The French Book Office in London presents their first ever translation competition. To promote French literature in English-speaking countries, with the intention of giving everybody the chance to read and understand French books in their own language, we first need good translators.

This competition hopes to encourage those new or unpublished translators who are trying to get their work seen for the first time, and wishes that for many this will be the first step towards a career in translating.

The competition opened in May and two texts from contemporary French writers were translated into English: Rose by Annie Saumont (from Noir, comme d'habitude, Editions Julliard 2000), and a passage from L'enlacement by François Emmanuel (Seuil, 2008). The quality of all of the entries was very high, but after much deliberation, our panel has decided on a shortlist of translations which they felt were most faithful to the original in letter and spirit.

The panel included Adriana Hunter and Will Hobson, both renowned translators, and the publishing director Alison Samuel (Chatto & Windus), as well as Annie Saumont herself. The first prize (a week-end in Paris) went to Frances Hedges.

Find out more

>> Adriana Hunter introduction

>> Frances Hegdes introduction

>> Frances Hedges - Extract of L'Enlacement

>> Frances Hedges - Extract of Rose