Two Lines Press
Two Lines Press is an award-winning press committed to publishing daring and original literature in translation in striking editions.
Founded in 2013, Two Lines Press is a program of the Center for the Art of Translation, a San Francisco–based nonprofit that champions literary translation. Expanding on the mission of the celebrated literary journal Two Lines, started by Italian translator Olivia Sears in 1993, we’ve introduced readers to global voices and the art of translation for over a decade. Our books are distributed widely throughout North America and the UK.
Two Lines Press specializes in exceptional new writing and overlooked classics that have never been translated into English. In our short history, our books have won or been nominated for every major book award that recognizes translated literature, including the Booker International Prize, the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Awards, the PEN Translation Prize, the Best Translated Book Award, and the National Translation Prize.
Much of the most exciting literary work is being done by diverse and traditionally underrepresented voices. We are committed to championing diversity in the languages, translators, and authors we publish. We have published authors and translators from Indonesia, Suriname, Mauritius, Chile, Malaysia, Cameroon, and beyond, expanding the geography of literature available in English.
In 2020, Two Lines Press launched Calico, a biannual series offering curated collections that explore particular themes, regions, languages, or literary styles. Our Calicos have featured queer Brazilian literature, poetry by Afghan women, international ghost stories, and the first collection of Swahili literature ever published in the United States.
We also regularly program public events and tour our authors and translators to create opportunities for English-language readers to connect directly with global literature and the work of literary translators. At Two Lines Press and the Center for the Art of Translation, we know our books are not possible without the artistry of translators. We’re committed to offering competitive rates, copyright, and credit, and we advocate for the work of literary translators alongside them.
