Chapter 9. The role of literary agents in the international flow of texts

Abstract

This study investigates the role of international literary agents in the flow of texts and the network of relations of the global literary market. A major element of agents’ work is interlingual translation, complemented by cultural and intersemiotic translation, as they act as brokers between authors, translators and publishers located in different national contexts. In the case of literary agents promoting lesser-known national literatures abroad, the role of cultural mediation also includes managing the image of nations and cultures. The study explores the acts of translation that international literary agents undertake and commission, as well as acts of image building through such translation. The analysis is based on a case study from Turkey: Kalem Agency, the largest literary agency in the country. The discussion draws on content and discourse analysis based on interviews with the co-founder, Nermin Mollaoğlu, as well as published news items and promotional material produced by Kalem.