John Dryden Translation Competition: Now Open

The 2013-2014 John Dryden Translation Competition is now open for entries, which calls for unpublished literary translations from any language into English:

These literary translations includes works of poetry, prose, or drama from any period. First prize is £350; second prize: £200; third prize: £100; and other entries may receive commendations. All three of the top prizes also include one year’s membership in the British Comparative Literature Association.

Judges will be selected from a shortlist of  Dr Glyn Hambrook, Maike Oergel, Stuart Gillespie, Glyn Pursglove , Martin Sorrell, and Robert Chandler, and “will be assisted by bilingual readers specialising in the literatures for which entries are received.”

Generally speaking:

Your translation must be double-spaced and on A4 sheets (or near equivalent). It must not exceed 20 pages. An excerpt or excerpts from longer works may be submitted but must not exceed this limit. The translation must be page-numbered and carry a title and there must be nothing on it which might identify the translator.

And:

There are no limitations on entrants with respect to age, nationality, place of residence, or professional status.

In a quick scan, I don’t see any previous winners or commend-ees that were translations from the Arabic. So go on. It’s only 20 pages. You can read the complete rules online.

Deadline for entries is Feb 14, 2014.