The Goethe-Institut Glasgow and the British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT) are looking for three emerging translators to contribute to the bilingual blog Literary Tastings, hosted on the Goethe-Institut’s website.
From
September 2025 to September 2026, this year-long collaboration offers an exciting opportunity to develop your voice as a literary critic with the support of a dedicated mentor, while gaining professional experience within the networks of both partner institutions.
About the Blog
Literary Tastings has been introducing UK readers to German-language fiction in English translation since 2018. Each post pairs a current German title with a well-known English-language book that shares a similar theme or tone. The blog is published in both English and German.
Support and Mentorship
Your work will be supported by Annie Rutherford, an experienced translator and editor with over ten years’ experience. She has previously contributed to the blog and is a former mentor on the Emerging Translators Mentorships programme. Annie will provide editorial feedback throughout the year. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to join two online editorial workshops on writing book reviews, the second with the BCLT’s MA Literary Translation students, led by Annie.
What you’ll do
Each selected contributor will:
- Write four blog posts over the course of the year (alternating monthly with the other contributors), in both English and German (approx. 3,000 characters per language)
- Research and select appropriate book pairings in coordination with their mentor, the other bloggers and the Goethe-Institut Glasgow
- Create a strong visual/photo for each post that includes the book cover, for use on the Goethe-Institut’s and BCLT’s websites and social media
- Participate in two (online) editorial workshops and receive one-to-one mentorship
What we’re looking for
We are inviting applications from
emerging translators who:
- Are resident in the UK
- Have not yet published a full-length literary translation and are in the early stages of their literary translation career
- Work in the German–English language pair
- Write fluently in both English and German
- Have a keen interest in contemporary literature and literary translation
- Are eager to develop their critical writing skills
- Have in-depth knowledge of contemporary German and English-language fiction, including how it is received in its respective market
- Have some experience in content writing for websites or blogs (desirable but not essential)
What we offer
- A fee of £175 per blog post, contracted and paid by the Goethe-Institut Glasgow
- Editorial mentorship and professional development opportunities throughout the project
- Two expert-led editorial workshops on writing book reviews
- Featuring your work on the Goethe-Institut’s and BCLT’s channels
- A platform to reach a wide audience interested in international literature
Blog posts will be published under the Goethe-Institut’s standard content agreement.
How to apply
To apply, please send the following as PDF files to
Susanne.Graaf@goethe.de with the subject line:
“Application: Literary Tastings Blog”.
- A short statement (max. 300 words) outlining your interest in the project and why you feel you would benefit from this opportunity at this point in time or stage in your career
- One page outlining any education, training and/or work experience relevant to your application – this might include writing and translation experience
- A writing sample of max. 500 words (e.g. excerpt of a translation with commentary, a review or a blog post)
Deadline: Sunday, 10 August 2025 (23:59 BST)
The Goethe-Institut Glasgow and the BCLT will select three candidates. Selected applicants will be notified by early September 2025. The editorial workshops will take place in September and October, with the first blog post due in late October.
We particularly welcome applications from individuals who are underrepresented in the field of literary translation.
