Young publishers aim to reach out books, improve readership

An enthusiastic group of first generation publishers are reaching out Kannada books to readers, particularly the youth, making use of social media platforms and thereby contributing in improving readership which is on the wane (as claimed by some writers and publishers) in the digital era.

An enthusiastic group of first generation publishers are reaching out Kannada books to readers, particularly the youth, making use of social media platforms and thereby contributing in improving readership which is on the wane (as claimed by some writers and publishers) in the digital era.

The publishers, who are in their 30s with no background of publishing and writing in their families, have taken up the task of publishing books of lesser known writers whose works had not been considered by the established publishers despite having potential. Also, these publishers have also authored a couple of books which have also found readers and some of them saw second and third reprints.

For Chand Pasha, a native of Kalaburagi, who is pursuing PhD on Gopalakrishna Adiga, from Bangalore University, Mudiraj Banad, an employee of the postal department from Raichur, and Kapila P. Humanabade, a native of Bidar and working as a lecturer in Bengaluru, are the first generation publishers who are making efforts to publish more Kannada books and take them to readers, without aiming for any profits.

“We are not eyeing profits from publishing books. Our aim is to build Kannada readership. Therefore, we are giving a 40 per cent discount on books at the sahitya sammelana in Mandya, recovering only the printing cost. We are working as a link between the authors and the readers,” explains Mr. Chand Pasha.

Like-minded friends joined hands with Mr. Chand Pasha, whose poetry collection ‘Oddegannina Deepa’ won a prize in 2023, and started Kavyamane Prakashana to help young writers get their writings published and also adopt unique ways of selling them, using networks on social media.

Mr. Kapila’s books ‘Banavi’ and ‘Hanaadi’ (which have seen second reprints) have received good response from the readers. “I am planning another book shortly. The support that young writers like me have got motivates us to take up new initiatives and also support lesser known writers,” said Mr. Kapila, who has put up a stall at the 87th Kannada Sahitya sammelana here.

Mr. Banad’s publication has brought out a few books and the publisher is marketing the books, taking part in various book expos.