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STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE: THE DARK SIDE OF THE BOOK FAIR TRADE

The publishing industry does not hold water in Madrid. On the eve of the beginning of the 68 th Book Fair held in the Retiro, Manuel Rodriguez Rivero surprises at the last Babelia a analysis on the dark side of Fair, imagine that the information he has handled it has had to spend his "official mole." Rivero Martinez could not be more clear:

-The Fair offer each year is more homogeneous, or more of the same.

"The electronic book (whatever that is) is notably absent.

"The market is controlled by the Booksellers Guild, in conflict with some publishers for the title of it.

-accounts are not clear. Or at least not available.

"The motto of the fair-French literature has not any official representation.

All points are reasoned, but there are a few things that have their nuances and edges. The fair, in substance and in form, is probably better, in fact there are models that have managed to fair better integrate the new sensitivities, such as the Fair Seville Book , since that directs Javier Yañez ( bookseller Repiso Books) is a role model and copy.

But what is in the back of LWF is the personal engagement of many priests in the book industry and the institutions that some of them represent. The fair is therefore a war scenario, but not the central cause of the problems. Give to Caesar what is Caesar's. For example, Publishers Association of Madrid is at odds with booksellers, the fair itself and the Publishers' Federation. Almost nothing.

We believe that in future years in a settlement of these disagreements. But if the fighting corresponded to a body of analysis and different projects, would be a rich discussion and to be healthy. The problem is that it is not. And this is the group of editors of Madrid can not afford, especially in a scenario where even the booksellers already recognize sales fall 20% (see statements Pilar Gallego in the country this Saturday, 23 May) in a situation not seen any sign of recovery. Data for April and May will certainly be very bad.

The election in the CPE (Commission Small Publishers, what a name) of a new president of independent publishers opens a path of peace and wisdom in Madrid, but will you have room to maneuver inside the Guild of Madrid? Is it possible in this situation to launch and develop the ambitious program proposed in defending electoral independent publishing? We fear not. Time, as inexorable judge shall give and take away reasons.