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international book trade shut down, publishers will be
dependent on local resources. “What we see as a result of
the pandemic is also going to happen in the economy: we
have to take care of ourselves and be self-sufficient,” she
said, adding that one can no longer rely on printing and
importing books from abroad. “So maybe the future of books
is going to be where there is a printing industry. Instead of
sending a ship or a plane, we have to print locally.”
Vegara added that the growth of online book sales is whatwill enable startup companies like her own to compete against
conglomerates. “Digital democratizes,” she said. “One of the
most difficult fights against the big groups was for counter
space in bookstores, which was—or is—crowded. But with
digital there is no physical restriction.”
Fortunately for smaller publishers, online sales boomedin Argentina last year, growing 124%, according to the
Argentine Chamber of Electronic Commerce.
Denmark’s Podimo Focuses on Latin America
One of the fastest-growing audiobook companies in the
world is Podimo. Based in Denmark and cofounded by Morten
Strunge, who also cofounded Mofibo, an audiobook company
subsequently sold to Storytel, Podimo focuses on short-form
fiction and podcasts and offers a freemium subscription
model and more than 600 original productions. The company
was founded in 2019 and has since raised some €26 million,
including an €11.2 million round of financing announced in
February.
Podimo started in Denmark
and Germany, but what makes
it different from other audio-
book companies is its aggres-
sive growth in the Spanish-
language market. At the start
of the year, it began a Spanish-language version of its app aimed at Latin American audiences,
highlighting local podcasts and offering original content from
notable authors. —Ed NawotkaFeature: 9/11 Anniversary: Children’s and YA Books
Deadline: Mar. 15 Issue: Apr. 26
This feature will look at forthcoming nonfi ction and fi ction for
young readers (including picture books) that address issues related
to 9/11, the war in Afghanistan, and other relevant topics. Pub dates:
May–October. New titles only, please; no reprints. Send pitches and
links to artwork to both [email protected] and
[email protected] by March 15 and put
“Call for info: 9/11 Children’s” in the subject line.Call for
Information