April 23rd arrived and Barcelona was completely taken over by books, authors, readers and roses. The sun shone to the relief of publishers and booksellers, and writers signed their books for the people who queued to get the signature of their favourite writers. Editors and journalists ran up and down the main streets in Barcelona accompanying the writers on their busy signing schedules. For book-lovers, Sant Jordi is the most amazing day of the year!
Once again, Pontas organized a casual International Networking Day, inviting to join us in Barcelona two of our clients: the Swedish debut author, living in London, Marie Bennett; and the French author, living in Stockholm, Olivier Truc; as well as three publishers with whom we have some recent important deals: Regina Kammerer of BTB/Random House (who flew from Munich), Alexis Washam of Hogarth Press/Crown (who flew from New York) and Michal Shavit of Harvill Secker (who flew from London).
It was a delight to spend a couple of days together, surrounded by books and roses, sharing ideas, getting to know one another, as well as meeting other writers, journalists and editors based in Barcelona and from elsewhere who gather in the city to enjoy this most special day. We also kept the tradition of having a paella by the beach and of visiting the noir-dedicated bookshop Negra y Criminal in the neighbourhood of Barceloneta.
On the day after, the best-selling books of Sant Jordi were announced in the newspapers, with the great news that both Dolores Redondo and Milena Busquets made the top ten list –both had signed books non-stop throughout the whole day.
On April 24th, Pontas’ doors were open again for our “Post-Sant Jordi Breakfast” –which has also become a Sant Jordi tradition. A nice group of publishers, authors, scouts, translators and journalists came to Sèneca street to share the best moments of the day before –and enjoy an informal international mingling with coffee, tea, roses, newspapers and croissants.
Olivia Snaije was with us as well and wrote a great article for Publishing Perspectives. And here's a 2-minute audiovisual summary filmed and edited by Jep Brengaret: