Amart Chitra Katha, the publisher of one of India's largest comic series has launched a new novel Counter Theft. It is the first fiction to come out from the brand under its imprint ACK Stories Alive. ACK has sold over 90 million copies in 20 languages so far and is home to popular comics like Tinkle and Karadi Tales.
"With authentic writing and a gripping narrative style, the imprint will bring alive thrilling and rich tales from India's vast treasure trove of stories," publishers announced on Tuesday.
Priced at Rs 225, Counter Theft will be available at all book stores from July 1 and is available for download as e-book from kindle, Ibook and Magster from July 7.
"With this launch, a new chapter in Indian storytelling begins. This is the first in a vast collection of new novels that will enthrall readers across the world with unique stories, written in a compelling narrative form," Rajesh Iyer, founding editor, ACK Stories Alive said.
"With this launch, a new chapter in Indian storytelling begins. This is the first in a vast collection of new novels that will enthrall readers across the world with unique stories, written in a compelling narrative form," Rajesh Iyer, founding editor, ACK Stories Alive said.
A series of novels are slated to come out every year with books filled with stories spanning both modern and ancient inspirations that "can be enjoyed by the young and old alike."
"We are collaborating with India's best writers to produce a diverse and rich tapestry of books, each unique and connected to the Indic story telling narrative," Iyer said.
The story of Chandralekha has been penned by Mumbai-resident Renuka Vishwanathan, a prolific author who is a five-time winner of the Children's Book Trust.
Under its new imprint, ACK Stories Alive will launch four books in English in the first year and has plans of scaling up in the second year and is also looking at possible translations into other languages, Iyer, Founding Editor, ACK Stories Alive said.
"The new imprint caters to a different age segment than the comic book readers. We expect to consolidate our reader base as they graduate from comic books to reading good stories from the house of Amar Chitra Katha, where they are assured of quality storytelling.
"Besides, our forthcoming comic books list continues to be robust. We have established authors like Renuka Vishwanath and Shinie Antony in our fold," Iyer told PTI.
The price range of the imprint currently varies between Rs 195 to Rs 225.