Open Letter Books

Chad Post

While visiting the University of Rochester recently, I learned about Open Letter Books, an exciting, new book translation and publishing enterprise at the University that’s opening up a whole new spectrum of literature for American readers. The point is to cultivate an appreciation for international literature.

Open Letter Books is the creation of Chad Post, who has a vision and passion for bringing outstanding new works of fiction and poetry to audiences in the U.S.

Chad says fewer than 350 new foreign language books are translated into English and published in the U.S. out of the estimated 400,000 books published in this country each year. That barely scratches the surface of all the new works written by authors around the world.

Open Letter Books brings outstanding new foreign language writing to readers in America who are interested in a wider perspective and insight of cultures, ideas and the world, in general. Chad’s shop translates and publishes, offering about a dozen new books a year through a clever subscription service.

Here’s a video I shot on the University of Rochester campus that captures Chad’s energy and excitement for Open Letter Books. It’s 5:35 in length.

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Category: Featured, Personal notes