Spring Newsletter 2025

With the London Book Fair nearly upon us, it is a great pleasure to announce that the DRF will be sponsoring the Literary Translation Centre at the fair. Those of you who knew Deborah and David will appreciate how fitting it is that we are able to support global publishing in this way. Trustee and author, Max Porter will chair a panel of experts to demystify the process from pitch to publication at the DRF's sponsored event. The Book Fair marks the beginning of the busy season for publishers and agents alike. The DRF is no different, submissions for the Writers Award close at the end of March, and applications for the David Miller Internship Programme will open in April. 

Gill Coleridge, Founder of the Deborah Rogers Foundation
 

Looking ahead

• London Book Fair – Literary Translation Centre event on 13 March at 3pm. 
• The DRF Writers Award 2025 is open for submissions until 31 March. The winner of the Writers Award will be announced in November. 
• The David Miller Internship Programme will run 15 Sept -  24 October 2025 with placements at literary agencies and publishers, and an invaluable visit to the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair. 
  
  Applications open on 1 April The selection process starts in May in partnership with Creative Access. We will once again be looking for hosts to help with accommodation.

News

Sponsorship of the Literary Translation Centre at the London Book Fair

'The Literary Translation Centre programming consortium are very grateful for the support from the Deborah Rogers Foundation for this year's London Book Fair programme, an annual platform which aims to provide insight, support, and inspiration for emerging translators embarking on careers in what can be a mercurial field. More than ever it's vital that these pathways and networks are made available to emerging talent in the sector, and we're indebted to Deborah's legacy in continuing to support that work for us and many others.'
Peggy Hughes, chief executive, National Centre for Writing

This year, in acknowledgement of the vital service the Literary Translation Centre provides, the DRF is pleased to be a sponsor and to present what is sure to be a fascinating panel discussion.  The Literary Translation Centre features a range of seminars, discussions and networking opportunities. It is a hub for debates on hot topics in literary translation, such access and decolonising. The programme includes sessions that are useful for emerging and established literary translators wanting to navigate the industry. Events are co-programmed by the National Centre for Writing with London Book Fair and various translation organisations including the British Centre for Literary Translation, the British Council, the European Literature Network, the Poetry Translation Centre, and the Translators Association (Society of Authors). 

‘The DRF sponsoring the LTC at the London Book Fair is a first step in extending the work of the trust to support translators and translation publishing. It is also a fitting way of celebrating the legacies of both Deborah Rogers and David Miller, both of whom adored the way the book fair brings together global publishing colleagues to exchange ideas, passions and strategies. Our panel at the LTC will join the dots between the perspectives of agent, translator and publisher. It will demystify the processes of translation publishing from pitch to publication, sharing the honest insights of three beloved experts.’
Max Porter, author and DRF trustee

Literary Translation Centre, London Book Fair

Thurs 13 March 15.00-15.45

Behind the book: from pitch to page

What's the process by which a work of translated literature moves from an idea to publication and readership and sometimes prize-winning acclaim? In this panel, we’ll demystify the journey from the very earliest stages of a translated book's journey, with insights from award-winning experts - agent Laurence Laluyaux, translator Martin Aitken and Jacques Testard, founder and publisher at Fitzcarraldo Editions. Author Max Porter will steer the conversation

Mathelinda Nabugodi’s The Trembling Hand: Reflections of a Black Woman in the Romantic Archive will be published by Hamish Hamilton on 31 July. The Trembling Hand was the winner of the 2021 Writers Award.

Guy Stagg was a runner-up for the 2016 DRF Writers Award for his memoir, The Crossway. His new book, The World Within: Why Writers, Artists and Thinkers Retreat will be published by on 3 July Simon & Schuster.

David Miller Internship Programme

In April we will once again be seeking two candidates for this unique opportunity to spend six weeks in leading publishing companies and literary agencies gaining an entry level introduction to rights and agenting. This will be the fourth year of the DMIP which offers first-hand experience and intensive training, with the specific aim of providing a significant stepping stone to the successful candidates in their search for future employment. The highlight of the internship is a visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, the key yearly rights event.

We are pleased to continue our partnership with Creative Access who will lead the search for candidates with a particular focus in attracting those from communities under-represented in the sector. Accommodation will be provided and paid for if needed. The two interns will be given mentoring and guidance throughout their placements.

The DRF is keen to hear from as many hopefuls as possible so please do direct anyone looking to gain valuable experience in rights and agenting to our website where a link to apply via Creative Access will be posted on 1 April. The selection of the two successful interns will be made by an interview panel in June. 

The internships will run 15 September - 24 October.