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Sayoni Basu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kolkata, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Presidency College, Kolkata (BA); University College, Oxford (MLitt) |
| Occupation(s) | Editor, publisher, author |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Known for | Co-founder of Duckbill Books; children's publishing |
Sayoni Basu is an Indian editor, publisher, and author known for her work in children's and young adult literature in India.[1] She is the co-founder of Duckbill Books.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Basu was born and educated in Kolkata. She earned a BA in English from Presidency College, Kolkata, followed by a Master's degree in Letters from University College, Oxford.[3]
Career
[edit]Basu began her publishing career at Oxford University Press (OUP) in Oxford, UK, then moved to OUP Delhi and Penguin India. She transitioned to children's publishing as commissioning editor for Puffin India in 2001.[1][3] From 2005 to 2011, she served as publishing director at Scholastic India.[4] Her subsequent role was as publisher at Amar Chitra Katha from 2011 to 2012.[5][2]
In 2012, Basu co-founded Duckbill Books alongside Anushka Ravishankar, focusing on contemporary Indian children's and YA books.[2][6] The imprint has been recognized for innovative series like the hOle books for early readers, and the Not Our War (NOW) series, exploring themes such as conflict, sexuality, disability, and equality.[7][8]
Duckbill Books has won the Publisher of the Year at the Publishing Next Awards (2019)[9] , South Asian Book Award, Crossword Book Award, Neev Award, ComicCon Award, FICCI Publishing Awards, and was shortlisted for the London Book Fair International Excellence Award (2015).[2][10]
In December 2019, Penguin Random House India acquired Duckbill Books and its backlist, making Duckbill an imprint within PRH India's children's publishing group.[11] Basu continues as Consulting Editor, curating new works and supporting emerging authors.[2]
Since 2022, Basu has served as the commissioning editor for the Songs of Freedom historical fiction series, published under Duckbill (now a Penguin Random House India imprint).[12]
Works
[edit]Basu has co-authored Phiss Phuss Boom: Stories from Our Grandparents (2014) with Anushka Ravishankar and Jerry Pinto,[13] and has contributed as a ghostwriter for several children's books.[14] Basu has also contributed editorial oversight to the Songs of Freedom series (2022–present), including titles such as The Gramophone Girl by Anushka Ravishankar and The Chowpatty Chronicles by Devika Rangachari.[15]
Publishing philosophy
[edit]Basu supports children’s books that address real-world issues that are right for their age.[7] She says children’s texts should go beyond mythology and moral tales to portray the contemporary Indian life, encouraging new protagonists and themes that reflect the realities of young readers in present times.[16] She speaks about the ability of young readers to engage with complex subjects. She promotes storytelling that encompasses a range of perspectives and approaches, extending beyond traditional folklore.[17] She is critical of conservative approaches with the large publishing houses and believes independent publishers drive creativity and progressive themes in children's literature.[18][19]
Selected awards for Duckbill Books
[edit]- Publisher of the Year, Publishing Next Awards (2019)[20]
- South Asian Book Award[21]
- Crossword Book Award[22]
- Neev Award[23]
- ComicCon Award[24]
- FICCI Publishing Awards[25]
- Shortlisted, London Book Fair International Excellence Award (2015)[26]
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]- China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair profile
- Publishing Next profile
- Penguin Random House India: hOle Books series
References
[edit]- ^ a b "What is in life cannot be ignored in books: Duckbill editor Sayoni Basu on publishing for children". Scroll.in. 29 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "PRH India acquires the book publishing assets of Duckbill". PrintWeek India. 3 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Sayoni Basu". China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair. 14 October 2019.
- ^ "About Us – Duckbill". Duckbill Books. 15 May 2019. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ "Sayoni Basu". Neev Literature Festival. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Progressive Publishers Doing Cool Things: Duckbill Books". The Book Smugglers. 15 April 2013.
- ^ a b "That Sparkling hOle in the Little Bookshelf: Sayoni Basu, Consulting Editor, Penguin Random House". Kunzum. 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Sayoni Basu". Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC). 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Duckbill brand will be published within Penguin Random House India". Frontlist. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Penguin Random House India acquires Duckbill". The New Indian Express. 3 December 2019.
- ^ "Penguin Random House India acquires Duckbill Books". Business Insider India. 3 December 2019.
- ^ "Independence Day 2024: Why children in India need more historical fiction series like 'Songs of Freedom'". The Hindu. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Phiss Phuss Boom: Stories from Our Grandparents. Duckbill. 2013. ISBN 978-9383331086.
- ^ "I do not believe all kids have to read". Eaten by a Fish. 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Independence Day 2024: Why children in India need more historical fiction series like 'Songs of Freedom'". The Hindu. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Sinha, Dipanjan (29 October 2016). "How to write for the picky child reader". Mid-Day. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "This is the most sense nonsense will make". The New Indian Express. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Sayoni Basu, primary platypus, Duckbill". PrintWeek India. 5 June 2019.
- ^ "How this children's publisher defied the downtrend to boost sales during the pandemic". Scroll.in. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "PRH India acquires the book publishing assets of Duckbill". PrintWeek India. 3 December 2019.
- ^ "PRH India acquires children's and YA publisher Duckbill Books". The New Publishing Standard. 1 December 2019.
- ^ "Crossword Book Awards: Saharu N Kannanari, Karthik Muralidharan, Jayasree Kalathil among winners". Scroll.in. 9 December 2024.
- ^ "Neev Book awards 2021 for Dalrymple, 5 others". The Indian Express. 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Penguin acquires Duckbill Books". Daijiworld.com. 3 December 2019.
- ^ "Press Release". FICCI. 24 January 2018.
- ^ "Shortlist for International Literary Translation Initiative Award announced". CEATL. 26 March 2015.