. The Prize and citation will be awarded to the winners during VoW 2023.

8. VoW 2023 is envisaged as a physical event. However, VoW Foundation Trust has the discretion to modify the event to a virtual/online format based on the prevailing circumstances. In case the event is modified to a virtual/online format, the Shortlisted Entrants will be informed expeditiously.

9. The VoW Book Awards 2023 are not open to employees of VoW Foundation Trust or to the Board of Governors, or to their family members, nor to anyone else connected with the aforementioned Awards.

10. Authors and/or publishers found to be indulging in any unethical practices, including but not limited to the rules stated in the present Guidelines clause, will be liable to prosecution in accordance with Indian Law, before the Jurisdictional Court of Dehradun, India.

11. Entries that do not comply with the present Guidelines shall not be considered for the VoW Book Awards 2023. By submitting a title to the VoW Book Awards 2023, the publisher of the submitted title warrants and represents that it has complied with the protocol of the VoW Book Awards 2023, including but not limited to the present Guidelines, the terms and conditions set out in the Nomination Form and the relevant rules and regulations on the VoW Website.

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1. Upon Shortlisting, the Entries will be governed by the terms and conditions as stated in the Letter of Shortlisting, in addition to the present Guidelines. It is clarified that the shortlisted entrants must comply with the terms and conditions as stated in the Letter of Shortlisting.

2. The VoW Foundation Trust reserves the right to alter the adjudication method/team/leadership structure for VoW 2023, as it deems fit.

3. The VoW Foundation Trust reserves the right to not award a prize in any category whatsoever without disclosing the reasons thereof.

4. Indian Laws shall govern the VoW Book Awards 2023 and any dispute arising in this regard will be subject to adjudication solely before the Jurisdictional Court in Dehradun, India.

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For further details or information, please visit our website or write in to us at celebrate@valleyofwords.org.

 

Come, join us as we celebrate the word – and beyond…