Himal Fiction Fest

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Himal Fiction Fest. The online festival showcases exceptional emerging voices in Southasian fiction, and brings together readers, writers, publishers, editors and agents from across the region.

Over two weeks, we will release six original short stories by writers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh and India, and host two reading sessions and discussion panels featuring the writers alongside top figures from Southasian publishing.

Illustrations by Kathmandu-based artist, Manjil Rijal.

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Click to register for the discussion sessions:

The Present and Future of Southasian Fiction I – 12 June

Readings: Saher Hasnain, Ciara Mandulee Mendis, and Sidharth Singh joined by illustrator Manjil Rijal.

Panelists: Sonia Faleiro (London), Rifat Munim (Dhaka) and Afshan Shafi (Lahore).

The Present and Future of Southasian Fiction II – 19 June

Readings: Kyi May Kaung, Deepa Bhasthi, Shah Tazrian Ashrafi joined by illustrator Manjil Rijal.

Panelists: Karthika V K (New Delhi), Manjushree Thapa (Kathmandu/Toronto) and V V Ganeshananthan (Minneapolis)

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In this edition:

Containing lightning by Saher Hasnain, Islamabad/Oxford

Deep red carnations by Ciara Mandulee Mendis, Colombo 

The odyssey of Kartar Singh by Sidharth Singh, Noida

Beast by Kyi May Kaung, Washington DC/Rangoon

Accident zone, drive slow by Deepa Bhasthi, Madikeri 

Joseph, our maths teacher by Shah Tazrian Ashrafi, Dhaka

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