Michael Reynolds, of Europa Editions, shared insights into the publisher's recent decision to launch a nonfiction line in translation. According to Reynolds, the move stemmed from the personal interests of the staff and a desire to address a significant gap in the American market for international nonfiction. He noted that many in-house team members have developed a passion for narrative nonfiction, prompting the creation of a new imprint called Compass.
Read More
Reynolds stated that the current global climate, marked by ideological disorientation and crises, has heightened the relevance of nonfiction. He believes readers seek answers and varying viewpoints, marking a need for literature that can address these issues more directly than fiction. He connects this mission with the long-standing effort of Europa to engage readers about diverse perspectives.
The lack of translated nonfiction in the U.S. is especially concerning, as noted by translator Esther Allen, highlighting that a misconception arises that factual information only belongs to the English language. Reynolds aims to combat this by introducing quality works written in other languages that utilize different narrative models not commonly found in American nonfiction.
The Compass series will cover a variety of subjects, including pop-history, philosophy, art history, and literary travel writing. The books will primarily be shorter narratives, under 200 pages, aiming to attract readers who also enjoy fiction.
When asked about the reception of translated nonfiction compared to fiction, Reynolds admitted he has yet to gauge the response effectively. He acknowledged that many successful nonfiction titles often rely on the authors' established platforms, which poses a challenge for their translated works without that built-in audience. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism based on the success of less mainstream fiction in their catalog.
Reynolds also commented on the publishing landscape, suggesting that while the market for fiction may seem saturated, it is not the case for translated fiction specifically. He suggested that expanding into other genres, such as nonfiction and children’s literature, is a necessary evolution for publishers of translated works.
Among the titles lined up for the new series are:
- "A Summer with Montaigne" by Antoine Compagnon, featuring reflections on key moments in Montaigne's work.
- "Out of Italy," exploring the multifaceted influences of the Italian Renaissance.
- "The Ingenious Language: Nine Epic Reasons to Love Greek" by Andrea Marcolongo, a bestseller in Italy.
- "A New Sublime: Ten Lessons on the Classics" by Pietro Boitani.
- "Berezina" by Sylvain Tesson, recounting a journey retracing Napoleon's historical path with reflections on friendship and adversity.