Our Editors Write About Commissioning Queer Narratives in India

The most effective way to empower communities is to create inclusive and safe spaces for their voices. Three of our editors share the joy and responsibility of amplifying queer narratives in India.

Sohini Basak, Commissioning Editor (Literary) 

There is so much to talk about when we talk about publishing queer narratives, and I hope many many many more folks are given space to do it. But since the mic has been passed on this auspicious month, I want to state that working on The World That Belongs to Us has been one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences of my editorial career.  I keep returning what the book’s editors (and my favourites), Aditi Angiras and Akhil Katyal, write in their introduction: ‘It’s a magic word – queer. It creates invisible boundaries around it. When it doesn’t, then others create those boundaries for it.’ While we wait and dream of a world without boundaries and worlds truly ours, I hope readers pick up these beautiful and important books and engage with them beyond the borders of Pride Month. 

Sohini’s recommendations:
The World That Belongs To Us, ed. Akhil Katyal and Aditi Angiras
I Am Divine, So Are You, by Jerry Johnson
So Now You Know, by Vivek Tejuja
Kari, by Amruta Patil
The Pink Line, by Mark Gevisser
Mohanaswamy, by Vasudhendra
No One Else, by Siddharth Dube 

Tina Narang, Publisher – HarperCollins Children’s Books

The Best At It was originally published by Harper US. But just a glance at the book description made us certain that the book was as relevant here as it was in the US or anywhere for that matter. A detailed review of the story sealed our interest in the book! It was a perfect fit for the local children’s list, and we are immensely proud to have published the book here. Globally, publishers have been providing children with books and stories that deal with new and unexplored themes on diversity, on inclusion, on being queer – stressing on the value of being different and yet belonging together – to help children understand and recognize these differences. Maulik’s book does just that, it gives children a heartwarming story about a gay Indian American boy, who comes into his own despite very real challenges and anxiety. It’s relatable for every child who feels like an outsider because they choose to be different. And it’s Maulik’s lightness of touch and humour that make the story both charming and moving. We hope children everywhere can read more such stories that urge them to believe that being yourself isn’t bad, and it’s being comfortable being yourself that’s important. 

Tina’s recommendation:
The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy

Swati Daftuar, Executive Editor — Commercial

Working on Aniruddha’s book, Get Out, was both a challenge and a pleasure – there was so much to learn and discover, and so much to keep in mind while editing a book like this one. We went through not just the regular edits, but also legal and sensitivity reads to make sure that the book would be the best version of itself when it hit the shelves. We discussed the things to keep, the things to remove, took feedback from early readers in the LGBTQIA+ community, and also spoke about what we wanted from the book and for the book when it was read. It’s been a long journey; the baking period for this book has been almost three years. We’ve spent so much time just getting the content and the style just right. Most importantly, we’ve made sure that we keep in mind that one person’s voice cannot speak for everyone, but at the same time, that this one person sharing their experience without restraint and with complete honesty and candor, can definitely help more people take pride in, own and perhaps tell their own story. 

Swati’s recommendation: Get Out by Aniruddha Mahale