2^nd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize

Applications Invited

Announcement: 2^nd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize.

We are thrilled to announce the call for submission for the 2^nd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize, a prestigious award named in honor of the renowned Pakistani- American novelist, Bapsi Sidhwa. This biennial award promotes fiction by Zoroastrian authors and honors the legacy of Bapsi Sidhwa, the first recognized Zoroastrian author from Pakistan.

Eligibility:

• The Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize will be granted to writers of fiction, accepting novels and collections of short stories.
• Open to Zoroastrian authors aged 18 years and above.
• Each submission must be the original work of a single author.
  Co-authored books, edited books, anthologies and self-published books are not eligible.
• Submissions should be in English and must be first editions.
• Works must be published between January 2022 and April 2024.

Submission Period:

• Submissions should include a completed Application Form.
• A hard copy and a digital copy is required. The digital copy will be sent electronically to the judges. The hard copy will be added to the FIRES library collection.
• The submission deadline is June 1, 2024 for the 2024 award.

Submission Process:

• Fill out the online application form below.
• Hard copies must be sent or delivered to FIRES/ZAH at 526 Woodbend Lane, Houston, Texas 77079.
• Digital copy should be sent to info@fires-fezna.org
• For any questions, contact aban@coatingindustries.com

Prize:

• The winner of the 2nd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize will receive US$ 2000, a trophy, and the opportunity to showcase their work at the 18th North American Zoroastrian Congress in Houston, Texas, in December 2024.
• Finalists and winner will be announced at the FEZANA Awards ceremony at the 18th North American Congress. The winner is encouraged to attend or delegate a representative to accept the prize.

Selection and Adjudication:

• A panel of judges will select finalists and choose the winner.
• The organizer and judges are not responsible for plagiarism issues among finalists.
• In case of insufficient entries, the prize will not be assigned.
• The decision of the finalists and winner is final.

Background and history:

• The Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize is established by the Library Committee of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH), home of the FEZANA Information Research and Education System (FIRES).
• FIRES is a centralized collection of materials related to Zarathushti faith, culture and history.
• The Prize honors and promotes the work of Zoroastrian writers in line with Bapsi Sidhwa’s legacy.
• Named after the first recognized Zoroastrian writer from Pakistan, Bapsi Sidhwa, the Prize aims to recognize literary works biennially.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and celebrating the rich tapestry of Zoroastrian literature in honor of Bapsi Sidhwa.

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FEZANA Information, Research and Education System (FIRES) is a centralized collection of books, manuscripts, literature, magazines, and scholarly research materials in print and electronic form, primarily pertaining to Zarathushti faith, culture, and history.

FIRES was established in 2010, and is housed and managed by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) Library. It is accessible by all FEZANA Associations and individuals.