For his thesis project before graduating from the Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media program at the School of Professional Studies at New York University this spring, Aananth Daksnamurthy examined ways to give South Asian literature a higher profile throughout the world. That academic project has now turned into Two Shores Press, which will publish its first book at the end of September, Vivaranai, the Tamil translation of the Swedish novel Detaljerna (The Details) by Ia Genberg. The novel was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2024.
In making the transition from the classroom to the business world, Daksnamurthy had the help of Brooklyn-based Ulysses Press’ Indie Accelerator Program. Ulysses CEO Keith Riegert said Ulysses has worked with a couple of other indie startups to help them get a toe-hold in the publishing industry. In addition to Riegert serving as an advisor to Two Shores, the new publisher’s books will be distributed in the U.S. by Ulysses’ distributor, Simon & Schuster.
Daksnamurthy, who is a translator working between Tamil and English, is now back in India overseeing the Two Shores launch. Before writing his thesis, Daksnamurthy conducted a self-directed study of the publishing market in the Indian subcontinent.
“Our overarching goal is to elevate South Asian literature from local and regional peripheries to global circulation," Daksnamurthy said of Two Shores’ objective. “We aspire to see increased representation of South Asian literature in major literary award nominationsbestseller lists, book club picks and major publishing deals.”
Two Shores is starting with literary fiction, but will soon expand into other segments, including children’s books. Riegert is encouraging Daksnamurthy to build his list as quickly as possible with a goal of six books in 2025 before increasing to 12 titles annually. “He is off to a fast start.” Riegert said. “He has assembled a great lineup of books.” The publishers list will be a mix of English-language translations of Tamil and other Southeast Asian works, as well as original publications in Tamil.
Andrea Chambers, associate dean of the NYU SPS Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media, said she is not surprised that Daksnamurthy has been able to turn a vision into reality.
“Aananth has demonstrated leadership qualities and a passion for publishing that culminated in his Capstone thesis project, a carefully wrought plan to expand and elevate South Asian literature on a global scale,” Chambers said in a statement. “We look forward to watching Aananth's transformation of an academic exercise into a dream and reality that will benefit his country and publishing on an international scale.”
