BACK-EAST BIAS

I note in the Dec. 23 Book Review that The Times mourns the loss of North Point Press, which “did nothing wrong other than publish books that turned out to have a small audience.” The Times also mentions that in the 1960s, publishing evolved from a vehicle for the transmission of culture to a part of the entertainment industry.

As a literary publisher (and writer), I applaud The Times for its stated sorrow. However, look at the books The Times reviews.

Fiction: “Stranger in a Strange Land” and “Landscape”--one a science-fiction classic, the other a first novel, perhaps literary, but both published by major New York publishers, part of the “entertainment industry.”

Poetry: A sample from “The Rest of the Way,” also published by one of the major New York publishers.

In the “In Brief” and “Paperback” sections, the same is true. All books are from the New York publishers, part of the “entertainment industry.”

The Times often makes choices not to note titles by literary presses, particularly local presses. Applezaba Press has been publishing titles on a limited scale since 1977, largely ignored by the Times as are many other fine literary houses, though The Times did review our “Case of the Missing Blue V. W.” several years ago.

If our books were bad, I think they would be ignored by everyone, but they are not. We have received more press in the Washington Post than in The Los Angeles Times. Our books are reviewed on a regular basis in major magazines and newspapers around the country.

If The Times is going to lament the loss of a literary publisher and be credible about it, The Times should recognize literary publishers by reviewing at least some of their titles. The Times should point their readers to books other than those highly touted by the publishing conglomerates.

Is the Los Angeles Times an opinion leader or opinion follower?

D. H. LLOYD, Publisher, Applezaba Press, LONG BEACH