Sunday, April 03, 2011

Call for Submissions: Inventory #2

Inventory publishes thoughtful translations and focuses critical attention on translation theory and practice. Based in Princeton University’s Department of Comparative Literature, Inventory  finds and catalogues original translations of poetry and prose from any language into English, provides critical texts on the subject of translation, and offers suggestions by leaders in various fields of translation work left to be done.

The submission deadline for Inventory Number 2 is June 1, 2011. The editors are seeking original translations of poetry and prose, from any language – ancient or modern – into English; as well as critical essays on translation. They welcome new translations of previously translated work, and  encourage our translators to engage imaginatively with the conventions and possibilities of literary translation.

Poetry submissions should include 3-6 poems (no more than five pages), and fiction submissions should not exceed 2000 words. Excerpts are accepted, but  should be accompanied by a single-paragraph summary of the full work. Please attach a copy of all pieces in their first language.

Submissions of critical work should not exceed 2000 words and should focus on the topic of translation. Writers are encouraged not to limit their focus to the work of a single writer, but rather to address themselves to a larger conversation on contemporary artistic translation.

Submissions should be directed to invent@princeton.edu, indicating in the subject line the genre and first language of the submission, if applicable. The editors ask that you include in the body of your email a brief paragraph describing the piece's translation history, as well any relevant information about why you have chosen to translate the piece at this time. Published writers retain copyright of their material and are free to publish again elsewhere.

The editors regret that they can accept unsolicited submissions by email only: invent@princeton.edu with any questions. Advisory Board: Michael Wood / Lawrence Venuti / Susan Stewart / Paul Muldoon / Eduardo Cadava / Peter Brooks / Susan Bernofsky / Sandra Bermann