Cultural Cross Sections Elena Poniatowska In this column that originally appeared in La Jornada, Elena Poniatowska considers the role of editors and talks with Diego Rabasa, founder of publisher Sexto Piso. Already precarious, the pandemic lockdown has made the plight of independent publishers and bookstores in Mexico in light of Covid-19 even more acute. To be an editor is to answer the call of the gods. It’s a vocation, a ministry, an immense privilege, to enter the Olympus of literature. To be an editor is to pick those who have talent and launch them. To be a publisher is to foretell: this one will make it. It’s also to disappoint and reject. I recall the Dutch printer Alexander Stolz in Mexico holding out to me his exquisite edition of Benjamin Constant’s Adolphe, as if it were a diamond, at the Fondo de Cultura Económica, and the paternal care that Arnaldo Orfila Reynal took with the anguished palavering of Fernando del Paso. To be an editor is to be a psychologist and to be bewildered as to how to treat each creature-author. Vicente Rojo was my editor, and we have loved each other deeply since, but I never gave him trouble. What must that genius from Pachuca named Yuri Herrera be like? What’s his soft spot? I have to handle Carlos Montemayor with kid gloves because he’s unpredictable. Federico Alvarez, director of the FCE in Spain, told me that seeing Elena Garro and Helena Paz enter the FCE in Madrid was like falling into... Continue reading at 'World Literature Today'
[ World Literature Today | 2020-06-03 21:05:48 UTC ]
Tomorrow, Saturday 4/26, is Independent Bookstore Day! And while every day can and should be Independent Bookstore Day (stop buying books from Amazon, stop linking to books on Amazon, stop posting the Amazon sales and the B&N sales on your social media), it’s nice that we have a dedicated... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-04-25 14:00:29 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Ginny Hogan on why we love to see the beauty and disappointment of toxic female friendships on the page and the screen. | Lit Hub Criticism Today on the Lit Hub podcast, we’re celebrating Indie Bookstore Day! | Lit Hub Radio Gabrielle Bellot reads Zoë Schlanger’s The Light Eaters and wonders if... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-04-25 10:30:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this
A weekly behind-the-scenes dive into everything interesting, dynamic, strange, and wonderful happening in literary culture—featuring Lit Hub staff, columnists, and special guests! Hosted by Drew Broussard. April is, as it turns out, a great month for book lovers: the first big wave of pre-summer... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-04-25 09:45:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Online Ceramics and Penguin Random House team up against the ultimate culture killers. Reading just got a whole lot cooler. Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2025-04-24 09:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
I was going to write something else for today’s column, something complain-y but righteous that would allow me to get some stuff off my chest and maybe even get some rage clicks. Shit is bad. But I’m so tired. Maybe you are too. So why don’t we celebrate something nice that’s coming up instead,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-04-24 08:58:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The Southern California Independent Bookstore Bestsellers list for Sunday, April 27, 2025, including hardcover and paperback fiction and nonfiction. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2025-04-23 13:00:01 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The US high court hears oral arguments as publishing industry parties file an amicus brief, on school exposure to LGBTQ+ themes. The post Penguin Random House Leads Amicus Brief in LTGBQ+ Books Case appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-04-22 20:46:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The US high court hears oral arguments as publishing industry parties file an amicus brief, on school exposure to LGBTQ+ themes. The post Penguin Random House Leads Amicus Brief in LGBTQ+ Books Case appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-04-22 20:46:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The Gamilaroi journalist and presenter on fame, reconciliation and how studying at Oxford changed the way she thinks about people in powerOn a rudely gorgeous Sydney autumn day, Brooke Boney greets me with a warm hug. We’re meeting at the Botanic Gardens, resplendent with blue skies, a gentle... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2025-04-18 15:00:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The coding system was intended to help book-focused businesses categorize their collections. But some indie booksellers say that, as far as their businesses are concerned, BISAC has lost the plot. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The nominees for this year’s Bookstore and Sales Rep of the Year have much in common: dedication, experience, expertise, a focus on building community through books, and an abiding love of the written word. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
This year’s award goes to the beloved Detroit shop whose octogenarian owner, Janet Webster Jones, is considered bookselling royalty. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Electric Literature is pleased to reveal the cover of Little Movements by Lauren Morrow, which will be published by Random House on September 9, 2025. You can pre-order your copy here. Thirty-something Layla Smart was raised by her mother to dream medium. But all Layla’s ever wanted was a career... Continue reading at Electric Literature
[ Electric Literature | 2025-04-17 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The Fort Worth, Tex., bookstore has grown from a 120-sq.-ft. space inside a gourmet products shop to a full-service store in the city’s cultural district. But don’t talk politics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Within months after this Oakland, Calif., bookstore was destroyed by fire last year, owner Brad Johnson had a new shop opened and focused on his mission of fostering curiosity, compassion, and intelligent critical thought. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The American Booksellers Association expects that this year’s Independent Bookstore Day on April 26 will be the largest yet, with 1,600+ indies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia celebrating. Exclusive IBD merch, special programming, and, of course, books will be highlighted during... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
At the Bremerton, Wash.–based bookstore, community building is the top priority. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this