“We are always getting new readers”

Annesha Prokashon is one of the leading publishers of the country, with as many as 700 books including poetry and novels on the Liberation War and research publications emerging from its presses. The publication house has mainly published novels penned by noted writers like Humayun Ahmed, but is adding on  volumes by other authors at this year's Ekushey Book Fair. The Daily Star spoke to Annesha's proprietor Mohammed Shahadat Hossain about his strategies to attract new readers, publishing trends and offerings at the book fair:

What is the profile of present day readers?

Shahadat: At one stage, reading habits were on the decline, but that is changing. There is a large number of teenagers who are taking to books and many youths browse new books at the fair. Besides, school and university students have started reading books. So we are always getting new readers.

What is your strategy to attract new readers?

Shahadat: As a director of Bangladesh Knowledge and Creativity society, I have taken several initiatives to attract new readers. My first step is to arrange book fairs across the country. As a part of this initiative, we are doing our best to arrange the fair in every district in cooperation with National Book Centre. It is a huge challenge but will help us attract readers who cannot come to the fair in Dhaka. Secondly, we have set in motion a library movement. If it works, there will be an increasing number of readers.

What are your online sales like?

Shahadat: Our online orders are satisfactory.  A few organisations are selling our books online and it is a good initiative. Annesha has also launched e-book versions to attract readers at home and abroad.

Do you think more books should be sold online?

Shahadat: It should be doubled from its current numbers. If more organisations come forward to boost online sales of books, it will benefit both publishers and readers.

How many books have Annesha brought out at this year's fair?

Shahadat: Around 40 books are being published by our house. We are bringing out an anthology of novels by by Humayun Ahmed, with the name “Chandrasokha”. The writer had given us this title for a book he was going to write, but he could not finish it in his lifetime, so we thought of honouring him by using the name for the anthology. Besides, we have brought out books by Anisul Hoque, Samresh Majumder and on mystics bards like Lalon Shah and Hason Raja. There are also books based on the Liberation War, and research volumes.