New chapter for Indian writers

Indian literature, already known around the world for such English-language authors as Salman Rushdie and Rohinton Mistry, is reaching out to a broader audience for works in dozens of Indian languages at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

The fair, which opened Tuesday, also seeks to broaden the appeal of the written word by offering more books in digital format, with many of its nearly 7,300 exhibitors presenting electronic displays. For the first time, the fair’s website features podcasts and blogs.

But copyright issues and the viability of books in the digital age were top concerns for many of the publishers from 113 countries represented at the world’s oldest and largest book event.

About 380,000 books were on display at the fair, which organizers said could be expected to generate about $762 million in trade between publishers and dealers.