2020 came with the onslaught of COVID-19 with 20% of the world’s population under lockdown by April. It was a year that we never saw coming, and as we self-isolated, we also learned to carve out time to create and consider what we shelter and why. At Paloma Press, we were fortunate to have been able to release 3 books that had been in production since last year: Eileen R. Tabios’ short story collection Pagpag in March, Christopher X. Shade’s debut poetry collection Shield the Joyous in April, and Jean Vengua’s chapbook Marcelina in July. We also participated in virtual book fairs and readings hosted by AWP, Cagibi, the New Orleans Poetry Festival, PAWA, Trio House Press, and Vox Populi.
In June, we were named Publisher of the Week by The Nonconformist Magazine, and in October, our co-founder and in-house book designer, C. Sophia Ibardaloza, was among the artists featured in the Inaugural de Young Open, a juried exhibition hosted by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco in celebration of the de Young Museum’s 125th anniversary. We welcome hope in its many forms even as we continue to contend with the uncertainties. Sending all of you our warmest wishes this holiday season. May 2021 be kinder and brighter.
