Deep Vellum has opened submissions for the third edition of its Best Literary Translations anthology, scheduled for release in 2026. The announcement marks a significant milestone in the series’ mission to bridge cultural gaps through literature.
The latest installment will be guest edited by Arthur Sze, following in the footsteps of distinguished editors Jane Hirshfield and Cristina Rivera Garza, who helmed the 2024 and 2025 editions, respectively.
“We are honoured to showcase literary translators’ work to make possible literary encounters from around the world for the English-language reader,” stated the series co-editors in their announcement. The team, consisting of Noh Anothai, Wendy Call, Öykü Tekten, and Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún, underscored their commitment to diverse voices and perspectives.
The anthology welcomes submissions across multiple genres, including poetry, short fiction, literary essays and hybrid-genre texts. Works must have been published in US or US-affiliated literary journals during the 2024 calendar year. Literary journals can nominate up to seven pieces, while individual translators may submit one or two of their published works.
In a notable push for inclusivity, the editors expressed particular interest in translations from underrepresented languages and works by women, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC translators.
The anthology also seeks submissions representing minority languages, cultures and communities.
The series embraces both traditional and experimental approaches to translation, recognising the complex relationships between languages and cultures. “We have a broad definition of ‘translation,'” the editors explained, welcoming both seamless English renderings and more conceptual interpretations.
Submissions will be accepted through January 8, 2025, via Submittable, with a required supplementary questionnaire. The anthology maintains strict eligibility criteria: translations must have been published in qualifying journals and works scheduled for book publication before June 2026 are ineligible.
This initiative continues Deep Vellum’s tradition of promoting cultural exchange through literature, making diverse global voices accessible to English-speaking readers. Interested parties can find complete guidelines and FAQ on the publisher’s website, https://www.deepvellum.org with questions directed to besttranslations@deepvellum.org.
•Featured image: Arthur Sze/Wikipedia
