Celebrating 23 Years Amidst Challenges
In August, Mexican independent editorial Sexto Piso marks 23 years of thriving in the literary market, publishing titles that have sparked conversations among readers and the broader public. Founded by editor and translator Eduardo Rabasa, along with three friends, Sexto Piso has faced market fluctuations and challenges, especially in recent years due to the pandemic.
A Humble Beginning
Rabasa recalls, “Sexto Piso was born as a very idealistic project. Initially, it was just four young friends who wanted to create an editorial similar to those we admired. Our first publication, Morris Berman’s ‘El Crepúsculo de la cultura americana,’ had potential but lacked polish since we were inexperienced in editing and the publishing world.”
Pandemic’s Lasting Impact
Comparing Mexico’s situation to other editorial markets, Rabasa notes, “The pandemic has left deeper scars in Mexico and Latin America compared to other countries. While there’s been a publishing boom in places like England, the US, and Spain, Mexico hasn’t seen such growth. We continue to face numerous liquidity issues and problems.”
The pandemic forced Sexto Piso to focus more on Spanish-language authors, reducing translations due to high costs. They also shifted away from illustrated books because of financial constraints.
Adapting to Change
Despite reducing annual publications from 45-50 to 18-20, Sexto Piso prioritizes quality. Rabasa explains, “We’ve learned to optimize our titles and concentrate on promoting confirmed works. We’ve had to make tough decisions, but we strive for balance between quality and affordability.”
Rise of Female Authors
In the last decade, there’s been a surge in demand for books by female authors. Sexto Piso has published around 80% of its recent titles by women, including Dalia de la Cerda, Aura García-Junco, Olivia Teroba, Elisa Díaz Castelo, and the three editions of “Tsunami.”
Librerías and Public Policies
“Large bookstores have struggled immensely during these years,” Rabasa says. “They face ongoing difficulties stemming from the pandemic’s economic fallout. We all try to support each other and keep supplying books, despite payment delays.”
Public Policies and Their Effectiveness
Rabasa comments on public policies benefiting the book market, such as extending the unique-price-of-a-book policy to 36 months and implementing a zero VAT rate for bookstores.
“A zero VAT rate for bookstores would be a significant relief, as books are tax-exempt but retailers aren’t. The unique-price debate continues, with digital platforms offering unfair discounts. Though imperfect, the unique-price system is better than before,” Rabasa concludes.
Key Questions and Answers
- What challenges has Sexto Piso faced? Sexto Piso has dealt with market fluctuations, pandemic-induced liquidity issues, and reduced publication numbers due to financial constraints.
- How has the pandemic affected Sexto Piso’s publishing choices? The pandemic led to a focus on Spanish-language authors and fewer translations due to high costs.
- What changes has Sexto Piso implemented to adapt? Sexto Piso has optimized titles, prioritized quality, and concentrated promotional efforts on confirmed works.
- What trends has Sexto Piso observed in recent years? There’s been a rise in demand for books by female authors, with Sexto Piso publishing around 80% of its recent titles by women.
- How have public policies impacted the book market? Policies like extended unique-price periods and zero VAT rates for bookstores could provide relief, though the unique-price debate continues.
