What's an appropriate gift for your baby daughter? Apparently for Fidel Castro, it's a replica of oneself complete with military fatigues and beard. That's just one of many colorful reminiscences from Alina Fernandez, the only and illegitimate daughter of the Cuban revolutionary, in Alina: Memorias de la Hija Rebelde de Fidel Castro. The Spanish language book, already a bestseller in Spain, will be rushed released in the U.S. by Bantam Doubleday Dell International next week as part of its new Libros en Espanol distribution agreement with Spanish publisher Plaza y Janes.
BDD International spokesperson Teresa Zampino told PW that the 15,000-copy first printing of Alina was originally to be released for a September publication, but the pub date was moved up over concern that other Spanish language editions may creep into the country. The book will be available at Spanish-language bookstores as well as to booksellers such as Barnes &Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks, and leading independent bookstores with Spanish-language sections. Over 50,000 copies are in the print in world Spanish editions, with 25,000 copies of the book sold in Spain in the past month and 15,000 sold in Mexico in the last two weeks.
Fernandez, who left Cuban three years ago and now lives in the U.S., will begin an author promotion tour through several Latin American countries next week. The book has been sold to 11 countries, with more pending.
Foreign scout Maria Campbell, who represents Plaza y Janes, told PW she is contacting U.S. publishers about an English translation edition and expects news on that in the next few weeks. And what did Fernandez, a 40-year-old former model and PR director of a Cuban fashion company, do with that Fidel doll? According to the book, she ripped the beard off so it looked more like herself.
