Another Life, written by Daniel Lipara, translated by Robin Myers, and published by Eulalia Books,provides an exciting synthesis of classical texts with introspective and innovative poetics. At the reading on September 27, that blending of old with new and traditional with original became clearer. Simultaneously, the role of translation in conveying these messages proved particularly fascinating. Robin Myers mentioned how she, at first, felt beholden to both the original texts to which Lipara’s work consistently alludes as well as the new notes, themes, and ideas present in the book and her own translational voice and view. This balancing act, she concluded, was difficult but crucial to maintaining the book’s integrity. The reading was an insightful glance into the mind of a translator, existing vis-à-vis author, reader, editor, and publisher all at once. A press like Eulalia Books, dedicated to publishing an author’s first work of translation, has a tremendous role to play in the process of bringing forth – and even transplanting – a work from one language and culture to another. Such small presses are perhaps uniquely suited to this work, focusing intensely on the translational and editorial process and ensuring the continual infusion of humanity and personality in the work. Another Life, for example, is quite clearly a deeply personal and poignant book of poetry, but so too is it in conversation with the books around it. Eulalia, as a small press, makes room for that conversation and spotlights it. The conversation between Lipara, Myers, and the audience at large underscores the dedication and diligence which every person involved poured into the project and draws readers in because of that attention to the personal. This attention is perhaps most visible in books published by small presses, where every element is thoughtfully and lovingly handcrafted.
EL 230: Small Press Publishing 