Waste of paper at Book Fair: A disturbing trend

In the 80s, there was a small paper called 'Sangbhed'. Parvez Hossain was the editor of Sangbed. After nine issues, when Sangbed ceased publication, friends requested to resume its publication. Instead of publishing Sangbed magazine, in 2004, he started Sangbed Publication House. Quickly gaining attention for its thoughtful and innovative book publications, the publishing house captivated a rich readership in a short time. Parvez Hossain himself wrote stories, novels, and essays. He engaged in contemplation and discussions. His literary contributions earned him the Bangla Academy Award in 2022. His writings, publications, and participation in book fairs contribute to the overall literature and intellectual discourse in Bangladesh. He talked about his writings, publications, book fairs and the literary world of Bangladesh in an interview with Views Bangladesh. Kamrul Ahsan conducted the interview.

Views Bangladesh: How are you doing?
Parvez Hossain: I'm good, thank you.

Views Bangladesh: Greetings from Views Bangladesh. We extend our best wishes to you. This event is being organized on the occasion of the Ekushey Book Fair. How do you feel about this year's book fair?
Parvez Hossain: It's going well. The fair is ongoing until the end. There was some apprehension among people before the fair started – whether it would happen at all, and how it would be. Whether it would take place in Suhrawardy Udyan was also a concern. However, the fair has been organized very well until the end. At the publishers' request, the fair organizers have somewhat reduced the extent of the fair. The stalls are arranged a bit closer to each other. It's not as sprawling as it was in the past two years. I'm pleased with the layout of this year's fair because most of the stalls have faced both sides. There are many pathways between the stalls. As a result, readers can easily access all the publications without much wandering.

Views Bangladesh: However, many are saying that the space has become smaller. As a result, the book fair is somewhat cramped. There is less space for walking around.
Parvez Hossain: I don't know who is saying that. The space is adequate. We have come a long way from that small courtyard of the Bangla Academy. People from all over the world are seeing our fair. This illuminated expansive ground... How beautiful! I don't know the reason for the complaint.

Views Bangladesh: One week of the book fair has passed. How does the attendance of readers look?
Parvez Hossain: Well, the attendance of readers isn't as promising as expected. It seems somewhat subdued. Perhaps the fair will pick up momentum after this Friday.

Views Bangladesh: As a thoughtful and creative publisher, Sangbed has attracted a rich readership. What kind of response are you receiving?
Parvez Hossain: Sangbed has a slogan - 'In Creation, Joy, and Contemplation'. From the beginning, our goal was to publish slightly different kinds of books meaning philosophy, sociology, psychology, politics, etc. Meaning the subjects on which we engage in debates. The books that lead us through discussions to keep the spirit of contemplation alive, those were always in my sight, and they still are. As a publisher, we are small; however, I am happy with whatever extent of reach we have among readers. We have to continue with accepting limitations.

Views Bangladesh: Do you think Sangbed has created its own readership group?
Parvez Hossain: I believe so. There are readers who specifically look for Sambhed. They seek out new books. Some have even questioned why we're bringing fewer books this time.

Views Bangladesh: Considering the name 'Sambhed', and looking at the quality aspect, it seems like a much larger publishing house. Why are there so few books?
Parvez Hossain: But I'm not in favor of excessive book publishing. I don't know how one publishing house churns out 100 books. If there are 100 books, at least 50 authors will be needed, even if one writes two books. Where are these 50 authors? I'm very surprised. In the Ekushey Book Fair, where four to five thousand books are released, I don't get any news about these books after the fair. Among five thousand books, why do only 500 remain at the end? What a waste of paper! It's time to think a bit about the books I can't find, whose existence is uncertain. If we maintain minimum quality standards, I think half the number of books will decrease.

Views Bangladesh: How many books have been published from Sambhed to date?
Parvez Hossain: From Sambhed until now, a total of 150 books have been published; however, only 60 to 70 books are currently available. The rest have not been reprinted after being sold out.

Views Bangladesh: Why aren't those available anymore?
Parvez Hossain: Due to lack of demand, they have not been reprinted. Among them are some poetry books and storybooks. Some have been reprinted. We can consider reprinting them later if necessary.

Views Bangladesh: Does Sangbed have its own editing department?
Parvez Hossain: There is no separate department. I handle the editing myself. Or sometimes I show the manuscript to a writer-researcher friend if necessary.

Views Bangladesh: How does Sangbed manage its own marketing?
Parvez Hossain: Throughout Bangladesh, there are bookstores like Bishtara where Sambhed's books are available. Many of them order books. First, Batighor, Prathom Alo, and Pathok Shamabesh are selling Sambhed's books. These big publishing outlets have more outlets. Then there are retailers. There are also some online platforms that deliver Sambhed's books in Bangladesh. Sambhed doesn't have its own outlet. Others sell Sangbed's books.

Views Bangladesh: For good manuscript, an author needs to be given time, and for that time investment, financial stability is necessary; however, authors often don't earn much from writing. There is also an allegation that many publishers do not provide authors with fair royalties.
Parvez Hossain: Indeed, the financial aspect is closely related to the quality of writing. If a publisher wants to give a respectable honorarium to their author, how many books need to be sold? When letterpress was prevalent, any book could be printed in a dozen copies. No book was printed under that. Then the publisher wouldn't profit. Due to the availability of technology, now only two or three copies of books are printed. The plate is preserved, and more copies are printed if necessary. If very few books are sold, less than three copies a year, then an author practically receives nothing.

Views Bangladesh: Then how should an author write a serious or research-oriented piece?
Parvez Hossain: It's the unfortunate reality of our nation that book sales have declined. Selling a good book in the range of five hundred to a thousand copies per year is very challenging. I believe if a good book sells about sixteen to eighteen thousand copies in a country of over a hundred and seventy-eight million people, then both the author and publisher could earn some money. Then there can be a fair transaction; however, if only two or three dozen copies are sold, then who will pay whom?

Views Bangladesh: What are the ways to overcome this?
Parvez Hossain: Overcoming this requires increasing readership, but I don't know how readership will increase. The prevalence of entertainment and time-passing activities has led to a gradual decrease in readers. Among us, the inclination towards knowledge discussion and reading good books is decreasing.

Views Bangladesh: Are Bangladeshi authors independent? Many authors cannot write much. In that case, how is it possible to write good books?
Parvez Hossain: Such a problem does exist. You can't speak freely about religion. The state is intolerant in many places. You can't say everything you want. There are restrictions due to interests, societal pressures, and political barriers. Moreover, even what you can't say, you can't say.

Views Bangladesh: As a writer yourself, do you incur any losses in running a publishing house?
Parvez Hossain: Actually, I am a printer. I have a printing press. Since I don't engage in any other work, this is how I sustain myself. I write alongside all these activities. So, it's not much of a problem.

Views Bangladesh: Thank you very much.
Parvez Hossain: Thank you to Views Bangladesh as well.