trilingual writer and literary translator
My passion is literature and I love to plunge into a novel, a play or poetry collection, be it in English, French or Spanish. Over the years I have experienced enormous pleasure in translating French and Spanish works into English and English ones into French. I disappear into another author’s world and transform it into one that can be understood in a different language. It is a joy and a privilege to be entrusted with someone else’s universe! I also create worlds of my own through my novels and poems. I have written a whole series of “noticias”, anecdotal short stories of my time in Spain. I’m extremely excited about the children’s book I’m working on at the moment – watch this space!!
Here’s a taste of my work. I’m including links to websites of some of the authors I have worked with and of groups I belong to...
You can download and read a short story that won 2nd place in a competition recently > The Butterfly Collector.
a short story from my Noticias collection
> Rubbish in Spain
I met Nadine Ltaif in Liege during a CIEF conference and so began our fruitful partnership which led to “Changing Shores”, a translation of Nadine’s poetry “Entre les fleuves”. Here’s a look at the cover and links to Nadine’s site and also to Guernica, the publisher www.guernicaeditions.com. And how you can order a copy!
I continue to collaborate with Nadine – who has become a firm friend - on translation and film projects. Nadine’s latest poetry collection “Ce que vous ne lirez pas” can be found at www.lenoroit.com. She also works with Hejer Charf producing short films through Nadja Productions.
An Anthology of Poetry from Canada and Ireland, which includes work by Leonard Cohen, called “The Echoing Years”(isbn 0-9540281-6-3) contains an extract from ‘Changing Shores’.
I have been working with a fantastic Belgian author called Evelyne Wilwerth. I have recently translated Evelyne’s play “Souriez, vous vieillissez!” – “Smile, you’re growing old” which should be coming out next year with Guernica. In June I attended a CIEF conference in Montreal where I spoke about Evelyne’s latest publications: Plus rien à perdre (a play) and Papillon mortel (a novel). Here’s a link to Evelyne’s site.
I spent years immersing myself in the world of Alain Bosquet for my PhD and to become a world expert on his œuvre. I was asked by his widow, Norma, to translate two of his novels – Les fêtes cruelles – Cruel celebrations (an autofictional novel about his army experiences during the 2nd WW) and Marlène Dietrich – un amour par téléphone – Marlene Dietrich – a love affair by telephone (a book that relates his relationship with this icon in Paris).
I have written with a more academic flavour including chapters in Le Monde d’Alain Bosquet, Éditions Publisud, 2009, ISBN 978-2-86600-594-8 and ‘Paris: a Russian’s destination’ published by Connections4, 2005.
I’m a member of the Society of Authors.
I belong to a group of poets in Swindon called BlueGate Poets.
I also have links with Uni-verse International Poetry Group hosted by Bath Stanza Rep for the Poetry Society, Nikki Bennett.
I attend (when not zooming off around the world!) a Writers’ Cafe held on the inspirational Matt Holland’s farm. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow scribes and exchange words – in the nicest possible way!!
If you are looking for a literary translator for your work, let me know. Or if you are publisher with a fantastic French or Spanish novelist or poet you want translated then give me a call or send me an email.
To top >GREAT EXCITEMENT HAS GRIPPED MY WORLD AS I AM OFF TO EXPLORE NEPAL!
Yes, I am off to the beautiful land of the Himalayas where I will be volunteering in a school in Bhaktapur, then taking a yoga and meditation course in Katmandu followed by a week of general sightseeing. When at the school I will be using my puppets to tell the children some Blanca Bonita stories – such fun is going to be had!
My creative spirit is ready to absorb, observe and integrate into a fascinating new culture that should have me bursting with inspiration. My notebooks will be in my bag so that the things I see and hear are made word. My sketch book and paints will be on hand for the beauty that surrounds me be made image. My camera will be poised to capture… everything!!
My Toronto DOUBLE book launch in November was a great success. It was a joy to be amongst such talented and welcoming people. I’d like to thank Michael Mirolla, Connie McParland and Laura Carter for arranging it. I have already been invited to do several readings here in the UK from the play “Smile, you’re getting old!” (by Evelyne Wilwerth). My hand puppet of Mr Loverat went down a storm in Toronto and he is hoping for the same success with the ladies here in the UK! If you would like me to do a reading or performance or you would like to stage a performance of the play yourself, please do contact me.
http://www.guernicaeditions.com/title.php?id=9781550713473
I have also done readings from “We come from the same light” (by Danielle Fournier). Unfortunately, Danielle was unable to make the Toronto reading but I’m sure we will be able to do a joint reading in the future. http://www.guernicaeditions.com/title.php?id=9781550713527
My other translations are proceeding well and I have more projects in the pipeline with Guernica. These are exciting times.
I will be back mid-February to share with you all the wonders of Nepal.
All the best,
Christine
