As part of our #BookChatter conversations on reading, writing and publishing, we spoke to Author Neil D'Silva about Reviving Reading Culture, especially in the Indian context.
Our Podcast Guest Neil D'Silva
With 12 books to his credit, Neil D’Silva is a known name in the Indian literary world. He is published with leading publishers such as Penguin Random House, Rupa Publications etc and has won screen adaptation deals on four of his books. Neil has been named as one of the Top 7 Indian horror writers to be read by UK’s DESIblitz magazine. He is the President of the India Chapter of Horror Writers Association.
Here are the excerpts from the conversation:
1. It is generally assumed that internet and modern resources for entertainment have replaced the joy of reading. However, more books are published every year, on multiple platforms. Has there been a decline in the book-reading culture?
Internet has seeped into every aspect of our living so obviously it has impacted our reading. However, storytelling has stayed for many centuries, whether it be oral or written. As of now, stories are consumed in various formats. There are the visual and the audio mediums that have helped. Reading may ne more in the electronic media.
2. Should the readers or the authors or the publishers for that matter concentrate on one particular format (paperbacks, ebooks, audiobooks) to sell more books, to get more people to read?
We have technology at our disposal. It brings in a lot of audience. People are reading in different ways and in different formats. Publishers should not focus on one particular format alone. It's an evolutionary thing.
Ebooks are usually for quick reading, something you can do on-the-go. If I want to read a subject in which I am invested in, I'll choose a paperback. Audiobooks are good because you only have to listen while doing other things. None of the formats are going anywhere, rather they will evolve.
3. From the book industry perspective, which is better: buying books online or from an independent book store? What's the best thing a reader can do?
In these times, it's good to have online book stores. But we need to give more support to the independent book stores. They are part of the book industry and they sustain the entire reading culture.
I had the biggest support from the indie book stores when I was just starting out as an author. You can have personalised buying experience because of the involvement of the book store owners.
4. Piracy of books is rampant and perhaps it's easier now for readers to search out these books in the online space. Whom does piracy benefit? The reader, for he's getting a book for free? Or the author, in terms of visibility or even better reach?
My own books have been pirated. One of my books was translated to a regional language and openly sold online. But following up with those who are pirating is legally difficult and expensive.
Many authors get plagiarized but the audience that's benefitting from the pirated books are not in the buyer's market. There may be indirect benefits to the author in terms of visibility.
Unless there's an organisation fighting this, it's difficult to stop it.
5. How can readers find new reads? Do platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, Wattpad help? Do they really foster a reading culture or is it all geared towards algorithms and sales?
Wattpad is a huge community. Goodreads and Amazon are about books that are published. These are sellers' portals. Readomania and Juggernaut are good to foster new talent.
When we talk of discoverability, social media is a good place to get recommendations. Facebook groups and book clubs post a lot about books.
Blogchatter puts out book recommendations. If I hear about a book on social media, I go and check it up. For a free read, I check out Wattpad.
For more #BookChatter live sessions, head over to our Facebook page.
We spoke to Sharanya Manivannan about Nurturing Writing Talent. You can listen to the conversation here.
