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 ]
Joel Friedlander, the author, blogger, book designer, publisher, and publishing industry consultant, died on May 7 of cancer. He was 73. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Mark Chandler, previously senior reporter on The Bookseller, has been promoted to the position of news editor, effective from today (Friday 7th May). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-05-07 22:17:08 UTC ]
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When it comes to serious decisions in business or in life, this mental quirk can set us up for catastrophic failure unless we actively work to keep it in check. Imagine this: You’re heading for the cashier at your local bookstore when you pass a display selling coffee mugs for $5. There’s only... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2021-05-07 05:00:19 UTC ]
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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has written a children's book for Penguin Random House called The Bench, about the “special bond between father and son as seen through a mother’s eyes”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-05-04 02:52:11 UTC ]
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More than 30 people raised $8.35 million to buy the building that houses Warwick's bookstore in La Jolla, Calif., saving it from having to move from where it has operated since 1952. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House's Ten Speed Press imprint has established a new imprint, 4 Color Books, with Bryant Terry, the NAACP Image Award and James Beard Award–winning chef and educator. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishing director of Gallery UK, Holly Harris talks to The Bookseller about Simon and Schuster's new commercial non-fiction imprint. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-04-30 14:53:56 UTC ]
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A bookseller talks about the surprising rewards of discussing books virtually with kids. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-30 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., and its sister store in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., have been sold to new owners, as has the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, Vt. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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On Saturday, April 24, 749 bookstores in all 50 states participated in bookselling's biggest yearly celebration. Here are some highlights of the day, in pictures. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Ontario-based publisher and independent bookstore has soft-launched a series of chapbooks by booksellers, for booksellers, aimed at sparking discussion and debate about important issues in the trade. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Karen M. McManus re-ups with Delacorte, Knopf buys Ayobami Adebayo’s sophomore effort, Random House takes on Bob Odenkirk’s memoir, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House US CEO Madeline McIntosh said the publisher hopes to begin bringing more people back to physical offices in September, but stressed that the company's guiding principle on the future of work is to be a "remote-friendly company." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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In advance of Independent Bookstore Day on April 24, the Community of Literary Magazines & Presses has put together a map of 140 bookstores that give special support to independent publishers. The list, which was compiled by recommendations from CLMP members, isn’t exhaustive, of course, but... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-04-23 14:00:20 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House senior v-p Skip Dye said the move to unify the publisher's library sales and library marketing groups will foster "even more mutually advantageous and enjoyable relationships with our libraries and librarians nationwide." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent Bookstore Day, administered by the American Booksellers Association, takes place this coming Saturday, April 24. More than 740 stores are participating and booksellers are adjusting to the times, moving many events outdoors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House has opened applications for The Scheme 2021, its traineeship to find talent from under-represented groups in publishing, and extended it into sales and publicity alongside editorial. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-04-19 21:12:47 UTC ]
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Culture Street mural for Grenfell Tower, with poem by Ben Okri, North Kensington, London, image courtesy of IranWire and #PaintTheChange. London-based writer Malu Halasa canvasses the Middle Eastern and North African culture scene in London,... Continue reading at World Literature Today
[ World Literature Today | 2021-04-19 19:22:28 UTC ]
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I’m peeking out to post this week and rejoice that the warmth of spring and the end of a long Covid winter lets us all spend some time together. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-04-19 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Social media is now a vital platform to promote new titles. And that means jacket designs that hit you ‘hard and quick’Last week’s big literary event was not the publication of a new book, the million-pound signing of a celebrity author or the announcement of a prestigious prize. Instead, it was... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-04-18 09:00:04 UTC ]
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