Learn the Basics About Translation and International Rights

These used to be called "foreign" rights, but that's a pretty colonial way to consider it, so the industry is moving towards calling these "international rights" (because while it's generally thought about as selling different language rights to countries/territories besides where your book was originally published, you can sell the same language rights to multiple countries/territories) and "translation rights" (because you can sell different language rights in the same country/territory, including where your book was originally published.)

The Not-for-Profit Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)* recently held a webinar "Translation Rights 101" that explains the basics of how the world of translation and international rights work, and also includes some information about the IBPA member benefit programs that can help you sell these rights for your books. (Of course, you need to control those rights to sell them. If you're working with a traditional publisher, check your contract and/or chat with your agent.)

You can watch the webinar video recording and see the slides here.

Your book reaching readers in other languages and parts of the world is a thrill (So far it's happened for one of my books, a German version of my picture book Red and Green and Blue and White (illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, published by Levine Querido), which the German publisher Sauerländer called Für Jeden Ein Licht (which translates back to English as A Light for Everyone). 

Selling the translation and international rights for your book is also another stream of income, which is always appreciated.

The original English version of my picture book (left) and the German translation (right)

The webinar is free. And for those who don't know, IBPA and SCBWI have a reciprocal member discount (members of one organization get 20% off membership in the other organization.) 

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee

*Full disclosure - in my day job I'm the Chief Content Officer for IBPA, and I hosted this free-for-all webinar as part of our efforts to provide empowering education for author publishers (a.k.a. self-published authors) and small independent publishers.

Censorship on the Rise Worldwide - Ed Nawotka Updates International Censorship for Publishers Weekly

SCBWI member Lawrence Schimel – and the censorship his children's books showing families with two moms and two dads has faced in Hungary – is featured in the article Censorship on the Rise Worldwide.

Some quotes from the article:

Schimel, an American living in Madrid, has published dozens of LGBTQ-themed works for children and adults. “It’s important for all families, not just those who are LGBTQ, to see and read these books which show just how normal these families are,” he said. What a Family! is now sold in Hungary with a sticker, warning readers that it depicts families “outside the norm.” It was originally published as two books in Spanish, and Orca Book Publishers is releasing it as two books in the U.S. in September.

and

in July, the government of Belarus moved to dissolve the local branch of PEN after the freedom of speech organization released a report showing 621 instances of human rights violations, including arrests and imprisonments, against culture workers in the first six months of 2021.

and 

It has long been known that the Chinese government keeps a close eye on which books are distributed there and maintains control of the issuing of ISBNs. Officially, censorship is not a state policy. Publishers have long held that if a book does not become too popular or influential in China, it will be tolerated. But unofficial policy is flexible, and recent trends have shifted toward a narrowing of what is considered acceptable.

Read the full piece here. 

Thanks to SCBWI member translator Avery Udagawa for sharing with me, so I can share with you. 

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee

Community: Announcing Three New Social Events at #NY12SCBWI (and the answer to the question: Just how much fun are these conferences?)

Here's the scoop on three community-building and networking events happening at the upcoming Lucky 13th Annual SCBWI Winter Conference on the Saturday night (January 28, 2012) after the Gala Dinner:

Find the LGBTQ in SCBWI
7:45pm-8:45pm Saturday January 28, 2012
Room: Broadway

Started at SCBWI's 2008 Summer Conference in Los Angeles and held at every conference since, a group of editors, agents, art directors, authors and illustrators will meet informally to discuss LGBTQ publishing, the submission process, who is interested and what kinds of stories they are interested in.

Maybe you've written a book about or for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer or questioning youth; maybe you're interested in doing so, and you're not sure where to begin; maybe you are just curious to learn more about this vital corner of the market for young readers. Whatever your interest in the subject matter, all are welcome. Bring a friend and any questions you may have.

Hosted by SCBWI Team Blog's Lee Wind, our special guests for this event will be Editorial Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Alvina Ling and agent Jennifer Laughran

Alvina Ling is Editorial Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers where she has worked since 1999. She edits award-winning children's books for all ages, from picture books to young adult novels, with some nonfiction mixed in. Some of the books she has edited include Newbery Honor winner Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, a young adult series by Libby Bray (The Diviners), as well as the middle grade novel The Land of Stories among many others. She contributes to the children's book blog Blue Rose Girls at http://www.bluerosegirls.blogspot.com

Jennifer Laughran joined Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2007. Her clients include Daniel Pinkwater, Calef Brown, Matt Faulkner, Jackie Dolamore, Ilsa J. Bick, Eric A. Kimmel, L.K. Madigan, Adam Selzer, Tara Kelly and Kate Messner, and many excellent debut authors. She is always on the lookout for YA and middle grade fiction with unusual, unforgettable characters and vivid settings. You can find her online at http://literaticat.blogspot.com


Illustrator Social
7:45pm – 8:45pm Saturday January 28, 2012
Room: Salon II

Please come join us for this unique and fun opportunity to meet with your fellow illustrator conference attendees, as well as your SCBWI Board Illustrator Committee members! It’ll be a time for networking, sharing of wisdom, thoughts and tips from conference veterans, reviewing what was gleaned from the Winter Conference thus far, and voicing your suggestions for future illustrator Intensives! Just bring yourself and a few of your business/promotional cards for our networking exchange opportunity.


International Gathering
7:45pm-8:45pm Saturday January 28, 2012
Room:  Alvin

Gather with other internationals attending Winter SCBWI conference!

There are over 50 international SCBWI members attending the Winter conference this January so after the Gala Dinner head to the ALVIN room and meet your fellow international attendees from Canada, Australia, England, Spain, Germany, Mexico, UK, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Hong Kong, France, and the Netherlands.

Christopher Cheng (Co-Chair SCBWI Advisory Board and Co-Regional Advisor Australia and New Zealand) will also advise you about the latest developments for the upcoming SCBWI Bologna gathering and about the Asian Festival of Children's Content (afcc.com.sg) gathering held in Singapore each year. These are two conferences that need to be on your radar and in your planning.

And we also want to know about your region too, so come prepared to share your tales, ask questions, and wave your flag!


The Answer To The Question of just how much fun is the conference...

There's so much vital information, and incredible opportunities to advance your career at these conferences.  There's craft and business and inspiration, lots of networking, and let's be honest - fun - to be had as well.  Imagine hanging out with your tribe for a whole weekend!

How much fun are we talking about?  Check out this video that members of the Pen and Ink blog put together at this past SCBWI Summer Conference.  (Clearly, they were in a pirate mood...)




And There's One More great Kid Lit Community Event the weekend of the conference - 

The New York Kid Lit Drink Night!

Organized by Chrstina McTighe (@LaFabuliste on twitter) and other fabulous New York Kid Lit folk (including @newsboyhat, @Aunt_Feather, and Mackenzie Reide) to overlap with #NY12SCBWI so all us out-of-towners can attend, it will be held Friday January 27, 2012, at 8pm at Public House on 41st and Lexington.  Right around the corner from the Hyatt!

So now you have great social/networking/community stuff to do both Friday and Saturday night!


Community. It's such a big part of attending the Lucky 13th Annual SCBWI Winter Conference.

And you know, just by reading this, you're part of our community.

We hope to see you there!  

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee