(Guest post from TSQ)
Twice yearly, Transgender Studies Quarterly (Duke University Press) print-publishes a short “translations” section of about 3000 words, featuring translated texts (literary, interviews, historical, poetic, journalistic, legal decisions, etc.) that have to do with transgender experience in some significant way. Recent TSQ Translations Sections have featured contemporary Turkish trans activists and Black German trans community organizers, as well as Japanese and Italian short literary works in translation. Other Sections have included first-time translations of medieval manuscripts, contemporary writings from imprisoned trans people, manifestoes, memoirs, original poetry, etc.
The TSQ Translations Section editor extends an invitation to you or a colleague to guest curate (or even just contribute to) a future Translations section. Perhaps you already have a few texts in mind that have been an important contribution to transgender life in their original language for one reason or another, but have not yet appeared in English. Perhaps you have a few translations yourself on trans topics and would enjoy having an outside editorial pair-of-eyes on them before print publication. Perhaps you are part of a translation community where these themes are being explored and worked on.
Most of the editing and coordinating are done by the Section staff, so guest editors are primarily responsible for thinking about, identifying, curating, and either translating or coordinating the translation of a few texts (usually 3 or so texts of 1000 words each), usually from one language or theme, which will then appear in English for the first time in TSQ. No remuneration is available for this work.
Note that, since TSQ is focused on transgender studies specifically, rather than on LGB/Q studies, the journal prefers work that addresses transgender identity in some specificity, though LGBQ and other subjectivities are always welcome as an additional feature of the proposed texts. Rights to the originals remain, of course, with the original rights-holders, but Duke University Press asks contributors to arrange for the translation rights to be granted for this publication.
The TSQ Translations Section editor, David Gramling, invites potential guest editors and contributors to contact him directly with ideas. Note that, though TSQ is an academic journal, it has a broad readership and an even broader cultural and political mandate. So diversity of genres, backgrounds, and contexts are most welcome. Experimental and interpretive approaches to “translation” are also encouraged. TSQ’s Translation Section is working to make trans and LGBTQ studies ever more multilingual and planetary, at a moment when nationalist retrenchment is alluring for so many.
The next open spot for curation is coming up quickly – Jan 15, 2018.
For more information on TSQ, see the articles below:
Joselow, Maxine (22 June 2016). “A Push for Transgender Studies”. Inside Higher Ed. Washington, D.C.
Kellaway, Mitch (27 May 2014). “Duke Univ. Press Debuts Academic Journal for Transgender Studies”. The Advocate. Here Media.
Morgan, Glennisha (16 May 2013). “Duke University Press’ Transgender Studies Quarterly to Publish in 2014″. The Huffington Post.
Kang, Andy (28 May 2014). “Groundbreaking Transgender Studies Quarterly Released”. GLAAD.
“Archive of All Online Issues” TSQ, Duke University Press.