Contec 2025 boosts the internationalisation of the Chilean book with a successful publishing matchmaking
Over three intense days, Contec 2025 brought together Chilean publishers and leading international publishers in a business round, or publishing matchmaking, aimed at strengthening the global projection of Chilean fiction.
Eight renowned foreign fiction publishers took part in short, personalised meetings with 22 Chilean publishers and two Chilean agencies. The goal: to open concrete opportunities for the translation, co-publication and circulation of Chilean works in new markets.
The 15-minute meetings allowed for direct, strategic dialogue between book professionals from different cultural and publishing contexts.
Participating international publishers: Simon Lörsch, Suhrkamp (Germany); Diven Nagpal, Seagull Books (India); Linus Guggenberger, Wagenbach (Germany); Silvia Naschenveng, Mundaréu (Brazil); Ranya Bakr, Al Arabi (Egypt); Guillermo Camacho, Aurora Boreal (Denmark); Maíra Nassif, Relicário (Brazil); and Amy Hundley, Grove Atlantic Press (United States).
On the Chilean side, the participating publishers were Cuarto Propio, La Pollera Ediciones, Zig-Zag, Laurel, Saposcat, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Chile, Claraboya Ediciones, Metales Pesados, Ediciones UC, Amanuta, Catalonia, Planeta Chile, Editorial Usach, Imaginistas, Invertido Ediciones, Kindberg, Nautacolecciones, Pehuén Editores, Teraideas, Trayecto and Viseras Editorial, together with the literary agencies Puentes Agency and VLP Agency.
The initiative was widely appreciated by its participants.
“This is a very positive initiative for publishers, because it is an opportunity to get in touch with a range of diverse and important publishers. It is a first step towards opening up worlds and giving Chilean output a real and steady chance of being translated into other languages,”
said Arturo Infante, editorial director of Catalonia.
From Egypt, publisher Ranya Bakr of Al Arabi commented: “I am very proud to represent Egyptian and Arab publishers. We are interested in translations from all over the world, and of course South America is of interest to us. This has been very important for me: getting to know Chile's culture, its authors and publishers has opened my mind.”
For her part, Marcela Fuentealba, publisher at Saposcat, underlined the professional value of the event: “I think this matchmaking is a great showcase and an opportunity to start moving. Besides meeting publishers from elsewhere, you see how they work and what topics interest them. It is a learning experience that helps us professionalise our work.” The publishing matchmaking at Contec 2025 established itself as a key tool for the internationalisation of the Chilean book, fostering collaboration, mutual learning and new paths for Chilean literature.