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 ]
Ah, tradition! Just as Shakespeare wrote King Lear in quarantine, in this quarantine, rich people are buying copies of King Lear for $10,000,000. While independent bookstores are struggling during COVID—according to the American Booksellers Association, more than one independent bookstore has... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-11-09 17:44:18 UTC ]
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Headquartered in Miami, Penguin Random House Español dedicates more than 20 employees to PRH's Spanish-language content. The post Vintage Español Joins PRH Grupo Editorial USA To Create PRH Español appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-11-09 16:41:37 UTC ]
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CNN’s election-count coverage ended as it began: with Wolf Blitzer all excited. “After four long, tense days, we’ve reached a historic moment in this election,” he said. “We can now project the winner of the presidential race.” One thrumming musical interlude later, the network reported that... Continue reading at Columbia Journalism Review
[ Columbia Journalism Review | 2020-11-09 12:59:12 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House has formed Penguin Random House Español, a new Spanish-language publishing division, consolidating the resources of Vintage Español and Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial USA. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-11-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
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With most of the British Isles going back into lockdown over the past few weeks, The Bookseller is inviting people from across the trade to share their thoughts and experiences. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-09 01:38:36 UTC ]
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Independent bookstores are hurting as shoppers stay online. Pick up one of our staff picks to support bookstores throughout the U.S. Whether you’re diving into an engrossing period drama, reading up on the history of protests or pandemics, or escaping into a fantastical world, chances are you’ve... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2020-11-06 16:00:54 UTC ]
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As it enters its fourth decade, the Great Courses, the Teaching Company’s educational audio and video publisher, has increased its focus on digital video content and distribution—all while inking new deals with such partners as Penguin Random House and Scientific American. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-11-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
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As I wrote back in March, the enforced closing of bookshop doors is a terrible story for the editor of The Bookseller to report: it’s a gut-punch, and if you were on social media last Saturday at around 6.30 p.m.—when the Prime Minister announced the decision to shut non-essential retail in... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-05 23:57:12 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House has said it is “disappointed” after the company's gender pay gap widened by 2.1% over the past year, but insists new initiatives mean it is making long-term progress. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-05 11:01:34 UTC ]
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Independent publisher and bookseller Jacaranda is to launch an online book festival in December, celebrating a new wave of black British authors. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-05 08:45:44 UTC ]
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Following its its success in the US, the ethical platform Bookshop.org has arrived in the UK, marking an exciting new chapter for independent stores onlineIn publishing we often talk about things that we are “excited” and “delighted” about, so much that sometimes I think the words have lost... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2020-11-05 08:00:40 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House executives this week confirmed that the publisher is extending its "temporary" digital license terms for e-books and digital audio in libraries and schools through March 31, 2021. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-11-05 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House UK has revealed the 14 unpublished and underrepresented writers invited to join this year’s WriteNow editorial programme. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-04 23:15:02 UTC ]
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Kate McQuaid, currently publicity director at William Heinemann, Windmill and #Merky Books (Penguin Random House UK), is joining independent Rough Trade Books as its first publicist. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-02 23:47:34 UTC ]
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Dujiangyan Zhongshuge is the latest bookstore designed by X+Living, and it’s stunning. The very best books transport you to another world, and the most magical bookstores help make that a reality. Chinese bookseller Zhongshuge is renowned for its stunning bookstores, and its latest outpost, in... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2020-11-02 08:00:34 UTC ]
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Fred Klein, who helped make Bantam Books a major force in mass market paperback publishing in the 1960s and 1970s, died on October 22. He was described by a former colleague as "the greatest ringmaster the publishing world has ever known.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-11-02 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Welcome to the virtual book launch of Tiny Nightmares: Very Short Tales of Horror, brought to you by The Antibody Reading Series in collaboration with WORD Bookstore (buy from the bookstore here). Tonight’s guests include editors Lincoln Michel and Nadxieli Nieto, along with contributors Meg... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-10-29 23:30:17 UTC ]
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As Europe goes back into pandemic lockdown French bookstores are making the case to remain open, despite the fact bars and restaurants will be closing. Citing fears of increasing “cultural isolation” bookstore associations are joining with publishers to demand classification as essential... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-10-29 16:15:27 UTC ]
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With the Covid-19 pandemic resurgent around the globe, Penguin Random House this week announced that it is extending its Open License for online story time and read-aloud videos through March 31, 2021. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-10-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Spare Room Project is collaborating with Penguin Random House to temporarily transform into "The Space Zoom Project" – an adaptation of the scheme in light of continued home-working across the industry. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-10-27 21:12:52 UTC ]
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