Previewing BEA

By María Elena Cruz -- Críticas, 5/15/2007

For the past several years, BookExpo America’s (BEA) treatment of the Spanish-language book market has been growing in scope, and this year’s event in New York City is no exception. Críticas will sponsor the Spanish Pavilion for the seventh year in a row. Also, this year, most of the discussions related to the Latino book market will be organized by the Association of American Publishers’ Publishing Latino Voices for America (PLVA), under its ¡Ajá, leyendo! initiative. Here are the events you shouldn’t miss (all of them will take place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center unless otherwise noted).

Thursday, May 31

9th Annual International Latino Book Awards (4:30–6:30 p.m. Room 1E10)

Organized by the nonprofit organization Latino Literacy Now, these awards recognize the positive contributions being made to Latino literature by publishers and writers worldwide. Winners are chosen from nominated books published during 2006 in over 50 categories.

Friday, June 1

English Spoken Here: How To Work with Nonprofits To Reach the Latino Market Without Having To Learn Spanish (PLVA) (2–3 p.m. Room 1E06)

This discussion will focus on how to get the Spanish-language media to cover a book published in English by a Latino author, with specific steps for cultivating deep relationships with the Latino market through nonprofit organizations.

Celebrate the Best in Latina Literature 2007! (PLVA) (3–4 p.m. Room 1E06)

This panel will culminate the launch of Latino Books Month 2007. Renowned Latina authors Ana Castillo, Michelle Herrera Mulligan, and Julia Álvarez will talk about upcoming works. Mirta Ojito will moderate the event, hosted in cooperation with the New York Chapter of Las Comadres Para Las Américas, an informal Internet-based group representing over 7000 Latinas worldwide.

Reception and Launch of Latinos in Publishing (PLVA) (4–5 p.m. Room 1E06)

Publishers, booksellers, and authors can talk over coffee and become part of the newest networking group, Latinos in Publishing (LIP). The group is being formed by PLVA to create a forum of peers within the industry to join efforts to maintain a diverse publishing workforce and promote the literary heritage of books written in Spanish and in English by Spanish and Latin American authors.

The Audies® Ceremony (6:30 p.m.)

For the second year in a row, the Audio Publishers Association (APA) is including Spanish Language as a category in The Audies® awards for excellence in audiobooks. The ceremony will take place at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center in New York City. This event is part of APA’s annual conference, which is being held at the same time as BEA.

Saturday, June 2

Breakfast with Louis Barajas, hosted by Críticas (7:30–9 a.m.)

This event, sponsored by Grupo Nelson, will feature author Louis Barajas, who will present his book Microempresa, megavida (Small Business, Big Life). He will talk about the purpose of his book: to help Hispanic immigrants achieve the American dream. This event will take place at the Millennium Broadway (145 West 44th Street).

Creating a Community of Hispanic Readers (PLVA) (2–2:45 p.m. Room 1E17)

Learn the best tactics to create a successful outreach program to reach Hispanic readers. Speakers include Judith Curr, publisher of Atria Books, and Sonia Margalef, editor in chief of Mosaico Book Club. Aída Bardales, editor of Críticas magazine, will moderate.

Discover, Acquire, Sell: Profit for the Indie Publishers of Spanish-language Books (PLVA) (3–3:45 p.m. Room 1E17)

Industry insiders explain how to launch and profit from publishing books to the Spanish-speaking market. Panelists include Teresa Mlawer, president of Lectorum Publications, and Mary Ann Sabia, from Charlesbridge Publishers. Aída Bardales, editor of Críticas magazine, will moderate.