In 2006, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, in partnership with the PEN American Center, launched the French Voices Grant. The objective was to create what would become a collection of 30 books over an initial period of three years. Seven years later, the collection has largely surpassed its objective and is now more than 60 titles strong. It includes a wide range of works representing some of the best of French fiction and non-fiction alike.

In 2013, we are happy to announce that the French Voices Grant continues on its path thanks to support from the Florence Gould and the Mellon Foundation. This year, to give more visibility to the program, it has become the French Voices Award, announced twice a year and culminating in a prestigious ceremony. Another important new feature: because we want to give greater recognition to the quality of the translator’s work, the amount of the award ($6000) will be shared between the publisher and the translator ($4,000 and $2,000 respectively). Last but not least, we also encourage the submission of translated ebooks.

As before, up to ten contemporary French or Francophone works will be honored every year. A committee of independent professional experts will continue to select the works to be translated epitomizing the many facets of a vibrant French literary scene. Awards will go to books representing new trends in fiction, or graphic novels and underrepresented perspectives or points of view in non-fiction.

The French works published in the US will each carry a logo and receive the patronage of a major American writer in the form of a foreword, and he/she may participate in major public events with the author and translators. Past forewords for the French Voices award were written by many eminent writers: Percival Everett, Siri Hustvedt, Luc Sante, Rick Moody, Elie Wiesel, Francine Prose, Jonathan Lethem, Edmund White among many other illustrious authors have all introduced a French Voices work to the US.

French Voices Award applications must be submitted electronically and they are accepted twice a year.

The deadline for the 2013 Spring session is March 20th, 2013
The deadline for the 2013 Fall session is August 30th, 2013

Who is eligible?
You are eligible to apply if you are a literary agent, publisher, author ortranslator, and if you have a translated sample of a French book published within the last six years (i.e. for 2013 applications, published no earlier than 2006). You do not necessarily need to have a contract with an American publisher at the time you submit your application. Books of every genre (fiction, non-fiction, children's literature, graphic novels and ebooks) are eligible for the French Voices Award.

Who chooses the books?
A committee of French and American professionals meets several times a year to read and discuss the works submitted for consideration. The committee is headed by a representative from the Book Department of the French Embassy’s Cultural Services and comprises representatives from the Translation Committee of PEN American Center as well as writers, translators, university professors, literary agents, publishers, and booksellers. They not only read and speak French, but also know the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of both the French and American markets.

What criteria are used to select a book?
- the quality of the French book,
- the quality of the translation,
- innovative content and literary forms,
- possible reception in the American bookmarket (i.e., would an American reader buy this book in translation).

What is to be gained by participating?
If a project without an American publisher is selected, we will do our best to support it by identifying and making overtures to a suitable partner.
Moreover, while the translation is in preparation, the translator can apply for a residency at the Villa Gillet in Lyon, France. All transport and lodging costs will be covered for a stay of four to six weeks. The translator will be immersed in his/her craft and get to meet the French-speaking author whose work he/she is translating.

Why speak of “a collection”?
The books are published by different houses, but there is a coherent thread. To establish this coherence, the French Voices Award logo appears on every book included in the series. To attract as many readers as possible, each book contains a short introduction or extended blurb written by a notable American author who imparts the book main ideas and convey his/her connection to the work.

To receive information about the award please send an e-mail to:
972livre@gmail.com

The French Voices Logos are available for download.

The Book Department
Cultural Services of the French Embassy
972 Fifth Avenue
NEW YORK, NY 10075

For further information, please contact:
972livre@gmail.com
www.frenchculture.org

French Voices logos by Serge Bloch.