FAQ

The founders were both bespectacled in elementary school. They grew up in South India, where it was common to be called “soda buddhi” by other kids, a mocking nickname likening thick eyeglasses to soda bottles (kids can be mean, yes!). Fun fact: “buddhi” has two meanings in Indian languages:

1. buddhi oil or kerosene lamps were used to illuminate before electricity was commonly available
2. buddhi also means wisdom

We reclaim the word “Soda Buddhi” and wear it as a badge of honor.

Addendum: Our South Indian readers may prefer the spelling “buddi”, but the pronunciation is confusing for English speakers, so we think “buddhi” was the way to go!

We are looking to publish translations from any language from these South Asian countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.

Great. Head over to our Submissions page and fill out the short form. We look forward to reading your submission.

Welcome! Head over to our Submissions page and fill out the short form. We look forward to reading your submission.

No. We do not publish any translation that is machine-generated. Machine-generated translation cannot be protected by copyright.

We do not publish translations based on existing translations. Translators will work from the original source text.

Never. Soda Buddhi Books is a traditional independent press, not a hybrid publisher. We cover all production, editorial, cover design, and distribution costs. 

When a project or title is acquired, we offer a modest advance against royalties alongside close editorial collaboration. As an independent micropress, our advances are humble, but our commitment to bringing your translation into the world with care is absolute.

Short answer: Every Soda Buddhi Books title is published in high-quality trade paperback and DRM-free eBook formats.

Our goal is to meet readers where they are while ensuring these translations remain widely accessible. For select titles with strong narrative or oral storytelling appeal, we also explore unabridged audiobooks and limited-edition hardcovers on a project-by-project basis.

We use a sustainable, print-on-demand distribution model for our standard trade paperbacks.

By printing dynamically to meet reader and bookseller orders, we drastically cut down on paper waste, eliminate excess freight emissions, and ensure every title in our catalog stays perpetually in print. Simply put: the idea of pulping unsold books is painful to us.

That said, we also deeply value the physical craft of bookmaking. For select limited-edition releases, our goal is to partner with small, local printers and bookbinders. This allows us to support regional artisans and celebrate the tactile art of the book, while keeping our core catalog environmentally sustainable.

Not at this time. We are prioritizing direct submissions from translators and agented submissions. You are welcome to submit your title using our CrowdSlush page.

By combining Crowdsourcing with a traditional Slush pile, we created CrowdSlush. Think of it like community or reader pitches for books we should consider publishing.

You’re our people! Thank you. We would love to crowdsource title suggestions. Head to our CrowdSlush page. Please share your suggestions for titles that are in the public domain and from emerging authors alike. Bear in mind that we are a micropress and can realistically select 2–3 titles every year.

Yes, we hate submitting forms into the void, so we won’t let that happen to you. Each submission has a 4-week timer for our publisher to review and respond. If your suggestion moves into active book development, we will give you a formal shoutout in the book’s colophon!