our publishing process
Manuscript Assessment
Each manuscript is assessed for:
- Plot: Plausibility, absence of major plot holes, usage of plot devices.
- Consistency: Consistent level of writing quality right throughout the book.
- Story development: Predictability of the story, pace of the book and the amount of digressions and frilly side plot lines.
- Character development: How the character develops along the story. Is it natural, plausible?
- Use of language: Use of appropriate language? Grammatically correct? Flow?
Manuscript Content
The primary focus should be on LGBTHQIA+ experiences in India, with the protagonist hailing from India’s diverse sexuality and gender communities.
Book cover design
Book cover design is not just about aesthetics; it’s a strategic and creative aspect of publishing that can significantly impact a book’s success in terms of attracting readers and conveying its essence.
Proofreading
Proofreading is a vital step in the writing and publishing process. It enhances the quality and effectiveness of written materials, whether for business, academic, creative, or personal purposes, by eliminating errors and improving overall readability and clarity.
Marketing
Marketing is essential for book sales because it connects books with their intended audiences, makes them discoverable, builds author recognition and credibility, and ultimately drives demand and sales. Without effective marketing, even the most well-written and compelling books may go unnoticed in a saturated market.
Distribution Channels
The choice of distribution method depends on various factors, including the book’s genre, target audience, author’s goals, and available resources. Many authors and publishers use a combination of these distribution methods to maximize the reach and availability of their books.
Manuscript Editing
Ideally, we encourage writers to share their work with beta readers from their personal network. These beta readers provide valuable feedback, allowing the writer to refine and improve their work. Our comprehensive process encompasses both developmental or content editing, where we focus on the overall structure and flow, as well as copy editing, which ensures grammatical accuracy and enhances readability.
Manuscript Language
At the moment we are accepting manuscripts in English. We will accept manuscripts in other Indian regional languages during phase 2.
Book Design
Book design is essential for creating an attractive, readable, and enjoyable book that meets the expectations of readers and enhances the overall quality and impact of the publication.
Printing
print remains a vital and enduring component of the publishing industry, offering unique advantages and fulfilling diverse reading preferences and needs.
Sales
Book sales are important because they provide financial support to authors and publishers, indicate a book’s impact and readership engagement, and contribute to the cultural and educational enrichment of society. Successful book sales help sustain the literary ecosystem and encourage the creation and dissemination of new ideas and stories.
The Author
A book’s publishing process starts and ends with the author’s involvement as it is essential for maintaining the integrity of the work, ensuring it aligns with their creative vision, and actively engaging with readers and the industry. Their input contributes to the book’s success and longevity in the market.
Shobhna S. Kumar
As a devoted reader, my early experiences in the 2000s left me frustrated by the scarcity of literature addressing LGBTHQIA+ issues in India. My exhaustive search yielded fewer than a hundred relevant books. In response, I founded Queer Ink with the goal of consolidating these resources, as my own book-buying journey had proven to be quite time-consuming.
In 2012, I initiated the publication of Out! Stories from the New Queer India because I yearned for more narratives that depicted the lived experiences of LGBTHQIA+ communities. Since then, our publishing efforts have expanded, with our books finding readers around the globe.
Over the past decade, I’ve immersed myself in the intricacies of the publishing industry. This journey has involved gaining expertise in various aspects, including editing, book formatting, sales, marketing, book distribution, event coordination, social media management, e-commerce, and engagement with retail markets.
Throughout my experiences, I have come to believe that traditional publishing models may not be the most effective means of expanding the representation of gender and sexually diverse communities in India. Consequently, I have developed an alternative model aimed at empowering storytellers to launch their careers.
This year marks the launch of our second imprint, Queer Ink Swabhimaan. This endeavour focuses on nurturing storytellers, helping them evolve into authorpreneurs, and fostering their journeys as LGBTHQIA+ Indian writers.
I invite you to connect with me at shobhna at queer-ink dot com to explore opportunities for collaboration and engagement in our vibrant literary community.
Publishing
about LGBTHQIA+ India by LGBTHQIA+ Indians for the imprints Queer Ink and Queer Ink Swabhimaan.
QShorts (Fiction)
Tales of connection, love, and self-discovery, shedding light on the intricacies of relationships and authenticity in India’s diverse landscape.
Non-Fiction
Trans lives and stories + women-who-love-women
We And Ours
Navigating Love and Identity in LGBTHQIA+ Families about their experiences, challenges, in understanding and celebrating the diverse narratives within the LGBTHQIA+ communities in India.
The New Queer India
Disobedience, Love, Kindness, and Establishing a Safe Haven for LGBTHQIA+ Indians.
our Books
More Information...
Submission Guidelines
Guidelines
- Unpublished/original stories
- Word count 2,500 to 5,000 words
- Email Subject: Story title_Theme
- Email address: submissions@queer-ink.com
Word/Google format
- Run spell check and double-check your story for consistency of language, plot, characters, etc.
- Document 1: Cover letter to include: Story Title, Author’s legal name, Pen name (if needed), Pronouns, residential address, contact number, e-mail address, word count and author bio of 100 words.
- Document 2: Manuscript: Times New Roman; 12 points, double-spaced, single quote marks for dialogue and double quote marks for quotes within a quote.
Stories we won’t publish
- Stories about someone else’s coming out experience for non-fiction works,
- Is your work about the meet and greet, do you have a room? Let us have sex? Please don’t submit this for publishing. Emotionless sex should not be the focus of the story.
- We also do not accept pornographic works,
- Depictions of rape, incest, child abuse, and sex with minors are unacceptable, as the plot.
Connect with us
You can connect with the Publisher, Shobhna S Kumar directly here.