Behind The Scenes
V K Karthika, Managing Editor, Penguin-India, on the business of publishing

What guides the decision to publish — gut feelings or market demands?
A combination of both: with fiction, it’s primarily the editor’s response to the book in itself. In the case of non-fiction, it’s often a case of ‘we need a book on that subject’ or ‘if we could persuade that person to write on the subject of her life or her field of expertise, it would be a great book to publish’.

There are often complaints that the marketing guys call all the shots in publishing.
Not true at all. An editor would work with the marketing team to figure out if a book would sell, and if so, how much and to whom, but there are several books on our list which we know are unlikely to sell more than the first print run but which we are convinced are good books or the work of authors we want to develop.

What goes into a book from selection of a manuscript to distribution?
A primary edit which often involves reorganising material, then a line edit, cover and inside design, proofing, and finally printing and warehousing. Parallel to this is the process of planning marketing
strategy.

We often hear of writers complaining about poor royalty — what do you have to say?
With us, royalties are usually standard: 7.5 per cent of cover price on paperback and 10 per cent of cover price on hardcover, though there are a few exceptions and editors’ and translators’ royalties vary, since we also have to work in cost of permission fees, etc. But royalties are paid promptly and regularly every six months, and I can’t remember the last time an author was unhappy with us on this count.

Is it difficult for women writers to find publishers?
No more or less than male authors; we only look at the product.

There are allegations that only chick-lit is snapped up. Comments?
Not true for the Indian market, for we have more trouble selling chick-lit than literary fiction.

There are sections that say publishers have finally woken up to women writers.
I have no idea what this refers to, if you look back at the list of published books in India, you’ll see that the male-female figures aren’t disproportionate! Especially if you include non-fiction.

What books sell the most? Fiction, non-fiction, children’s, self-help?
In terms of numbers, our lead titles are usually fiction and general non-fiction. Though there are a few titles in the children’s and self-help categories that are very near the top of the list.

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