Writer and MiratecArts contributor Pedro Almeida Maia has taken his literary works beyond borders. Last week, the setting was the city of Frankfurt, Germany, and the world’s largest book promotion event, the Frankfurter Buchmesse.

Pedro Almeida Maia has published eight novels, among other books and contributions to anthologies. He proposed international promotion with his work “A Escrava Açoriana” (The Azorean Slave), a book chosen for the MiratecArts project “além arquipélago” (beyond the archipelago), which took him to Frankfurt.

“Visiting the Frankfurt Book Fair allowed me, first of all, to understand the intimidating size of the book industry and the international scope of the sector,” admits Pedro Almeida Maia. “From the moment it is written until the pages are turned by the reader, the book passes through countless professionals and transformative processes, in a circuit that is more complex or vigorous in some countries than in others, and is shaped according to the appetite of the consumers for whom it is intended and the trends dictated by each market.”

Accompanied by Terry Costa, artistic director of MiratecArts and editor of Néveda Ent, Pedro Almeida Maia visited all the pavilions, met with professionals, and attended numerous presentations. “I hope that this participation will open the eyes of the book world and be inspiring, fueling many more works and international relationships for our collaborator,” commented Terry Costa, who, in addition to supporting the writer, also promoted Néveda Ent’s collection of large illustrated books.

“Being present at this event, considered by many to be the largest literary event in the world, also allowed me to establish direct, personal, and close contact with different entities, which could open doors to editions in other languages and other countries,” continues the writer. “I commend MiratecArts for the initiative and strongly advise that it be repeated in the future.”

Pedro Almeida Maia will continue to give presentations promoting his latest novel, Condenação, for example, on October 25 at the Outono Vivo Festival in Praia da Vitória.

The presence at the Frankfurt Book Fair was part of MiratecArts’ “além arquipélago” (beyond the archipelago) project, with support from the Regional Directorate for Tourism of the Government of the Azores. Other “Made in Azores” projects that are part of this international promotion include SOLO9VIOLA by Evandro Meneses, Sorrisos de Pedra by Helena Amaral, the film “First Date” by Luís Filipe Borges, and Pedras de Lava by Catarina Alves. MiratecArts collaborators join together in an online network via miratecarts.com and make annual proposals for the programming of the cultural association based on the island of Pico.

From MiratecArts Press Release.

Note from Filamentos: Pedro Almeida Maia’s book A Escrava Açoriana has been translated into English, with the title The Azorean Slave.

We thank the Luso-American Education Foundation for its support.

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