Slovak Literature in English Translation

Resources

Slovak Books in English

Our lists, compiled from a variety of sources, are probably the most comprehensive database of Slovak books in English translation from 1899 to date. We are updating it continuously and welcome information on any titles we may have missed.

Background Reading and Recommendations

History of Slovak Literature on The Slovak Culture Profile.“‘Une Belle Inconnue’: Slovak Literature in Paris”
by Marek Vadas in Asymptote blog, April 2019.“Domestic Fiction Leads Slovakia’s Book Market Growth and Bestseller Lists”
by Jaroslaw Adamowski in Publishing Perspectives, March 2018.“10 Slovak Women Writers We’d Love to Read in English.”Recommendations compiled by translators and scholars of Slovak literature onLitHub,March 2017. Many of these books are still looking for a publisher.“Contemporary Women’s Writing from Slovakia”
A special feature in Words without Borders, February 2015, with samples of works by Jaroslava Blažková, Uršuľa Kovalyk, Monika Kompaníková and Svetlana Žuchová.“A Beginners Guide to the Slovak Book and Literature Market”
by Julia Sherwood in Publishing Perspectives, November 2013.

Institutional Support

Literárne Informačné Centrum (LIC) / Centre for Information on Literature
Based in Bratislava, this is the official agency for promoting Slovak literature abroad which administers the SLOLIA grant scheme for supporting translations. Its website features a comprehensive database of authors, has regular news of literary events, and maintains pdf collections of back issues of Books from Slovakia and Slovak Literary Review which offer foreign-language publishers and academics a glimpse into Slovak literary releases. LIC also maintains a list of publishers within Slovakia, with an overview of focus and contact information for each.Fond na podporu umenia (FPU) / Slovak Arts Council
Official Slovak grants agency that provides grants to individuals (including translators) and organizations (including publishers).

Publishers Featuring Slovak Literature

Calypso Editions (US)Dalkey Archive Press (Dublin, Ireland / McLean, Illinois, US)Dedalus Books (London, UK)Garnett Press Books (Queen Mary University, London, UK)Jantar Publishing (London, UK)Karolinum Press (Prague, Czech Republic)Northwestern University Press (Evanston, IL, USA)Parthian Books (Cardigan, Wales, UK)Seagull Books (Kolkata, India)Slavica PublishersThree Strings Books (Bloomington, Indiana, US)Two Dollar Radio (Columbus, Ohio, US)Twisted Spoon Press (Prague, Czech Republic)

Journals Featuring Slovak Literature with excerpts, reviews, and interviews

ApofenieAsymptoteB O D YThe Continental Literary MagazineEuropean Literature NetworkInventoryThe Missing SlateThe Ofi Press MagazineThe RiveterTwo LinesVersopolisWords Without Borders

Translation Lists and Databases

Literary Translation Database by the British Centre for Literary TranslationThe University of Rochester’s Translation Database via Publishers WeeklyThe 100 Best Books by Women Writers in TranslationCzech Literature in English Translation (compiled by Alex Zucker)Slovak Drama in Translation

Organizations Promoting Translation

ALTA (American Literary Translators Association)The Society of Authors: Translators AssociationPEN America: Translation CommitteeEnglish PEN: TranslationEuropean Literature NetworkLiterature Across FrontiersBritish Centre for Literary Translation

Selected Sites and Blogs

literalabBiblibio: Life in lettersthe complete review: A Literary Saloon and Site of ReviewSpeculative Fiction in TranslationTranslationista: Dispatches from the World of Literary TranslationWorld Kid Lit