No place like it

Nothing can compare to the feeling one gets the first time she or he holds their published book in their hands.

For aspiring writers, wanting to make their mark on the fabric of Bangla literature, February is the month and Amar Ekushey Granthamela is the platform they long for.

Whether launching a book, meeting readers or getting a chance to interact with their favourite writers, the month-long book fair is the perfect place for budding writers to indulge themselves.

Even though the fair is dominated by established writers, a number of new writers are introduced each year. But finding a publisher willing to publish works of an unknown writer can be quite challenging too, said many of the young writers.

Publishers, at times, find it risky to invest in a new writer as their works are unknown to the readers, they added.

Debutant novelist Niaz Mehedi's “Aowaler Bhat Ghar” was launched at this year's fair from Batighar, a publishing house. “I think a good book will always attract publishers. Young writers should strive to keep writing better and better,” he said.

He said aspiring writers should not focus on trying to replicate some theme that may have worked for others. They should try to come up with their own style of writing.

Once a writer is able to achieve that, his or her work will get the attention, he added.

Poet Kazi Jawad Murchid, whose poetry volume “Noroker Chilekothay” hit the fair this year, said, “We lack good books, especially in the poetry section.”

Camellia Rownak Othoi, another debutant, said, “I enjoy interacting with readers.” Her novel, “Otindria”, was published by Dari Koma publishing house.

“I started out writing on social media platforms… After a certain point, I felt I was ready to get published. The response is beyond anything I could have imagined,” she said.

Novelist Harun Pasha, whose second novel “Teesta” was published at this year's festival, said writers should focus on the content if they want to produce writings that will stand the test of time.

A total of 2,076 books have hit the Ekushey book fair so far. Poetry volumes continue to dominate the genres. So far, 618 poetry books have been released, followed by 358 novels, 279 collections of stories, and 113 essays.