Await a literary treat at New Ink’s third forum

New Ink – the independent literature forum for newly published Sri Lankan English writing organised annually by a team of literary enthusiasts will hold its third forum next month.

Twenty six authors, creative practitioners and academics will participate in this year’s New Ink which will be held on Saturday, July 2 at the Lakmahal Community Library (No 8A, Alfred House Gardens, Colombo 03), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance is free.

A parallel Virtual Space with readings from eight writers will also be aired online through the New Ink blog just prior to the main event. Those attending will also be able to browse the New Ink Bookstore (hosting the featured authors’ work), and food-corner at the Lakmahal.

A diverse array of books from poetry, novels and short stories will be featured. The participants include renowned Sri Lankan authors such as Ashok Ferrey, Shehan Karunatilaka, and Manuka Wijesinghe; and writers such as Marianne David and Upali Mahaliyanan whose work was in recent prize-lists and leading discussion forums.

The forum will also include a keynote address on ‘Creativity as protest in a country like ours’ by Dr. Shashikala Assella, Head of English, University of Kelaniya; and a discussion comprising leading literary prize judges sharing conversation on ‘Writing the winning book’. Attendees can also buy copies of the books featured at the forum.

The line-ups and participants are as follows:

Panel 1: Reading and Discussion

Panelists: Nayomi Apsara (Throw Me Mountains – poetry), Sathis de Mel (The Good for Nothing – short stories), Ashok Ferrey (The Unmarriageable Man – novel), Nipuni Ranaweera (Take Me in Small Doses – poetry). Moderator: Sandesh Bartlett Panel 2: Reading and Discussion

Panelists: Premini Amerasinghe (Footprints – novel), Tinaz Amit (Anarva – poetry), Gayathri Hewagama (Conquering Karma – short stories), Yudhanjaya Wijeratne (Inhuman Peace – novel)

Moderator: Nadishka Aloysius Discussion: “On Writing the Winning Book”

Panelists: Andi Schubert (Open University of Sri Lanka), Dinali Fernando (University of Kelaniya), Jake Oorloff (Floating Space Theatre Company). Moderator: Purnima Pilapitiya Panel 3: Reading and Discussion

Panelists: Shaveen Bandaranayake (Groundswell – novel), Shehan Karunatilaka (Chats with the Dead – novel), Nimalka Jayadeva Mayadunne (The Merchants of Blood – novel), Trishali Shasha (Incest – novel) Moderator: Maneesha

Wijesundara The New Ink Virtual Platform will feature:

Marianne David (All of the Orange)s, Anupama Godakanda (Phoenix: I am a Racist), Jasmine Jayasekara (Water Lily), Upali Mahaliyana (Just One Slip), Mavash K Mohtadullah (The Girl with the Paisley Dupatta), Jayashika Padmasiri (Meraki Sutra), Charlotte Perera (Time Reveals), and Manuka Wijesinghe (Like Moths to a Flame).