David Davidar announces new publishing house
May 16th, 2011 - 4:02 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Noted publisher and writer David Davidar, who last year exited as CEO of Penguin’s international division amid controversy, has tied up with Rupa Publications, India to set up a new literary firm, the Aleph Book Company.
Announcing the partnership in a press statement Monday, Davidar said: “Each book published by Aleph will be distinctive, original and of outstanding literary quality.” It will be headquartered in the capital.
“Our books will be creatively packaged and innovatively marketed through traditional retail and grant outlet as well as digital and other channels,” the veteran publisher said.
Kapish G. Mehra, managing director of Rupa Publications, said the new publishing partnership with Davidar was a “perfect way to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Rupa as the new company will complement and round out Rupa’s existing publishing”.
“Rupa has an excellent publishing relationship with retailers nationwide. It has seven offices around the country and reaches deep into the market. So every Aleph book and author will have an excellent chance to succeed in the market,” Mehra said.
Aleph Book Company derives its name from multiple sources, Davidar said. Among other things, Aleph is the first letter in many alphabets; it is a point in space that contains within it everything in the universe, as imagined by Jorge Luis Borges in his famous short story, “The Aleph”; and in mathematics it is associated with infinite sets in the infinite set theory, Davidar said.
The logo has been designed by well-known international graphic designer Ryan Massand.
Davidar has been a publisher for a quarter of a century and in the course of his career has edited or published books by noted writers like Vikram Seth, Kiran Desai, Khushwant Singh, Arundhati Roy, Shashi Tharoor, William Dalrymple, Zadie Smith, Rohinton Mistry, Philip Roth and John Le Carre.
Davidar has authored two novels, “The House of Blue Mangoes” and “The Solitude of the Emperors”. His new book is due to release in September.
- Three publishing vets push English literary fiction in India - Apr 11, 2012
- Use stuff you know as springboard for novel: David Davidar - Sep 29, 2011
- History back on shelves with a dash of drama - Apr 05, 2012
- Indian literary scene saw fests, awards, strong publishing (2010 in Retrospect) - Dec 24, 2010
- Young, creative - male 'chick lit' writers are here (Feature) - Oct 02, 2011
- US novelist Philip Roth wins Man Booker International Prize - May 18, 2011
- EX- Penguin Canada CEO Davidar planning to settle in India - Jun 14, 2010
- Brit-author Dalrymple in controversy over "Raj", "racist" claims - Jan 17, 2011
- India yet to see French style niche publishing - Feb 28, 2012
- Pakistani writer recalls Indian heritage of storytelling - Apr 17, 2012
- Tagore in spotlight at Indo-Bhutan literature fest - May 17, 2011
- (After 11) Literature scene in India at a glance (To go with Literature: 2010 in Retrospect) - Dec 24, 2010
- David Davidar quits Penguin to pursue writing - Jun 09, 2010
- Khushwant Singh plays to the gallery at new book's release - Nov 30, 2010
- Penguin rehires Davidar accuser Lisa Rundle - Jul 07, 2010
Tags: 75th anniversary, arundhati roy, david davidar, house of blue mangoes, infinite set, infinite sets, john le carre, jorge luis borges, khushwant singh, kiran desai, literary quality, new publishing, rohinton mistry, rupa, shashi tharoor, traditional retail, two novels, vikram seth, william dalrymple, zadie smith