Manishwa doesn’t win an award

Well, there are plenty of awards I haven’t won in my lifetime. For instance, the Padmashree that could have been mine went to somebody called Aishwarya.

Well, announcing a not-wining of an award isn’t something to boast about – but being a self-obsessed guy, I am extremely proud of all my non-achievements.

So, last month there was a competition for a “book cover design” conducted by arguably India’s most popular blogger, Amit Varma for his debut novel ‘My Friend, Sancho’. I inundated Amit Varma’s inbox with my designs – with their quality ranging from the pretty average to the absolutely rotten.

At the end of the day, Amit and his publishers got fed up – and happily announced that I hadn’t won the competition.

But Amit was kind enough to give my efforts a mention. And he even showcased a few of my design efforts – a couple that didn’t get selected. The publishers have promised me a hamper of books (Hopefully they include Asterix comics). And a probable chance of working on more book covers. This does sound interesting.

As for Amit’s debut book – My Friend, Sancho should be out sometime in April. Here’s an excerpt if you would like a preview.

Below are a few other designs that I had sent across – but for various reasons, didn’t get selected.

Meanwhile, did I tell you about the chess game I played against Vineetwa during my college days– when I had finished as the runner-up?

Posted by Manish on February 4, 2009 in In Personal

7 comments

1 Sean Faia { 02.04.09 at 2:47 pm }: Hello!

Firstly awesome designs. Really great work done. Secondly I noticed you like Asterix comics one of my favorite. Do you have the whole collection? If you don’t then I hope they give you the whole collection

Regards,
Sean

P.S: Neat blog you got going here
2 atul vishwanathan { 02.04.09 at 5:06 pm }: Nice, hilarious blog
3 Anshu { 02.04.09 at 7:54 pm }: Dear Manish,

You deserve maha congratulations! Despite not being selected. I would never buy a book with that chipkali on the cover. Your entry with the black and white design was far far better.

And after all that praise, I am sure that hamper of books is mine!

Anshu
4 Anshu { 02.04.09 at 7:55 pm }: But greater that he appreciated your writing. And coming from a writer you need to tweak up that dirty collar of yours

Anshu
5 Shobha { 02.04.09 at 9:58 pm }: Congrats Manish. So happy for you.

I do have all the Asterix comics or else I would have been jealous.

Now I can say I know a would-be-winner. hehehehe

Soon I’ll say you know that Manish who won the blah-blah award is my close friend. hahahaha

Once again great job and I’m really, really, really so happy for you. You are awesome.
6 Shobha { 02.04.09 at 10:01 pm }: Manish Calvin and Hobbes would be great too! And I don’t have the entire collection. So sad…
7 Hassan Baig { 02.05.09 at 1:43 am }: The hamper is one thing. In my opinion, the publishing company can have you as their ‘Consultant Designer’ or a ‘Freelance Designer’ for the covers.
Each of your designs are unique, and awesome!

And by the way, your blog rocks!!!
Thanks to Amit Varma for introducing it to us. Now you have one regular reader added to the list!