Ahmad Mostofa Kamal is a Winner of the Prothom Alo Best Writer Award in 2007.
When, why and how did you started writing?
I started writing during my childhood without having any deep understanding. But in 1990 when I was a first-year student of the physics department at Dhaka University I feel like becoming a writer and throwing away the thought of becoming a scientist so I could concentrate on writing. One has to compromise a lot to be a writer and I have compromised remarkably. I went in Italy on a scholarship but I came back home for my love for writing. Once I wondered how writers write! I was exceedingly inquisitive about poets.
How many books have you written so far?
To date I have published eight books. Of them, five are short story collections, two novels and one an essay book. And I have edited six books.
What books are coming out this book fair?
This year I have two books published. One is a novel titled Andho Jadukor (blind magician) from Pathsutro publishing house. Another is an essay book (second edition) titled Songsoider Essor (God of the sceptics) from Adorn publishing house.
As a young writer do you believe writers in Bangladesh today can survive with only writing as a profession?
Actually, it is not possible for a writer to survive only on writing. You see, the sale of books is not high. So the income is definitely less. Moreover, do the writers receive royalties for their books? No, they do not. Except for a few popular writers, most writers are deprived of royalties. Even publishers think writers are fortunate that their books are being published at all. Publishers take pity on unpopular writers.
What kind of problems do young writers face in our country when trying to publish a new book?
The main problem is that the established or the leading publishers of our country do not want to take the risk of publishing a book by a new writer. Because they may have to count loses – not to mention profit. But these publishers do not keep in mind that these junior writers will turn senior some days later. Again, most of the emerging writers want that all his books are good and should be published as early as possible. The new writers should bear in mind that they have to keep on writing successively.
Do you think senior writers encourage new writers properly?
That is a tough question. I think it is not to the level that the young writers want. The senior writers should read newer writers’ books. If they just read a book of a new writer, it will work as a great inspiration for a young writer. They should not be frustrated if his or her book is not read. I strongly believe that today or tomorrow his or her book will be read.
Do you feel the country has a wide range of market for readers with different taste?
We have two types of writers – popular and unpopular. Novel writers like Humayun Ahmed are prominent in our country but Hasan Azizul Haque is not far from him in terms of fame. We have all kinds of readers, novels, short stories, essays, sci-fi, all have an audience. You see the sale of essays is on the rise day-by-day. If we provide readers with various kinds of book, the readers will, I believe, take it eagerly.
Do writers have any pressure on them to write on any specific genre only for economical purpose?
Most of the publishers want novels from writers because novels sell well. To me, they create pressure on the writer. But some writers, especially the established ones, do not always agree with publishers and show eagerness to write in other genres too. Essays by new writers sell well and the taste of the readers is changing. The number of readers is increasing day by day.
--- Ariful Islam Mithu