Sandra Ollo

Sandra Ollo
Editor

We met Sandra during the launch of a new book from Acantilado, the publishing house she runs and edits for. We were immediately charmed by her manner of speaking and we agreed to meet up and create this story for nice things.

A few weeks later, she welcomed us to the office of the publishing house. The entrance boasts an archive of the first editions of all the books it has published to date. Framed sketches of book covers line the hallways. And there are piles of manuscripts sitting on her desk. She tells us that writes down the date of arrival of each manuscript, thus showing her consideration for the author's wait. Sandra – who's from Northern Spain – is well mannered and gracious, making us feel right at home in no time.

NT — Given how passionate you are when you talk about your job, we can probably hazard a guess that this love of books has been a constant throughout your life. How did you first come into contact with the world of publishing?

 

Sandra — My love of books grew while I was a teenager and it's now become so much more than just love. Books have been a constant in my life. They're comfort, knowledge, enjoyment, company… But oddly enough, I didn't actually set my sights on the world of publishing; it's something that I've discovered along the way. After I finished my studies, I started working at the university and that was where I got my first taste of what the publishing industry was like. Among other things, I collaborated in developing a collection of books that was to be published by the university press. That's when I got a glimpse of what working in publishing entailed – the basics, what it meant – and I started to get to grips with the ins and out of building a catalogue.

 

NT — With Acantilado, you've revived and translated great classics. Why do you think it's important to keep these books alive? What should we learn from them today?

 

Sandra — The so-called "classics" aren't considered as such because they were written many years ago. They're considered classics because they've still remained relevant despite the passage of time and the changes that have taken place in the world. A classic novel can shed light on the present and show us the path forward. It helps us to understand that we're not alone, that many others before us have already trodden the same path, and we can learn from their journey. They're amazing guides.

 

NT — You spend a large part of your life reading stories and thoughts. What should a book have to reel you in?

 

Sandra — For starters, it must be well written – although I realise this may sound obvious, it actually isn't – and it must resonate with me; it ought to make me feel something. Literature is a vast space of freedom; it's fiction that's 100% real, and strange as it may seem, from which we can learn as it portrays life and all the possibilities of the human condition. For me to like a book, I have to feel that the author is on the same page as regards this idea and has helped to build on this through their book.

NT — Acantilado has an extensive catalogue of books on music and you also mentioned that you play the piano. How do these two worlds intersect in your life?

 

Sandra — Marvellously, of course! Music and literature – and it goes without saying, all the arts – are very compatible, and dare I say, even complementary. They connect us to our inner world in an incredible way, while also bringing us closer to another inner world, which is that of the composer. Music also has the power – at least in my case – to move me deeply out of the blue. And when I sit down to study my sheet music and practice – even though I'm awfully frustrated by my lack of skill – the world just fades away, and nothing else matters.

 

NT — How do you envision the future of the publishing house?

 

Sandra — That's not really something I dwell on. I prefer taking it one day at a time and thinking that what I'm building actually means something. When I do let my imagination get away from me, I dream of a catalogue that will stand the test of time – like many of the great European publishing houses that I admire and are still going strong – but we'll see what the future has in store.

 

Now, on to our usual questions:

 

NT — A book.

Sandra — That's a tough one, but for me, The Leopard is still the novel that I love reading over and over again. So much so that when someone tells me they haven't read it, I actually think they're very lucky because they've got the chance to read it for the first time.

NT — A film.

Sandra — Although this has changed over time, I'm still a fan of the classics. I could watch Charade or To Catch a Thief once a week and never tire of it.

NT — A place.

Sandra — Anywhere where my husband and daughter are. There's no better place for me than that.