Dear Friends of Calque,
For one year now we have been publishing Calque, our journal of literature in translation, initially with seed money from Temple University, then with the generous financial support from friends and family. We’ve also counted on the support of poets and writers in the literary communities of Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles. These friends have helped us spread the word about Calque and they’ve offered us venues for readings, but most of all have been an eager and instructive audience.
With all of this help and guidance it’s not surprising that we have published poetry and prose translated from more than twenty languages, including Hungarian, French, German, Finnish, Spanish, Russian, Greek, Chinese, Polish, Vietnamese, Turkish, Swedish and Romanian. Because of this variety of languages, and because of the exceptional talent of the translators not only in their translations but also in their compelling, humorous and insightful introductions, Calque is unique. I’ll be brazen and add that Calque is essential.
Compared to other countries American literature is impoverished. Two percent of literature published in the US is foreign, versus twenty (sometimes thirty) percent in Europe. The common American reader has rarely if ever read literature from Pakistan or Ethiopia let alone Spain. Few could name an author from The Congo or Korea, or even Germany for that matter. Fewer still could speak, even anecdotally, about Polish, Chilean or even French literary history. Poets, it has been said, are the voice of the people. Because we do not know the world’s literature, we as Americans are strangers to the people of most nations, and we treat them as such.
Through literature in translation we know the world better. Of the hundreds upon hundreds of literary magazines in the US, fewer than a half dozen focus exclusively on foreign literature. A fraction of these are not affiliated with an institution and depend on the generostiy of individuals for their survival. Calque is one of this fraction. As we move into our second year we have big plans: we’re in the process of applying for non-profit status, which will qualify us for public grants, we’re putting together our first book of poetry, and we’re collecting work for our fourth and fifth issues. Your support can help us continue our work.
Our current expenses are many, from printing and binding to postage and envelopes, and every cent of your contribution would be put directly into the magazine. We would like to spend more, on things like ad space in other magazines and payment for our contributors, thereby increasing the scope and expertise of the publication. Any contribution is appreciated, but a donation of $50 qualifies you for a free one-year subscription to Calque. A $100 donation qualifies you for a one-year subscription and a copy of our limited edition samizdat issue (translations of repressed literature from around the world, not included with a subscription). A $500 donation qualifies you for all of the above, plus a listing on our Donors list, printed in each issue. We understand that these amounts are more than most can contribute, and we would be happy with any donation you choose to make.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Donations are accepted via checks made out to CALQUE, sent to Steve Dolph, 252 Hampton Dr. Apt B, Venice CA 90291 or via Paypal's Donation program, through the button links to the right.
For one year now we have been publishing Calque, our journal of literature in translation, initially with seed money from Temple University, then with the generous financial support from friends and family. We’ve also counted on the support of poets and writers in the literary communities of Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles. These friends have helped us spread the word about Calque and they’ve offered us venues for readings, but most of all have been an eager and instructive audience.
With all of this help and guidance it’s not surprising that we have published poetry and prose translated from more than twenty languages, including Hungarian, French, German, Finnish, Spanish, Russian, Greek, Chinese, Polish, Vietnamese, Turkish, Swedish and Romanian. Because of this variety of languages, and because of the exceptional talent of the translators not only in their translations but also in their compelling, humorous and insightful introductions, Calque is unique. I’ll be brazen and add that Calque is essential.
Compared to other countries American literature is impoverished. Two percent of literature published in the US is foreign, versus twenty (sometimes thirty) percent in Europe. The common American reader has rarely if ever read literature from Pakistan or Ethiopia let alone Spain. Few could name an author from The Congo or Korea, or even Germany for that matter. Fewer still could speak, even anecdotally, about Polish, Chilean or even French literary history. Poets, it has been said, are the voice of the people. Because we do not know the world’s literature, we as Americans are strangers to the people of most nations, and we treat them as such.
Through literature in translation we know the world better. Of the hundreds upon hundreds of literary magazines in the US, fewer than a half dozen focus exclusively on foreign literature. A fraction of these are not affiliated with an institution and depend on the generostiy of individuals for their survival. Calque is one of this fraction. As we move into our second year we have big plans: we’re in the process of applying for non-profit status, which will qualify us for public grants, we’re putting together our first book of poetry, and we’re collecting work for our fourth and fifth issues. Your support can help us continue our work.
Our current expenses are many, from printing and binding to postage and envelopes, and every cent of your contribution would be put directly into the magazine. We would like to spend more, on things like ad space in other magazines and payment for our contributors, thereby increasing the scope and expertise of the publication. Any contribution is appreciated, but a donation of $50 qualifies you for a free one-year subscription to Calque. A $100 donation qualifies you for a one-year subscription and a copy of our limited edition samizdat issue (translations of repressed literature from around the world, not included with a subscription). A $500 donation qualifies you for all of the above, plus a listing on our Donors list, printed in each issue. We understand that these amounts are more than most can contribute, and we would be happy with any donation you choose to make.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Donations are accepted via checks made out to CALQUE, sent to Steve Dolph, 252 Hampton Dr. Apt B, Venice CA 90291 or via Paypal's Donation program, through the button links to the right.
Sincerely yours,
Steve Dolph, co-editor, Calque
Steve Dolph, co-editor, Calque
