Tribute to Carmen Balcells. A revolution in the publishing world

Eduardo Mendoza, Carme Riera, Xavi Ayén, Marisol Schulz, José Calafell

Moderator: Álvaro Colomer

García Márquez, Vargas Llosa, Cortázar, Neruda, Fuentes, Mutis, Cela, Asturias, Allende, Vázquez Montalbán, Mendoza, Cabrera Infante, Bryce Echenique, Marsé, Delibes, Riera, Montero, Piñon, Fonseca, Lobo Antunes… The lists could go on and on, but there’s simply not enough space to mention all the great authors represented by the equally great Catalan literary agent Carmen Balcells (1930–2015). On the tenth anniversary of her death, we want to remember and pay tribute to this Barcelona agent who played a key role in the Latin American Boom and forever linked it to the city. Deeply protective and committed to her authors, she fought for their contractual rights and brought about a small-scale revolution by securing unprecedented conditions that are still in force to this day. It’s no surprise that Mario Vargas Llosa turned to a García Márquez character to nickname her “Mamá Grande”, or Big Mama.