Sayoni Basu,Editor of Duckbill Books Sheds Some Light on Their New Nonfiction Books

Duckbill sprung an early surprise this summer by announcing their entry into the world of nonfiction books. Sayoni Basu, editor of Duckbill, shares  more details about their new titles.

1.Duckbill is about to add nonfiction titles to its list. Was it a long planned move? Or will you be testing the market to see the response from the market?

We have always considered the idea of doing narrative non-fiction, but the challenge was to find a format which was distinctive and quirky, and which we liked. The idea for the 10s evolved somewhat organically, and we commissioned several books in the series. We are publishing four this year (which may not be a large number but does in fact constitute a quarter of our list for 2019-20) and we have six other books signed up for the next few years, and some more under discussion.

So it is not really testing the market as such, as we are committed to the series.

2.     Were all the four nonfiction titles commissioned? On what basis were the four authors commissioned?

All four were commissioned. The authors were selected because they are all subject specialists. And because they have strong individual voices, which we feel is very important for narrative non-fiction. In this age of the internet, books are not read for information alone, it is the author's distinctive voice and point of view which is the attraction of good non-fiction.

3.     When are the books due for release?

                       

The first two books in the series 10 Indian Monarchs Whose Amazing Stories You May Not Know by Devika Rangachari and 10 Indian Animals You May Never Again See in the Wild by Ranjit Lal release in June 2019. The second lot, 10 Indian Warriors Who are Trying to Save the Planet by Bijal Vachharajani and Radha Rangarajan and 10 Indian Women Who Were the First to Do What They Did by Shruthi Rao in August 2019.

                           

4.     Can authors send you nonfiction book proposals in the near future?

Of course. People already do.

5.     Apart from fiction, how many nonfiction books does Duckbill plan to publish every year?

At the moment, four.

6.     What forthcoming fiction titles from Duckbill should readers watch out for?

                                                  

Oooh! Long list! We have our first graphic novel The Piano coming out later this year, as well as a detective novel by a first time writer, Ruchika Chahana. We published the first book in the Karma Tandin, Monster Hunter series in May, and the second book will be out later this year. In addition, we have another new series for younger readers starting later in the year, and an absolutely wonderful new novel set in a village near Chennai, also later this year. Some very lovely and unusual books coming along!