Telugu Books
Self-publications and Authorpreneurs
Dr. G. V. Purnachand, B.A.M.S
Author, Critic and Researcher
“In the Telugu
country an author has generally to be his own publisher and bookseller” said
Gurajada Apparao, the pioneer of Telugu vernacular writings, more than a
century ago. The situation of book publishing and book selling by writers is
hardly finding a difference till date.
Self-publications and Authorpreneurs are more in Telugu
Language for the reason that Book Publishers are not equipped to get them published.
No Publisher is happy today due to the weak book market and is not in a
position to help writers.
Writers out of their
zeal and eagerness write books and usually spend money for printing and
publishing them. It is sad that some are even selling properties to publish
their books.
After printing a
book, the ‘Author publisher’ further spends money for the book inauguration
Function. Guests extend felicitations to the gratification of the writer. The
writer dole out the copies free of cost to friends who never open a page of the
book.
Choosing the book seller
or distributor, getting back money for sold copies and taking return of the
unsold copies ... all are extraordinary Tasks for author publishers. Getting
Number for the book, obtaining `library purchase orders’ and finally receiving the
payments… all are possible for the persons who can spare time and Money.
Disliking this
awkward state of affairs, most talented Telugu writers are shutting down their
pens. Every writer is facing the deficiency of out letting their writings.
Most of the
Publishers are preferring subjects like personality development, popular
medicine, vastu, yotisham and vedantam. Creative writings like stories, novels,
criticism, social problems and people oriented books are usually rejected by
the publishers.
While creative
writings are discouraged or disappointed, how one can expect Jnanapeeth or
Noble prize for Telugu Language. Kannada and Malayalam are mostly benefitted since
high honor and encouragement extended to the writers in those states.
Lacking
professionalism
There is one mistaken
belief among most publishers that books of literary standard are not reader
friendly. Usually, the publishers or book sellers unwillingly refuse to publish
or to sell such books. Most of the literary works faces instant denial with a
comment “who will purchase such useless Books”.
One must learn the
fact that many Sahitya Akademi award winning Telugu Books were author published.
It may not be true that all books published by publishers are commercial
without standards and all books that are self-published are qualitative one. Yet,
the content in self-published books retain more creative talent. If properly
marketed, self-published books attract more readers.
Book Publication is a
profession for the publisher, whereas writing of books and selling of books is
not profession for writers. Professional Telugu book Writers are few in Telugu.
It is the reason, writing has become a non-committed hobby in turn cause low
quality writings. At the same time true qualitative works generally face
refusals by publishers.
Writers by and large have
a fascination to publish all whatsoever they write. Few writers are approaching
seniors or resource persons for editing and corrections of their writings. Most
of the Telugu Publishers are also not appointing book editors before commencing
publication of a book. Ultimately erroneous, invalid and inaccurate works are
dumped into the book market, which leads to lack of concern among the people.
Lack of
professionalism in the book publication field lead to compromise with quality
in the content.
Failure in creating
book markets
The quantity of
Published books is in reverse proportion with the number of readers. Reduced readership
is a bad symptom of social disorder.
Publishers have
become helpless in creating positive book markets. Most of the books got published
are unfamiliar to the public. So many habituated readers do not know that books
of their liking are published and available in the market. Selling outlets are
not maintaining marketing strategy. At times Indifferent and uncaring attitudes
of certain book sellers in promoting the sales are also responsible for the
death of so many valuable books.
Publishers with innovative Marketable
Ideas can do miracles. Had the Publisher maintain a good rapport with writer as
well as reader he could win the race and produce quality. Unfortunately, there
is no demand from publishers’ side for reader oriented books. The writer is
compelled to publish it at his own cost. It is the depressing fact that a
self-published book scarcely reach the targeted reader. The reason is obvious,
he is not a trained book-seller.
“Is
my book idea what a publisher wants?” is a big question for a writer. “Is this
book idea what a reader wants?” is the predicament of a publisher. Writers who possess
authorpreneurship get more recognition and publicity. His books are sold as hot
cakes. The credit goes to the intellectuality of that particular writer, but
not the publisher.
A survey for viable, marketable books was
not completed. What reader really wants is a big question. Everyone tells his
own version about the readers` pulse. The book purchasing readers are also not
happy with the stuff in the books dumped in the market.
A composite effort of the Associations of
both the Writers and Publishers to make a survey on readers` requirements and
their purchasing abilities. This may help the publishers and writers as well, to
understand which idea is a breaking one for marketing.
During the earlier days, publishers used
to print a minimum no. of 3,000 copies and could sell them within a year of
span. Today the publisher is not daring to publish even 500 copies as there is
no assurance that he can sell them within 3 years.
Most of the rupees spent on
self-publications have become a national waste. It is all due to lack of understanding
in the Makings of a Traditional Publishing Deal. The market analysis must
indicate the potentiality for great reader interest and large sales.
The Last Decade is a decadent one as far
as book publications concerned. The Governments regardless of political parties
must be blamed first for their inaction in saving the Library movement. No
proper funding for libraries is given, no proper fitting authority is assigned
or appointed and no proper method is applied to purchase books. The fate of the
Telugu Literature has become an unclaimed child.
E
marketing of books
E marketing is the best way of reaching
the readers globally. Amazon.com, Kinige.com and so many E-sellers are selling
Telugu books and e-books also. The writer shall be familiar with the Internet
and Social Media in order to make use of these sources.
Print should be the secondary focus. Face
Book, Twitter, Blog and other social media helps the writer to publish his
writings. More likes and more page views prove the caliber of the content of
the book. Self-e book publication gets more name and money than a print book if
properly placed in the Social Media. E-Book is eco-friendly also.
E book marketing is not a smaller one. E
books can reach the areas where the print books can never reach.
Here is my personal
example. I asked my blogger to show my page views by clicking `now’ button in
the `stats’ option. I find the following viewers from various Countries are
reading my pages in my Blog by that particular Time.
Entry Page views
India 303
United States 145
Saudi Arabia 9
Taiwan 9
United Kingdom 8
Indonesia 7
Qatar 5
Singapore 5
United Arab Emirates 4
This
table proves that social media is more reader friendly. The longwinded
social media help bringing instant reputation, recognition and also money to
the writer. This view need not support the opinion that printing of books is a
waste of time and Money. Any app. in the internet can never replace the book.
A printed book is eternal.
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