12th Publishing Next Industry Awards (via IPP)
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Frederick Noronha
Mar 3, 2026, 10:03:45 AM (15 hours ago) Mar 3
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
You probably missed this announcement online [https://indianprinterpublisher.com/blog/2026/01/12th-publishing-next/] which involves the work of GoaWriter Leonard (and also Queenie and team). It was something worth noting, for at least two reasons, imnsho:
- Publishing Next, the charming made-in-Goa publishing event which was difficult to sustain due to the heavy costs of organising it and the lack of sponsors, is still active in the form of these awards. Hopefully, the useful event will one day come back.
- The list itself covers a large number of publishers, depicting more of the diversity in Indian publishing than is often visible, especially when compared to the Big Five making it seem that they're the only ones who exist. Or matter. FN
12th Publishing Next Industry Awards [Indian Printer & Publisher)
11 categories focus on publishing & its allied functions
By Priyanka Tanwar
January 15, 202611 categories focus on publishing & its allied functions
By Priyanka Tanwar
920
Publishing Next (L-R): Publisher of the Year award being received by
Pujitha Krishnan, Editorial Director, Pan Macmillan India from Gaëlle
Bohé, the Director of Fontaine O Livres, a Paris-based organisation
that supports the publishing sector through training programmes, an
incubator, and a network dedicated to independent publishers.
The 12th edition of the Publishing Next Industry Awards took place at
New Delhi’s India International Centre on 12 January 2025. Established
in 2014, the awards focus on publishing and its allied functions, and
reward publishing professionals, including editors, cover designers,
and illustrators, for the roles they play in developing books.
The Publishing Next Industry Awards in 11 categories are as follows:
[Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-3.57.13-PM.png]
Publisher of the Year: Pan Macmillan India
The jury said Pan Macmillan India stood out for “masterfully balancing
an ambitious, award-winning list with commercial success, and for
defining excellence through design innovation, standout debuts, and
thoughtful, community-driven engagement that consistently elevates the
standards of contemporary publishing.”
Publisher of the Year Runner Up: Yoda Press
Editor of the Year: Lokesh Malti Prakash (endorsed by Eklavya
Foundation)
Lokesh Malti Prakash won for “his visionary editorial leadership,
blending meticulous organization with deep empathy to champion
inclusive voices, ethical processes, and innovative formats, while
building a diverse, collaborative list that elevates both the craft and
culture of publishing.”
Editor of the Year Runner Up: Seema (endorsed by Eklavya Foundation)
Illustrator of the Year: Rajiv Eipe (endorsed by HarperCollins India)
Rajiv Eipe won for “his distinctive, joyful artistry, using brilliant
light, color, and imaginative detail to create immersive spreads that
captivate readers, blending technical mastery of composition with a
unique, humorous voice that brings every scene to life.”
Illustrator of the Year Runner Up: Ogin Nayam (endorsed by Pratham
Books)
Book Cover of the Year (Children’s Books): Kempi, cover designed by
Richa Shubhangi, published by Awwa Pustaka
According to the judges, Richa Shubhangi was awarded for “its bold,
interactive mask-design, using a vivid red palette and clever die-cuts
to transform a children’s book into a joyful experience; its soft
acrylic textures and elegant layout set a new standard for
Indian-language publishing.”
Book Cover of the Year (Children’s Books) Runner Up: Baloo’s Big Win:
How Palwankar Baloo Broke the Caste Barrier in Cricket, cover designed
by Samar Bansal, published by Puffin, an imprint of Penguin Random
House India
Book Cover of the Year (Indian Languages): On Merleau-Ponty, cover
designed by Trinankur Banerjee, published by Jadavpur University Press
Trinankur Banerjee was awarded for “its sophisticated cubist design,
blending historical homage with approachable wit. By balancing
restrained typography and playful, puppet-like character movements, it
transforms complex philosophy into an eye-catching, accessible, and
perfectly paced visual experience for new readers.”
Book Cover of the Year (Indian Languages) Runner Up: Phans, cover
designed by Shiraz Hussain, published by Rajkamal Prakashan
Book Cover of the Year (English): Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones,
designed by Aakriti Khurana, published by Penguin Random House India,
and Maria, Just Maria, cover designed by Aashim Raj, published by
HarperCollins India
The cover of Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones: A Memoir by Priyanka Mattoo
was awarded for “its tactile, layered brilliance, reimagining the
physical book as a vibrant garden; by blending William Morris-inspired
motifs with innovative multi-paper production and stitch lines, it
creates a whimsical, boundary-pushing object that rewards every touch.”
The cover of Maria, Just Maria was awarded for “for its masterfully
layered, modular design, using a warm mosaic of graphic panels and
sophisticated color-blocking to map Maria’s fragmented world; it is a
human, tender invitation that perfectly balances vibrant, contemporary
trends with legible, cohesive storytelling.”
Book Cover of the Year (English) Runner Up: The Many Lives of Pauloma
Chattopadhyay, cover designed by Amit Malhotra, published by Niyogi
Books
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 0-8): Nila Nila, written and
composed by Gurupriya Atreya and Vedanth Bharadwaj, illustrated by
Vaishnavi Giri and published by T4tales
According to the jury, Nila Nila was recognized for “its innovative,
multi-sensory approach to regional rhymes, using tactility and scent to
create an inclusive, accessible experience; it masterfully bridges the
gap between traditional Tamil oral culture and interactive,
high-quality physical storytelling.”
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 0-8) Runner Up: Go Go
Flamingo, by Devashish Makhija, illustrated by Priya Kuriyan, published
by Tulika Publishers
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 8+): Master of the 7 Swars
by Pratyush Gupta, published by Roli Books
designed by Shiraz Hussain, published by Rajkamal Prakashan
Book Cover of the Year (English): Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones,
designed by Aakriti Khurana, published by Penguin Random House India,
and Maria, Just Maria, cover designed by Aashim Raj, published by
HarperCollins India
The cover of Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones: A Memoir by Priyanka Mattoo
was awarded for “its tactile, layered brilliance, reimagining the
physical book as a vibrant garden; by blending William Morris-inspired
motifs with innovative multi-paper production and stitch lines, it
creates a whimsical, boundary-pushing object that rewards every touch.”
The cover of Maria, Just Maria was awarded for “for its masterfully
layered, modular design, using a warm mosaic of graphic panels and
sophisticated color-blocking to map Maria’s fragmented world; it is a
human, tender invitation that perfectly balances vibrant, contemporary
trends with legible, cohesive storytelling.”
Book Cover of the Year (English) Runner Up: The Many Lives of Pauloma
Chattopadhyay, cover designed by Amit Malhotra, published by Niyogi
Books
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 0-8): Nila Nila, written and
composed by Gurupriya Atreya and Vedanth Bharadwaj, illustrated by
Vaishnavi Giri and published by T4tales
According to the jury, Nila Nila was recognized for “its innovative,
multi-sensory approach to regional rhymes, using tactility and scent to
create an inclusive, accessible experience; it masterfully bridges the
gap between traditional Tamil oral culture and interactive,
high-quality physical storytelling.”
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 0-8) Runner Up: Go Go
Flamingo, by Devashish Makhija, illustrated by Priya Kuriyan, published
by Tulika Publishers
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 8+): Master of the 7 Swars
by Pratyush Gupta, published by Roli Books
According to the judges, Master of the 7 Swars was recognized for “its
ambitious, genre-bending production that transforms Indian classical
music into a multi-sensory adventure; through masterful pop-up
engineering and light-reactive shadows, it pioneers a new standard for
interactive, high-fidelity storytelling in children’s literature.”
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 8+) Runner Up: Kya, Hai Kya
Ye, written and illustrated by Rohan Chakravarty, designed by Kanak
Shashi, published by Eklavya Foundation
Printed Book of the Year (Art, Illustration, and Photography): Theyyam:
Indian Folk Ritual Theatre – An Insider’s Vision, by K K
Gopalakrishnan, published by Niyogi Books
Theyyam: Indian Folk Ritual Theatre – An Insider’s Vision was
recognized for “its visually arresting, high-production documentation
of Theyyam; through fantastic photography and ethnographic precision,
it transforms a complex living tradition into a premium, collectible
masterpiece that honors India’s cultural heritage with profound beauty
and honesty.”
The Publishing Next Industry Awards in 11 categories are as follows:
[Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-3.57.13-PM.png]
Publisher of the Year: Pan Macmillan India
The jury said Pan Macmillan India stood out for “masterfully balancing
an ambitious, award-winning list with commercial success, and for
defining excellence through design innovation, standout debuts, and
thoughtful, community-driven engagement that consistently elevates the
standards of contemporary publishing.”
Publisher of the Year Runner Up: Yoda Press
Editor of the Year: Lokesh Malti Prakash (endorsed by Eklavya
Foundation)
Lokesh Malti Prakash won for “his visionary editorial leadership,
blending meticulous organization with deep empathy to champion
inclusive voices, ethical processes, and innovative formats, while
building a diverse, collaborative list that elevates both the craft and
culture of publishing.”
Editor of the Year Runner Up: Seema (endorsed by Eklavya Foundation)
Illustrator of the Year: Rajiv Eipe (endorsed by HarperCollins India)
Rajiv Eipe won for “his distinctive, joyful artistry, using brilliant
light, color, and imaginative detail to create immersive spreads that
captivate readers, blending technical mastery of composition with a
unique, humorous voice that brings every scene to life.”
Illustrator of the Year Runner Up: Ogin Nayam (endorsed by Pratham
Books)
Book Cover of the Year (Children’s Books): Kempi, cover designed by
Richa Shubhangi, published by Awwa Pustaka
According to the judges, Richa Shubhangi was awarded for “its bold,
interactive mask-design, using a vivid red palette and clever die-cuts
to transform a children’s book into a joyful experience; its soft
acrylic textures and elegant layout set a new standard for
Indian-language publishing.”
Book Cover of the Year (Children’s Books) Runner Up: Baloo’s Big Win:
How Palwankar Baloo Broke the Caste Barrier in Cricket, cover designed
by Samar Bansal, published by Puffin, an imprint of Penguin Random
House India
Book Cover of the Year (Indian Languages): On Merleau-Ponty, cover
designed by Trinankur Banerjee, published by Jadavpur University Press
Trinankur Banerjee was awarded for “its sophisticated cubist design,
blending historical homage with approachable wit. By balancing
restrained typography and playful, puppet-like character movements, it
transforms complex philosophy into an eye-catching, accessible, and
perfectly paced visual experience for new readers.”
Book Cover of the Year (Indian Languages) Runner Up: Phans, cover
designed by Shiraz Hussain, published by Rajkamal Prakashan
Book Cover of the Year (English): Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones,
designed by Aakriti Khurana, published by Penguin Random House India,
and Maria, Just Maria, cover designed by Aashim Raj, published by
HarperCollins India
The cover of Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones: A Memoir by Priyanka Mattoo
was awarded for “its tactile, layered brilliance, reimagining the
physical book as a vibrant garden; by blending William Morris-inspired
motifs with innovative multi-paper production and stitch lines, it
creates a whimsical, boundary-pushing object that rewards every touch.”
The cover of Maria, Just Maria was awarded for “for its masterfully
layered, modular design, using a warm mosaic of graphic panels and
sophisticated color-blocking to map Maria’s fragmented world; it is a
human, tender invitation that perfectly balances vibrant, contemporary
trends with legible, cohesive storytelling.”
Book Cover of the Year (English) Runner Up: The Many Lives of Pauloma
Chattopadhyay, cover designed by Amit Malhotra, published by Niyogi
Books
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 0-8): Nila Nila, written and
composed by Gurupriya Atreya and Vedanth Bharadwaj, illustrated by
Vaishnavi Giri and published by T4tales
According to the jury, Nila Nila was recognized for “its innovative,
multi-sensory approach to regional rhymes, using tactility and scent to
create an inclusive, accessible experience; it masterfully bridges the
gap between traditional Tamil oral culture and interactive,
high-quality physical storytelling.”
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 0-8) Runner Up: Go Go
Flamingo, by Devashish Makhija, illustrated by Priya Kuriyan, published
by Tulika Publishers
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 8+): Master of the 7 Swars
by Pratyush Gupta, published by Roli Books
designed by Shiraz Hussain, published by Rajkamal Prakashan
Book Cover of the Year (English): Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones,
designed by Aakriti Khurana, published by Penguin Random House India,
and Maria, Just Maria, cover designed by Aashim Raj, published by
HarperCollins India
The cover of Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones: A Memoir by Priyanka Mattoo
was awarded for “its tactile, layered brilliance, reimagining the
physical book as a vibrant garden; by blending William Morris-inspired
motifs with innovative multi-paper production and stitch lines, it
creates a whimsical, boundary-pushing object that rewards every touch.”
The cover of Maria, Just Maria was awarded for “for its masterfully
layered, modular design, using a warm mosaic of graphic panels and
sophisticated color-blocking to map Maria’s fragmented world; it is a
human, tender invitation that perfectly balances vibrant, contemporary
trends with legible, cohesive storytelling.”
Book Cover of the Year (English) Runner Up: The Many Lives of Pauloma
Chattopadhyay, cover designed by Amit Malhotra, published by Niyogi
Books
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 0-8): Nila Nila, written and
composed by Gurupriya Atreya and Vedanth Bharadwaj, illustrated by
Vaishnavi Giri and published by T4tales
According to the jury, Nila Nila was recognized for “its innovative,
multi-sensory approach to regional rhymes, using tactility and scent to
create an inclusive, accessible experience; it masterfully bridges the
gap between traditional Tamil oral culture and interactive,
high-quality physical storytelling.”
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 0-8) Runner Up: Go Go
Flamingo, by Devashish Makhija, illustrated by Priya Kuriyan, published
by Tulika Publishers
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 8+): Master of the 7 Swars
by Pratyush Gupta, published by Roli Books
According to the judges, Master of the 7 Swars was recognized for “its
ambitious, genre-bending production that transforms Indian classical
music into a multi-sensory adventure; through masterful pop-up
engineering and light-reactive shadows, it pioneers a new standard for
interactive, high-fidelity storytelling in children’s literature.”
Printed Book of the Year (Children’s, Ages 8+) Runner Up: Kya, Hai Kya
Ye, written and illustrated by Rohan Chakravarty, designed by Kanak
Shashi, published by Eklavya Foundation
Printed Book of the Year (Art, Illustration, and Photography): Theyyam:
Indian Folk Ritual Theatre – An Insider’s Vision, by K K
Gopalakrishnan, published by Niyogi Books
Theyyam: Indian Folk Ritual Theatre – An Insider’s Vision was
recognized for “its visually arresting, high-production documentation
of Theyyam; through fantastic photography and ethnographic precision,
it transforms a complex living tradition into a premium, collectible
masterpiece that honors India’s cultural heritage with profound beauty
and honesty.”
Printed Book of the Year (Art, Illustration, and Photography) Runner
Up: Food & Farming: A Journey Through India in Comics by Orijit Sen,
Vidyun Sabhaney, Harsho Mohan Chattoraj, published by Leftword Books
Printed Book of the Year (Indian Languages): Gungunaiye, by Gulzar,
published by Radhakrishna Prakashan
According to the jury, Gungunaiye was recognized for “its gorgeous,
high-impact design and meticulous attention to detail; from the
stunning endpapers and creative section dividers to the vibrant page
layouts, it offers a fabulously cohesive and appealing presentation of
superior bookmaking.”
Printed Book of the Year (Indian Languages) Runner Up: Bhojan aur
Pachan, by Anu Gupta, illustrated by Karen Haydock, designed by Kanak
Shashi, published by Eklavya Foundation
Printed Book of the Year (English): Our Potpourri Planet, by Ranjit
Lal, published by HarperCollins India
Our Potpourri Planet was recognized for “defining a new standard in
environmental literature; by merging the author’s wry, expert
storytelling with exquisite pointillist illustrations and accessible
design, the book creates a vibrant, affordable, and essential call to
ecological action for all generations.”
Printed Book of the Year (English) Runner Up: Gods, Guns and
Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity, by Manu S
Pillai, published by Penguin Random House India
The presentation was preceded by a keynote address by Gaëlle Bohé, and
a panel discussion titled Five Years On: Mapping the New Terrain of
Indian Publishing, which examined how the publishing industry has
evolved since the pandemic and explored how the shifts of the last few
years are redefining the future of books in India.
According to Leonard J Fernandes from Publishing Next, the 12th
category Bookshop of the Year could not be given out for a lack of
nominations. Bookstores are requested to submit nominations in the
Up: Food & Farming: A Journey Through India in Comics by Orijit Sen,
Vidyun Sabhaney, Harsho Mohan Chattoraj, published by Leftword Books
Printed Book of the Year (Indian Languages): Gungunaiye, by Gulzar,
published by Radhakrishna Prakashan
According to the jury, Gungunaiye was recognized for “its gorgeous,
high-impact design and meticulous attention to detail; from the
stunning endpapers and creative section dividers to the vibrant page
layouts, it offers a fabulously cohesive and appealing presentation of
superior bookmaking.”
Printed Book of the Year (Indian Languages) Runner Up: Bhojan aur
Pachan, by Anu Gupta, illustrated by Karen Haydock, designed by Kanak
Shashi, published by Eklavya Foundation
Printed Book of the Year (English): Our Potpourri Planet, by Ranjit
Lal, published by HarperCollins India
Our Potpourri Planet was recognized for “defining a new standard in
environmental literature; by merging the author’s wry, expert
storytelling with exquisite pointillist illustrations and accessible
design, the book creates a vibrant, affordable, and essential call to
ecological action for all generations.”
Printed Book of the Year (English) Runner Up: Gods, Guns and
Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity, by Manu S
Pillai, published by Penguin Random House India
The presentation was preceded by a keynote address by Gaëlle Bohé, and
a panel discussion titled Five Years On: Mapping the New Terrain of
Indian Publishing, which examined how the publishing industry has
evolved since the pandemic and explored how the shifts of the last few
years are redefining the future of books in India.
According to Leonard J Fernandes from Publishing Next, the 12th
category Bookshop of the Year could not be given out for a lack of
nominations. Bookstores are requested to submit nominations in the
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_/ Frederick Noronha फ्रेडरिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا
_/ AUDIO https://archive.org/details/@fredericknoronha
_/ http://goa1556.in +91-9822122436 784 Saligao Goa
_/ Frederick Noronha फ्रेडरिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا
_/ AUDIO https://archive.org/details/@fredericknoronha
_/ http://goa1556.in +91-9822122436 784 Saligao Goa
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