The editor is a great culture maker. Whoever publishes is a social hero sometimes in the shadows, between the coordinates of discretion, more installed in anonymity and reserve than in the viral approach of the self. There are competent editors – with selective criteria – who operate by their own cataloging of the quality of the paragraph, the textual contribution, the current information or the long-range fictional narrative. The good editor is almost a fetishist for the texture of the book. And a manager of tenacious convictions. A successful editor appears in the ranks of professionalism – per se – oblivious to spurious interests. Miguel Ángel Magnani is a thriving editor. You know that writing and reading are big words. Anáfora has a recommended catalog that no stem reader should ignore. His titles travel all over Spain. Magnani grants us this interview in Malaga, which we greatly appreciate.
Javier Cercas comments that “that of editor is a strange job because people tend to believe that he is a frustrated writer who publishes other people’s books because he is unable to write his own.” Do you agree with that statement? Either way it’s not your case, is it?
The same could be said of journalists, music critics or sports commentators, to cite just three cases. It is the first time that I hear that phrase, it will be because I have never read anything about this man. Without publishers there would be no books. And no, it is not my case. I am a writer and also many other things.
As books are a crucial tool for human development, why does it seem that in Spain we have such a low reading rate?
I have to say that it is not something that can be stated categorically either. Sometimes we hang on to the same statistics for years and don’t update our record. I would change that phrase for another, and that is that “many books that are bought today in Spain will never be read.” But that is another story…
What three characteristics or permanent drives must a good editor have?
Humanity, character and elegance when choosing.
How has your experience in this trade been – until now?
It has been an extraordinary experience (and it continues to be), which gives me credibility in my work and many great friends who, in addition to their love for books, have a great interest in life and human beings.
What do you think of the publisher who works in such a way as to publish (se) his own works?
Seem right. Another thing is that they buy their books later.
Is saying “no” the main problem that an editor faces on a daily basis – or almost -?
It is not a problem, it is a choice that must be made in the interest of good literature and out of respect for the reader.
Which book from your catalog would you recommend – and why – as a reading for this summer?
All the books of Editorial Anáfora are up to any good reader, but since this interview is for the Diario de Jerez newspaper, I will advise all Jerez people to read the biography of one of the best comedians that this country has produced, who He is Manolo Medina, a native of Jerez and a great friend. A book where you will learn not only about the impressive professional career of this great actor, record of permanence in theaters throughout Spain with the same work -uninterrupted-, discoverer of talents such as David de María, artistic representative, and a long etcetera, but they are going to discover the excellent person who lives behind the interpreter’s skin and that few, the most fortunate -among which I include myself-, really know.
What do you want to add?
Yes, the title of the book: Manolo Medina, a man alone without a dot com … or anything. Well, and of course thank you for your deference for remembering Editorial Anáfora.
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