At Asymptote, Editor-at-Large Poupeh Missaghi looked at state of translation in Iran, where publishers often forgo securing foreign rights.
Publishers in Iran Use Ebooks to Circumvent Censors
Upstart publishers in Iran are using ebooks and digital-only distribution as a way to circumvent government censors in Iran and reach willing readers.
Scenes from the Tehran International Book Fair
Writing for The Guardian last month, Simon Tisdall described the scene at the Tehran International Book Fair, where female skin on book covers is frowned upon.
Tehran May Allow Publication of Mahmud Dowlatabadi’s “The Colonel”
The Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance may allow publication of a Persian edition of Mahmud Dowlatabadi’s banned novel, The Colonel.
Iranian Publishers Hope for Change Under New Regime
Under the Iran’s new government, the publishing industry promises to be more open and has produced its first ever Persian translation catalog.
Iranian Bestseller Built by Social Media, Sold Through Synergy
How Zahra’s Paradise, a graphic novel about a protester who goes missing during the Iranian demonstrations of 2009, turned into a surprise global bestseller.
What Role Should Publishers Play in Political Activism?
Pamphleteering, propaganda and agit-prop have long been a part of the publishing process. It’s here to stay. But how far should publishers go in their activism?
Officially Speaking, the Number of Bookstores is on the Rise in Iran
The number bookstores in Tehran rose from 858 to 895 in 2010, according to the Iran Book News Agency. Overall, 198 new bookstores opened in Iran last year.
Will Censorship Ultimately Become Impossible in the Digital Age?
Digital media makes it easier for people to circumvent censorship, but are the corporations that control access to the internet willing to play along?
Exile, Literature and the High Price of Freedom
Authors exiled from Iran, Cuba, Afghanistan, Egypt, Algeria and the Congo discuss oppression, inspiration, and the cost of freedom.