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 ]
Apple responds to antitrust charges: "The launch of the iBookstore in 2010 fostered innovation and competition, breaking Amazon's monopolistic grip on the publishing industry." Continue reading at AllThingsD
[ AllThingsD | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Alleged collusion aside, the publishing industry's agency pricing model may actually protect the long-term interests of everyone in the ebook value chain. Continue reading at AllThingsD
[ AllThingsD | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The major trade publishers do not appear in imminent danger of fading away. With Random House’s release of 2011 financial results late last month, the four large trade houses that report results all posted operating margins that topped 10%. Although the four companies—Lagardère Publishing... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The lucrative James Bond novels return to Random House, their original publisher, through a new deal. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Oddly, Random House deciding to triple the price of its ebooks for libraries is being considered a compromise. While others, like Penguin, are pulling their electronic tomes from the virtual shelves of our lending institutions, Random House is at least willing to still play ball -- even if it's... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2012-03-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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CHESTERFIELD, MO, February 22, 2012 – Newspaper Data Exchange (NDX), innovators in media data aggregation in the publishing industry, will now have an exclusive license to enroll new affiliate members for the Audit Bureau of Circulations (A ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Many in the publishing world were convinced that Ms. Knox's story would be a huge best seller, overcoming concerns that she may not be a sympathetic figure to some of the public. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2012-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin drops over-the-air downloads; now only Random House gives libraries unrestricted access to purchase and loan ebooks. Continue reading at PC World
[ PC World | 2012-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In December 2010, National Book Network CEO Jed Lyons made the decision to cut back on the number of distribution clients NBN represented while also realigning its sales and marketing teams. The changes led to the departure of some NBN executives including NBN president Rich Freese, who moved to... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After seeing Samsung's spirited swing at Apple users, Amazon's continuing anti-Apple pandering just feels weak. The new ad for the Kindle Fire pits a dorky, single iPad user against a Kindle-reading mom in a bikini—the same ice queen from the 2010 spot, though now she's warmed up a bit and seems... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2012-02-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bridget Marmion, who has had long tenures in sales and marketing at FSG, Random House and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, has started her own firm, Your Expert Nation. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-02-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House, Canongate and Macmillan Children’s Books are the latest publishers to send... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House has released the first direct-to-digital fiction title by bestselling author Katie... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As Barnes & Noble fights for its future, the publishing industry is holding its breath. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2012-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House is diversifying into author management with the launch of an international speakers... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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While it is still early in the migration process, Apple's iPad and other tablets appear to be a very good thing for the publishing industry, allowing publishers to monetize their content while avoiding the printing and distribution costs associat ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble has undergone lots of changes since Len Riggio first took over the bookstore chain in 1965, and it is heading toward what could be its most dramatic makeover since Riggio bought the B. Dalton chain. Although it is far from certain what will happen, B&N is in the early... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House has released two more Nigella Lawson cookbooks as ebooks today (20th December),... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-12-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fear that Amazon will come to dominate the bookselling market is nothing new in the publishing industry. But last week, as booksellers continued to decry the companys price check app (which could be used to access prices on booksellers sideline items, like toys and DVDs) and as information... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-12-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House is extending its digital team, and has promoted Dan Franklin, current digital editor... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-12-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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