Editorial Ácana is entering the digital market through the platform of Ruth Casa Editorial, with three books that represent the bet to diversify formats and ensure that its catalog is accessible to more readers.

At ruthtienda.com are available the essay Asociación de negros y mestizos en la ciudad de Camagüey (1879-1961): Sus contribuciones al desarrollo social, by Kezia Henry Knight; the book of poems Aquella que tocaste tu manto, by Yunexis Nobalbo Aguilera; and the children’s story El gallinero insólito, of Guillermo Villavicencio Flores.

At ruthtienda.com you can find the essay Asociación de negros y mestizos en la ciudad de Camagüey (1879-1961): Sus aportes al desarrollo social (Association of blacks and mestizos in the city of Camagüey 1879-1961: Their contributions to social development) by Kezia Henry Knight; the book of poems Aquella que tocó tu manto, by Yunexis Nobalbo Aguilera and the children’s story El gallinero insólito, of Guillermo Villavicencio Flores.

Maikel Sardaña, director of the publishing house, explained to Adelante Digital how they have overcome obstacles and shared plans for the future of the institution, especially in the digital field: "We have eight ready to market. For the next Book Fair we hope they are already available".

The crisis of the publishing industry in Cuba has put many publishers in check, including provincial ones like Ácana, which face technological obsolescence, lack of supplies and generalized precariousness.

One of the recent milestones was the publication in paper of the poetry selection La arcilla luminosa, by Roberto Manzano. "This book was located in a polygraph since 2019. It belongs to the special plan of the Cuban Book Institute, but it was not produced in the territory", explained Sardaña.

Production was delayed due to lack of resources and logistical problems that have been experienced in recent years. However, the difficulties are not limited to delays in book production.

The printing house of Camagüey’s publishing house faces serious technological challenges, as the director explained: "We have supplies but we still have a broken Rizo printer, and ink that does not appear in Cuba. In addition, an electric phase fell, which leaves us practically in the same conditions as a few years ago, when we had to make the books with hammer and nail, wrapping wire through the spine".

In this context, the transition to digital production appears as a necessary, although still incipient, alternative, but this leap into digital poses new challenges, including the urgent updating of legal frameworks protecting copyright.

Although efforts are being made to digitize the catalogue and reach a wider audience, marketing structures remain insufficient, thus limiting access and benefits for authors and publishers.

The ideal is a more efficient and equitable ecosystem for the involved authors, editors and readers to be able to navigate in a market that still lacks the necessary conditions to survive.