“One doesn’t always write only to be published.”- Naveen Kishore (Poet, Artist, Publisher, and Writer)

Team Kitaab is in conversation with Naveen Kishore, a poet, artist, publisher, and writer, who recently released his second book of poems Mother Muse Quintet (Published by Speaking Tiger Books, 2023).

Born in Calcutta, Naveen Kishore received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1973 and began working as a theatre lighting designer. He established Seagull Books in 1982, which is today among the most admired and successful independent publishers of world literature. He is also a faculty at The Seagull School of Publishing, Kolkata. In 2022, Kishore published his widely acclaimed debut collection of poetry, Knotted Grief.

Kishore is the recipient of the Goethe Medal, a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and was awarded the 2021 Ottaway Award for the Promotion of International Literature. He lives and works in Calcutta.

Early this year, he released a second collection of poems called Mother Muse Quintet (published by Speaking Tiger Books, 2023). Team Kitaab spoke to him about his poetry collections, writing, and other things close to his heart.