Sonny Mehta Quotes

Powerful Sonny Mehta for Daily Growth

About Sonny Mehta

Sonny Mehta, born on January 7, 1938, in Karachi, British India (now Pakistan), was a renowned literary figure who made significant contributions to the world of publishing. Raised in an affluent family with roots in Lahore, Mehta moved to London at the age of twenty to study law at the University of Oxford. However, his passion for literature soon eclipsed his legal ambitions. After a brief stint as a barrister, Mehta joined the publishing house, Jonathan Cape, where he worked with distinguished authors like Salman Rushdie and Nadine Gordimer. In 1987, he was appointed CEO of Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a position he held until his retirement in 2017. Under Mehta's leadership, Knopf published numerous Pulitzer Prize and Booker Prize winners, including Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude," Toni Morrison's "Beloved," and Ian McEwan's "Atonement." Mehta's influence extended beyond the realm of publishing. He was a respected cultural commentator, serving as a trustee for the British Museum and the National Gallery in London. His memoir, "This Head I Hold: Memoirs of a Writers' Publisher," published in 2019, offers an intimate look into his life and career. Mehta's legacy lies in his unwavering commitment to literature and his ability to discover and nurture talented writers. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the literary world, inspiring generations of readers and publishers alike. Quotes often attributed to Mehta, such as "I don't believe in luck; I believe in aptitude meeting opportunity," encapsulate his philosophy towards success and the power of hard work and perseverance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A book is a version of the world. If you can't devour it in one sitting, it's because there are too many versions in it."

This quote suggests that a well-crafted book should be an immersive representation of the world, with its characters, settings, and themes seamlessly interwoven to create a cohesive narrative. If a reader finds themselves unable to finish a book in one sitting, it could mean that the author has included too many disparate elements or versions of the world within the storyline, making it less engaging or difficult to follow. The ideal book should be so compelling and internally consistent that readers are eager to immerse themselves fully, devouring its pages in a single sitting.


"In literature, as in life, it's not the destination that matters, but the journey."

This quote by Sonny Mehta emphasizes that the essence of both literature and life lies not in the final outcome or destination, but in the process or journey leading up to it. It suggests that personal growth, learning, experiences, and insights are more valuable than mere achievements or end results, inviting us to savor the experiences along our paths rather than solely focusing on reaching our goals.


"Great books are written on napkins, in airplanes, and in taxis. They aren't born at a desk."

This quote emphasizes that inspiration for great works can strike anywhere, not just in traditional work environments like a desk. The creative process is often triggered by life experiences, conversations, observations, or simple ideas jotted down casually in unexpected settings such as napkins, airplanes, or taxis. This sentiment suggests that creativity and writing are fluid and can be nurtured outside of the conventional office setting, highlighting the importance of being open to inspiration and ready to capture it whenever it may arise.


"To be a good publisher, you have to believe absolutely in your authors – even when they're wrong."

This quote suggests that a good publisher, in order to be successful, must have unwavering faith and confidence in their authors, even if the author makes mistakes or takes unconventional paths. It emphasizes the importance of trust and support in the publishing industry, as publishers play a crucial role in nurturing and amplifying the voices of their authors. This belief is essential for growth and success, as it encourages authors to take creative risks and push boundaries, ultimately leading to impactful and meaningful works.


"The role of the editor is to be always ahead of the author."

The quote by Sonny Mehta, "The role of the editor is to be always ahead of the author," suggests that an editor's responsibility is not only to correct errors or provide guidance but also to anticipate trends and ideas before they become popular. In other words, a good editor should have a keen sense of what readers will find interesting in the future and help authors develop those ideas, thereby staying one step ahead in the publishing industry. This requires both a forward-thinking mindset and an intimate understanding of the market and audience.


We think continuity's important.

- Sonny Mehta

Think, Important, Continuity

In 'Lean In,' Sheryl Sandberg gives a frank assessment of what it will take for women to move forward as equals to men. Her book is full of sound advice and informed recommendations and marked by its positive outlook.

- Sonny Mehta

Informed, Frank, Marked, Move Forward

Americans are tired of fad diets, counting calories, and living within restrictive guidelines about carbs and fat. They are turning to Mireille Guiliano for her sensible and admittedly contrarian advice on eating well.

- Sonny Mehta

Living, Within, Counting, Diets

I was from somewhere else. Then all of a sudden I was here, in New York. With one suitcase.

- Sonny Mehta

New, Here, Somewhere Else, Suitcase

I see myself as a transient, not an immigrant.

- Sonny Mehta

Myself, See, I See, Transient

I didn't think I would be an exceptional writer, and I thought I might be a useful publisher. I've never regretted it.

- Sonny Mehta

Thought, Think, Might, Regretted

Tony Blair is an extremely popular figure in North America. His memoir is refreshing, both for its candour and vivid portrayal of political life.

- Sonny Mehta

Memoir, Figure, North, Portrayal

Few writers can rival Helen Fielding when it comes to fully capturing the modern woman.

- Sonny Mehta

Woman, Modern, Few, Capturing

Knopf is solidly profitable, and that is how I intend to keep it.

- Sonny Mehta

How, Keep, Profitable, Intend

Hillary Clinton is one of the most compelling figures in the world today... and Carl Bernstein's stunning portrait shows us, for the first time, the true trajectory of her life and career.

- Sonny Mehta

Career, Figures, Compelling, Trajectory

Profit is one way that you can take pride in the way you publish things and insure that you can go on doing it.

- Sonny Mehta

Doing, Take, One Way, Profit

The original publication of 'The DaVinci Code' preceded the e-book era.

- Sonny Mehta

Original, Code, Era, Publication

I believe 'Lean In' has the power to change not only our outlook but also the world and that it will become a touchstone publication for a generation of women.

- Sonny Mehta

Change, Generation, Will, Publication

You do not give a great biographer a timetable. You let them do their work and, in due course, publish it.

- Sonny Mehta

Work, Give, Due, Timetable

John Grisham is one of the greatest storytellers of all time.

- Sonny Mehta

Time, John, Storytellers, None

The biggest kick is reading something new and exciting and then getting other people to share your enthusiasm. Beyond all the cant and hypocrisy in publishing, that's what it's all about.

- Sonny Mehta

New, Other, About, Cant

There are distinctions between Indian and Pakistani writers.

- Sonny Mehta

Pakistani, Distinctions, Indian

At Knopf, we look at each book on a case-by-case basis... in some cases, we think a writer might get a boost from an endorsement by a fellow writer, but in other cases, a new book will be better served by other means, such as publicity and reviews.

- Sonny Mehta

Some, Other, Endorsement, Boost

We are seeing historic, record-breaking sales across all types of our accounts in North America for 'The Lost Symbol.'

- Sonny Mehta

Historic, Symbol, Types, Accounts

There are not too many people who are polymathic these days.

- Sonny Mehta

Days, Too, Many, Too Many People

A good part of the work is just reading a manuscript and coming to the office. I can't imagine wanting to even read an article about book publishing.

- Sonny Mehta

Wanting, Imagine, Read, Article

There is such a very large quantity of books clamouring for a buyer's attention that publishers have relied more and more on support such as blurbs as a way of getting an independent recommendation from a familiar name, much in the same way that Amazon.com will send an e-mail recommending Book A to a customer who's already purchased Book B.

- Sonny Mehta

Book, Independent, Very, E-Mail

Most writers of entertainment fiction tend to receive controversial reviews.

- Sonny Mehta

Most, Tend, Receive, Controversial

Just because we're Knopf doesn't mean we shouldn't sell books as well as any other publisher in the land.

- Sonny Mehta

Other, Sell, Any, Publisher

I have, from time to time, stopped using it for books, when they pissed me off about something - the negotiation with Hachette, for instance. I thought that was outrageous bullying, and I discontinued using Amazon for books. I did use it for socks, but I didn't use it to buy books.

- Sonny Mehta

Thought, Use, Instance, From Time To Time

Lisbeth Salander is one of the most compelling heroines of 21st century crime literature, and I am thrilled to see readers have welcomed her return.

- Sonny Mehta

Heroines, Compelling, Am, 21st Century

Sometimes you find something new, and you just say, 'Wow.'

- Sonny Mehta

New, Sometimes, Find, Wow

We all have our notions of sport. If I'd wanted to make my living climbing mountains, I wouldn't have gone into publishing. Most of the time, you're sitting in a dark room reading a manuscript.

- Sonny Mehta

Mountains, Reading, Living, Climbing

It seems the world of book publishing is constantly changing. Whether it was the rise of chain stores or their decline, or the digital revolution... fortunately, we have been able not only to adapt but to thrive.

- Sonny Mehta

Digital, Been, Chain, Thrive

Tony Blair is one of the most significant world leaders of the modern era. He has a remarkable story to tell. His tenure as prime minister was marked by close relationships with Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush, and he enjoys a profile in this country that is rare among foreign leaders.

- Sonny Mehta

Country, Tell, Bush, None

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