publishing

The publishing journey for young writers

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a major decrease in not just the number of books being published per year, but also in the profits made by publishing houses.

In conversation with South Asia’s preeminent literary agent, Kanishka Gupta

I always tell the authors to make subjective, qualitative decisions. So many of my authors say no to higher offers from publishing houses if they don’t feel comfortable with the publisher or editor.

6 UK small presses that consider unsolicited submissions

This means you can submit a manuscript on your own, without a literary agent.

How is this year's Boi Mela coping with crisis?

How are publications, writers and readers coping with rising costs?

FEATURE / Surviving in a stagnant industry: What are emerging publishers doing differently?

Preexisting publishers are struggling to sustain in the market since the Covid-19 and the recent rise in paper prices. How are smaller and emerging publishers faring? 

FEATURE / Censorship in Boi Mela: A cause for concern?

Bangladesh needs to formulate a national book policy, as well as a comprehensive bibliography policy, alongside guidelines for the rights of authors and publishers, for contracts, and higher standards for editing and translating. 

FEATURE / Local publishers, sales, and the 2023 Dhaka Lit Fest

This year a ticketing system was imposed. As such, sales were lower than expected.

AI-generated book receives criticism on the internet

Tthe story of a little girl named Alice and a robot named Sparkle who explore the frontiers of science and technology together.

INTERVIEW / What ails Bangladesh's publishing industry?

The price we pay for the local paper takes advantage of that extra duty, and practically we are stuck with buying low quality local paper with questionable output often.

November 12, 2022
November 12, 2022

ULAB’s 6th literary salon discusses the local publishing scene

The event is being hosted today, October 12, between 5 and 7 pm at The Auditorium, 6th Floor of ULAB Research Building, House 56, Road 4/A Dhanmondi. It is open for all.

October 2, 2022
October 2, 2022

Rising dollar prices impact book trade

Publishers are fearing that the number of readers as well as buyers will gradually decrease. 

September 28, 2022
September 28, 2022

Shaheen Akhtar’s ‘Beloved Rongomala’ (trans. Shabnam Nadiya) in a new edition from Westland Books

Based on an 18th century legend from Bangladesh’s Noakhali region, Beloved Ronglomala tells the story of one Queen Phuleswari, a child bride, and of Rongomala, a woman of legend.

August 19, 2022
August 19, 2022

How Partition impacted the Dhaka book trade

With the expansion of the publishing business, bookshops also sprang up in various parts of Old Dhaka, particularly in Chawkbazar, Islampur, Mughaltuli and Patuatuli. It is estimated that the number of bookshops in Dhaka till 1900 were no less than 40. 

July 26, 2022
July 26, 2022

July’s ULAB Literary Salon discusses Bangladeshi short story anthologies

An engaging discussion on translations unfolded at the event.

June 9, 2022
June 9, 2022

Budget 2022-23 and the fate of our publishing industry

The protruding question we’re left with is this: is the allocated sum for purchasing even merely enough to support our publishers in this grave time?

April 23, 2022
April 23, 2022

The fault in our books: Why are Bangla books poorly edited?

What does our editorial process lack? Why can’t we hire good proofreaders? The answer lies in the economics of it. 

March 2, 2022
March 2, 2022

Brandon Sanderson announces five new novels “accidentally” written

Sanderson has written five “accidental” books between 2020 and 2022, four of which will be published as full-fledged novels in 2023. 

February 17, 2022
February 17, 2022

Boi Mela begins. Are publishers prepared?

First, the government authorities are always behind in planning and leave things for the last minute to reach concrete decisions, and often, these decisions don’t take into consideration pragmatic solutions that are sustainable and maintainable in the long term.

August 12, 2021
August 12, 2021

How Many Copies of the Same Book Do You Need?

The sneaky connection between publishing industries and your growing bibliomania.

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