Deadline: June 17, 2022
PEN August Women in Translation Readings – Call for Literary Translators (closes 6/17/2022)
The PEN translation committee is seeking literary translators into English to read from their work (published or in progress) in a series of three virtual readings to celebrate Women in Translation month this August. We welcome responses from women or nonbinary translators and translators of any gender identity TRANSLATING WORDS BY CONTEMPORARY WOMEN OR NONBINARY AUTHORS. We will only be accepting proposals for bilingual readings, where translators will be reading alongside their authors (no recordings, please). You and your author must be available on ALL the proposed reading dates (see below).
The last two years have been devastating in many ways, with disproportionate impacts on those with the least access to broad platforms from which to be widely heard. One of the opportunities that came along with the COVID-19 pandemic was an opening up of virtual connection. To that end, we particularly invite participants who translate from languages and countries less commonly published in English translation, translators based outside of New York City, translators of color and/or translators reading works by writers of color, emerging translators, and translators who for any other reason face disproportionate barriers of access. Preference will be given to those translators who have not yet participated in this reading series.
The virtual readings will take place on the following Tuesdays, at 1:00 pm ET: August 16, August 23, and August 30. Four or five translator/author pairs will read for approximately 10 minutes, followed by a short Q&A.
We recognize the need to accommodate different time zones, but please be certain you can be present for the 1:00 pm ET reading.
If you have any questions, please email organizers Nancy Naomi Carlson, Jesse Lee Kercheval, and Katherine E. Young at [email protected].
