Sunday Submissions: ‘PEN Translates’ Open Through May 31

PEN Translates is now open for submissions, and their deadline is May 2018:

PEN Translates, launched in 2012, takes as its mission encouraging UK publishers to acquire more books from other languages. According to PEN, “The award helps UK publishers to meet the costs of translating new works into English – whilst ensuring translators are acknowledged and paid properly for their work.”

The grant is for translation costs, and “will fund up to 75% of translation costs for selected projects. When a publisher’s annual turnover is less than £500,000 we will consider supporting up to 100% of translation costs.”

They write:

PEN Translates is open to works from all languages, and it is not essential for publishers to have acquired the rights at the time of application. The submitted project may be a work of fiction (including children’s literature), non-fiction, poetry, prose or plays (for print edition), but not a magazine.

The main criteria for assessment are: literary quality, strength and innovation of the publishing project, and contribution to literary diversity in the UK.

PEN Translates will support a project when the translation is in progress, but not if it is in the final stages of production. For translations underway, the publication date must be at least 3 months after the announcement of the award. Awards are announced approximately four to five months after the application deadline.

The deadline is May 31.

On their website, you’ll find:

• Application Form
• Pro-forma budget
• Guidance for Applicants