TNV’s Anwesha Singbal in conversation with Leonard Fernandes and Queenie Fernandes, co-founders of ‘The Dogears Bookshop’, Margao who have managed to script a new chapter in the Goan book publishing and marketing industry.
Q. Tell us about your journey into the world of books? When did publishing begin?
Our journey began in 2006 when we launched dogearsetc.com, an online store for books. The following year, in October 2007 we published our first set of books, and thus began our journey in publishing.
Q. Did you always want to start a book store?
We did, although we were also aware that book selling is often a loss making business. But the idea of having a bookstore and being surrounded by books all the time was an experience we did not wish to miss. So when someone told us that there was a vacant place, we grabbed the opportunity to start a bookshop.
Q. Do you feel people still read the same way as before? Is there a decline?
Going by book sales alone, I believe there is a lull in reading habits. There are a few people, many regulars who come by and purchase books. But there are many more who just pass by without even looking at the bookstore. I believe there is a book for everyone only if they just bothered to look.
Q. How do you view allegations on today’s generation that they are moving away from books?
I think it is too general a statement because there are some teenagers who are extremely passionate about certain genres and authors. I am sure there could be more of them but there are too many things vying for their attention. Here, I feel the education system which places a premium on rote learning and not reading for leisure is also to blame.
Q. How do you see the future of books in regional languages?
If you are asking me about Konkani books, I think there is much that can be done. In this I am only looking to the book industry in states like Maharashtra, Kerala and West Bengal and the tremendous premium on reading and knowledge acquisition that they place. It pains me when I notice that there are very few who read Konkani, even after having such wonderful Konkani authors who write so beautifully. I think we are not able to reach out to the readers and that should be something that the literary community takes upon itself.
Q. Do you think enough is being done in the field of children’s literature? Are the writers moving with time?
In the last couple of years, I think KBM has done a wonderful job of producing some incredible children’s literature. I am not sure if children’s literature in Goa is moving with time because, for instance, none of the social concerns that occupy Goan minds are reflected in the books that are published here. No wonder that children remain insensitive to these issues. Having said that, I think it cannot be left to one or two organisations to address the needs of children’s literature.
More people need to be involved in making books that attract children’s attention. There is also a big gap in the area of study and vocabulary building. Books on grammar and vocabulary are few and not easily accessible. There is an urgent need to develop such books. Economically too, it presents a good opportunity for enterprising publishers.
Q. What types of books get sold on your bookstore?
We sell both, secondhand as-well-as new books. Among the new books, we have concentrated on- a) books on Goa, b) books for children and c) books in Konkani. We probably have one of the largest collection of books in Konkani but it pains us that we have few buyers for them. Among the secondhand books, we have books in all genres, primarily in popular fiction.
Q. How do you see the overall reading scenario in Goa?
I think there is a lot of work that needs to be done – in terms of encouraging reading, making good books accessible to readers and making them aware of the rich literary traditions of our state. This needs to be a collective, sustained effort. It cannot a problem that only a few attempt to address.
