AZsacra International Poetry 
Award For Taj Mahal Review

AZsacra International Poetry Award 
For Taj Mahal Review Dec. 2011 issue

Suzie Palmer began writing her life story and poetry in 1999 at 28 years of age. She was encouraged to write after a mystical encounter with a unique Indian sage. ‘You are a writer; you must write’ he told her ‘you must write about your life. People like reading about other people’s lives, and they’ll like reading about yours. You’ll also write poetry, teaching people how to be happy even if they can’t run and jump’. In early 2009, Suzie published: Loving All – her first book of poetry and from mid 2009 she has regularly recited poems in public, usually accompanied by a guitarist and drummer. She loves sharing her musical poetry with the world! In response to the encouragement of the sage, Suzie continues to work on her autobiography, which she currently views as her central life work. In addition, she writes reviews for prominent poets, of which Ban’ya Natsuishi, Sayumi Kamakura, and Azsacra Zarathustra are her most celebrated thus far! Writing the Foreword of Hybrid Paradise by Ban’ya Natsuishi has also been a joyous and wonderful experience for Suzie. http://suziepalmer.com/

Steve Morris is based near the England / Wales border in the UK. For a living he teaches mathematics and science. In spare time he writes short stories, which have been included in Taj Mahal Review and a number of books, magazines and anthologies. His first two collections of short stories "In All Probability" and "Jumble Tales" have been very well-received by the press in the UK. More writing is to follow. www.s-morris.co.uk

Akanksha Chaudhary was born in Rohtak (Haryana) and is a well known writer and poetess. A graduate from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University and an MBA in Human resources from FORE, she continued nevertheless to follow her passion of writing. She has an intriguing passion for photography and writing for almost 9 years now. She has been quoted as a young promising writer in India Today, The Tribune, and Times of India. She is also the youngest recipient of the prestigious Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award in India for her contribution in the field of literature, especially for her book The Unspoken Thoughts. Visit her website and Facebook page: www.akankshachaudhary.com

Harshada Pathare, a poet of the human innermost feelings, intently wields the pen of her craft to expand the mind like an artist wields a brush. She dwells in her cherished inner sphere, where she is in touch with the world. This enables her to glean information about populations, their personal value systems, and interestingly employs such sensuality in her writings. Harshada Pathare employs immense creativity, flexibility, and ingenuity to organize her poetic ideas; thus, ensuring this anthology stands out to be yet, one of her most influential and credential poetry composition. www.harshadapathare.com

AZsacra International Poetry Award 
For Taj Mahal Review June 2011 issue

1. Sonnet Mondal is an Indian English poet residing in Kolkata, West Bengal. Starting his poetic career from the year 2005 he has authored 4 books of poetry namely A Poetic Peep Into The Post Modern World (2007), The Curse of Atlantis and Other Poems (2009), 21 Lines Fusion Sonnets of 21st Century (2010) and Penumbra of Indian Verses (2010). He has authored a translation book named "Songs from The Ashes" and has been published in several world famous journals and literary magazines including Stremez, World Poets' Quarterly, Houston Literary Review, ERI Jams magazine, Conifer’s Call, the Brown Critique, Danse Macabre, Muse India,Wilderness House Literary Review,Edit Street, Other Voices in Poetry, Hudson View, Aphelion, Kritya, Homeless Diamonds,Writers Editors Critics, Taj Mahal Review, Istanbul Literary Review etc. He was awarded Poet Laureate from Bombadil Publishing, Sweden in 2009, appointed as the Sub-Secretary General of Poetas Del Mundo in 2009,  and was conferred Doctor of Literature from United Writers Association, India. Sonnet was inducted into the Significant Achievements Plaque at the Museum of the 154 year old Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur. Sonnet is the pioneer of the 21 Line Fusion Sonnet which are 21 Lines Sonnets unlike the popular 14 line form. He is the Managing editor of The Enchanting Verses International journal of poetry (ISSN-0974-3057) and the chief editor of The Bombadil Review. He is also the founder of the United Minds for Peace Society and the Musical Oasis for Resurrection. His poetry has been read out as message of peace to the world at World Poetry Cafe show, Canada and has been displayed at World Poetry Display at Vancouver Public Library in 2011. He has been officially invited at the prestigious International Struga Poetry Evenings, Macedonia to represent India in 2011 in their 50th year ceremony to increase the cultural co-operation between the two countries. His upcoming poetry book is Diorama of Three Diaries. 

2. Sweta Srivastava Vikram (www.swetavikram.com) is a Pushcart nominated-poet, novelist, author, essayist, columnist, blogger, wife, yoga-devotee, dancer, and oenophile whose musings have translated into four chapbooks of poetry, two collaborative collections of poetry, and a fiction novel (upcoming in April 2011). Her scribbles have also appeared in several anthologies, literary journals, and online publications. A graduate of Columbia University, she lives and writes in New York City and reads her work across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Sweta also teaches creative writing workshops. Follow her: On Twitter (@ssvik) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Words.By.Sweta)

3. June Nandy is a published poet, short story writer, reviewer, ghazal singer, teacher and a translator from Calcutta, India. A post graduate in English Literature and Hindi, Bachelors in Education, post graduate diploma in Translation Science (Gold Medalist) and a diploma in Public Relations. Her writings has been published world wide in reputed international and national journals like Taj Mahal Review, Sein und Werden, Femina, Frontier, Poetry Super Highway and other corporate journals. She can be accessed at her blog: http://throughmystripedshirt.blogspot.com

4. Akshat “The Reflection” Sharma, is an aspiring poet. Currently pursuing engineering from VIT UNIVERSITY, Vellore, Akshat, always had literature as his first love which was soon collaborated with music. Inspired by works of various poets like James Morrison and Lord Byron, yet with a different taste, he was soon thrilled by various emotions that a common man comes across. An ardent follower of music, especially genres like Heavy metal and Psychedelic Rock, his work revolves around human psyche and its inner self as a human. 

AZsacra International Poetry Award 
For Taj Mahal Review Dec. 2008 issue

1. María Cristina Azcona, Aregentina

María Cristina Azcona is an Educational Psychologist, poetess, novelist and peace researcher. Her articles, reviews, poems and short stories are continuously published in many newspapers, magazines and anthologies around Argentina, UK, India, US, and other countries. Since 1980, she works as a psychotherapist specialized in Forensic Psycho diagnosis, listed by the American Biographical Institute (ABI) in their international directory "Experts & Expertise". 

2. Albert Russo, France

Albert Russo who has published worldwide over 65 books of poetry, fiction and photography, in English and in French, his two mother-tongues, is the recipient of many awards, such as The American Society of Writers Fiction Award, The British Diversity Short Story Award, several New York Poetry Forum Awards, Amelia Prose and Poetry awards and the Prix Colette, among others.

AZsacra International Poetry Award 
For Taj Mahal Review June 2008 issue

1. Adam Donaldson Powell, Norway

Adam Donaldson Powell (USA-Norway) has published several books previously, including novels/novellas, poetry, literary criticism and more - in USA, Norway and India. He writes in English, Spanish, Norwegian and French. Mr. Powell is also a visual artist (painter, installation artist and photographer), and a literary critic (primarily poetry books, haiku books, and books of short prose). 

2. Ban'ya Natsuishi, Japan

Ban’ya Natsuishi, master of contemporary haiku and trailblazer at home on the overflowing haiku mountain of life, offers the world - Hybrid Paradise, a collection of his recent, liberating work. In 2009, I wrote a review in a book for him, The Poetical Achievements of Ban’ya Natsuishi, understanding the honour of casting my views on such outstanding haiku. Again, I am thrilled to be involved in the process of expounding works of this incredible author, who has been a great influence in forging ahead with my own style of muki-haiku (seasonless poem technique)!

3. Salvatore Amico M. Buttaci, USA

Salvatore Buttaci is an obsessive-compulsive writer who plies his craft many hours a day. His poems, stories, articles, and letters have appeared widely in publications that include New York Times, U. S. A. Today, The Writer, Cats Magazine, and Christian Science Monitor. He was the recipient of the $500 Cyber-wit Poetry Award in 2007.