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 ]
With the new coronavirus continuing to spread in New York City, Penguin Random House said it was withdrawing its participation from the events, which are set to take place at the end of May in New York City's Javits Center. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Indigo Books and Music, Canada's dominant bookstore chain, is closing all of its 199 retail locations from the end of business today until March 27. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Half Price Books became the largest U.S. bookstore chain to close its doors as a result of the pandemic. The company, which has 126 stores in 17 states, said there would be no layoffs among its 3,000 employees. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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“We’re going to operate like a pizza takeout place,” one independent bookstore owner said. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2020-03-18 03:53:05 UTC ]
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Macmillan's John Sargent reverses his controversial stance on library ebooks, and Penguin Random House announces a discounted program amid the outbreak. The post Coronavirus: Macmillan and PRH Ease Library Digital Book Availability appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-03-17 20:47:59 UTC ]
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A reader explains why working in the publishing industry made him appreciate the value of a book more. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2020-03-17 10:35:25 UTC ]
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Independent Bookstore Day, which was scheduled for April 25, has been postponed. The American Booksellers Association, which manages the promotion, said the event would be rescheduled. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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While some regional indie bookseller organizations have canceled spring forum meetings, others are creatively tweaking schedules to put on unique events, ranging from virtual gatherings to mini-forums. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The tale of the Moravian Book Shop isn’t straight-forward. Founded in 1745, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, it’s said to be the oldest continuously-running bookstore in America, yet it’s largely under the radar. It’s not a grande dame to whom homage must be paid; it’s never been the epicenter for... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-03-16 08:49:30 UTC ]
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In a letter to Penguin Random House employees worldwide, PRH CEO Markus Dohle outlined how PRH plans to address the challenges the company faces coping with the global spread of the new coronavirus. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
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As a result of the coronavirus crisis, sales at digital audiobook store Libro.fm and online bookstore Bookshop.org have soared. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House UK is expecting all London-based staff to work from home from Tuesday (17th March) and cancelling all events, including bookshop events, Penguin Live, launch parties and "any meetings". Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-16 02:54:57 UTC ]
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Everyone’s favourite stormtrooper will be developing new movies with Netflix – one of several creators who have turned to enabling the work of othersToni Morrison knew a thing or two about stories. In 1994 she saw the “political correctness debate” as being about “the power to be able to define.... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2020-03-15 18:32:03 UTC ]
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Europa Editions has sold world English language audio rights to Elena Ferrante's latest novel to Penguin Random House Audio. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-13 09:15:04 UTC ]
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The growing impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the publishing industry came into view this week as some independent bookstores reported slowing sales and the number of book festival and author tour cancellations rose. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House’s WaterBrook imprint will debut six Christian gift books and products in the fall through its new line, Ink & Willow. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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[caption id="attachment_162389" align="alignright" width="270"] John Yedinak[/caption] John Yedinak, CEO of Aging Media Network, jokingly refers to himself as a college dropout who went to work with his “really smart brother,” George, to try and make his own business work. Yet the company the... Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2020-03-10 15:10:55 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House UK's mentoring programme WriteNow will return, with workshops planned in England and, for the first time, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-03-09 18:32:05 UTC ]
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From Gutenberg’s printing press to Google’s AMP format, the publishing world has gone from zero to one million miles per hour, with revolutionary changes to the way we produce, distribute, and consume content. Here is a breakdown of some of the key changes in digital publishing, plus tips for... Continue reading at Publishing Executive
[ Publishing Executive | 2020-03-05 15:43:14 UTC ]
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This week on The Maris Review, Rachel Vorona Cote joins Maris Kreizman for a special live interview at the Strand Bookstore to discuss her new book, Too Much: How Victorian Constraints Still Bind Women Today, out now from Grand Central. How much do you give of yourself in nonfiction: Maris... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-03-05 09:48:58 UTC ]
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