PublisHer, at the New Delhi World Book Fair, has offered professional publishing women a weekend of networking and discussion.

By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson

‘A Diverse, Thriving Publishing Industry Worldwide’

The 52nd edition of India’s New Delhi World Book Fair opened its run on Saturday (February 1) to continue through Sunday (February 9), with an anticipated crowd of 1.8 visitors at more than 600 events and more than 2,000 stands showing the work of at least 1,000 exhibitors from 40 or more countries.

Announcing itself as “the world’s largest B2C book fair,” the event nevertheless does include a two-day “New Delhi Rights Table” for one-on-one meetings between publishers today and tomorrow (February 3 and 4) and a “chairman’s breakfast” for CEOs and senior executives organized by the National Book Trust India.

And fairgoers at Pragmati Maidan’s’s Bharat Mandapam exhibition complex will have noticed that on Saturday, Sunday, and today, PublisHer made its debut at the fair.

PublisHer was inaugurated by the Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi of the United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah during London Book Fair in 2019, and has developed a growing presence through its programming in many parts of the world publishing industry. If you’re new to it, PublisHer is a growing network of professional women in the book business, welcoming newcomers to its activities and support.

One of the most recent moves Al Qasimi has made in the ongoing development of PublisHer has been a partnership signed with the retail electronic payments network Visa CEMEA (Central Europe, Middle East), generating new programming and awards to bolster the core values of the effort.

Another major step occurred last year, when PublisHer introduced a spacious, multipurposed stand at  Bologna Children’s Book Fair, dedicated to the organization’s work and designed with the sure-footed expertise of Weam Ibrahim and his Dubai-based Q7 Exhibition and Event Management to offer a theater area, an exhibition section, and conversation-and-meeting space.

In the case of the New Delhi debut, the program has involved several components:

• A daily open house at the stand in Hall 4 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• A session of “Tea, Cake, and Networking” at the M Block Market stand of Kunzum Books, a sponsor of the Indian appearance this weekend
• And a new entry in the PublisHer Panels series, again at the Kunzum site at the fair

‘Collaboration, Networking, and Meaningful Conversations’

The PublisHer panel presentation held on Sunday with the support of Sharjah Book Authority—of which Al Qasimi is chairperson—was titled The Rise of Female Publishing Entrepreneurs in India: Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Triumphs.

Panelists Richa Jha, the founding publisher of Pickle Yolk Book, and Trisha De Niyogi, COO and director of Niyogi Books, were moderated in the discussion by Yoda Press founding publisher Arpita Das, a Publishing Perspectives columnist.

And speaking about this first appearance of PublisHer at New Delhi World Book Fair before the fair opened, Al Qasimi told Publishing Perspectives, “PublisHer’s participation in the New Delhi World Book Fair 2025 speaks to our dedication to supporting a diverse, thriving publishing industry worldwide.

“India’s rich literary tradition and entrepreneurial publishing sector are the perfect setting for collaboration, networking, and meaningful conversations to boost businesses and careers.

“We’re looking forward to connecting with peers to share insights and empower women in publishing to grow, innovate, and succeed.”

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More from Publishing Perspectives on PublisHer is here, more on women in publishing is here, more on Sharjah Book Authority and its programming is here, and more on the Indian book industry is here.