ALTA

ALTA is dedicated to supporting literary translators at all stages of their careers. The cornerstone of ALTA is our conference, held annually since 1978. This community-led gathering brings together around 500 translators and editors for a three-day event. Open to members and non-members, there are many ways to get involved.

Membership with ALTA provides a discount of up to 30% off the conference and allows translators to stay connected to the ALTA community and its resources throughout the year. Members can access our listserv and video library, receive an exclusive newsletter, pitch their work to editors, apply to a members-only residency, and more.

We also offer programs and resources open to member and non-member translators such as our multilingual translation workshops, our day of virtual panels called Write the World, and our publishers database.

Early-career translators can participate in three offerings aimed at developing their craft and professional networks: a standalone fellowship to support attendance to our annual conference; a rotating suite of yearlong mentorships in which emerging translators are paired with experienced translators, and also receive support to attend the conference; and an award for first translations. You need not be a member to participate in these programs.

Membership with ALTA provides many benefits for new translators, including a discount of up to 30% on our annual conference. The ALTA conference is community-led, with all sessions organized by ALTA members. It’s a great place for emerging translators to make connections.

Throughout the year we also offer online programs and resources that benefit translators at all levels. Our video archive and opportunities to pitch your work to editors are available exclusively to members, while Multilingual Translation Workshops and a day of virtual panels called Write the World are open to all, with a discount for members.

ALTA has several ways for editors and publishers of literature in translation to connect with our community of translators, with some of these offered preferentially to presses that join ALTA as Organizational Members.

Editors looking for new titles and works can sign up to participate in our First Look program for exclusive access to work by up-and-coming translators or the Editor-Translator Pitch Sessions, which are open to all translator members of ALTA.

Presses can also submit titles to our awards, and participate in our annual Read the World social media bookfair, or in Bookfair Bingo at AWP. At the ALTA Conference, editors can participate in sessions, share their work at the Publisher’s Open Mic, sponsor events, and more.

Throughout the year presses can also advertise with ALTA (at a discount for member presses) in our newsletter or on our social media channels.

ALTA welcomes readers of world literature in translation to explore offerings from our community!

Browse the best books in translation as recognized by our awards, check out our Bookshop.org collections, find your next read in our annual Read the World social media bookfair, and join us every year at AWP. Readers can also explore Member Announcements to learn about award-winning translations, new publications, and even events that might be taking place nearby.

Non-translators can join as Friend Members to stay more connected to ALTA’s community, and gain access to special offerings, like our video library, including recordings of Bilingual Readings held at the annual ALTA conference.