Fabián Luzuriaga, an economics graduate with a master’s in Business Administration, has been a transformative leader in Ecuador’s publishing sector since 1999. Leading key projects and entities like the Fondo de Cultura Económica Ecuador and USFQ Press, and serving multiple terms as the president of the Ecuadorian Chamber of Books, Luzuriaga has focused on digital innovation, intellectual property rights, and engaging the community with literature. His efforts are pivotal in modernizing the publishing industry and promoting Ecuadorian literature’s growth and reach.
Early Life and Education
Fabián Luzuriaga embarked on his academic journey at the prestigious Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, where he studied economics. His passion for business and effective management later led him to pursue a master’s degree in Business Administration and Management. This solid educational foundation not only prepared Luzuriaga for the complexities of the business world but also equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate the challenges of the publishing industry.
Career and Involvement in Literature
Luzuriaga’s expertise in numbers and business management has made him a pivotal figure in Ecuador’s literary scene. His foray into the publishing world began in 1999, marking the start of a distinguished career that would see him leading several key literary projects. Notably, he has directed the Fondo de Cultura Económica Ecuador, the distributor Lectorum, and the USFQ Press imprint of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito.
Luzuriaga’s leadership skills and vision for the future of books in Ecuador have led to his election as the president of the Ecuadorian Chamber of Books on three separate occasions, with tenures from 2010 to 2012 and from 2014 to 2017, and most recently for a third term. His current focus is on modernizing the entity, especially in response to the challenges and opportunities that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his guidance, the Chamber aims to modernize its communication channels, combat digital piracy, and offer continuous training on trending topics like ‘booktubers’.
Efforts to Strengthen the National Publishing Industry
Luzuriaga has been instrumental in proposing initiatives to revitalize the national publishing industry. These include creating a circuit of editorial events around the city to bring people closer to books, especially in light of the inconsistent results of recent book fairs. He advocates for the publishing sector to take control of its narrative and agenda, emphasizing the importance of knowing what is selling and being discussed in the literary market.
One of his notable observations is the resurgence of printed books and the growth of the children’s and young adult markets. Contrary to the assumption that reading rates in Ecuador are low, Luzuriaga points to increasing publications and sales as evidence of a vibrant literary culture.
Vision for the Future
Luzuriaga believes that the key to growing the publishing sector in Ecuador lies in the implementation of a contemporary Book Law that addresses intellectual property, digital content, and royalties, among other issues. His personal reading interests may lean towards business and personal growth literature, but his efforts are firmly rooted in promoting Ecuadorian literature, both traditional and digital.
Personal Insights
Despite his preference for specialized literature over narrative fiction, Luzuriaga’s leadership at the Ecuadorian Chamber of Books underscores a deep commitment to the country’s literary ecosystem. His background in economics and business administration has enabled him to tackle the industry’s challenges with innovative strategies, aiming to ensure that Ecuadorian literature thrives in both domestic and international markets.
In summary, Fabián Luzuriaga is a figure of significant influence in Ecuador’s literary world, not through his literary creations but through his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing the national publishing industry. His work exemplifies how business acumen can intersect with cultural promotion, leading to the enrichment of a nation’s literary heritage.