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Samovar doesn't get enough credit for what it's doing for non-anglophone authors. Only 5% of people worldwide speak English as a native language. 95% of writers start at a very disadvantaged position. http://samovar.strangehorizons.com/
You could argue that Spanish and Mandarin have the same advantage, but it's not that simple. Portuguese is the sixth most spoken language worldwide, and the sff market is null.
Most famous Portuguese sci-fi writer hasn't surpassed 4 digits in sales, his whole career.
Most famous Portuguese sci-fi writer hasn't surpassed 4 digits in sales, his whole career.
Chinese authors get decent projection nowadays, but the market is still vastly, vastly dominated by Anglophone authors.
In Spain, for example, 1 in 5 books are translated (usually from English). For the US, it's 3%. 0.7% for literary fiction and poetry.
In Spain, for example, 1 in 5 books are translated (usually from English). For the US, it's 3%. 0.7% for literary fiction and poetry.
So you can't go the idealistic route of "Get published in your own country, then get yourself translated." Doesn't matter.
And the contracts are draconian, too. In most EU countries we deal directly with publishers. No agents. Publishers usually get world rights.
And the contracts are draconian, too. In most EU countries we deal directly with publishers. No agents. Publishers usually get world rights.
Of course, it's no one's fault. Anglophone readers aren't insidious in their preference for fiction written in English. Switch the context, I reckon most countries would do the same.
It's just cool to see someone making an effort to open up the borders.
It's just cool to see someone making an effort to open up the borders.
