American Literary Translators Association (ALTA)

10/13/2026

“No horse exists upon this earth
too fast for it to be outran”

Tritney College Dublin put out their 15th edition of their journal of literary translation (JoLT) this summer. Have you read it yet? It includes translations from Welsh, Spanish, Czech, French, Polish, Russian, and more! The quote above was translated by Ildana Ospanova from Sultanmakhmut Toraigyrov’s original Kazakh:

https://buff.ly/ZbXjpq2

Dive into our extensive resources on the topic that interests you. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace.

10/12/2026

In a time when it’s difficult to find the words to respond to this current moment, we’re excited to offer a workshop to help you step beyond your everyday relationship with language.Shoshana Olidort’s “Finding Poetry in Translation" will meet on three Tuesday evenings: October 20, October 27, and November 10 from 7 to 8 p.m. ET.

This workshop considers what translation makes possible in the world and how it pushes language against its own limits to expand meaning in new and unexpected ways. Writers of all levels and traditions are welcome, and knowledge of a second language is not required. Recordings and handouts will be made available following each workshop. Follow this link to register: https://secure.givelively.org/event/yetzirah/finding-poetry-in-translation-with-shoshana-olidort

10/12/2026

On October 8, Anne Carson, a Canadian poet, essayist, and translator, was announced as laureate of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature. If you’re curious about other Nobel laureates in literature but unsure where to start, check out this list by Words Without Borders, featuring Svetlana Alexievich, Jon Fosse, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Han Kang, László Krasznahorkai, J. M. G. Le Clézio, Naguib Mahfouz, Herta Müller, Olga Tokarczuk, and Tomas Tranströmer.

A collection of writing by winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature from the Words Without Borders archive, including László Krasznahorkai and Han Kang.

10/09/2026

Fans of haunting and fear might want to get started on spooky reads for Halloween sooner rather than later. Lauren Sands’ Substack unfurls a long list of gothic literature for your enjoyment, including translations from ALTA members Susan Bernofsky, Antonia Lloyd-Jones, David McKay, and more.

Over 50 Gothic novels spanning 250 years and from 14 different countries for the spooky season!

10/08/2026

Translators from Japanese - check out this call for submissions from New England Review! Deadline to submit is November 30 👇

New England Review is assembling a folio on new writing from Japan, in English translation, guest edited by Stephen Snyder and Allison Markin Powell. We are looking for flash fiction, zuihitsu, short essays, and poetry (linked or otherwise), with a preference for authors whose work has not been widely published in translation.

Submissions will close on November 30, 2026.

Click this link to read the submission guidelines & submit:
https://newenglandreview.submittable.com/submit/264909/new-japanese-literature-in-translation

10/08/2026

“Na’lbandian both cares for these traditions and, whenever possible, abuses and stretches their boundaries.”

Translator from Persian Neshat Sadatmansoori writes about translating Abbas Na’lbandian’s “Union in the Seventh Valley: A Ghazal of Sorrow”. Among offset books, she discovers a playwright, author, intentional misspeller, purveyor of literary mysticism, absurdism, and more. Read the feature AND the ghazal at Exchanges: A Journal of Literary Translation:

On Translating Union in the Seventh Valley: A Ghazal of SorrowBy Neshat SadatmansooriOn the right: original Persian cover of Union in the Seventh Valley: A Ghazal of Sorrow by Abbas Na’lbandian. Designed by Reza Maafi. On Translating Union in the Seventh Valley: A Ghazal of Sorrowby Neshat Sadatma...

10/08/2026

🎉 Canadian poet, essayist, and translator Anne Carson has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature! She has been awarded the prize "for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature." Three cheers! https://buff.ly/YN9w5RO

10/07/2026

Today's the last day to sign up for the Wayfinders program! If you're new to ALTA and looking for someone to show you the ropes, or if you'd like to be someone's "in" to the conference, sign up by the end of the day: https://buff.ly/1DcedYs

We're especially seeking experienced conference goers to sign up. Welcome a newcomer to the ALTA conference and help us show them what it's all about!

10/07/2026

⏰️ The deadline is TODAY to register online for ALTA49: Give and Take (October 21-24 in Portland, OR)! Register by EOD today to save on your ticket - if you don't, you'll have to wait to register (at a higher rate!) onsite at the conference. More info here: https://buff.ly/NZnBbEq

As always ALL attendees, exhibitors, and presenters must register!

10/07/2026

“behind the angel’s visage,
there’s only rust, fire, ashes, and smithereens.”

Plume Poetry’s October Issue features two poems from Francesc Parcerisas, translated from Catalan by Cyrus Cassells. One wonders about funerals and death, the other self-portraits and where we locate the soul, both worthy reads. Featuring the original Catalan in both written and spoken form, you’re going to want to check this out.