In a pioneering collaboration, Godrej DEI Lab and Westland Books have launched Queer Directions, a new LGBTQIA+ publishing imprint committed to inclusive storytelling across genres like non-fiction, poetry, and soon, fiction. The imprint is set to roll out six titles in 2025, spotlighting authentic queer experiences and narratives.
Parmesh Shahani, Head of Godrej DEI Lab and author of Queeristan, will serve as Series Editor. “The idea is to build a bridge, not a border,” Shahani said. “This imprint is an act of solidarity and a platform to elevate diverse queer voices.” Westland Books, already known for its inclusive list, called the launch a long-cherished dream. “Queer Directions is about discovering and nurturing intersectional LGBTQIA+ voices,” said Karthika V.K., Publisher at Westland Books.
In Guwahati, publishers, readers, and booksellers welcomed the initiative, noting a growing appetite for inclusive and diverse literature in Assam’s urban readership. Bookstores and queer collectives alike see this as an opportunity to expand access to queer narratives in the Northeast, long underrepresented in mainstream publishing.