ALTA is excited to present Write the World: A Day of Translation! Connect with translators and translation enthusiasts from across the globe. Get ready for this day of virtual panels on topics related to literary translation on May 23, 2023!
Registration opens this Friday, April 14. Registration will be $15, which will grant you access to all the events of the day.
ALTA members get 20% off registration for Write the World. Members will receive their discount promo code via email on the morning of Friday, April 14. If you’re not an ALTA member but would like to receive this discount, join ALTA or renew your membership today.
The schedule for Write the World: A Day of Translation is below. For more information and to read the participant bios, visit this page.
The Power of Literary Awards to Expand Readership, sponsored by the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, 9:00 – 10:15AM PT
Literary awards have long been successful in celebrating and promoting authors, but is that true when it comes to works in translation? In 2006, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award was established to bring recognition to outstanding Arabic writing and promote the translation and reading of Arabic literature around the world. In this panel discussion, the US publicist for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and one of this year’s Literature category finalists, writer and editor Reem Bassiouney, and representatives from the National Book Critics Circle and National Book Foundation will discuss the creation and impact of these awards on global and personal levels. The discussion will be moderated by journalist Olivia Snaije.
Moderator: Olivia Snaije
Panelists: Reem Bassiouney, Anna Dobben, Adam Dalva, Erin Cox
Partnering for Success: Translators & Agents in the Publishing Industry, 11:00 AM – 12:15PM PT
Translators are essential in bringing diverse stories and voices to readers around the world. However, selling translations can be challenging without understanding how agents and editors function within the publishing industry. What is the role of literary agents? Should translators seek out partnerships with literary agents? If so, what is the best way for translators and agents to connect and work together? In this session, a translator, agent, and publisher will discuss the various ways in which an agent can help translators navigate the business side of publishing, such as pitching projects, negotiating contracts, and marketing translations, along with building relationships with publishers.
Moderator: Julia Sanches
Panelists: Elianna Kan, Heather Cleary, Ethan Nosowsky
Social Media Branding and Marketing for Literary Translators, 1:00 – 2:15PM PT
Social media can be a powerful and useful tool for literary translators to make ourselves and our work seen, particularly for emerging translators or those who are based in countries and regions away from the traditional hubs of Anglophone publishing. Creating a social media account is easy, but the choice of platform(s) to start with can be daunting. Is one platform better than the others to help you achieve your goals? Who do we want to reach out to – editors, publishers, readers? What should we post and is there really a golden time or day for maximum engagement? Anton Hur, Matthew Sciarappa, Sawad Hussain and moderator Yuki Tejima will share their experience and know-how in this panel comprising literary translators, book bloggers and social media experts in publishing.
Moderator: Yuki Tejima
Panelists: Anton Hur, Matthew Sciarappa, Sawad Hussain
Publishing Translations: A Conversation Between Translators & Editors, 3:00 – 4:15PM PT
Before introducing our translations to the world, what does a professional relationship between translators and editors look like? What is it like to edit works in translation, and communicate intentionality that comes from considerations of style, the original language, and more? Are there differences when publishing translation as books, as shorter pieces in a literary magazine, or when translators write essays about languages? We have invited three editors (some of whom are also translators themselves) who have experiences working with translators––from publishing houses to literary magazines. We will explore elements of building a healthy relationship between both, and what it is like to introduce essays about translation, and translations themselves, to wider audiences.
Moderator: Jenna Tang
Panelists: Alexa Frank, Stella Cabot Wilson, Soleil Davíd