Besides being awarded to books in various categories, the Awards also acknowledged the importance and contributions of professionals in allied fields, such as editing and illustration. This year, Richa Burman of Penguin Random House India won the Editor of the Year Award, while Archana Sreenivasan won the Illustrator of the Year Award.

The Bookstore of the Year 2021 was awarded to Delhi-based Eureka Bookstore, with the Mumbai-based Kitab Khana emerging as the runner-up this year.

HarperCollins Publishers India was adjudged Publisher of the Year 2021, for “refusing to rest on its past laurels, and continue to do what publishers must — engage new authors, develop new genres, and reach out to readers, during what was a particularly tough time for the publishing business. Its digital initiatives, and social media campaigns have been notable and illustrate how publishers can, and should, adapt to the new environment. A strong frontlist, and a good focus on its mid and back lists, as also its partnerships with several other publishers, demonstrates that HarperCollins India is determined to continue making good books accessible to its readers.”

Since its inception in 2014, the annual Publishing Next Industry Awards recognises and rewards talent, initiative, entrepreneurship and quality in book publishing, across publishers of all sizes, and in all Indian languages. 

Established under the aegis of the Publishing Next Conference, a platform furthering discussion and networking within the book publishing industry, the Publishing Next Industry Awards seek to celebrate innovation and leadership in the Indian book trade. 

Based in Goa, the Conference is driven by its two co-founders, Queenie Rodrigues and Leonard Fernandes, and by an advisory body that includes Vinutha Mallya and Rubin D’Cruz.

The winners and runners-up of Publishing Next Industry Awards 2021 

Bookstore of the Year

Winner: Eureka Bookstore, Delhi

Runner-Up: Kitab Khana, Mumbai

Editor of the Year

Winner: Richa Burman (Penguin Random House India)

Runner-Up: Swati Chopra (HarperCollins Publishers India)

Illustrator of the Year

Winner: Archana Sreenivasan

Runner-Up: Karen Haydock

Book Cover of the Year (Indian Languages)

Winner: Rohit Kokil for his design of the cover of Jeevan ki Bahaar, published by Eklavya Publications 

Runner-Up: Kanak Shashi for her design of the cover of Ummeed Ke Rang, published by Eklavya Publications 

Book Cover of the Year (English)

Winner: Sukruti Anah Staneley for her design of the cover of Intimate City, published by Zubaan

Runner-Up: Rashmi Gupta, for her design of the cover of A Mirror Made of Rain, published by HarperCollins Publishers India

Illustrated Book of the Year

Winner: Still Life by Anoushka Khan, published by Penguin Random House India

Runner-Up: Shaheen Bagh: A Graphic Recollection by Ita Mehrotra. Published by Yoda Press/ Persepolis (in Hindi), by Marjane Satrapi, trans. and published by Vani Prakashan

Children’s Book of the Year (Ages 0-8)

Winner: When Adil Speaks, Words Dance by Lavanya Karthik. Published by Penguin Random House India

Runner-Up: Chiknik Choon by Sushil Shukla. Published by Eklavya Publications

Children’s Book of the Year (Ages 8+)

Winner: They Made What/They Found What by Shweta Taneja. Published by Hachette India

Runner-Up: Pongal by Bama. Published by Muskaan

Printed Book of the Year (Indian Languages)

Winner: Biplabi Rasbehari Basu O Japan by Takeshi Nakajima, Translated by Kazuhiro Watanabe. published by Jadavpur University Press

Runner-Up: Akkai by Akkai Padmashali, Dominic D. Published by Bahuroopi

Printed Book of the Year (English)

Winner: Sebastian and Sons: A Brief History of Mrdangam Makers by TM Krishna. Published by Westland Books

Runner-Up: Ghalib: A Wilderness at My Doorstep: A Critical Biography by Mehr Afshan Farooqi. Published by Penguin Random House India

Publisher of the Year

Winner: HarperCollins Publishers India  

Runner-Up: Pratham Books