Hindi or English first? Thinking about your readers

Many writers in India can work in both Hindi and English. When it is time to publish, they wonder which one to choose. There is no rule, but there are useful questions.

Which language do you write best in?

Start here. The book will be stronger in the language where your voice is most natural. If you dream, joke and argue in Hindi, a Hindi book will probably have more life, even if you studied in English.

Do not choose a language because you think it will sell. Readers can tell when the writing is stiff.

Who do you imagine reading it?

Picture a particular reader. Where do they live? What do they read now? Which language do they use when they relax?

A book about a small town family may be best read by people who recognise those sounds. A book about technology or business may reach its readers more easily in English. But there are always exceptions.

What is the market like?

English books have a bigger set of marketing channels, reviewers and online discovery. They also face enormous competition. Hindi has fewer polished new books for modern readers, so a good one may stand out more, although reaching readers takes different effort.

Consider what you can do. If you have contacts in the Hindi literary world, or an audience already, that changes the picture.

Can you do both?

Many authors publish in one language first and translate later. This has advantages: you learn how readers respond, and you can write a better translation brief. It also takes time and cost, so plan for it.

Some write two versions at the same time. That is a lot of work, and the two books often end up slightly different. It can suit short books.

Think about longevity

A book in a language you love is one you can keep writing in. If you plan a series or a career, choose the language you can sustain for years.

Practical points

• Distribution. Some shops and platforms favour one language. Check where your readers buy.
• Editing and proofreading. Is there a good editor and proofreader available to you in that language?
• Typesetting and fonts. Hindi needs a typesetter who understands Devanagari.
• Marketing. Can you write the blurb, the posts and the emails in that language easily?

A way to test

Write the first chapter in both. Show it to readers of each language without saying which you prefer. See which one they respond to, and which one you enjoyed writing.

There is no wrong door

The important thing is to write the book. The language that lets you finish it, with energy and honesty, is the right one to start with.