Penmancy PitchFest 4.0
Penmancy X Srishti Publishers PitchFest 4.0
The fourth edition of Penmancy PitchFest is an invitation to new and emerging voices in fiction to step forward. Created with the intent to encourage strong storytelling and original ideas, this season opens a meaningful pathway for writers looking to be seen and heard.
In collaboration with Srishti Publishers, PitchFest offers selected writers the opportunity to have their work reviewed, shortlisted, and eventually published. It is a chance for one compelling story to find its way from the writer’s desk to readers across the world.
About Srishti Publishers
Srishti Publishers was set up with the objective of creating a unique set of books that provide unmatched reading pleasure to people across the country. The core objective of their company is to provide a platform to first-time writers – young at age and at heart!
Mr JK Bose founded Srishti – the world of books – for the people, by the people, for telling their life stories. His experience of close to two decades in the publishing industry in various leadership positions gave wings to his dream of making quality books available to all those who wanted to read.
Now, more than 26 years later, Srishti is well-known as a platform for debut authors and for creating bestsellers.
His dream is passionately shared by Arup Bose (Publisher), who spearheads a team that loves books. Experimenting with content and new forms of reading, together they are mixing experience with experiments to create magic.
WHAT IS A BOOK PITCH?
A Book Pitch is the premise of your book. Share your pitch with your story’s central concept showcasing the reason for us to take it up for publishing. The event is conducted in three rounds the description of which follows.
Below is all the information that you might need to apply for the fest.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Indian residents and Indians residing abroad over the age of 18 years.
- Participant who has a complete unpublished manuscript ready.
- Open to submit in any genre.
- Previously published authors can apply.
EVENT DETAILS
ROUND 1 (Registration)-
Concept note of ~250 words along with a Synopsis of ~1000 words to be submitted at registration
Registrations open for Early Bird from January 1, 2026 to January 20, 2026 and Regular Registration from January 21, 2026 to January 31, 2026, though this link: https://forms.gle/oCch6iBHYKuRoU3s6
Early Bird registration fee is payable at Rs. 2499 and Regular registration fee is payable at Rs 2999, to be paid at the time of registration using this link: 8588804992.eazypay@icici.
ROUND 2 (Jury Interaction)-
The concept note and synopsis will be screened to choose Top 10 pitches as long listed.
The long listed participants will get into a jury interaction to pitch their manuscript through a virtual call on GMeet.
The participants are required to share their marketing plan along with their pitch.
ROUND 3 (Final)-
Long listed participants to submit the following documents through a Google form sent to them-
- 3 sample chapters
- Author's Bio
- Author’s photo (HD, 150x150)
The Jury will choose the best three pitches that will be announced through the social media channels of Penmancy and Srishti Publishers.
One winner from the top 3 will be selected by Srishti Publishers for publication. The announcements will be made through all our social media channels.
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THE JURY
Arup Bose
Born and brought up in Delhi, Arup Bose’s association with books and publishing has been since childhood. After working as a Risk Consultant and Mitigation expert for a leading Insurer, he decided to hang up his boots and enter the world of publishing. The shift was but a logical extension of his background of both love for books and familial association with the industry.
An MBA by education, he currently looks after the day-to-day operations at Srishti Publishers while driving the growth by diversifying into new genres and entering unexplored markets.
Arup is a prolific speaker and has spoken at various colleges, Lit-fests and other events. He is a voracious reader and spends his free time reading books, listening to music and mentoring upcoming entrepreneurs as a Business Development Coach.
Kajal Kapur
Kajal Kapur is an Entrepreneur, a Happiness Coach, a Mindfulness Trainer for Teens and Young Adults, and a writer.
With a wealth of experience exceeding two decades in the corporate world, she moved her attention to her first love- writing. As a writer, she has contributed to various international and national anthologies, magazines and websites. This further led her to formulate a community of writers who could lend support to each other. Penmancy was hence born- an enterprise dedicated to providing a launchpad for aspiring authors. Penmancy is now a leading writing website that extends services to writers who wish to turn their writing into published works.
As a writing mentor, she has spearheaded workshops and innovative creative writing initiatives that have proven highly beneficial for authors aged 10 and above.
Stuti Gupta
A publishing professional with 18 years+ experience of publishing books and editing. She has been spearheading the editorial team of Srishti Publishers for the last 13 years. Having worked on more than a thousand books in her career, she has had the pleasure of working with bestselling authors, as well as debut authors. She is currently spearheading the team as Chief Editor.
A storyteller and children’s books author, her stories are Indian at their core, with the potential to create global leaders. Changing the world one story at a time, she has spoken at various schools, conducted workshops for children of all ages and educators to promote holistic and overall growth of children. Her simple writing and engaging storytelling makes her a favourite with people of all ages.
She holds an M.Phil in Comparative Literature and tries to bring the wisdom of thepast into the present, to create a balanced future.
Alisha Verma Chopra
A publishing professional with over 5 years of experience, she has edited hundreds of books ranging from commercial fiction to serious non-fiction. Currently, she is an Editorial Manager at Srishti Publishers & Distributors. She is passionate about bridging the gap between commercial and literary fiction in India. She holds a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a certificate in Gender and Literature from IIT Madras.
She loves exploring stories that reflect society through the lens of gender studies.
Neil D'Silva
Neil D’Silva is a leading voice in Indian horror fiction, with 17 published books across adult, YA, and non-fiction. Known for titles like Maya’s New Husband, Yakshini, Pishacha, and Playthings, his work has topped Amazon charts and been published by Penguin, Rupa, Hachette, and HarperCollins.
A pioneer of Indian folklore horror in English, he has served as President of the Horror Writers Association (India Chapter) and Jury Chair for the Bram Stoker® Awards (2022–23). A widely respected mentor, speaker, and TEDx alumnus, Neil has inspired writers through litfests, workshops, podcasts, and educational initiatives, while also advocating for holistic wellness and creative balance.
Mona Verma
Mona Verma is an alumna of Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and a post-graduate certification holder from Harvard Business School. She is an award-winning author of 11 books and several anthologies, many of which feature in academic research and the ICSE ELT curriculum.
A former member of the Asian Development Bank, she co-owns DISHA, where she works as an Executive Presence Coach and Leadership Skills Facilitator for MNCs and PSUs. She is a recipient of the Rex Karamveer Gold Medal (iCONGO–UN) and has been listed among the 50 Iconic Authors 2022 by Aesthetics International.
Her accolades include the Uttarakhand Ratan, Hindustan Times Woman of the Year, and Munshi Premchand Sahitya Puraskar. She currently serves as Chairperson, Literature Committee, FICCI FLO Uttarakhand (fourth consecutive term), is on the Advisory Board of the Dehradun Literary Festival, and mentors at Womennovator, a global incubator for women.
Mona has also been invited to train officers at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and was named among India Today’s Top 8 Emerging Indian Women (March 2023). Her work is featured in the Routledge Encyclopaedia of Indian Writing in English (2023). She is the co-founder of House of Harmony, a literary initiative curating events nationwide, currently serves as a jury member for the Ruskin Bond Foundation (Times of India initiative), and her book The Scent of Himalayas is longlisted for the VoW Awards 2025.
Anirban Bhattacharyya
Anirban Bhattacharyya is a bestselling author, television content producer, TEDx speaker, stand-up comedian, and actor. He is the creator, producer, and writer of the hit true-crime show Savdhaan India, and a producer on Crime Patrol and Fear Files.
He is the bestselling author of Penguin’s acclaimed true-crime trilogy, including India’s Money Heist: The Chelembra Bank Robbery, The Deadly Dozen: India’s Most Notorious Serial Killers, and Swipe Right to Kill: The Jaipur Tinder Murder Case. Writing across genres, his work also includes the children’s book The Adventurous 6, the memoir The Hills Are Burning, and the horror anthology Enter At Your Own Risk.
Anirban has previously served as Content Head at Channel [v] and The Walt Disney Company (India), acted in films, and toured nationally with his stand-up special Don’t Mess With The Bong!. He studied English Literature at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, and Film, Television, and Mass Communication at MCRC Jamia, New Delhi.
