U.S. publishers sought for Iranians

The Assn. of American Publishers is offering financial assistance for U.S. publishers interested in releasing English- language editions of three Iranian novels, to help open up a tight market for books in translation.

The association said it would give $10,000 each to publishers who would release “The Drowned” by Moniru Ravanipur, “The Empty Palace of Soluch” by Mahmoud Dawlatabadi and “Christine and Kid” by Houshang Golshiri.

Money would be divided among translation costs, promotion and publicity.

“We consider these books highly worthy of more attention,” Jeri Laber, a consultant to the association’s International Freedom to Publish Committee, said Monday. “But, of course, it’s not just Iranian literature that’s hard to find in this country. It’s a tough market for any books in translation.”

The association’s announcement followed last week’s statement by the Bush administration that American publishers were free to engage in publishing activities with people in Cuba, Iran and Sudan without fear of violating U.S. economic penalties against those countries.