Kannada publishers told to register all books

Private book publishers in Karnataka now have to register with the government, failing which they would be blacklisted.

Not only do they have to register, they must also furnish all details of the books they have published so far. However, making available details of all Kannada books brought out by them so far could be a headache for these publishers, who are spread across the state.

The Kannada Book Authority said in a release today, hundreds of publishers spread across the state publish Kannada books everyday. Making available details of all such books and its publishers in one source would benefit readers. Hence, the authority had taken up registration of all publishers and collect all the details of their publications.

Therefore, it said, all Kannada book publishers must furnish their names, titles of all books, number of pages of each book published, the cover price, concession offered among others, in a specified form, a copy of which can be had from the Department of Kannada and Culture or downloaded from their or the authority’s websites.

All such applications must be accompanied by two photographs. The application and the details must be compulsorily in DTP format, and should either be sent by post or by email with a copy of the same being sent to the authority.

In a release, the authority said it was preparing a catalogue of all Kannada books. This was one of the many projects it had taken up. Asking publishers and writers to send a copy of the book brought out last year along with a filled-in form specified for the purpose, it said the chosen books would be published on the authority’s website displaying their cover with brief details of the book.

Such publication by the authority on its website would not only serve as a documentation,   but also help various organisations to select books for awards or for purchase.

What is significant is the authority’s warning to blacklist the publishers or writers if they are found not complying with the order. All government departments will then be asked not to make purchases from them.