‘Their light is enduring’: Publisher-writer Dharini Bhaskar is sure literary fiction will never die

Dharini Bhaskar has spent over a decade in publishing – as author of two novels, These, Our Bodies Possessed by Light, and Like Being Alive Twice – and has vantage points on literature from both sides of the publisher’s desk. In a conversation with Scroll, Bhaskar reflected on her publisher’s role at HarperCollins India, the business of books, and how she has evolved as a writer–editor over the years. Excerpts from the interview.

Some experts assert that the literary fiction is shrinking in size. It also the genre where some publishing houses claim they incur the most losses. And yet, the biggest prizes are reserved for literary fiction. The most beloved authors wrote – and write – in this genre. It is also what overwhelmingly makes for readers’ “favourite” books. How do you see this paradox?
The fact that literary fiction is up for awards or ends up featuring on readers’ lists makes perfect sense to me. For these are the books that stir more than momentary flickers of interest; the light they cast is enduring. They ask to be read and reread, and upon every reading, throw up new possibilities. In other words, these are novels of the times, but also for tomorrow. These are novels that shape-shift....

Read more