I joined Readomania when my daughter was a student of class II; she is on the verge of joining college now (yeah, yeah, I am a fossil!). Time flies when you're surrounded by the world of stories, deadlines, and a never-ending stack of manuscripts.
Today, I proudly mark my 10-year journey with Readomania—10 years of plot twists and heroic problem-solving moments that could easily rival any thriller we’ve published. As I reflect on this decade, I find myself with a curious mix of nostalgia, gratitude, and a profound love for the craft that has shaped me into who I am today.
When I joined Readomania in 2015, I had no idea what I was signing up for—I had never worked for a start-up till then. Then I met Dipankar—a young and charming leader with the dream to tell beautiful stories and enrich lives. His vision resonated strongly with me. I immediately wanted to be part of his nascent venture. What I didn’t know was that I was about to embark on a rollercoaster ride, filled with unforeseen turns, crazy deadlines, and rewards in the form of appreciation by my talented authors.
One of the first things I learned at Readomania was that publishing is about understanding the pulse of the reader, the craft of the author, and the art of making both meet in a way that feels like magic. I’ve learned that a good editor is part therapist, part strategist, and part detective (because solving narrative mysteries is an editor's daily job, trust me). Also, full-time diplomat (like UN level), because my job entails 90% pacifying people and 10% voodoo!
Over the years, I’ve found that the real value in publishing comes not just from the books we put out, but from the relationships we build—whether it’s with authors, readers, or the incredibly talented team I get to work with every day.
There were definitely moments when I thought I might not make it to the end of this particular chapter in my life. As the years went by, I encountered challenges that tested my patience, sanity, and often, my will to continue. From editorial oversights that sent me into a minor existential crisis to dealing with last-minute cover delivery issues, it’s safe to say that the road wasn’t always smooth (I swear I had more hair and took zero pills in 2015!).
But here's the thing: the roadblocks were never the end of the story. Each challenge, every plot twist, every book release led to personal growth, lessons learned, and victories that were all the sweeter for the struggle. The most satisfying part of it all? Building a wonderful literary community, watching authors grow alongside us, seeing our books find their audience, win multiple coveted awards, and knowing I played a small part in making that happen. (Pats self, huh!)
As an editor, I’ve become the unsung hero behind the scenes. You may not see me wielding a sword, but I swear, at times it feels just as dramatic. There's a certain dopamine rush in fixing a last-minute manuscript disaster, saving a book launch with literally minutes to spare (not my first Rodeo!), or patiently guiding an author through the ups and downs of the editing process. Need to wash that invisible cape, what say!
“Is my book good enough, Indrani? Doesn’t it read pretentious?” is a line I hear from most of my debutant authors. I channel my inner maternal instinct then and soothe their frayed nerves. Not for no reason has Dipankar given me the moniker ‘Amma’!
In a world that’s constantly changing, the art of publishing remains steadfast. The relationships we’ve built, the stories we’ve shared, and the books we’ve brought to life have made all the long nights and stressful days worth it.
Today, I’m filled with a sense of pride and excitement for what lies ahead. There are new stories to discover, new authors to champion, and new readers to connect with. While I may have gained a few grey hairs along the way (ok, who am I kidding; a lot of greys!), my passion for my work has never been stronger.
As I celebrate this milestone, I want to thank everyone who has been part of this incredible journey— Dipankar Mukherjee, the brilliant shepherd of this herd called Readomania; the visionary authors whose words have inspired me/counselled me/consoled me/blessed me; and the readers who have made all of this possible. Here’s to the next decade of learning, growing, and publishing books that make a difference.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go make another book. The work never ends. And neither does the adventure.
Indrani Ganguly
February 2025
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