Sonny Mehta

Date of Birth: November 9, 1942

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: December 30, 2019

Biography

Sonny Mehta was a renowned figure in the publishing world, known for his exceptional editorial acumen and his transformative impact on the literary landscape. Born in 1942 in Delhi, India, Mehta became an iconic editor whose career spanned over five decades. He began his journey in publishing at Granada Publishing in London, where he swiftly climbed the ranks due to his keen eye for talent and his innovative approach to book marketing. In 1987, Mehta was appointed as the president and editor-in-chief of Alfred A. Knopf, one of the most prestigious publishing houses in the United States. Under his leadership, Knopf flourished, publishing a plethora of bestsellers and critically acclaimed works. Mehta’s editorial vision brought to light the works of numerous celebrated authors, including John Banville, V.S. Naipaul, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Toni Morrison, to name a few. Mehta’s influence extended beyond the realm of conventional publishing as he championed diversity and brought international voices to the forefront of American literature. His contributions to the industry were recognized with several awards, including the Maxwell Perkins Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Field of Fiction and the London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award. Sonny Mehta passed away on December 30, 2019, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire editors and publishers worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about Sonny Mehta

1. Sonny Mehta was the first non-American to lead Alfred A. Knopf.

2. He was instrumental in publishing “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” series in the United States.

3. Mehta was known for his minimalist editorial style, often making only a few but crucial suggestions to manuscripts.

4. He was married to Gita Mehta, a well-known Indian author and documentary filmmaker.

5. Mehta was an avid reader of detective fiction and had a vast personal collection of crime novels.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sonny Mehta

1. “A good editor is like a good gardener. You don’t do too much. You weed a little, and you leave it alone.”

2. “Publishing is a balancing act between art and commerce.”

3. “The best way to publish is to make a statement with every book.”

4. “Books are about ideas, and ideas are what change the world.”

5. “An editor’s job is to find the truth in a manuscript and help bring it out.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Sonny Mehta’s net worth was estimated to be around $50 million.

Children

Sonny Mehta did not have any children.

Relevant Links

1. [Sonny Mehta – The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/books/sonny-mehta-dead.html

2. [Sonny Mehta – Publisher’s Weekly](https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/Obituary/article/82064-obituary-sonny-mehta.html

3. [Sonny Mehta – The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/dec/31/sonny-mehta-obituary

4. [Sonny Mehta – Alfred A. Knopf](https://knopfdoubleday.com/imprints/knopf-doubleday

5. [Sonny Mehta – BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50949912

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