\New Swedish Books, spring 2019 1
New Swedish Books 30 A PUBLISHER’S PERSPECTIVE Da
niela Gamba How does a foreign publisher find a Swedish title and what is necessary to turn it into a success in a new market? Daniela Gamba, publisher at Feltrinelli, describes her and the Swedish children's and Young Adult author Frida Nilsson’s journey to reach Italian readers. How did you get acquainted with Swedish children’s books? – I was always looking out for Swedish literature as I “grew up” at Salani Editore, and shortly after I moved to Feltrinelli, eight years ago, I was invited by the Swedish Arts Council to attend a presentation of Swedish Children’s Literature at the Swedish Embassy. The book that inspired me the most was Apstjärnan (Me and Gorilla) by Frida Nilsson. What makes Frida Nilsson special for young Italian readers? – I think young Italian readers love Frida for Frida Nilsson (b. 1979) Me and Gorilla, 2012, 137 p. Publisher Natur och Kultur www.nok.se Rights Koja Agency Works Jag, Dante och miljonerna, chapter book, 2008, The Ice Sea Pirates, YA novel, 2015, The Thin Sword, YA novel, 2017 Literary Prizes Les Olympiades 2013 Astrid Lindgren-priset 2014 her honesty, because she’s not afraid of speaking to children about tough topics such as illness, a sense of feeling lost, death, inequity, but she does so through epic adventures and emblematic characters, mixing realistic and fantastic situations. Her books entertain the readers and make them think. At the beginning of February we will publish Frida Nilsson’s next book (The Thin Sword) in our collection for older readers, Feltrinelli UP. I would like to give Italian readers the idea that this title is really a cross-over novel that can also be enjoyed by adults. In which ways are the support schemes at Swedish Literature Exchange helpful in introducing a new writer to your market? – A new writer is always a gamble, even more so when it is a writer you cannot read in his/her original language. Full or sample translations in English are very useful in evaluating the books, while grants for translations often make the publications possible as translations from Nordic languages are usually more expensive than ones from more common languages. Moreover, financial support for travel has allowed (and will allow?) Frida to meet the children who have read and loved her books.