It began simply as a weeklong book fair, sometimes extended for another week, at the Bangla Academy premises. But as the thriving publishing industry was spreading its wings among the readers, such a short time span proved to be highly inadequate. Thus the Amor Ekushey Grontho Mela, which is now the most anticipated literary event of the country, eventually evolved into a month-long book fair. To some, it has become an integral part of our cultural identity taking place in the month of February fostering among the new generation the spirit of nationalism.

Thousands of new titles hit the fair every year drawing together the young as well as seasoned writers, and a thousand of avid readers and autograph-hunters. Children and grownups alike, swarm to the fair not only with the desire to collect their favourite books, but also with the hope of spending some time with their favourite authors. While walking past a book launching ceremony or for that matter a discussion about the language movement, one would surely feel intrigued to be a part of it. But if the academy and publishers are behind this literary extravaganza, then the writers are at the heart of it. Without the writers' gift of imagination and thought, no book fair would ever have come into existence. While the fair comes as a blessing for the publishers who grab the chance of getting some publicity and making some quick money, what do the writers get?

Some say they get published, some say they earn fame and some say they earn money. Getting just published without money or fame is true for the debutante writers, and earning fame is true for the seasoned ones. Apart from these, all writers, young or seasoned, are entitled to certain rights in terms of special treatment and royalties. It is true that only a handful of highly popular authors receive their due royalties, sometimes even in advance, but royalties for most others remain a far off dream.

Not that authors are craving for their royalties. They are rather quite reluctant about it. Authors constitute the most progressive section of the society, who involve themselves far more with intellectual exercise of all sorts, and far less with the money the publishers owe them. Hasan Azizul Haque, one of the most recognised fiction writers of the two Bengals, says, “It is a writer's responsibility to write. Most writers, in some way or the other, are intellectually oriented. That's why they need a certain kind of serenity to delve into their thoughts. May be that's why they also avoid trivial down-to-earth matters like negotiating their royalties. Eventually they are always at the receiving end of the bargain.”

Agreeing with Haque, Syed Manzoorul Islam, professor of English at Dhaka University as well as a seasoned fiction writer of the country, says, “There was a time when the publishing industry was in its infancy. But over the last decade, it has developed into a viable industry. Still, professionalism has not developed in the industry for various reasons.” Shushanta Majumdar, another fiction writer, shares the same plight, but also accuses the newspapers of the same offence.

“Even newspapers do not pay us for publishing our novels and short stories in the glitzy Eid issues. If this is the case with the newspapers, then how can we be hopeful about the publishing houses?”

Most writers, however, when asked about specific publishers who infringe the authors' rights, do not want to mention any specific name, but just point out the practises existing in the sector. However, both Hasan Azizul Haque and Syed Manzoorul Islam admit that there have been some highly responsible publishers who always ensure the authors' right, and without whose dedication the publishing sector would not have come to the stage where it is now. Muktodhara, University Press Limited, Mawla Brothers and Sahitya Prakash are some of the dedicated publishing houses that have been operating with accountability since many years.

The way books are produced, reproduced, distributed and consumed in a capitalist era has come a long way from the old days. In this age, the publishing sector has grown into an industry where people invest to make money. Again, writers are at the heart of this industry, and the publishers merely bank on their merits. It is precisely because of this reason that the issue of royalties has now been universally accepted all over the world as an integral part of Intellectual Property Rights.

Manzurur Rahman, registrar of copyrights which operates under the ministry of cultural affairs, asserts that the Copyright Act 2000 and the amended Copyright Act 2005 very clearly state that when authors, especially those who have not handed over their copyright to the publishers, do not get their royalties, it is an infringement of the author's right. However, the publishers defend themselves by saying that publishing is in no way a lucrative business in Bangladesh. On the contrary, it is in a very sorry state because more and more people are shifting their attention to television and film. But statistics of the rising trend of published books and the gross turnover in the fair contradicts such statements.