Bruno Blog

We have returned of the fair of Frankfurt, which has been very productive, and are happy therefore, and so that we have us noticed that our authors have aroused a lot of interest, especially the authors that write nonfiction, and pose on the new table concepts, and new visions.

One of the books that has aroused more interest at this fair has been DINEROGRAMA, of Nacho Mühlenberg, which explains us fair and square and simple the account that every one has with their money, and depending thereof, and each one will be able to achieve have a healthy economics and balanced.

It does not promise that we will make us millionaires, does not attempt us detail a rigid method, how make a lot of books of finances, but that teaches us at the fact that learn how is our account with the money, and in this way like being able to make your sheet of path with your economics, surpass our fears, beliefs, behaviors and wishes at account with him, to attain wealth of practical mode and live the lifestyle that each one elect.

Nacho is conclusive with his affirmations so that it has lived it at his own experience, and when resolved his account with the money, achieved to stabilize and can an important thing as how the economic part of his life, and being the same who takes the thyme of this.

At nine simple steps and accessible, Dinerograma provides this sheet of path to pass of being an ignorant at the finances at having the economic control of our life, which I think that all those that are reading this blog long. And for this reason, this book that publishes  today, already has sold more of 25000 copies at the pre-ordering, which commenced the 17 of October, and maintains  at the 1 at finances, so that how say you, and do not dupe you, is a basic book to be able to understand the financial part of a same and can’t live at continual suffering for the economic motif, that is one of the fundamental legs of our lives, want to or no. I warn you at reading this book and at recommending it at all those that want to the ones well, so that if I had read it before, it would have eschewed me sufferings, that is always a discharge to be able to live more calmed, more relaxed, and definitely more happy.

Today I’m writing this blog about Alejandro Palomas‘ latest book, ESTO NO SE DICE, and the truth is that I don’t really know where to start.  I have represented Alejandro for almost 20 years, and, besides being my friend, he is one of the best writers in the agency. We have had a relationship that has been growing and, like all relationships, it has had its ups and downs, but it has reached a point where it is a healthy, pure, wonderful relationship, far removed from the strictly professional. With a look, with a wink, with our silences we know everything about each other. So, you can imagine my shock when I read ESTO NO SE DICE, published by Destino this week, where he explains the abuse he suffered at the age of eight from his teacher.
 
During these 20 years he had talked to me about this period, but very little, nothing profound. I never knew how far this situation went, and when he told me that he was going to explain his experience in the media, I couldn’t believe it. I could hardly listen to him, I had to turn off the TV more than once.
 
However, as I read from his words how his childhood was marked by abuse, something that had never happened to me occurred: I was speechless. How can someone explain so wonderfully well such a terrifying experience? I still can’t get over my astonishment. Alejandro has made a ground-breaking book, shocking, but at the same time luminous, and that can only be done by a majestic writer. A true master of letters. Whoever thinks they are going to find something unpleasant in this narrative is mistaken. You will find a hard, cruel, but serene testimony, from his truth, to explain the memories of his childhood, the wonderful relationship he had with his mother, and in spite of this, how  difficult it was for him to confess that he was suffering when he was just a child, how he was able to resist among so many shadows, the rejection of a father, and how writing literally saved his life.
 
Why is it that an athlete, a singer or an actor can explain their memories, almost always dramatic, and a writer, who can best express an experience in written form, cannot? There are people who ask him why he has done it now, they think he has taken advantage of the moment and that it is an opportunistic book. Everyone is free to think what they want, but if Alejandro has written this book, it is because he believed he had to, because it is a book that can help many fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. It is a story that talks about how being a hypersensitive person makes you a target for many, not only in the case of abuse, but also bullying, by peers or never feeling part of the group, because you are different. Literature allowed him to create parallel worlds in order to survive and here is his most sincere testimony. It is the reality of a man who chose to live by fighting with the best weapon he had, literature. I know that it is always dizzying to publish a new book, and this one even more so, but Alejandro, you have made a delicate, useful, shocking, tender, and honest book. Whoever doesn’t want to hear the truth, doesn’t have to read it, but denouncing mistreatment in such an accurate way as you do is almost the only way left for us to have hope that this world can be better. Thank you, Alejandro Palomas.

This week the blog will be published, and I will be at the Frankfurt fair. After two years without being able to attend because of the darn pandemic, we are back to the fair of fairs.

Those of you who know me well, know that fairs are not my favourite thing, because I have already been to lots of them, and the years and the fatigue weigh on me. However, the pandemic has taught us lessons that are worth remembering, and one of them is that fairs are necessary because this business is about people. I have missed them, so today I am writing this blog before getting on the plane and I confess that I feel the excitement in my stomach. The thought of seeing my editor friends from all over the world again, whom I have only been able to see on screen for two years, makes me especially happy; as well as giving them a big hug, because my job is to be in contact with people. And as this job pushes you to the limit every month, all tips are welcome. Our goal is to reach our top every month, and every 1st of the following month we are back at the foot of the mountain to climb to the top again. How can we withstand the pressure? With books like the ones, I am going to recommend today.

This will be my 26th fair, minus the two during the pandemic and the one after 9/11, which made me terrified of flying. I confess that the work of relaxation and overcoming anxiety every time I have gone to these fairs has been immense. My self-demanding nature has always provoked anticipatory anxiety and it is complicated to overcome it, which is why today’s blog makes more sense than ever. Ferran Cases, an expert in anxiety, sold more than 40,000 copies of his previous book, EL CEREBRO DE LA GENTE FELIZ (THE BRAIN OF HAPPY PEOPLE), and it has been translated into more than five languages. He himself, who explained to me what anxiety is and how to control it, publishes this week EN LA CUMBRE DE LA FELICIDAD, an inspiring, simple, and exquisite story that gives you the keys to understand what happens when you feel anxious, so you can live in serenity, connect with your life purpose, and achieve happiness. Following the experience of the protagonist and the knowledge provided by his companions, you will discover how anxiety works, breathing and meditation methods, physical relaxation techniques and many other essential resources to enjoy a serene life.

Manuals are very useful, but I have always thought that when somebody tells you a story, there is always more to it. That is why Ferran has decided to share this story with us: to give us more tools to help us overcome anxiety.

Federico García Lorca is one of the classic authors I have enjoyed the most. His emblematic works LA CASA DE BERNARDA ALBA, BODAS DE SANGRE, or POETA EN NUEVA YORK, which I read as a student, made room for this author in my imagination forever. I was lucky enough to work at Mercedes Casanovas agency when I started in this world, being only 18, and she managed the rights for Lorca’s heirs. The feeling of being able to participate in the process of managing the works of one of my favourite writers was a luxury, a passion, part of a dream. The perfect combination to make me fall in love with this particular business of being a literary agent. And I think Lorca had something to do with me staying there.

Now that Víctor Amela, an emblematic author whom I have proudly represented for years, is once again deepening the character of LORCA in his new novel SI YO ME PIERDO, published by Destino, it makes me think that my affair with Lorca was no coincidence. I had the same feeling after reading Victor’s first novel about the poet, YO PUDE SALVAR A LORCA. I discovered exciting things about this charismatic character, whose portrait I have completed by immersing myself in SI YO ME PIERDO. In this novel, Victor tells us about the 98 happiest and unknown days of the poet’s life in the golden Cuba of 1930. It has been, without a doubt, one of the most exciting reads of this year. Not for nothing is he one of the best journalists in the country and a marvellous writer.

Federico García Lorca landed in Cuba from New York in March 1930, invited for a week. But it was more than three months before the Andalusian poet decided to return to Spain, intoxicated by Caribbean music and beauty, soneros and santeros, terraces and palm trees, white rum, black sensuality, and nights on the Malecón.

What did the poet do in “the happiest days of my life”, as he defined his Cuban days? How did Cuba colour Federico’s work, his person, and his destiny? “If I get lost – he told his parents in a letter – they should look for me in Cuba”. And he did get lost. To find himself? This novel tells the story, and you can smell that Cuba of the 30s and feel a happiness that we have almost never seen in Lorca, that only there he knew how to express it. The big question is: Why didn’t he stay there forever? What pushed him to return? Víctor Amela reveals it to us in this novel that will be a tribute to the writer’s readers and a gateway to the Lorca universe for those who are not. In the end, it is an approach to the most hidden side of a poet who leaves no one indifferent.

Writing children’s books is one of the hardest things you can imagine. It may seem easy from the outside, but finding the perfect rhythm, tone and discourse for these young demanding readers is a complicated task. Luckily, Sacha Azcona is an expert with them, because I must confess that he has his own little readers at home who are the first ones to taste his works and the ones who make him pass the last test. For this reason, because of his closeness and sensitivity, Sacha already has a loyal audience in this age group. After publishing LA INCREIBLE AVENTURA DE SPLENDIDA, he comes with a new story of LA PANDILLA CANICA that I am sure will not disappoint his readers because it has mystery, laughter, adventure and, for the more daring, a guide to make your own inventions (which can be made at home without endangering anyone, I promise you!).

Encouraging the little ones to read is not an easy task for parents nor teachers, but books like this one make it simple. They have all the right ingredients for children to be taken in by the adventures of Canica and his friends, which could easily be the ones they live in their own real world. If we cultivate reading at an early age, we are helping to nurture good readers, so books like these are of paramount importance to keep reading fun for children so that they grow up wanting to discover new stories.