Literature translators from Lithuanian to English are invited to apply for Emerging Translators Mentorship programme of Writers’ Centre Norwich (UK)!

The deadline for receipt of Lithuanian entries is Monday 21 August. More information about submitting of your application is here (please find the menu entry ‘Apply for 2018’).

Mentor of a Lithuanian programme is Shaun Whiteside.

Founded by Daniel Hahn in 2010, this translation mentoring programme aims to develop successive new cohorts of literary translators into English, particularly for languages whose literature is currently under-represented in English translation.

The scheme matches up experienced translators with emerging translators for a six-month period during which they work together on practical translation projects, developing their craft through working on a chosen text or texts. The mentor acts as an adviser to the mentee on aspects of life as a professional translator, such as time management, meeting deadlines, managing finances and understanding contracts, and as an advocate for their mentee with publishers in search of literary translators.

The evidence to date suggests that participation in the scheme represents, in itself, a significant professional development for mentees, with publishers seeing the mentoring cohort as a reliable source of high quality emerging translators.

Mentees receive a £500 bursary and reasonable travel expenses associated with the mentorship, which vary according to the relative geographical locations of the mentoring pair. The mentorship will include an Industry Day, specially tailored to the needs of emerging translators, as well as access to various (UK) industry events such as International Translation Day and London Book Fair, where a showcase event will also be arranged.

Writers’ Centre Norwich will facilitate an initial meeting between successful applicants and their mentors to agree the nature of working together (project scope and regularity of meetings) with work continuing for a six-month period, either in person, by Skype or by telephone as appropriate. A minimum of four meetings is expected during the period.