Meeting House: Emma House speaks to inspiring bookwomen from around the world.
Sonia Batres is the Founding partner of ‘Caligrama Editores’, a publishing house created to promote the work of Mexican authors dedicated to the production of graphic novels. Since its launch, Caligrama has expanded its business portfolio to mainly provide editorial and localization services internationally, specializing in products related with the entertainment industry (comics, manga, anime, live action movies and series). Caligrama has collaborators in eight countries and clients on three continents.
Sonia is part of the Board of Directors of CANIEM and has been honoured with the CANIEM Award for Trade Union Merit in 2017. She has participated as a lecturer in various training programs for publishers offered by CANIEM (Cámara Nacional de la Industrial Editorial Mexicana), including the “Juan Grijalbo Scholarship” and the “Processes in Book Publishing Diploma”. She is also a teacher in the master’s degree in Editorial Design and Production at the UAM (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana). She was the coordinator of the ITAM’s (Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México) master’s degree in business administration, an institution where she obtained her master’s degree in administration with a specialization in Management and Finance, after obtaining the title of Mechanical Engineer from UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México).
1. How did you get in Book Publishing and what motivated you to join the industry? Especially after qualifying as a Mechanical Engineer?
As they say, sometimes it’s hard to tell whether it’s the traveller who finds the path, or the path that finds the traveller. After completing my training in Mechanical Engineering, I began my professional journey developing management systems. This work gave me the valuable opportunity to collaborate with companies in diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals, construction, and tourism. It was through one of these projects that I had the chance to work with a hotel chain, part of a business group that also owned a publishing house. Invited to a new challenge, I transitioned from the hotel to the publishing field, taking charge of a publishing house specializing in comics and manga. This unexpected turn in my career marked the discovery of my true passion: the publishing world. Twenty-five years later, I am still deeply in love with my profession, which combines technology, humanities, creativity, and constant learning.
2. When did you set up ‘Caligrama Editores’ and what was your inspiration and aspiration behind setting up your own publishing company?
After three years of enriching collaboration with the company that introduced me to the publishing world, I felt the desire to create a new space in the sector: a Mexican publishing house dedicated to Mexican graphic novel authors. Until then, most of these talented creators saw their works published by foreign publishers or were forced to self-publish. I felt it was time to offer an alternative, to open a new path in Mexico’s publishing landscape. With this vision and after two years of meticulous planning and development, and with the invaluable support of my partner Antonio Reyes, Caligrama Editores was born in 2006.
3. Since its launch, how have you built up Caligrama?
Our start at Caligrama Editores was with a modest catalogue in quantity but immensely rich in quality, featuring authors such as Edgar Clement, Bachan, Micro, and the internationally acclaimed Tony Sandoval. Our work focused not only on publishing but also on vindicating the graphic novel as a literary genre, achieving its inclusion for the first time in the National Library’s catalogue. We marked another milestone by being the pioneers in introducing graphic novels in several major bookstore chains in the country, complementing our offer with an efficient home delivery service. Since our beginnings, we adopted a remote work model, a decision that initially surprised colleagues who wondered how it was possible to manage everything from a distance. This innovative vision proved particularly advantageous during the COVID-19 pandemic, as our processes were perfectly adapted to the circumstances. Caligrama’s evolution didn’t stop there. Over time, we expanded our activities to the bookstore business and, after seven years of accumulated experience, began offering editorial services to third parties. This sector became our fastest-growing area. Adapting to our clients’ varied needs, we evolved from being exclusively a publishing house to providing content localization services for different media, with a particular focus on entertainment. This journey has been one of constant adaptation and growth, reflecting not only our passion for books but also our ability to evolve, meet the changing needs of the publishing market, and make use of technology.
4. What obstacles have you had to overcome and what you are you now most proud of?
As an organization, one aspect that we are most proud of at Caligrama Editores is our adaptability. Like any other company, we have faced a variety of challenges over the years, encountering moments of both success and failure. However, these obstacles have only strengthened our determination and flexibility. At the core of Caligrama lies an exceptional team of professionals, each with an unwavering passion for their work. Together, we share a willingness to innovate and adapt our methodologies, which has allowed us not only to survive but thrive in this industry we love so much. This ability to continuously evolve and reinvent ourselves is not only a sign of resilience but also a deep commitment to the art and culture we seek to promote and preserve.
5. You are now on the board of the Mexican Book Chamber – CANIEM. What does your role entail and how do you feel you are contributing to Mexican the publishing industry?
Throughout our journey at Caligrama Editores, we have received invaluable support from CANIEM (National Chamber of the Mexican Publishing Industry). Whenever we needed assistance or advice from our industry peers, we always found a helping hand from them. This collaboration ranged from guidance on bureaucratic procedures and consultancy with various sector experts, to access to courses and events that allowed us to establish valuable connections with other companies and government entities involved in book and magazine production. I have had the honour of being part of five CANIEM executive boards, including the current one, led by Eng. Hugo Setzer, whose management in these challenging times has been exceptional. In my role, I contribute as a coordinator on the Data Management Commission, where we strive to develop tools and provide crucial information for our members’ decision-making. Additionally, I actively participate in the Innovation Commission and the Social Responsibility Commission, focusing on current vital issues such as diversity, accessibility, and sustainability. I am firmly convinced that significant change can only be achieved through collective efforts. Therefore, from the beginning, I have sought to have an active participation in the Chamber, believing that it is in unity and collaboration where the real strength lies to drive and sustain change in our industry.
6. What is the Mexican publishing environment like? And what is the role of women in Mexican publishing?
My involvement in CANIEM has afforded me the privilege of establishing friendships with numerous talented women who, like me, have dedicated their professional lives to the world of books. The female presence in Mexican publishing companies is notable, however, there is still a way to go to achieve proportional representation in leadership positions. It is encouraging to see that gender equity is at the centre of all our discussions in the industry, which is clearly evidenced in the composition of the latest CANIEM Executive Board. The Mexican publishing market is quite unique in that half of the books produced are educational texts for basic education, and 35% of these are produced by the government. Driving market growth for other types of content represents a monumental challenge for the private sector, especially considering the scarcity of government support programs. Regarding public preferences, we have noticed an increase in the demand for non-fiction titles. Fortunately, the Mexican publishing market has managed to recover the volume it had in 2019, before the pandemic. Future growth will largely depend on creating an economic and regulatory environment that encourages and supports the expansion and diversification of our industry.
7. You are very involved in teaching the next generation of publishers – how do you see the industry developing over the next 5-10 years and what skills do you think these aspiring publishers will need?
A key pillar for the growth of the publishing sector is the continuous professionalization and updating of those who make it up. Fortunately, we have several entities and institutions dedicated to this vital task. It is essential for sector professionals to be trained to innovate and incorporate new technologies that are transforming our industry. And I am not referring only to popular artificial intelligence, but also to technologies that promote sustainable development, such as the incorporation of new materials in book production, innovative forms of distribution, marketing, and ways of communicating with our audiences. It is crucial to recognize that the publishing industry is, above all, a content industry, regardless of the medium through which it is transmitted. Publishing professionals must also focus on respecting intellectual property, combating illegal content distribution, and fostering education in new generations of readers. It is vital that these readers understand and value the effort of authors and publishers and are aware of the impact books have on society.
8. Has anyone inspired you on your career path? Do you have any role models or mentors?
Our industry must act as an active agent in promoting the aforementioned principles. By assuming these responsibilities and facing these challenges, we are not only strengthening the relevance and sustainability of our sector but also making a significant contribution to the cultural enrichment and intellectual development of our society. A clear example of this contribution is the work of my colleague on the CANIEM Executive Board, Gina Constantinne, a distinguished editor, and specialist in publishing children’s stories in Braille. Her work is one of many inspiring stories of colleagues in the industry whose contributions have been crucial to the advancement of our industry. However, I hold a particularly fond memory of my friend Ángeles Aguilar Zinser, who we sadly lost in 2020. Ángeles was known by many as the director and founder of the famous weekly magazine ‘Tiempo Libre’, but only a few of us had the privilege of receiving her expert guidance in the labyrinth of periodical publications in Mexico. She was a woman of firm character, unbreakable honesty, and inexhaustible generosity, always willing to share her experience and wisdom. Without a doubt, her legacy endures as a beacon of inspiration for editors and publishers alike.
9. How do you see your career developing from here and in the future?
With that same determination and deep understanding of the market, I aspire to continue driving the development of Caligrama Editores, transforming it into an international project. My vision is for Caligrama to become a symbol of the excellence of editorial and localization work done in Mexico, a reflection of the quality and creativity that characterizes our industry.
10. What advice would you give to any young women wanting to enter the publishing industry or set up their own publishing business?
The publishing industry will always be open and willing to support those new members who wish to develop their own publishing initiatives. There is an abundance of training and mentoring programs to join. I have always firmly believed that once you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, the next step is to figure out how. Fortunately, this is a process that can and should be shared. Results may take time to come, and it will be necessary to adjust the initial vision to changing circumstances, but in the end, it is possible to achieve that successful business model that will become a life project. We await you on this journey with open arms, ready to provide support, knowledge, and above all, inspiration.
Emma’s always looking for more Meeting House interviewees. To take part please get in touch via Twitter, Facebook or info@womeninpublishing.org.
