First international book fair starts in Toronto

The first Inspire! Toronto International Book Fair (TIBF), which runs Nov 13-16 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre here, will feature a panel of Canadian authors published in India.

Indian diplomat-author Navtej Sarna, currently secretary in the external affairs ministry in New Delhi, will also attend the book fair.

Anirudh Bhattacharyya, one of the latest Indian authors based in Canada, will be a part of this panel along with Anosh Irani, Manjushree Thapa and Jasmine D'Costa.

Bhattacharya, a former New York-based senior editor with Network 18 channels CNN-IBN and CNBC-TV18 and now a columnist with Hindustan Times, will speak about his novel "The Candidate".

Published by Penguin, the novel was released just before Indian elections this year.

A satirical novel set in the midst of an Indian Lok Sabha election, "The Candidate" is Bhattacharya's first work of fiction.

To be moderated by author and professor Priscilla Uppal, this section is being presented by the Jaipur Literature Festival, which has emerged as a significant draw of bibliophiles worldwide.

Sarna is attending the book fair Nov 15. Author of "We Weren't Lovers Like That" and "The Exile", he will represent the Jaipur Literature Festival presence at the book fair.

Shikha Sabharwal, from the Indian publishing house Prakash Books, will be part of a panel discussion on "The State of the Publishing Industry Around the World" Nov 15.

Over 50,000 people are expected to attend the inaugural Toronto International Book Fair.