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The ghost of the coronavirus runs through all the publishers. Its shadow, almost always elongated, threatens to cover the market for the next news, either through newspapers or essays (especially). But also many of the 18 editors consulted rely on an upturn in novels, literature as evasion. When will they appear? Soon and later, the theme is not going to be a summer storm.

Many of the editors consulted consider that the essay will be the genre preferred by future readers to understand what is happening to us. This is what is believed, for example, by Ymelda Navajo (The Sphere of Books), who hopes that this crisis will be a "source of inspiration and reflection for philosophers, psychologists and essayists". He also believes, and sees it as "very necessary", that there will be "journalistic investigation books on the actions of our political leaders".

There will be monographs on the threat of the virus and the details of its spread, Juan Cerezo (Tusquets) adventure. It even goes further. See this earthquake "like a flashing light of our time. We will speak of a world AD (after the Coronavirus) different from that of BC (before the Coronavirus). Liquid society, society without risk, that of infinite growth, will be disrupted, and it can mutate into a more limited and self-contained, more selfish and defensive society. Or it can give way to a world with a global, ecological and collective consciousness ".

FOLLOW THE FEVER BY THE TRIAL

Despite the proliferation of newspapers these days in newspapers and different websites, Miguel Aguilar (Taurus, Debate and Literaturas Random House) is skeptical that they be published in book form: "It takes a lot of talent to turn a confinement into quality literary material , and even more in pleasant material ". Eva Serrano (Círculo de Tiza) sees it in a similar way: she doubts that most of the texts written "under a post-traumatic 'shock' and in a hurry are of interest".

Aguilar opts more for "books that analyze the causes of what happened and the ways to prevent it from happening again." Emili Rosales figures in this line. His editorial, Destino, will not only launch Salvador Macip's "The Great Modern Epidemics " later this month , but is also convinced of an avalanche "with scientific aspects and with the economic and social consequences of the crisis."

Joan Tarrida (Gutenberg Galaxy) trusts the future in pure and simple essay, because if "for some time we have already witnessed a growing interest in the essay as an attempt to understand the complexity of the times we live in, the current crisis will only accentuate that trend. "

Coronavirus yes, but not only. This is what Silvia Sesé (Anagrama) predicts. Although they have been pioneers in launching the essay, or pamphlet, Zizek's 'Pandemic' are also interested in something collateral, such as "precariousness and work, reflection on the body, solidarity and community". Essay, in any case. As Eva Serrano predicts: "The interest that there was before the pandemic to understand the world will be even greater. Non-fiction, which was already very strong before, will be increasing ." And there it includes the essays of social analysis. Joan Tarrida (Gutenberg Galaxy) thinks similarly, but he includes not only the essay, but also the coronavirus will sneak into the novels and through the newspapers. "

Ofelia Grande (Siruela) describes this situation as "traumatic" and predicts that "it will change us a lot, not only in our habits but also in the way we approach and interact with others. And that will have to be told." How? Through self-help books, novels and newspapers. And enter the word "memories" . "Memory is a genre that has been experiencing growing interest for some time and this circumstance can only fuel this interest."

Being clear that "numerous books on viruses and pandemics reach the bookstores, some will help to reflect on what has happened these days and others will be more descriptive", considers Diego Moreno (Nordic), "a kind of newspaper from an exceptional time" . And he makes a bet: "But I am sure that the most risky books , those that have great quality, but also greater commercial difficulty, will be delayed or even canceled."

AND AGAINST SO MUCH REALITY, EVASION

There are several editors who consider that as an effect of action and reaction, a good part of the readers will go to the opposite extreme of reality. This is the case of Elena Ramírez (Seix Barral). " We have a binge of reality that will leave a major hangover. Fiction is becoming a balm in the face of so much reality these days and will thus remain on the way out." He even believes that "there will be a rebound." Miguel Aguilar also uses the word rebound. And it specifies: "in the novel of evasion and adventure".

A pie juntillas also, María Fasce (Alfaguara, Lumen and Reservoir Books): "The force of fiction is more alive than ever. In this confinement, it has been read above all black novels, classics and books by renowned authors, both in fiction as in non-fiction. " Anik Lapointe (Salamandra) also believes this 'movement' towards the literature of evasion as flight , but adds two probable lines or ingredients: "historical fiction and conflict". And Ofelia Grande abounds: "Confinement, on the contrary, may make us want more fiction."

This side is also integrated by Valeria Ciompi (Editorial Alliance): "Literature will continue with force, as an escape and as a possibility to move us to other lives and other places. It is being a refuge and it will continue to be so". But, at the same time, he bets on the essay: "It will be difficult not to leave this experience with a feeling of failure , of weakness of the system. We will be interested in knowing how and why what has happened has happened, if someone has the answers. The ratio of essay to fiction will not change. Economics will again be central to our concerns and literature. "

At both opposite poles, fiction and essay, he places his bet chips Belén López (Planeta). He trusts the essays on confinement and the pandemic "but I find no reason why fiction should cease to have a leading role, precisely because it is a powerful tool for the much-needed escape."

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

• Coronavirus
• Covid 19
• literature
• science
• culture

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