Penguin Random House India is delighted to announce that acclaimed author Han Kang has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. This prestigious honour adds to the legacy of over 80 Nobel laureates published within the Penguin portfolio.

Han Kang’s innovative and experimental narratives have resonated with readers worldwide. In India, we are proud to distribute four profound works, namely Greek Lessons, The Vegetarian: A Novel, Human Acts, and The White Book. These delve into themes of historical trauma and the delicate nature of human existence—a focus highlighted by the Nobel Committee in their recognition of her “intense poetic prose.”

Her publications span across the globe through esteemed imprints: Hogarth in the United States and Canada; Grupo Editorial’s Literatura Random House and La Magrana; Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand; as well as our Audio divisions.

“This is a momentous occasion not just for Han Kang but for all of us who have been moved by her storytelling,” said Manoj Satti, SVP – Sales and Product and Division Head – Penguin Select, Penguin Random House India. “Bringing her exceptional works to Indian readers has been a privilege. Her Nobel Prize win underscores the universal impact of her literature and the shared human experiences she so eloquently captures.”

Han Kang’s literary excellence has been recognised previously with awards such as the Man Booker International Prize in 2016 for The Vegetarian, which was also recently named one of the best books of the 21st century by The New York Times. Her accolades include the Yi Sang Literary Award, Today’s Young Artist Award, the prix Médicis étranger, and the Manhae Prize for Literature.

We eagerly anticipate the release of her forthcoming novel, We Do Not Part, scheduled for publication in several of our markets in early 2025.

We are inviting media queries for extracts and reviews.

Penguin Random House India is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Rebel English Academy, the highly anticipated fourth novel by the award-winning Pakistani writer and journalist Mohammed Hanif. Known for his sharp wit and powerful storytelling, Hanif once again pushes boundaries with his latest work, set against the politically charged backdrop of Pakistan in the 1970s. Releasing under Penguin’s Hamish Hamilton imprint, the novel is slated to come out in the second half of 2025.

Mohammed Hanif is an internationally renowned author, best known for A Case of Exploding Mangoes, which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won several prestigious awards. His second novel, Our Lady of Alice Bhatti, was shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize, and his third, Red Birds, continues to receive widespread acclaim. Rebel English Academy is his fourth novel and promises to be another bold and unforgettable contribution to contemporary literature.

Taking off from the hanging of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the novel follows a captain haunted by a botched mission, a district champion runner, a former revolutionary and a progressive imam. As their lives intersect in the Rebel English Academy, a school within the premises of the local mosque of a grim small town, Hanif sets the stage for a critique of authoritarianism and a tale of loss and redemption. Weaving together political satire and dark humour, he explores themes of power, identity, survival and the complexities of faith and resistance.

Commenting on the upcoming book, Mohammed Hanif said, ‘I am thrilled to be working with Manasi and her team. Rebel English Academy is time travel back to my childhood and my home. Hope there are takers for the journey.’

Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India, says ‘Mohammed Hanif’s Rebel English Academy is a masterful return to form, showcasing his unparalleled ability to find humour in the darkest corners of history. From its brilliant opening, Hanif weaves a darkly comedic tale that fearlessly explores language, love and revolution against the backdrop of political turmoil. This spiritual successor to A Case of Exploding Mangoes reaffirms Hanif as a vital voice in contemporary literature, unafraid to confront society’s absurdities and hypocrisies. Penguin Press is delighted to publish this unflinching, hilarious and profoundly important novel.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Adult Publishing Division, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘It was my pleasure to be around during the publication of The Case of Exploding Mangoes, and I am delighted that Hanif is back to Penguin for his new book The Rebel English Academy. Witty, dark and haunting the book is a treat for readers, and I am thrilled to publish it under Hamish Hamilton in 2025.’

Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the return of The Perfect Pitch, a one-of-a-kind platform to discover and mentor emerging writers from around the country. This year, the programme invites submissions from fiction writers across the adult, young adult (YA), and children’s categories in all genres. The call for entries will be open from 23rd August to 13th September 2024. The contest is exclusively open to Indian citizens residing in India.

In collaboration with Shreya Punj, an independent book publishing consultant and the popular content creator behind The Editor Recommends (TER) on Instagram, Penguin aims to discover and nurture new literary talent. Shreya will join forces with three of Penguin’s distinguished editors—Archana Nathan, Sushmita Chatterjee, and Vineet Gill—to shortlist five outstanding entries from the submissions.

The winner will be selected out of these five finalists and the winner will earn the unique opportunity to spend a day at Penguin’s head office in India, where they will gain invaluable insights into the publishing process. The winner will experience the full spectrum of the publishing landscape, from editorial discussions to marketing strategies, and will have one-on-one sessions with Penguin’s sales and marketing experts, as well as interactions with published authors. This immersive experience promises to be an unforgettable journey into the world of books, providing the winner with a deeper understanding of the industry and a chance to network with key players in the field.

“This mentorship programme is a testament to Penguin’s commitment to discovering and fostering new writing talent in India,” said Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO- India, SEA & MENA, Penguin Random House India. “Last year, we were able to provide a platform for five talented writers, enhancing their understanding of the publishing landscape and giving them exposure to better opportunities. We are excited to continue this tradition and look forward to unearthing more literary gems this year.”

Key Dates:

• Call For Entries Open- 23^rd August
• Call For Entries Closed- 13^th September

Criteria and Guidelines

• Please register on the link here
• Our jury seeks a compelling plot, exceptional writing, well-developed characters, and originality—hallmarks of a great novel.
• Participants must be 18 years of age or older
• Open to Indian residents only.
• Fiction entries only, with no genre restrictions.
• To participate, please submit:

1. The registration fee.
2. A completed registration form.
3. A pitch document, including a detailed synopsis of your book idea and a brief author bio.

A Landmark Project Bringing Tamil Literary Tradition’s Greatest Poem to the World

Penguin Random House India is thrilled to announce the upcoming publication of a complete, multi-volume English translation of Kampan’s Ramayana. This monumental project, undertaken by six of the most esteemed scholars and translators of the Tamil language, marks the first fully annotated literary English translation of this revered work. All eight volumes will be published under Penguin’s Vintage imprint between 2028 and 2030.

Widely considered the Tamil literary tradition’s greatest poem, Kampan’s Ramayana is celebrated for its innovative use of language, the psychological depth of its characters, and its profound engagement with the themes of power, truth, and divinity. The influence of Kampan’s Ramayana extends far beyond Tamil Nadu, impacting literary traditions in Kerala, parts of the Indian peninsula, and even the Southeast Asia. Despite its vast influence, a reliable and complete English translation of the text has been long overdue, largely due to its immense size. This new translation aims to prioritize completeness, clarity, and poetic beauty, making this influential poem accessible to both scholars and general readers alike.

The six books of Kampan’s Ramayana, consisting of 42,000 lines of verse, will be divided into seven volumes, with each volume translated by a highly accomplished scholar. The team includes:

• Shiv Subramaniam, Emory University – Volume 1: Bāla (Youth)
• David Shulman, Hebrew University – Volume 2: Ayodhyā (on Ayodhyā)
• Whitney Cox, University of Chicago – Volume 3: Āraṇya (Wilderness)
• Jennifer Clare, Independent Scholar – Volume 4: Kiṣkindhā (on Kiṣkindhā)
• Archana Venkatesan, UC Davis – Volume 5: Sundara (Loveliness)
• Aniruddhan Vasudevan, Princeton University – Volume 6 and 7: Yuddha Part 1 and 2 (War)

Professors Archana and David will also serve as the volume editors, and the authors of an Introductory Volume.

Commenting on the collaboration, Professors Archana Venkatesan and David Shulman said, ‘The 12th-century poet, Kampan, created a Tamil Ramayana in 10,000 verses, each of them a miracle. His work encompasses and gives voice to an entire civilization, its landscapes, its people, its primary values, profound emotions, and visions of the world. We are thrilled that Penguin will be publishing an English translation of the entire text in individual volumes by a close-knit team of six translator-scholars. This will be the first complete, fully annotated, literary translation of Kampan into a Western language.’

Adding to this, Rea Mukherjee, Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House, says ‘This scholarly and literary translation will be an expansive addition to the existing body of research on the Ramayana. With both the general and specialist reader in mind, this translation will aim to convey the sensibility, spirit, and beauty of Kampan’s magnificent poem. I am thrilled this has found its home at Penguin! I eagerly look forward to working closely with these highly accomplished scholars, and to seeing this collection makes its way to readers soon.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Kamba Ramayanam is a Tamil version of the epic Ramayana written by Kamban in the 12th century. Drawing inspiration from Valmiki’s Ramayana, the Kamba Ramayana is distinct in its treatment of language, style and characterization. I am delighted by the acquisition and look forward to publishing these books.’

At Penguin Random House India employees are encouraged to continually upskill and gather the right experience, exposure, and knowledge to prepare for the future. We have always emphasized providing robust career development opportunities to empower employees to grow within the organization. We see this as a shared responsibility where employees are equally committed to continuous learning, reinventing themselves, embracing new opportunities, diversifying their skill sets, and building on their experiences by balancing multiple responsibilities and transitioning across functional boundaries with agility.

To support this philosophy, we have an extensive Onboarding Program for our new joiners, which offers them a comprehensive view of our business priorities, culture, and systems. New joiners engage with various panels, including Publishing, Sales, Marketing, and more, in a panel discussion format. These sessions allow them to get to know the panellists personally and understand their professional journeys. Through these interactions, new joiners gain valuable business insights into each domain, learning about the key priorities and plans. The discussion format ensures that there are valuable takeaways for everyone, not only for the new joiners but also for the panellists, who leave with food for thought.

The physical distance and the hybrid nature make it longer for new joiners to acclimatise in most cases and a longer learning curve has its impact on their confidence levels and motivation further leading to a higher potential for stress and performance lags. Our ‘New Joiner Mentorship Program’ helps bridge this gap and provides the support that our new joiners need to navigate these challenges. All new joiners are allocated Mentors for the initial 3-month period. These mentors are experienced, possess a thorough understanding of our processes and culture, are chosen for their knowledge & expertise, and are not in a direct reporting relationship with their mentees to provide unbiased guidance. Mentors allocate a set period every two weeks, ranging from 30 to 45 minutes, for meaningful conversations with their mentees over three months.

Our learning and capability program is a blended format offering a variety of learning and upskilling opportunities, including global conferences, management development programs, leadership/executive coaching, and team collaboration programs. These programs are highly intense and bespoke, tailored to meet business needs. Recognizing the new age of hybrid work, our learning model also adopts a hybrid format, combining offline and virtual sessions. We have transitioned from long-format training modules to snackable modules, requiring a smaller investment of time (4 hours) in one go, with sessions spread out over multiple modules instead of dedicated full two-day sessions. Additionally, we view learning not as a one-off event but as a learning intervention spanning three months, seamlessly integrating all formats to maximize impact.

Cross Company Externships, #Influencers, and forming Network teams to work on business-critical projects are a few unique learning concepts that are exciting and very effective. Through Externships, we enable individuals to step outside, engage with other creative partners, and bring back new learnings, ideas, and perspectives. Simply put, the program spans over 2-3 days where participants exchange ideas on different practices, discuss common challenges, and learn in the process. Our exchange partners include creative organizations outside Penguin, our global Penguin entities, and different departments within PRHI. Imagine an editor doing an externship at a warehouse to learn how our books reach the end consumer—how exciting is that?

While INFLUENCERS program at Penguin Random House is a special Learning series where we invite our esteemed authors from different walks of life to share the gems of learning with our employees. The session’s format involves a guest speaker selecting a topic and engaging in groundbreaking conversations, sharing their life journeys and ideas with the larger team. We have conducted sessions in both lecture and panel formats, and both work equally well, followed by a Q&A segment.

In addition,  we offer a comprehensive repository of learning modules accessible to every employee. This powerful tool allows employees to select learning programs that resonate with their interests and plan their learning at their convenience. With over 10,000 programs, our repository covers a wide range of subjects, from cutting-edge topics like AI in publishing to essential modules on fostering allyship. This extensive resource ensures that every team member can enhance their skills and knowledge in areas that are both relevant and exciting to them.

Lastly, we leverage the power of Periodic Career Conversations and Feedback Exchanges to chart a path where our talent’s ambitions and business needs converge. This is why we have many homegrown talents who have been nurtured to lead our business results and growth.

Penguin Random House India Champions Employee Well-being

With a concrete foothold in the publishing sector, Penguin Random House has built a long-standing and admirable legacy. Our publishing house has been widely known for discovering and publishing literary compositions across languages, countries, cultures, and communities.

While embarking on a revolutionary journey to carve itself a literary niche, we at Penguin Random House operate as a pillar of support to our employees, who are an indispensable force of the company. Owing to this, we have incentivised our employee-centric approach by heeding to the psychological well-being of our workforce.

Aditi Kumar, Senior Vice President- People, Diversity and Corporate Responsibility elaborated saying, “Penguin’s working principles are forged on the foundation of employee well-being and engagement. We have formulated communication channels that are accessible to the whole workforce and are built with a great deal of confidentiality. I can’t emphasise enough the importance of open communication. It is the biggest enabler in crafting a culture that is conducive to growth and success. At Penguin Random House India,  anyone can walk into the CEO’s office to present a raw idea or even challenge a viewpoint”.

We have explicit channels that foster two-way communication like the Penguin Skip Level Connect, which offers a structured platform to enable an open, two-way conversation that employees can schedule with their skip-level managers.  Anonymous Q&A at Town Halls, Weekly Catchups, Opinion Polls, and Annual Employee Surveys enable people to freely express their opinions and be equal partners in driving the company’s success. The genesis of a lot of our present initiatives is a result of these impromptu and candid conversations.

The Employee Wellbeing Assistance Program is the focal point of our organisational efforts, initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers confidential counselling sessions to support employees facing personal and professional challenges. This program underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of care and resilience within our workforce, ensuring that employees have access to the resources and support they need to thrive both personally and professionally.

Furthermore, Penguin is dedicated to ensuring that new employees feel welcomed and comfortable in their new roles. We understand the range of emotions that come with starting a new job, and to address this, we have implemented policies specifically tailored to support newcomers. In addition to assigning each new employee a seasoned PRHI member as a ‘Mentor’ for the first three months, we offer opportunities for them to share their experiences and perspectives through one-on-one meetings with our Senior Leadership team.

Our Onboarding with New Joiners initiative further reinforces this commitment by facilitating panel discussions between team leaders and new hires. In addition to familiarising the new employees with their tasks and duties, this program encourages them to establish connections with leaders across various departments, making them comfortable with the workplace dynamics from the beginning.

While our new joiners are well taken care of, getting a handle on how our team feels is key to building a great workplace environment. We conduct anonymous surveys amongst the employees periodically to gather general sentiments on subjects that concern the entirety of the workforce whether it be around refining our Hybrid work model or just methods for strengthening the work-life balance. Rather than the management who champions action planning, we have a Network Team that brings together a diverse set of people to form a core committee to brainstorm alternatives that are recommended to the management for implementation.

Additional initiatives like Long Sabbatical Leave, offering extended breaks after completing defined years of service, and Unblock Your Calendar, declaring company-wide days off, are intriguing methods to recharge, rejuvenate, and reinvent oneself. They’re eagerly anticipated and embraced within our company culture.

In essence, these initiatives exemplify our dedication to nurturing a workplace environment where employee well-being is paramount. By offering opportunities for rejuvenation and growth, we strive to empower our team members to lead fulfilling and productive lives.