Danek leaves English PEN for Tilted Axis

English PEN’s Theodora Danek is joining Tilted Axis Press as co-publisher alongside founder Deborah Smith.

Danek currently manages the translation programme at English PEN, where she oversees the PEN Translates grant and edits the online zine PEN Transmissions. She will begin her new role on 20th March, also joining editor Saba Ahmed, publicist Esther Kim, art director Soraya Viljoen, and digital producer Simon Collinson at the not-for-profit press which focuses on international literature. 

She will be responsible for overseeing company operations, including rights, partnerships and funding. Smith will continue to scout acquisitions and develop new partnerships with Asian publishers, and further opportunities for Tilted Axis’ authors and translators, including festivals, residencies, and mentorships.

“I’m thrilled to join Tilted Axis, and can’t wait to join its brilliant team,” Danek said. "I’ve long admired them and their mission: for Tilted Axis, publishing is an intervention against dominant structures of power, conformity and marginalisation, all through an international lens.

"I’m particularly happy to join TAP now as we’re getting ready to launch Norman Erikson Pasaribu’s extraordinary queer speculative poetry collection Sergius Seeks Bacchus (translated by Tiffany Tsao), a project that has received two PEN grants and is particularly close to my heart.”

Smith added: “2019 is already an exciting time for TAP, with Janet Hong winning the TA First Translation Prize for The Impossible Fairytale, The Devils’ Dance currently shortlisted for the EBRD Prize, and a sell-out tour for Tokyo Ueno Station. Now, as we’re about to publish of our first set of poetry chapbooks and have two authors involved with LBF’s market focus, Theodora’s experience will help us grow our list sustainably. Her deep consideration of the politics and ethics involved in fostering international literature chimes completely with our publishing practice.”