Left Field Books

PROJECT PURPOSE

Left Field Books is a non-profit 501(c)(3) publishing house specializing in world fiction and poetry in English translation, as well as fiction, poetry, and fine art books in original English. Our purpose is to bring great works of world literature to an English-reading audience in the U.S. and other English-reading countries.

EVIDENCE

During the pandemic, the publishing industry suffered due to: loss of sales, lack of in-person readings and events, delayed publications due to problems with the supply chain, and resultant lack of work/income for authors/translators/contract workers. This relief funding will help Left Field Books make up for lost sales, lost time, a publication backlog, and payments for new work from authors and translators who have been on hold during the pandemic.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Arts workers and workers in the field of independent publishing were disproportionally impacted by the pandemic in a variety of ways. Small publishers, Left Field Books included, rely on book festivals, conferences, and arts fairs to publicize, sell their books, and find new authors and books to publish. The Covid-19 pandemic completely did away with these crucial in-person opportunities, decimating both sales and acquisition opportunities. This also meant that authors, translators, and editors, who get are contract workers and rely on acquisitions and sales for work and payment, also went without work and pay. Furthermore, production and distribution networks, necessary for the smooth and regular operation of the publishing industry (from publishers and printers to brick-and-mortar bookstores and libraries), were adversely affected by the disruption in the supply chain, which resulted in delayed work and payment, at best, and, at worst, lost income and revenue.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The project will be measured in terms of books acquired for publication, payment to authors and translators for publication rights and translation work, payment to editors for editorial work, payment to designers for book design and website design, and to distributors for sales, marketing, and distribution work. This data is already collected as a matter of course at Left Field Books and will be available in real time for funders and board members.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma