Bibliofile

They may not have glittering book launches but the ancient and very scholarly Oxford University Press appears to be miles ahead of its competitors in the industry. On March 31 this year, their annual turnover crossed the Rs 100-crore mark. The more popular publishers are still showing a turnover in the range of Rs 25-30 crore, despite their higher visibility. Interestingly, the only other publisher who comes anywhere close is also an academic publisher, Tata McGraw-Hill.

One writer, finding the daily distraction of five-star book launches was slowing up her progress, came up with an ingenious re-invention of a writer's cage. "Every evening, just when it was time for me to step out for yet another party, I oiled my hair." That kept her glued to her room, if not her seat before the computer. Within months, the manuscript was delivered to her publisher.