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Submitting manuscripts to editors
Book fairs can be very useful opportunities for networking with editors and literary agents from around the world, whether London, Frankfurt, Sharjah or Cairo etc. However, in addition to setting up in-person meetings at book fairs, emailing editors who are interested in publishing fiction in translation with suitable projects that might fit their lists is a very common way of selling rights. It is helpful when pitching a book to editors to include a range of information that will enable them to more easily assess the suitability of the project for their list: A synopsis A writing sample in English from the opening pages of the novel is very helpful, preferably the first 3 chapters; a PDF of a manuscript in a European language can also be useful, if available A reader's report (eg from person who write sample?) If unavailable the editor may well commission one from a translator Word count (as this enables editors to estimate the cost of translation) Rights on offer (World English?/World rights ex-Arabic?) Information on the Author: including information on the author’s literary standing, such as previous bestsellers, any literary awards, any books translated before and into which languages Information on the title: Its original publication date; information on its sales and any information that can be used for marketing an English edition such as prizes won (for the Arabic edition or for any translated edition), reviews, endorsements; rights already sold to other languages and sales information on any foreign editions already published could also be helpful if available. Additional information: It can also be helpful to include the book cover and author photo. Any information on possible funding sources for translation subsidies is also valuable.
DOCUMENT
DOCUMENT
Submitting manuscripts to editors
Book fairs can be very useful opportunities for networking with editors and literary agents from around the world, whether London, Frankfurt, Sharjah or Cairo etc. However, in addition to setting up in-person meetings at book fairs, emailing editors who are interested in publishing fiction in translation with suitable projects that might fit their lists is a very common way of selling rights. It is helpful when pitching a book to editors to include a range of information that will enable them to more easily assess the suitability of the project for their list: A synopsis A writing sample in English from the opening pages of the novel is very helpful, preferably the first 3 chapters; a PDF of a manuscript in a European language can also be useful, if available A reader's report (eg from person who write sample?) If unavailable the editor may well commission one from a translator Word count (as this enables editors to estimate the cost of translation) Rights on offer (World English?/World rights ex-Arabic?) Information on the Author: including information on the author’s literary standing, such as previous bestsellers, any literary awards, any books translated before and into which languages Information on the title: Its original publication date; information on its sales and any information that can be used for marketing an English edition such as prizes won (for the Arabic edition or for any translated edition), reviews, endorsements; rights already sold to other languages and sales information on any foreign editions already published could also be helpful if available. Additional information: It can also be helpful to include the book cover and author photo. Any information on possible funding sources for translation subsidies is also valuable.