Penguin India to Publish The Renegade, a New Short Story Collection by Naga Writer Veio Pou

Naga writer and academic Veio Pou is set to return to the literary spotlight with The Renegade, a new collection of short stories to be published by Penguin Random House India in December 2026. The announcement marks another milestone for literature from Northeast India, bringing stories rooted in the region to a wider readership.

The book will be published under Penguin Eight, Penguin India's dedicated imprint for literature from Northeast India. It is Pou's second book.

Stories of Naga Life, Tradition and Transformation

Moving between villages and cities, the past and the present, The Renegade explores the many dimensions of life in Northeast India. The collection brings together everyday narratives, stories inspired by folklore and local customs, and accounts of Nagas navigating life in large cities.

At its heart are the people who experience these transitions and the questions they face along the way: identity, belonging, tradition and the uncertainties that accompany social change. As modern influences reshape communities and ways of life, the stories examine what people preserve, what they leave behind, and how they find their place in an evolving cultural landscape.

Pou's writing also embraces the contradictions of everyday existence, allowing tragedy and comedy to coexist. Through ordinary lives and familiar experiences, the collection offers readers a glimpse into the complexities of Naga society and the broader human experiences that connect people across cultures.

Veio Pou on the Making of The Renegade

Reflecting on the collection, Pou explained that the stories grew out of ideas he had been exploring for some time, particularly those concerning the realities of individuals living within society.

Writing across different subjects, settings and periods presented its own challenges, as the characters navigate a culturally diverse and constantly changing world. Pou described the process as rewarding, giving him the opportunity to move between different themes, places and moments in time.

Penguin India Welcomes a Distinctive Literary Voice

Karthik Venkatesh, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House India, praised Pou's distinctive voice and the collection's literary qualities, highlighting its expressive writing, unexpected turns of phrase and balance of humour and tragedy.

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Group Senior Vice President of the Adult Publishing Group at Penguin Random House India, described the book as a collection that brings the Northeast's folklore, myths and traditions to life. She also expressed hope that the work would receive wide readership and critical attention across India.

Bringing Northeast Literature to a Wider Audience

The forthcoming publication is a welcome addition to the growing body of literature from Northeast India reaching mainstream publishing audiences. By centring Naga experiences, cultural memory and the realities of a changing society, The Renegade offers readers an opportunity to engage with stories that emerge from a distinct regional context while exploring questions with wider human significance.

For readers interested in Naga writing, regional storytelling and contemporary Indian literature, the collection is one to watch.

Book details

Title: The Renegade Author: Veio Pou Publisher: Penguin Random House India Imprint: Penguin Eight Genre: Short stories Expected publication: December 2026

The book is expected to be available online and at leading bookstores following its release.

Source: Penguin Random House India — Official Announcement

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