The National Book Critics Circle is launching the Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize, which "recognizes books for their excellence and artistry and is open to translations of books authored by living or deceased writers." The new award was ratified by the NBCC board at its June meeting.
Beginning with the 2022 publishing year, the Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize will honor the best book of any genre translated into English and published in the U.S., with both new translations of previously translated books considered. The NBCC board and regular members are serving as judges. The winning author and translator will be announced during the NBCC ceremony in March, along with other prize recipients.
The prize is named after board member Gregg Barrios, a Latino poet, playwright and book critic who died in August. Barrios joined the NBCC board in 2010 with a desire to give greater representation to those in the "vast heartlands" of the U.S., and to reach the Latinx community. He funded the Balakian Prize for book critics with a cash prize of $1,000 beginning in 2012, after selling the film rights to his play Rancho Pancho. Barrios also chaired the John Leonard Prize committee and served as the organization's first v-p of diversity and inclusion. He believed that the NBCC should have a prize for literature in translation.
"There have been talks within the NBCC about adding a prize for translated literature for years, and I am so pleased we have found a way to make it work," said NBCC president David Varno. "This will not only ensure that the NBCC will honor the best work in translation each year, but it will offer a new opportunity for all dues-paying members of the organization to nominate books and participate in prize deliberations."