<p>Led by some of NYC's top publishing and media professionals, the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-publishing.html">MS in Publishing</a> program at NYU SPS is designed to usher students into the center of the industry. Aananth Daksnamurthy is a current student in the program who took the time recently to share his thoughts on his time at NYU so far and his goals for the future.</p>

<p>Daksnamurthy's venture into the publishing world was anything but conventional. Raised in the small town of Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Aananth began his academic career in mechanical engineering. Like many Indian students, he took the traditional route in STEM, but during his undergraduate studies, he developed a curiosity for the humanities and took electives that opened his eyes to new perspectives. His passion for writing and critical thinking further blossomed during his postgraduate diploma in Liberal Arts through the Young India Fellowship. Two courses, <i>Critical Writing</i> and <i>Culture and Communication</i>, had a particularly profound impact on him, shaping his understanding of societal constructs such as caste, gender, religion, and sexuality.</p> <p>After gaining experience in various roles—from a business analyst in a media house to leading a media team for the Government of Tamil Nadu—Aananth realized that his calling was in publishing. Observing the local publishing landscape for several years, he felt a growing desire to make a difference. This led him to pursue an MS in Publishing at NYU, supported by a Fulbright-Nehru fellowship.</p>

<p>Daksnamurthy&nbsp;chose NYU because of its unparalleled reputation in publishing and its prime location in New York City, the epicenter of the publishing industry. &quot;NYU was at the top of my list, even though it's expensive, and I knew I would need to supplement my Fulbright grant,&quot; he says. The unique capstone project offered by the MS in Publishing program was a key factor in his decision. It aligned perfectly with his ambition to build a business plan for a new publishing venture—a vision he had been nurturing even before his arrival in New York.</p>

<p>Daksnamurthy has relished the close-knit learning environment at NYU, where small classes foster meaningful interactions among students, professors, and peers.</p>

<p>The diversity of his classmates has also impressed him. As one of the older students in his cohort, he found the perspectives of younger classmates refreshing and valuable, especially since they were often more attuned to current reading trends and audience preferences. Aananth cherished these learning moments, both inside and outside the classroom.</p> <p>One of his standout experiences was attending the Bologna Children's Book Fair—his first international trade fair—which helped create deeper connections with his peers and offered invaluable exposure to the global publishing scene.</p>

<p>While the MS in Publishing program at NYU offers various practical courses—such as drafting acquisition memos, selling copies, and publicity plans—Daksnamurthy's most significant learning came from his internship at Ulysses Press. There, he observed how a small business could be run efficiently with a lean team, while also getting hands-on experience with emerging technologies like AI in the publishing process.</p> <p>His capstone project, which transformed his initial business idea into an 80-page thesis complete with financial projections and operational plans, was another cornerstone of his NYU journey. Presenting it to a jury provided crucial feedback and reassured him that his plan was feasible.</p>

<p>Building on the groundwork laid during his time at NYU, Daksnamurthy's recently founded Two Shores Press, a small publishing company with operations in Tiruchirappalli and New York. The press focuses on translating literature from South Asian languages into English and introducing Tamil works to the anglophone market. Their debut title, <i>Vivaranai</i>, is the Tamil translation of Ia Genberg's <i>The Details</i>, a book shortlisted for the International Booker Prize.</p> <p>Looking ahead, Daksnamurthy&nbsp;plans to continue his work as a translator and publisher, bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. &quot;In the long term, I hope to sponsor or train literary translators and create an ecosystem where they can thrive, similar to the Korean literary collective Smoking Tigers,&quot; he shares.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Daksnamurthy&nbsp;credits the NYU SPS program for keeping him ahead of industry trends. Regular discussions on the latest news, whether it's a major publishing house being sold or the rise of AI and TikTok trends, kept him well-informed. Volunteering at events like the US Book Show and Digital Book World further helped him grasp emerging technologies, particularly on the digital side—whether it's audiobooks, NFTs, or AI tools.</p> <p>Throughout his time at NYU, Daksnamurthy&nbsp;has had the guidance and support of key mentors. Keith Reigert, CEO of Ulysses Press and a board member of NYU's Publishing Program, has been a constant source of encouragement. &quot;From day one, he encouraged me to start my business and guided me through the learning curve,&quot; Daksnamurthy&nbsp;says.</p> <p>He also looks to AF Mathew, a professor of humanities at the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK), for advice and inspiration. Mathew's influence has profoundly shaped Daksnamurthy's thinking and the type of work he wants to publish, reinforcing the importance of values and ethics in his career.</p> <p>For those considering NYU SPS, Daksnamurthy's advice is simple: &quot;Have fun, and be ambitious.&quot; His story is a reminder that following one's passion and making bold decisions are key to creating meaningful change in the world of publishing.</p> <p>Make an impact on publishing and media when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-publishing.html">MS in Publishing</a> at NYU SPS.</p>