Works across different genres—and in 10 languages—have won English PEN’s flagship translation awards, PEN Translates. 

The books selected demonstrate outstanding literary quality, and are also judged on the strength of the publishing project and their contribution to the UK’s bibliodiversity. 

PEN Translates is supported by Arts Council England, and the award was launched with the aim of encouraging UK publishers to acquire more books from other languages, helping them to meet the costs associated with translation. It funds up to 75% of these costs for selected projects, but PEN also considers supporting up to 100% of translation costs in cases where a publisher’s annual turnover is less than £500,000.

Two of the books awarded—a collection of short stories by Banu Mushtaq, translated from the Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, and The Aquatics by Osvalde Lewat, translated from the French by Maren Baudet-Lackner—were projects supported through English PEN’s grant for sample translations, PEN Presents. They were subsequently acquired by And Other Stories and Cassava Republic Press, respectively.

Mushtaq’s collection of short stories has also been supported through a ring-fenced fund for Indian literature in translation in partnership with the British Council. This partnership was established as part of the India/UK Together Season of Culture, and included the inaugural round of PEN Presents in 2022, of which Mushtaq and Bhasthi were winners.

Source: https://www.thebookseller.com/

Full article: https://www.thebookseller.com/news/pen-translates-awards-titles-in-10-languages-win-prizes