English PEN, the literature and human rights charity, today announces that six books are to receive the 2013 English PEN Award for outstanding writing in translation.
 
The Award uniquely recognises translated works of fiction, non-fiction or poetry which contribute to inter-cultural understanding and promote freedom of expression. An expert panel of publishing and literature professionals, chaired by Ros Schwartz, one of Britain’s foremost specialists in literary translation, met in November to review a long list of books in translation put forward by their UK publishers.
 
The publisher of each award-winning book will now receive funds to help them promote and champion great literature in translation to more readers in this country.

Ros Schwartz said: “We received a record number of submissions for this round, and it was a very tough choice. It’s uplifting to see UK publishers embracing international literature, and we’re delighted to support such a diverse selection of exciting books of the very highest quality.” 
 
The award-winning titles are:

• The Silence and the Roar by Nihad Sirees, translated from the Arabic by Max Weiss, Pushkin Press
• Ways of Going Home by Alejandro Zambra, translated from the Spanish by Megan McDowell, Granta Books
• F: Hu Feng and Our Prison Years by Mei Zhi, translated from the Chinese by Gregor Benton, Verso
• Horses of God by Mahi Binebine, translated from the French by Lulu Norman, Granta Books
• Writing Revolution: The Voices from Tunis to Damascus ed. Layla Al-Zubaidi, Matthew Cassel and Nemonie      Craven Roderick, translated from the Arabic and French by Robin Moger & Georgina Collins (with an introduction by Samar Yazbek), IB Tauris 
• The Devil’s Workshop by Jachym Topol, translated from the Czech by Alex Zucker, Portobello Books

Notes to Editors:
 
Synopses and review copies of the six books, due for publication from January-June 2013, are available on request. Please contact Emma Cleave at emma@englishpen.org
 
English PEN’s Writers in Translation programme supports 8-12 books each year, helping publishers in the UK to market outstanding literature in translation. The programme is funded by a generous grant from Bloomberg LP.
 
English PEN, a registered charity, promotes the freedom to write and the freedom to read in the UK and around the world. The founding centre of a worldwide writers’ association, established in 1921, we work to identify and dismantle barriers between writers and readers, whether these are cultural, political, linguistic or economic.
 
For more information, please contact Emma Cleave, Programme Manager, Writers in Translation at emma@englishpen.org or telephone 0207  324 2535.