HarperCollins Publishers India — the Gurgaon-based publishing house emerged the winner in the Publisher of the Year category of Publishing Next Industry Awards 2021. The eighth edition of the annual Awards were announced on Sunday, 27 March 2021. The Awards were presented in 10 categories as mentioned below.
HarperCollins Publishers India was adjudged Publisher of the Year 2021, for “refusing to rest on its past laurels, and continue to do what publishers must – engage new authors, develop new genres, and reach out to readers, during what was a particularly tough time for the publishing business. Its digital initiatives and social media campaigns have been notable and illustrate how publishers can, and should, adapt to the new environment. A strong frontlist, and a good focus on its mid and backlists, as also its partnerships with several other publishers, demonstrates that HarperCollins India is determined to continue making good books accessible to its readers.”
Pratham Books, the Bangalore-based nonprofit publisher was declared runner-up in this category.
Since its inception in 2014, the annual Publishing Next Industry Awards (PNIA) recognize and reward talent, initiative, entrepreneurship, and quality in book publishing, across publishers of all sizes, and in all Indian languages. Established under the aegis of the Publishing Next Conference, a platform furthering discussion and networking within the book publishing industry, the Publishing Next Industry Awards seek to celebrate innovation and leadership in the Indian book trade. Based in Goa, the Conference is driven by its two co-founders, Queenie Rodrigues and Leonard Fernandes, and by an advisory body that includes Vinutha Mallya and Rubin D’Cruz.
Besides being awarded to books in various categories, PNIA also acknowledges the importance and contributions of professionals in allied fields. The Bookstore of the Year 2021 was awarded to Eureka Bookstore, which is based in Delhi, with the Mumbai-based bookstore, Kitab Khana, emerging as the runner-up this year.
The winners and runners-up of Publishing Next Industry Awards 2021:
Richa Burman from Penguin Random House India won the Editor of the Year. Swati Chopra from HarperCollins Publishers India came in a close second. Archana Sreenivasan secured the Illustrator of the Year title, while Karen Haydock came in second.
Rohit Kokil won the Book Cover of the Year (Indian Languages) for his design of the cover of Jeevan ki Bahaar, published by Eklavya Publications. Kanak Shashi secured the runner-up position for her design of the cover of Ummeed Ke Rang, published by Eklavya Publications.
Sukruti Anah Staneley won the Book Cover of the Year (English) for her design of the cover of Intimate City, published by Zubaan. Rashmi Gupta secured the runner-up position for her design of the cover of A Mirror Made of Rain, published by HarperCollins Publishers India.
Still Life, by Anoushka Khan, published by Penguin Random House India won the title of Illustrated Book of the Year while Shaheen Bagh: A Graphic Recollection by, Ita Mehrotra published by Yoda Press/Persepolis (in Hindi), by Marjane Satrapi, translated and published by Vani Prakashan secured second place.
When Adil Speaks, Words Dance, by Lavanya Karthik published by Penguin Random House India won in the Children’s Book of the Year (Ages 0-8), and Chiknik Choon, by Sushil Shukla, published by Eklavya Publications came in second in this category.
They Made What/They Found What, by Shweta Taneja published by Hachette India secured the top place in the Children’s Book of the Year (Ages 8+) while Pongal, by Bama published by Muskaan came in a close second.
Biplabi Rasbehari Basu O Japan, by Takeshi Nakajima translated by Kazuhiro Watanabe and published by Jadavpur University Press won the Printed Book of the Year (Indian Languages) while Akkai, by Akkai Padmashali, Dominic D published by Bahuroopi secured the second place in this category.
Sebastian and Sons: A Brief History of Mrdangam Makers, by T M Krishna published by Westland Books won in the Printed Book of the Year (English) category while Ghalib: A Wilderness at My Doorstep: A Critical Biography, by Mehr Afshan Farooqi published by Penguin Random House India was the runner-up.
