How CUBANO BOOKS BEGAN
On a rainy afternoon in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Isora Morales Suárez approaches me with a huge smile and hug, to tell me about this book she'd worked on for two years, Las Brujas Merengueras. It had been recently published, by a small local government-owned publisher, and she received $40, the total she'd ever realize.
We had met two years before when, as a guest of the Cuban Book Institute, I'd given workshops on digital publishing to writers, editors and publishers, and she was among them.
Here I was again, at the National Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC), leading a group of U.S. writers to meet with their Cuban counterparts in several of the island nation's main cities.
After exchanging words of pleasure in reuniting with a friend, I understood the soft-spoken and gentle-spirited Isora to say in Spanish, (as she speaks no English and my Spanish is limited): "I finally got it published, after two years of writing this book for young adults, with illustrations. I received $40, which is all I will get. Can you please help me publish it online?"
It was not so much a plea as a determination. Isora lives on an island in Cienfuegos Bay, which I glean has one rickety ferry a day, on a good day. Getting to the city takes considerable effort and some cost; which is always a challenge when living on a monthly salary equivalent to $20 USD.
I suspect her living conditions are primitive, and access to slow and limited Internet is available to her only at the UNEAC in town. One of her friends, living in Cienfuegos, helped type the handwritten manuscript onto a computer. Isora had heard I was returning to Cienfuegos and made the trip to see me, buoyed by hope and courage.
I ask her about: the storyline: three witches whose sweet kindness and quirkiness change everything; the publisher's rights: only for Cuba; her motivation: to share the story... and maybe receive some royalties? How could I refuse? I coach authors, teach workshops on book marketing, and help with publishing.
I knew she could not pay me, so I proposed a deal. She would email me the manuscript, art, her bio and photo, and I would have it formatted and published on Amazon for print and eBooks. Once my minimal out-of-pocket costs were covered, I'd split all proceeds with her. She happily agreed.
Within a week I received all the materials I needed, but the book's page count was not sufficient to create a paperback with printing on the spine. Then it occurred to me: how fun it would be to have it translated into English and published as a bilingual story! And so I hired a dear friend and professional translator, Susana Haug, senior professor of Latin American Literature at the University of Havana.
Between teaching, volunteering, the vagaries of Cuban Internet access, and the complexity of language, it took months to complete the translation, of which I did the final edit. With Isora's permission, wee took liberties as were necessary for a contemporary English version, while remaining true to the author's lavish style, elegant use of language, and delightful, richly textured storytelling.
Upon realizing the challenges in publishing a bilingual edition, we all agreed that I would offer this in English, as a book for young lovers of upbeat fantasy.
Please know that your purchase of this book directly supports the author, the translator, and the CubanoBooks.com project in bringing to the world more quality editions by excellent Cuban authors who are yet unknown beyond their shores.
Your online reviews are greatly appreciated!
Thank you and enjoy!
Aysha Griffin, Publisher
CubanoBooks.com
We had met two years before when, as a guest of the Cuban Book Institute, I'd given workshops on digital publishing to writers, editors and publishers, and she was among them.
Here I was again, at the National Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC), leading a group of U.S. writers to meet with their Cuban counterparts in several of the island nation's main cities.
After exchanging words of pleasure in reuniting with a friend, I understood the soft-spoken and gentle-spirited Isora to say in Spanish, (as she speaks no English and my Spanish is limited): "I finally got it published, after two years of writing this book for young adults, with illustrations. I received $40, which is all I will get. Can you please help me publish it online?"
It was not so much a plea as a determination. Isora lives on an island in Cienfuegos Bay, which I glean has one rickety ferry a day, on a good day. Getting to the city takes considerable effort and some cost; which is always a challenge when living on a monthly salary equivalent to $20 USD.
I suspect her living conditions are primitive, and access to slow and limited Internet is available to her only at the UNEAC in town. One of her friends, living in Cienfuegos, helped type the handwritten manuscript onto a computer. Isora had heard I was returning to Cienfuegos and made the trip to see me, buoyed by hope and courage.
I ask her about: the storyline: three witches whose sweet kindness and quirkiness change everything; the publisher's rights: only for Cuba; her motivation: to share the story... and maybe receive some royalties? How could I refuse? I coach authors, teach workshops on book marketing, and help with publishing.
I knew she could not pay me, so I proposed a deal. She would email me the manuscript, art, her bio and photo, and I would have it formatted and published on Amazon for print and eBooks. Once my minimal out-of-pocket costs were covered, I'd split all proceeds with her. She happily agreed.
Within a week I received all the materials I needed, but the book's page count was not sufficient to create a paperback with printing on the spine. Then it occurred to me: how fun it would be to have it translated into English and published as a bilingual story! And so I hired a dear friend and professional translator, Susana Haug, senior professor of Latin American Literature at the University of Havana.
Between teaching, volunteering, the vagaries of Cuban Internet access, and the complexity of language, it took months to complete the translation, of which I did the final edit. With Isora's permission, wee took liberties as were necessary for a contemporary English version, while remaining true to the author's lavish style, elegant use of language, and delightful, richly textured storytelling.
Upon realizing the challenges in publishing a bilingual edition, we all agreed that I would offer this in English, as a book for young lovers of upbeat fantasy.
Please know that your purchase of this book directly supports the author, the translator, and the CubanoBooks.com project in bringing to the world more quality editions by excellent Cuban authors who are yet unknown beyond their shores.
Your online reviews are greatly appreciated!
Thank you and enjoy!
Aysha Griffin, Publisher
CubanoBooks.com