A new dawn is awaiting the authors and publishers in the year 2024 and the present regime of degradation in the literature is actually the beginning of new era in the world of literature, said key note speaker, Dr. Ajay Kummar Pandey, a noted advocate of Supreme Court of India, a writer, poet, a well-known television personality and an international journalist of global fame, while speaking on the topic of degradation in literature, led by Mousumi K Sachdeva, the dynamic CEO of Griffin Publications, held today.

The other distinguished speakers and participants from various literary backgrounds too joined the forum and included Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee, an Academician, Author & trilingual Columnist of world fame, Shreyan Laha, a Science Fiction Author, Sai Prakash, Poet, Shweta Mahendra, VP, Jio and an accomplished Writer and budding poet, Prabhakar Tripathi .

The event was broadcasted live on Zoom and Facebook, drawing an audience of hundreds. Dr. Pandey opened the discussion by stating that the debate on degradation in literature is not new and referenced historical figures like William Shakespeare and Francis Bacon. To prove his point, he quoted profusely from the work of William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Francis Bacon's thoughts on education's purpose.

Digital Age and Publishing: Dr. Pandey acknowledged the ease of publishing in the digital age and encouraged authors to utilize available tools. He also addressed the desire for instant fame and fortune, suggesting strategies and tools to achieve it through branding and marketing.

Market vs. Critics: Dr. Pandey highlighted the disconnect between market response and critical evaluation, citing examples like the film "Animal" and Kiran Desai's book "The Inheritance of Loss." He urged authors to focus on creating with passion and honing their skills, ultimately leaving the judgment to readers.

Positive Outlook: Dr. Pandey presented a positive outlook on the book publishing industry in India, citing projected market growth and reader base. He encouraged budding authors to embrace this potential and consider innovative approaches, like those used in the "Blue Ocean Strategy" case study.

Tax Benefits and Incentives: Dr. Pandey highlighted the tax exemptions for books and author income in India, encouraging creativity and original work. He compared this to the taxation of puja items, suggesting worshipping Saraswati through books instead of burning incense.

He also emphasized the importance of understanding the purpose behind writing rather than just catering to market trends. In the digital age, he encouraged budding authors to leverage all available tools for publishing.

Dr. Pandey urged aspiring authors to be fearless, honest, and passionate in their creative journey. He emphasized the need for authors to choose between chasing media and making media chase them, stressing that the final judgment lies with readers. He called for innovative approaches in book publishing, citing the potential of the growing book market in India.

• He emphasized the importance of understanding the "why" behind writing rather than solely focusing on market response.

Market and Industry Insights: Dr. Pandey presented market insights, projecting a positive future for the book market in India. He questioned why the publishing industry is not taking advantage of the era of startups and encouraged authors to seize opportunities.

Omar Khayyam and Beyond: Dr. Bhattacharjee emphasized the limitless potential for success in the industry, citing Omar Khayyam's international acclaim as an example. He cautioned against equating box office success with an author's true worth and highlighted that box office success is not a true measure of an author's potential and worth.

Author Responsibility: Shreyan Laha emphasized the importance of considering the utility value of writing, sharing his personal success in scientific literature.

Collaboration and Support: Sai Prakash shared his positive experience with Griffin Publications in publishing his poetry collection.

Corporate and Creative: Shweta Mahendra spoke about her love for writing as her second passion and advocated for transparency in the industry, even on commercial terms.

The discussion concluded on a positive note, emphasizing the limitless potential for success in the literary industry. The speakers collectively conveyed the importance of staying true to one's passion, leveraging available resources, and embracing innovation in the ever-evolving world of literature.

The key recommendations of the discussion were:

o Encourage innovation in book publishing.

o Emphasize the utility value of literary creations.

o Foster transparency in the industry.

o Leverage tax exemptions for authors and publishers.

o Seize opportunities in the growing book market.

The discussion offered a nuanced perspective on the state of literature, addressing concerns about degradation while highlighting opportunities and encouraging approaches for authors to thrive in the current landscape.

The key takeaway is that despite challenges, the future of literature remains bright, and authors should focus on creating with passion, utilizing available tools, and embracing innovative strategies to reach their audience.