by Michael J Metcalf

Q.- Yareah magazine has been several months “sleeping” but now you have published a new issue (19) titled “Seven to Seven”. Why that break?

Martin Cid.- It is hard to maintain a free magazine. Of course, the good part is that you can publish what you like, without thinking in the economic benefit of this or that article. However, people have to work only for the pleasure of working and sometimes, everybody needs a rest.

Q.- What have you been doing during this time?

M.C.- Writing, as always. I wrote a book of short stories in English, which was an interesting experience since my other novels were written in Spanish. To me, the musical effect of the words and sentences (the rhythm) is really important and to change language is a challenge, very rewarding. Anyway, I didn’t forget Yareah magazine, and my team was planning the future. As you know, the old Yareah magazine was bilingual (English-Spanish) and we have thought internet is not still prepared for a bilingual magazine: it is not good to enter listings or to increase visits.

Q.- I understand. You have to choose a language, why English?

M.C.- It is the international language. In Spain people can read English and they can continue reading Yareah magazine. What we want is to reach as many people as possible. But of course Spanish cultural background has not been forgotten. It is too much important!

Q.- Are you happy with the new issue?

M.C.- Really happy. We have changed the format and now, I think it is smarter. The current system for introducing photo galleries is better than the old one and new collaborators (English and American collaborators) have joined the old ones.

Q.- Are you proud of your old team?

M.C.- Really proud. Isabel del Rio, our arts editor, complements my literary work. She lives for art and it is very interesting her love for craft too. John Glass and Isadora Sartosa help her very well and Ignacio Zara is an old friend, a good journalist, I am very pleased… With you too, Michael, I don’t forget you.

Thanks, Martin, and everybody hopes that the new Yareah Magazine keeps on promoting authors and artists throughout the world.

Martin Cid.- That  was and that is our dream because, as Isabel del Rio used to say: “our religion is the art” and I will add “Literature is my blood”. I have been writing since I was 16 and now, 20 years after, I know it is necessary to share experiences and ideas. On the opposite, the life of an author is too isolated.

Thank you very much, Martin.

You are welcome.