Meet Ana Galán, a Spanish author of books for children and adults, who has been living in New York for the last twenty years. During last Book Expo America, which took place in New York, we had a chance to talk to her and learn about her new releases, editorial career and other activities that she's involved with.

 

 

 

 

How did your life change being a full time writer?

 

For ten years, I worked for Scholastic, one of the best children’s book publishing companies in the world, as editorial director of Spanish book publishing and edited over 400 books, mostly in Spanish, but we published a number of bilingual as well. During that time, I also wrote several children’s books that were published by Kumquat, a publishing company in Argentina. Two years ago, I decided to take the big step, and become a full time author and work on my own.

 

It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have spent the last two years doing what I like the most: writing books, doing school visits, translating and working on different editorial projects.

 

 

Are you working on any children’s book now?

 

I have eleven picture books published so far in Spanish, English or bilingual format, and there are many more coming! Before the end of this year, Everest will release four bilingual books that I wrote based on the Disney characters, plus two more: The Day Santa Claus Ran into the Three Wise Men, in Spanish, and a bilingual story: I’m short/Soy bajito.

 

I also have other books coming out soon with different publishing companies like Corimbo and LatinBooks.

 

One of the most exciting news that I’d like to share is the publication, in the spring of 2011, of my first novel for young adults. It will be published by Planeta and hopefully I’ll be able to reveal the title very soon!

 

Check out my website www.anagalan.com for updates and sample pages of all my titles.

 

 

How did you decide to write non-fiction titles for adults?

 

Last year, after suffering this economic climate, just like everyone else, I decided to write a book that compiled more than 100 ideas to save money in a painless way! The book Cómo ahorrar sin perder la cabeza (How to Save Money without Losing your Mind) is full of anecdotes, jokes and practical ideas. This title, which won first Place, Best Women’s Issues at the Latino Book Awards last May, was originally published by Club Mosaico in the USA and then by Everest in Spain and right now, there are more than 45,000 copies in print!

 

My first book for adults was soon followed by two other humorous titles: 50 cosas que no soporto de mi marido (50 Things I Can’t Stand About My Husband) y 50 cosas que no soporto de mi mujer (50 Things I Can’t Stand About My Wife). Next year the series will continue with more laughs for all! Isn’t that what we all need?

 

 

Apart from writing, do you have any other activity in the publishing industry?

 

Besides writing books, I also do translations from English into Spanish and put together editorial projects for different publishing companies. I have a team of professional translators, editors and designers and access to more than 100 illustrators!

 

 

You have been very active in volunteering activities. What is the NOLA Tree project?

 

Although I usually spend most of my time writing on my laptop, I also find time to do many other activities.

 

For the last three years, along with my good friend Phil Bildner, another author, I’ve been taking groups of teenagers to New Orleans to help rebuild the city still devastated by hurricane Katrina. We also involve our teen volunteers in many local initiatives in New York, like helping at a soup kitchen, bringing music to hospitalized children, sending clothes and medical supplies to Haiti and much more!

 

Last fall, we founded a non profit organization called The NOLA Tree (www.thenolatree.org) to bring these activities under one roof and attract newer and bigger ideas. In the year 2010, The NOLA Tree will take four groups of fifteen teenagers each to New Orleans.

 

But that’s not all! I also work with an organization called Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I raise dogs that will become guide dogs for blind people. It’s an incredible way of helping others and enjoying a puppy at the same time!

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