Javier Lafuente: “You always read that the printed book is ending; this is nonsense”

Doce Robles has reached ten years, do you remember if you imagined it when you founded it?

I remember more or less; Jacob Gragera suggested me to write a book about the centennial of the La Peña reservoir, and I was already thinking of starting a publishing house, it was an attractive project. 400 people gathered at the presentation in September, but we had published 5 or 6 books in 2014 and we continue to maintain this pace. I remember at the presentation our godfather Agustín Ubieto warned about the danger of establishing a publishing house focusing on Aragonese History. But then you realize people want to read about their past.

Have there been more joys than sorrows in this decade?

There is everything in 10 years, organized and very beautiful moments. It is clear that it is a sector in crisis, within the union they say that the 80s and 90s are now behind us. But I never complained, there are sectors that are worse off. I’m not interested in digital books, although I continue to edit on paper out of romance, principle, or laziness. You always read that the printed book is going to end, but that’s nonsense. I still think books and press should be read on paper.

In such a crowded industry, how does one make room for a special subject like our history? AragonEven if they publish other topics?

It’s a risk. It was clear from the beginning that we could not do an editorship consisting of theses and thoughtful articles, but that we had to approach history in an entertaining, instructive and popular spirit. After all, there’s no such thing as a publisher unless you’re making some money. We released the History of Aragon collection as a novel in 2016 and the truth is it’s been a great trip, we’re much better known and it’s flattering to see people are interested in knowing parts of Aragon’s history. But be careful, if you get it right the article is also widely read, for example La Corona de Aragón (Manipulation, myth and history) is still a bestseller and El Canfranc (The history of a legendary train) is additionally.

Asking him about his favorite book, I think it would be choosing between mom and dad…

Yes, I am proud of everyone because it doesn’t matter to me whether they sell more or less; There are some products that sell very poorly and I have very good opinions about them. And in general, I have very good memories of the preparation of it all, because it is a long process, it takes several months for the writer to become friends.

Do you get angry when something you value doesn’t sell well?

Eventually you get used to it and have to accept it, but just because a book is not read a lot does not mean that it is not very important in your life.

They’re celebrating the anniversary with the presentation of the first-place literary awards on Tuesday, will there be any more surprises?

Yes, we celebrated with an award that I can’t announce yet. But we will also announce the release of Jorge Martínez’s book Más Birras, del barrio a la legend, which is as highly anticipated as the movie about Mauricio Aznar. Although the official presentation will be held at the DPZ on October 4. While preparing it, I realized how much people love Más Birras.