Showing posts with label Aida Bardales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aida Bardales. Show all posts

June 17, 2009

Críticas is Back!

It was about four months ago that I first reported on Reed Elsevier’s highly criticized decision to cease publication of Críticas magazine due to insufficient ad revenue. I am now happy to report that the company that owns Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and School Library Journal has made good on its promise to continue coverage of the Spanish language book market by continuing to provide English language reviews of Spanish language titles to the librarians who so desperately need them, as openly expressed in this letter from REFORMA member and former Criticas blogger Loida García-Febo: http://www.criticasmagazine.com/blog/820000482/post/290040029.html

In a letter from the magazine's editor, Aída Bardales, Library Journal announced today that it will “resume reviewing Spanish-language books for adults and children,” adding that “adult books will be reviewed monthly, and children's titles every other month.” Freda Mosquera, youth services outreach librarian for Broward County Library, FL, is the newest addition to the Críticas team, replacing Noel Baca-Castex, the former Children Reviews Editor. Aída's letter goes on to thank all of those who have supported the magazine over the years, particularly those who, in one way or another, contributed to its return. A short message on Criticas’ old website acknowledges the role of those individuals as well, stating that they have resumed reviews of Spanish language titles “in response to reader demand following [the magazine's] suspension.” The first set of reviews of Spanish language and bilingual titles has already been uploaded to its new location in Library Journal’s website. Enjoy!

February 11, 2009

The Other Shoe Drops

Upon my return to the U.S. and a mere two days after watching President Obama’s declaration that we are in the midst of “a full blown crisis,” I have the unfortunate task of having to report on not one, but TWO major ways in which this crisis has dealt direct blows to the Latino publishing industry.

Many of you probably know about the first: CRÍTICAS, the magazine published by Library Journal that for the past eight years had been THE source for news on the Spanish language publishing industry in the U.S., and the biggest provider of reviews of Spanish language titles available in this market, was shut down by its parent company, Reed Business Information. On a letter to online subscribers, former Editor Aída Bardales cites “decreased ad support” as the reason behind the decision made by the company, and states that “plans are underway to continue coverage of the U.S. Spanish-language book market through sister publications Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.” It is not yet clear what form that coverage will take, but I will of course keep you posted. (To read Bardales’ complete letter, click here.) Adriana López, the magazine’s founder turned guest blogger, posted a nostalgic entry entitled “The Names and Faces Behind Críticas” that gives credit to those who have contributed their talents to the magazine over the years, and made me, for one, long for the days when the Latino industry felt like a budding enterprise full of promise, rather than another helpless victim of the current economic climate.

Which brings me to my second bit of news, as this one too, makes me long for better days, specifically, a time eight years ago, when HarperCollins Publishers’ former CEO Jane Friedman saw the potential of the budding Latino market and launched a new imprint called RAYO. Since then, Rayo’s titles have consistently ranked among the top-selling Spanish language titles sold in the U.S., and won numerous awards. But achievements no longer guarantee employment, and so, on Tuesday, February 10th, I read this article stating that Rene Alegria, Rayo’s Publisher has been let go, along with his fabulous editor, Cecilia Molinari, part of a wave of layoffs by HarperCollins that resulted in the complete dissolution of Collins, their non-fiction imprint, among other disasters. A note at the bottom of the article seems to suggest that Harper plans to continue publishing Rayo titles, although it does not explain exactly how that will be accomplished. Again, I will keep you posted.

A quick look at my bio will make it clear that both of these events weigh heavily on me personally, as I am friends with everyone formerly employed by these two businesses. And it is both in the spirit of friendship, and of “giving credit where credit is due,” that I remind readers that the folks affected by these news are trailblazers whose tremendous dedication and hard work have contributed to making this portion of the business the essential part of the general book market it has become, and that it should continue to be. It is with great sadness that I report on these developments, and that I appeal to you, readers, and ask that you support this industry in any way you can: by subscribing and supporting this blog, by purchasing books by Latino authors, attending Latino authors’ readings, writing letters to decision makers, and any other way you can think of. The sense of urgency I felt when I launched this blog has now reached unforeseen proportions. We should all be stunned, saddened, and outraged by these news, but most of all, we should take action. Do you part, whatever that is. And hold on to your hats, we’re in for a bumpy ride…