October 28, 2010
In support of translation
by Dennis Johnson
As the winner of the most recent Best Translated Book (BTB) prize for fiction — for our book, The Confessions of Noa Weber, by Gail Hareven — we here at Melville House were particularly proud to win an award that had been voted upon by a judging panel made up of representatives from some of the country’s best independent booksellers, not to mention some great indie bloggers and critics. And from its inception, we have always thought of the two-year-old award as a good thing for little indies trying to champion good books in a difficult market and culture — a market and culture made difficult in many ways by the predatory and thuggish practices of Amazon.com.
So we were saddened — and puzzled — by the surprise announcement last week that the award would now be underwritten by none other than Amazon.com, with the University of Rochester and Open Letter Books, administrators of the award, getting $25,000 to divy up between between promotional costs and cash prizes for the translators and authors. We were also alarmed to see our name used without consultation in the press release announcing that funding, as if we were a party to this, or that we supported it.
In fact, we don’t, given, well, one thing or another … or another … or another … or another … or another … or another … or another … or another … or another … or another … or another … or another … or another ….
We could go on. The point is, it’s clear to us that Amazon’s interests, and those of a healthy book culture, whether electronic or not, are antithetical. As most of us here at Melville House have also worked at indie bookstores — including such biggies as Booksoup, Shaman Drum, Brookline Booksmith and others — we feel this especially keenly: Taking money from Amazon makes about as much sense as a medical researcher taking money from a cigarette company.
Which explains why we’re withdrawing from any future involvement with the Best Translated Book award. As publishers of 20 or more translated books a year — that’s more than Knopf or FSG — we mean to offer a much more genuine support to translation in America than taking part in a ruse leading to its further denigration. What’s more, we mean to make a more genuine statement of support for the independent publishing and bookseller community. After all, as America’s first great independent publisher said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately.”
Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.
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40 Comments
It probably should not go without saying, Amazon has two publishing imprints, one of which is called AmazonCrossing, which publishes books in translation. It is brand new, the first book they published in the past month or so called “The King of Kahel”, so the timing of Amazon’s support of the translation prize is curious.
History has shown that when publishers underwrite a literary award it looses credibility, such as what happened with the 1979 National Book Award that led to a revolt and founding of the Pen/Faulkner Award by Mary Lee Settle. I don’t think the NBA ever recovered and is largely seen as a publishers marketing arm.
It’s understandable the BTBA was looking for a corporate sponsor, that is what book awards do, but to pick Amazon was a huge mistake for a number of reasons. There are other American translation awards, such as the National Translation Award given by the National Library Association.
It probably should not go without saying, Amazon has two publishing imprints, one of which is called AmazonCrossing, which publishes books in translation. It is brand new, the first book they published in the past month or so called “The King of Kahel”, so the timing of Amazon’s support of the translation prize is curious.
History has shown that when publishers underwrite a literary award it looses credibility, such as what happened with the 1979 National Book Award that led to a revolt and founding of the Pen/Faulkner Award by Mary Lee Settle. I don’t think the NBA ever recovered and is largely seen as a publishers marketing arm.
It’s understandable the BTBA was looking for a corporate sponsor, that is what book awards do, but to pick Amazon was a huge mistake for a number of reasons. There are other American translation awards, such as the National Translation Award given by the National Library Association.
Perhaps 50 indies could come together to sponsor this? If so, Green Apple would throw down our $500.
Perhaps 50 indies could come together to sponsor this? If so, Green Apple would throw down our $500.
Great idea, Pete. Would love to know what other booksellers think of this ….
Great idea, Pete. Would love to know what other booksellers think of this ….
Did you contact your authors before making this decision? I don’t mean this to be a challenge, but an honest question.
As I watch the continuing debate (and subsequent decisions) between indie booksellers (I used to own a brick-and-mortar, although used, bookstore), publishers, and the online giants, it feels like the writers are often lost in the mix.
As you know, winning awards can mean increased book sales. I would just hope that your protest is being made with the support of the authors that are no longer eligible for the award.
Did you contact your authors before making this decision? I don’t mean this to be a challenge, but an honest question.
As I watch the continuing debate (and subsequent decisions) between indie booksellers (I used to own a brick-and-mortar, although used, bookstore), publishers, and the online giants, it feels like the writers are often lost in the mix.
As you know, winning awards can mean increased book sales. I would just hope that your protest is being made with the support of the authors that are no longer eligible for the award.
Our authors and translators remain free to apply for the award if they so desire. As it’s worked out in the two previous rounds of the award, we were always contacted by the organizers to submit books for consideration, and we were then asked to supply books to the judges, etc. — do the logistics on behalf of the writers and generally champion the book as best we could. Our authors and translators remain free to do this themselves regardless of whether Melville House does it for them or not.
From our standpoint, however, we would be doing our authors and translators more harm than good were we to participate.
Our authors and translators remain free to apply for the award if they so desire. As it’s worked out in the two previous rounds of the award, we were always contacted by the organizers to submit books for consideration, and we were then asked to supply books to the judges, etc. — do the logistics on behalf of the writers and generally champion the book as best we could. Our authors and translators remain free to do this themselves regardless of whether Melville House does it for them or not.
From our standpoint, however, we would be doing our authors and translators more harm than good were we to participate.
Steve, there’s no such thing as a “National Library Association.” The National Translation Award is given by the American Literary Translators Association—the new funding for the BTBA was first publicly announced last week at ALTA’s conference in Philadelphia. Was it booed, as a “competing” award funded by a “suspicious” source? No. The prize money, which increases the prestige of the award, is given to the authors and translators of great books, not to their publishers or retailers—and as a translator, I welcome any sign that our work is recognized and valued. I think perhaps the only way the award could lose that prestige is if the competition somehow becomes seen as biased by external factors—as when, for instance, a publisher withholds eligible books.
Steve, there’s no such thing as a “National Library Association.” The National Translation Award is given by the American Literary Translators Association—the new funding for the BTBA was first publicly announced last week at ALTA’s conference in Philadelphia. Was it booed, as a “competing” award funded by a “suspicious” source? No. The prize money, which increases the prestige of the award, is given to the authors and translators of great books, not to their publishers or retailers—and as a translator, I welcome any sign that our work is recognized and valued. I think perhaps the only way the award could lose that prestige is if the competition somehow becomes seen as biased by external factors—as when, for instance, a publisher withholds eligible books.
Do you think that, in the announcement of a translation award, it would be appropriate to name the person who won the award — that is, the translator?
Shame on you!
Do you think that, in the announcement of a translation award, it would be appropriate to name the person who won the award — that is, the translator?
Shame on you!
Dear J. Kates –
I did name who won the award — we did. It’s sitting on my desk in front of me as I write this. Here’s what it says on it: “2010 Best Translated Book Award, The Confessions of Noa Weber by Gail Hareven, Published by Melville House.” It doesn’t say anything about the translator, who was Dalya Bilu, by the way. A separate award went to the author. That one didn’t mention the translator, either. You’ll have to talk to the organizers about why the translator wasn’t cited for her part, although I agree that it would have been nice. But the issue at hand is the organizer’s cooperation in Amazon’s p.r. campaign, which in my opinion is detrimental to not only translators but book culture at large.
[Note that I've revised this comment for accuracy after earlier saying that one of the two awards for the book went to the translator; a colleague reminded me that the second award went to the author.]
Dear J. Kates –
I did name who won the award — we did. It’s sitting on my desk in front of me as I write this. Here’s what it says on it: “2010 Best Translated Book Award, The Confessions of Noa Weber by Gail Hareven, Published by Melville House.” It doesn’t say anything about the translator, who was Dalya Bilu, by the way. A separate award went to the author. That one didn’t mention the translator, either. You’ll have to talk to the organizers about why the translator wasn’t cited for her part, although I agree that it would have been nice. But the issue at hand is the organizer’s cooperation in Amazon’s p.r. campaign, which in my opinion is detrimental to not only translators but book culture at large.
[Note that I've revised this comment for accuracy after earlier saying that one of the two awards for the book went to the translator; a colleague reminded me that the second award went to the author.]
To state the painfully obvious, no translated book can be an excellent book unless the translation is excellent. The BTBA is a dual prize, awarded simultaneously to publisher and translator construed as a team. Regardless of what a good job a publisher does overall, a prize like this is really only ever given for the following:
1. selecting an excellent author;
2. selecting an excellent translator.
Melville House won a BTBA in very large part thanks to Dalya Bilu’s excellent work; how about a little gratitude? Gratitude begins with naming the translator each time you talk about winning this prize.
To state the painfully obvious, no translated book can be an excellent book unless the translation is excellent. The BTBA is a dual prize, awarded simultaneously to publisher and translator construed as a team. Regardless of what a good job a publisher does overall, a prize like this is really only ever given for the following:
1. selecting an excellent author;
2. selecting an excellent translator.
Melville House won a BTBA in very large part thanks to Dalya Bilu’s excellent work; how about a little gratitude? Gratitude begins with naming the translator each time you talk about winning this prize.
Hi Susan,
Hmm, so Melville House “selected an excellent author,” and “selected an excellent translator,” paid them, invested in their promotion sufficiently enough at least to get their work in front of this judging panel … and somehow we’re still ungrateful idiots? Okay. You might share that anger with the organizers of the BTB, who didn’t include the translator’s name on either of the two awards they gave out for this book (one to us and one to the author). The thing is, that’s a different conversation. Your comments have nothing to do with the issue at hand — what I actually wrote about — which is whether or not Amazon is good for literature in translation, or for independent book culture in general.
Hi Susan,
Hmm, so Melville House “selected an excellent author,” and “selected an excellent translator,” paid them, invested in their promotion sufficiently enough at least to get their work in front of this judging panel … and somehow we’re still ungrateful idiots? Okay. You might share that anger with the organizers of the BTB, who didn’t include the translator’s name on either of the two awards they gave out for this book (one to us and one to the author). The thing is, that’s a different conversation. Your comments have nothing to do with the issue at hand — what I actually wrote about — which is whether or not Amazon is good for literature in translation, or for independent book culture in general.
Dennis,
To stick to the issue at hand: I am thrilled that you continue to speak out against amazon.com’s nastiness. Good for Melville House!
Like a lot of people, I worked in amazon (UK) for a while, and got out as soon as I could get another job. They don’t care about book culture, not even most of the books editors, shock as it was to find that out.
Here in the UK, too, it would be good if more publishers spoke up. As you’ll know, many have found their books ‘unavailable’ because they didn’t play ball on giving amazon excessive discounts.
Speaking personally, I’m not particularly keen on where some of their profits end up either, in the Republican Party’s coffers.
Dennis,
To stick to the issue at hand: I am thrilled that you continue to speak out against amazon.com’s nastiness. Good for Melville House!
Like a lot of people, I worked in amazon (UK) for a while, and got out as soon as I could get another job. They don’t care about book culture, not even most of the books editors, shock as it was to find that out.
Here in the UK, too, it would be good if more publishers spoke up. As you’ll know, many have found their books ‘unavailable’ because they didn’t play ball on giving amazon excessive discounts.
Speaking personally, I’m not particularly keen on where some of their profits end up either, in the Republican Party’s coffers.
Great post, Dennis. I think the many issues you’ve high-lighted over the years about Amazon are part of a fundament dynamic that should concern everyone who cares about books and book culture. It is just not healthy for one retailer to dominate online retailing of print and e-books to the degree that Amazon does. These are the only segments of book consumption that are growing, biting directly into life of physical bookstores. And unlike traditional booksellers, Amazon’s future as a company is only tentatively tied to book sales. Once the industry has been decimated, I’m sure Amazon will be happy selling toaster-ovens instead. Indie publishers are going to have to find ways of pooling resources, reaching readers directly, selling direct, collecting customer data, and amplify what they uniquely offer readers.
Great post, Dennis. I think the many issues you’ve high-lighted over the years about Amazon are part of a fundament dynamic that should concern everyone who cares about books and book culture. It is just not healthy for one retailer to dominate online retailing of print and e-books to the degree that Amazon does. These are the only segments of book consumption that are growing, biting directly into life of physical bookstores. And unlike traditional booksellers, Amazon’s future as a company is only tentatively tied to book sales. Once the industry has been decimated, I’m sure Amazon will be happy selling toaster-ovens instead. Indie publishers are going to have to find ways of pooling resources, reaching readers directly, selling direct, collecting customer data, and amplify what they uniquely offer readers.
Thank you for this. Odd, isn’t it? how integrity in the book business can sadly now seem so exceptional. Good on you.
Thank you for this. Odd, isn’t it? how integrity in the book business can sadly now seem so exceptional. Good on you.
I think indie booksellers pitching in would’ve been a GREAT solution, Pete/Dennis. I can think of many who would’ve supported it.
I think indie booksellers pitching in would’ve been a GREAT solution, Pete/Dennis. I can think of many who would’ve supported it.
Well, what’s good for the goose isn’t necessarily good for the gander, Dennis. While large corporate booksellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble are undeniably a threat to independent booksellers (though it seems to me that the competition between B&N and Borders in the 1990s did far more damage to indies than Amazon has done since; and indies are in a better place today than they were ten years ago, largely through the support networks and awareness-raising provided by institutions like Indiebound, Melville House, et al.), its recent support of the BTB Award and other translation initiatives has helped raise the profile of translators, literary translation, and international literature within the culture at large, and that is a good thing for our profession. It’s a matter of symbolic capital here, a matter most translators are perforce only too keenly aware of. I’m really not convinced that there is a necessary correlation, as your post suggests, between the well-being of independent booksellers and the well-being of literary translators in this country; and I’m quite certain that there is no causal link between the two: the field of interdependence is far too complex for that.
As for some of the other comments made here: so many commercial book editors and publishers are utterly indifferent to book culture (except the most commodofiable articulations of it), so it’s not surprising that the same applies to Amazon.co.uk editors; also, as far as I’ve been able to determine, Amazon.com has given to both the Republican and the Democratic parties, and in the 2008 elections at least their contributions to the Democrats outweighed those to the Republicans — tho I would welcome more specific details on this: I also find the idea of giving money to Republicans horrifying; and lastly: if independent publishers want to establish another monied award for translators, that would be only too welcome — maybe an Indiebound Translation Award? or some other initiative that would promote translated titles amongst indie booksellers across the country? At any rate, I don’t agree that Amazon’s support for the BTBA is a ruse that will lead to the denigration of literary translation in the U.S., and I think your decision to reject the BTBA is unfortunate.
Also, I think your alarm over seeing Melville House’s name mentioned in Open Letter’s press release “as if we were a party to this [funding], or that we supported it,” is exaggerated. Melville House was mentioned as a matter of course, a credit given where it was due, and the PR in no way suggested MH’s support for or endorsement of the award.
That said, I appreciate your raising these issues in your post (and the many issues you address in this blog generally — wow!) Perhaps Melville House would host a discussion of the relationship between literary translation, independent bookselling, independent publishing, and Amazon (and B&H) at some point? (along the lines of the excellent series of public discussions about translation, publishing, etc. you guys hosted last year?)
Well, what’s good for the goose isn’t necessarily good for the gander, Dennis. While large corporate booksellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble are undeniably a threat to independent booksellers (though it seems to me that the competition between B&N and Borders in the 1990s did far more damage to indies than Amazon has done since; and indies are in a better place today than they were ten years ago, largely through the support networks and awareness-raising provided by institutions like Indiebound, Melville House, et al.), its recent support of the BTB Award and other translation initiatives has helped raise the profile of translators, literary translation, and international literature within the culture at large, and that is a good thing for our profession. It’s a matter of symbolic capital here, a matter most translators are perforce only too keenly aware of. I’m really not convinced that there is a necessary correlation, as your post suggests, between the well-being of independent booksellers and the well-being of literary translators in this country; and I’m quite certain that there is no causal link between the two: the field of interdependence is far too complex for that.
As for some of the other comments made here: so many commercial book editors and publishers are utterly indifferent to book culture (except the most commodofiable articulations of it), so it’s not surprising that the same applies to Amazon.co.uk editors; also, as far as I’ve been able to determine, Amazon.com has given to both the Republican and the Democratic parties, and in the 2008 elections at least their contributions to the Democrats outweighed those to the Republicans — tho I would welcome more specific details on this: I also find the idea of giving money to Republicans horrifying; and lastly: if independent publishers want to establish another monied award for translators, that would be only too welcome — maybe an Indiebound Translation Award? or some other initiative that would promote translated titles amongst indie booksellers across the country? At any rate, I don’t agree that Amazon’s support for the BTBA is a ruse that will lead to the denigration of literary translation in the U.S., and I think your decision to reject the BTBA is unfortunate.
Also, I think your alarm over seeing Melville House’s name mentioned in Open Letter’s press release “as if we were a party to this [funding], or that we supported it,” is exaggerated. Melville House was mentioned as a matter of course, a credit given where it was due, and the PR in no way suggested MH’s support for or endorsement of the award.
That said, I appreciate your raising these issues in your post (and the many issues you address in this blog generally — wow!) Perhaps Melville House would host a discussion of the relationship between literary translation, independent bookselling, independent publishing, and Amazon (and B&H) at some point? (along the lines of the excellent series of public discussions about translation, publishing, etc. you guys hosted last year?)
Well done Melville House for standing up for the indies…I only wish that the larger publishing houses had the guts to do the same-they seem to live in fear of the big box stores.Integrity is a rare thing in business these days and you have it in spades.
Well done Melville House for standing up for the indies…I only wish that the larger publishing houses had the guts to do the same-they seem to live in fear of the big box stores.Integrity is a rare thing in business these days and you have it in spades.
Hi Laura Kuechenmeister — Are you yourself a bookseller who is a potential sponsor? Who else do you think would be on board?
Hi Laura Kuechenmeister — Are you yourself a bookseller who is a potential sponsor? Who else do you think would be on board?
>>Steve, there’s no such thing as a “National Library Association.” The National Translation Award is given by the American Literary Translators Association
Yes you’re right sorry I was writing from memory and got the name incorrect.
>>The prize money, which increases the prestige of the award, is given to the authors and translators of great books, not to their publishers or retailers
Well, the publishers of course benefit from increased sales with a prize winning book. Let’s see if any AmazonCrossing books are submitted this year to BTBA or make the short-list. Maybe the AmazonCrossing books deserve it, I don’t know, but there’s an air around it of impartiality is one concern.
>>I think perhaps the only way the award could lose that prestige is if the competition somehow becomes seen as biased by external factors
See the issues surrounding the National Book Foundation (National Book Award) to get a sense of what happens when publishers become too close with a prize.
>>as a translator, I welcome any sign that our work is recognized and valued.
I agree 100%. Thanks for your efforts, I read many translated books (including one from AmazonCrossing). I think translators deserve a prize with more integrity and prestige than one solely sponsored by Amazon, such as some of the suggestions made in this thread.
Steve
>>Steve, there’s no such thing as a “National Library Association.†The National Translation Award is given by the American Literary Translators Association
Yes you’re right sorry I was writing from memory and got the name incorrect.
>>The prize money, which increases the prestige of the award, is given to the authors and translators of great books, not to their publishers or retailers
Well, the publishers of course benefit from increased sales with a prize winning book. Let’s see if any AmazonCrossing books are submitted this year to BTBA or make the short-list. Maybe the AmazonCrossing books deserve it, I don’t know, but there’s an air around it of impartiality is one concern.
>>I think perhaps the only way the award could lose that prestige is if the competition somehow becomes seen as biased by external factors
See the issues surrounding the National Book Foundation (National Book Award) to get a sense of what happens when publishers become too close with a prize.
>>as a translator, I welcome any sign that our work is recognized and valued.
I agree 100%. Thanks for your efforts, I read many translated books (including one from AmazonCrossing). I think translators deserve a prize with more integrity and prestige than one solely sponsored by Amazon, such as some of the suggestions made in this thread.
Steve
Melville’s position here is a shame. What specific harm comes from Amazon sponsoring an award that celebrates the art and merits of translation? Does Amazon benefit from this award at the cost of the writers and translators who win it? This is not to defend Amazon’s overarching business model and strategies, which – I’ll agree – leave much to be desired. But this specific step doesn’t trouble me. Any support for this very special award comes as welcome news. Let’s welcome the attention it gives to international writers, the translators who do such wonderful work, and the exceptional publishers who publish them.
Melville’s position here is a shame. What specific harm comes from Amazon sponsoring an award that celebrates the art and merits of translation? Does Amazon benefit from this award at the cost of the writers and translators who win it? This is not to defend Amazon’s overarching business model and strategies, which – I’ll agree – leave much to be desired. But this specific step doesn’t trouble me. Any support for this very special award comes as welcome news. Let’s welcome the attention it gives to international writers, the translators who do such wonderful work, and the exceptional publishers who publish them.
Dennis, I absolutely would, and I suspect the bookstore I work for would as well.
Dennis, I absolutely would, and I suspect the bookstore I work for would as well.