The inception and success of Sama Publications, Pakistan’s most innovative publishing house, is an inspirational story of two friends who shared a passion for reading and literature. Since its inception in 2004, Sama publications have found their way into libraries across the world including those of at the University of Heidleberg, University of Texas at Austin, University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University and Osaka University in Japan. In fact, one of Sama’s books, Kolachi Dreams by Nadia AR is taught at the University of Texas at Austin. Another title, No Space for Further Burials by Feryal Ali Gauhar, won the Pitras Bokhari Award for the Best Book in English published in Pakistan in 2007. Blue Chip talks to the founders Tyaba Habib and Yasmin Qureshi about the unprecedented success of Sama.
Can you tell us what prompted you to set up Sama?
Tyaba Habib: “It was probably because of our love for books. Both of us were working together at one point of time and once, over lunch, we discussed the idea of establishing a publishing house and we ended up making one in 2004.”
What challenges did you face setting up Sama?
TH: “We had never set up a business before, so we didn’t know how to go about it. There were so many things to do: get the papers organised as we had to register ourselves, establish a company and set up a bank account and all the other small technicalities. Then, it just started. We used to work in some of the rooms at my house; we started from there. We started doing media and films also, so all the big firms also became involved and since then, we have expanded our business. We decided to start and clients started coming in. We pooled in some money and bought a couple of computers and tables and started working properly. Then we got Maniza Naqvi’s book – she was the first one to give us a book.”
Has your success surpassed your expectations?
Yasmin Qureshi: “Our first book was Maniza Naqvi’s A Matter of Detail and our second book was Dr. Asma Abdullah’s – University of Texas Press printed that and we got credits for publishing it in Pakistan. Then, we sort of took off from there. We were surprised at the way we took off because we weren’t expecting such a huge response. We didn’t expect to reach such heights so fast.”
Do you see a lot of literary talent emerging in Pakistan?
YQ: There is true talent here but it needs to be tapped. I think people need to organise more workshops and do something for the writers also, because most of them are starting off for the first time. I also feel that our writers didn’t have a platform as such, although there are Urdu and educational publishing houses like Ferozsons and Alhamra, but this is not enough. So, this is what we wanted to do: provide them with a platform.”
How do you choose what to publish? What is the procedure?
TH: “We both read the manuscript and if the script is more technical, then we get an outside opinion. But if it’s fiction, we decide amongst ourselves.”
What do you think about the emergence of South Asian writers who are getting a lot of prominence through books like A Case of Exploding Mangoes and White Tiger?
YQ: “They are really international writers but are categorised as South Asians just because they were born here. At the end of the day, they are just writers whether they were born here or anywhere else. I think the reason they are categorised as South Asian writers is mainly because of their origins and the setting of their stories, but their themes are universal.”
Why did you choose the name ‘Sama’?
YQ: “We actually like the meaning of the name: ‘Sama’ means ‘universe’. We needed a small name, a name which can easily be remembered and it is also my daughter’s name!”
How do you cope up with challenges like low literacy levels in Pakistan… how does it affect your work?
TH: “There are problems because Pakistan has a low literacy rate and we publish only in English, so it is a problem. But, despite that, I think we do have a pretty good readership.”
How do you handle the distribution?
YQ: “Initially, we had a lot of problems with distributors so we made a decision to look for pre-publications material. It is actually difficult because it costs quite a lot of money to bring a book out, so we like to get pre-publication orders. We reprinted Bapsi Sidwa’s books in Pakistan. In fact, we were the only ones who published all the books in individual volumes, so she was quite happy about it.”
What are your plans for the future for Sama?
TH: “More books, more writers and hopefully we’ll get the writer!”
What are you currently reading?
TH: I just finished reading Tar Baby by Toni Morrison and I have also just finished readingSold – a book about child trafficking in India.”
YQ: “I am also reading Toni Morrison strangely enough! I read Beloved which I thought was perfect. I also liked Kamila Shamsie’s Burnt Shadows a lot.”
One of your publications was reviewed in the Times Literary Supplement…
TH: “Mazhar ul Islam’s The Season of Love, Bitter Almonds and Delayed Rains. It was translated by Christopher Shackle. Another of our books, Come Fly with Me by Captain Johnny Sadiq was reviewed in the Fly Past magazine which is the best aviation magazine.The Day the Mountains Moved: International Perspectives on Handling Psycho-Trauma(edited by Unaiza Niaz) was reviewed in the British Medical Journal.”
What other services does Sama provide?
TH: “We are also offering editorial services, so we can be approached by other publishers if they want help with proof reading and other specifics.”
