🎉This International Translation Day, find your new favourite book with me
A mini directory and a GIVEAWAY
“Without translation, I would be limited to the borders of my own country. The translator is my most important ally. He introduces me to the world.”
— Italo Calvino
Hello pumpkins,
I am so humbled by the brilliant response this personal narrative has received since its launch. The more I dig into the mass of under-represented and noteworthy literature, the more I realize that this is not a one-person job. Which makes me all the more grateful to have you on this journey with me.
As a token of my appreciation for translations, I’m giving away 5 books, 1 to each lucky winner - all of which are published by small presses across the world! To be eligible - all you have to do is 1) like this post, 2) go to the websites of all these wonderful powerhouses and follow them on Instagram
But there’s something to win for everyone here, below you can explore a wealth of literature that I came across in my quest to find literary dreams of lands far away.
• WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS
University Presses are the backbone of reading-for-knowledge and they need our love and support. Above all WE NEED THEM. I have always been obsessed with fairytales so when I came across this gorgeous book I squealed with pleasure.
A True Blue Idea, Marina Colasanti Translated by Adria Frizzi
Marina Colasanti is a Brazilian journalist, visual artist, and author of over sixty volumes of short stories, poetry, essays, and children’s literature. Her books have been translated into several languages and recognized with numerous awards, including seven prestigious Jabuti Dourado prizes for best work of fiction.
Other noteworthy titles by WSUP: What the Chickadee Knows, Women Writing Wonder, London Yiddishtown
• Charco Press
Carolina Orloff, Director & Publishing Editor at Charco is like most pioneering women, warm and bold and full of things you can learn from her. The way she spoke of each book she mentioned in our conversations has reminded me what it is like to love what you create. Charco Press is a treasure-house of translated wonders but to mention the one that has stolen the show:
The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara; Translated by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre
This is a riotous romp taking the reader from the turbulent frontier culture of the pampas deep into indigenous territories. It charts the adventures of Mrs China Iron, Martín Fierro’s abandoned wife, in her travels across the pampas in a covered wagon with her new-found friend, soon to become lover, a Scottish woman named Liz.
Other titles that are definitely worth checking out: Die, My Love by Ariana Harwicz (which Carolina co-translated)
• 2Leaf Press
Hey Yo! Yo Soy!, The Collected Works of Jesús Papoleto Meléndez. I had a brief interview with Gabrielle David who serves as executive director and chair of the board for 2Leaf Press Inc., a Florida-based nonprofit publisher and multimedia organization founded in 2019, and is the publisher of 2Leaf Press. She is such a stunner and so kind that she got me making puppy faces and awe-faces at the same time.
Please consider contributing to their fabulous initiative Black Lives Have Always Mattered.
• Comma Press
Got in touch with Zoe Turner, multi-tasker and trailblazer over at Comma Press and her recommendations have shifted from my TBR to my READ shelf faster than I expected. Here’s my number one but per usual Comma is full of treasures so feel free to deep dive into their website.
The Book of Barcelona Edited by Zoe Turner & Manel Ollé
Featuring Borja Bagunyà, Carlota Gurt, Empar Moliner, Jordi Nopca, Marta Orriols, Jordi Puntí, Llucia Ramis, Francesc Serés, Gonzalo Torné & Carlos Zanón
• Saqi Books
Cassie Lawrence over at Saqi Books helped me find a starting point through the vast literature on the Middle East and North Africa.
Classical Poems by Arab Women Arab women poets have been around since the earliest of times, yet their diwans (collected poems) were not given the same consideration as their male counterparts’.
• Istros Books
Istros Books will always have a special place in my heart. It is a growing river of South East European literature and the home of Susan Curtis, a dear friend.
Longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize 2019
Doppelgänger consists of two stories that skillfully revisit the question of “doubles” (famously explored by Stevenson, Dostoyevsky and others), and how an individual is perpetually caught between their own beliefs and those imposed on them by society. ‘Arthur and Isabella’ is a story of the relationship between two elderly people who meet on New Year’s Eve — a romantic encounter which turns into a grotesque portrayal of the loneliness of old age.
• Parthian Books
You ever finished reading a book and were like “I’m never gonna be the same person I was again”? That had not happened to me in a really long time until I found love and sorrow and a renewed perspective towards everything after reading Hana by Alena Mornštajnová. It was longlisted a few months ago for the EBRD Literature Prize.
It is a translated by a power-couple Julia and Peter Sherwood, edited by Dr. Carly Holmes herself - Editor / Publishing Manager at Parthian and the most kind and amazing woman. It’s important to note that it won The Czech National Book Award and well deserved at that.
• Fum d'Estampa Press
Forty Lost Years by Rosa Maria Arquimbau, tr. Peter Bush. Not only is it a PEN Award winner, but it is an incredibly important piece of writing from a female perspective of the Spanish Civil war - something that is not often seen, or is overlooked.
Fum d'Estampa Press has published a select fantastic titles, they deserve a place on your shelf for their design on their own! They are a small press based out of London/Barcelona and are one that have a glorious way ahead (I’m predicting this, put your money on me please)
• Frayed Edge Press
The first English translation of Mexican feminist author Esther Seligson's novella, Yearning for the Sea. Translated by Selma Marks. I am very grateful to be able to speak to Selma and the editor Alison M. Lewis. Alison was especially patient with me, even with my stupid questions and goofs. The book though is stellar and if you love Circe/The Song Of Achilles READ IT!!!
Please note: Every time I say kind or sweet or any other adjective about an editor, I’m assuming you understand that they are intellectuals of the highest order. I’m pleased that my list, which was made without bias - has turned out to have all female editors/ writers.
PSA: If you are an independent publisher, a small press or a university press: please feel free to write me a mail at nidhipande1@gmail.com, let’s start a conversation ❤