Tilted Axis Press, known for its groundbreaking approach to literature, is making waves as it expands its reach to North America, bringing unique translated works from around the globe to new audiences. Founded about ten years ago, this small independent publisher has transformed the literary scene, focusing on narratives from regions often overlooked by mainstream publishing houses.
The press gained attention when translator Jeremy Tiang discovered the intriguing book “Delicious Hunger,” authored by Hai Fan, which draws on the author’s experience as a guerrilla soldier. Though landing a U.S. publisher proved challenging, Tiang found support with Tilted Axis, which quickly decided to publish his translation. Set to launch its U.S. edition this June, “Delicious Hunger” is one of nearly 20 titles from Tilted Axis’s catalog hitting American stores this year.
Tiang, who has translated over 30 works from Chinese to English, reflected on the significance of smaller publishers, stating, “I don’t know if the book would have found its way... without someone like Tilted Axis to give it a platform.” Since its inception, Tilted Axis has published 42 books translated from 18 languages, including those from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Eastern Europe. The press stands out for providing pathways for writers whose voices are often missing from Anglophone literature.
Kristen Vida Alfaro, who took over as publisher from co-founder Deborah Smith, emphasized the necessity of diverse narratives. “Every translation from different parts of the world has the potential to give you not just a different perspective, but a window onto entirely different imaginations,” she said. At this moment of rising nationalism and isolationism, the press’s mission to promote global literature has never felt more urgent.
The push for inclusivity extends beyond what is being published; it also influences who gets to translate. Tilted Axis focuses on hiring translators from the global south, many of whom are deeply connected to the cultures and languages they work with. The press has also been known to put translators’ names on book covers, ensuring proper recognition for their contributions—something still uncommon in the industry.
This dedication has led to transformative experiences for authors like Yan Ge, whose novel “Strange Beasts of China” was released with Tilted Axis after years of being overlooked by other publishers. Ge stated, “They don’t try to shoehorn anything... they respect how it’s done in its original language and how it relates to its own cultural values.”
Another notable figure, Thuận, published her first English book with Tilted Axis and shared how it has allowed her to express her perspective as a North Vietnamese writer, saying, “There’s still very little written from the perspective of North Vietnamese on the topic,” referring to her experience during the Vietnam War.
Each year, the number of translated titles released in the U.S. hovers around just a few hundred, but Tilted Axis aims to change this statistic. The press has received several awards, including recognition with three titles on the International Booker Prize longlist in 2022, culminating with Daisy Rockwell’s award-winning translation of Geetanjali Shree’s “Tomb of Sand,” considered groundbreaking for its narrative on the elderly and societal expectations.
Despite the acclaim, surviving as a small press presents challenges. With only eight employees working on tight budgets, financial sustainability often relies on grants. Alfaro, who also has part-time work with another publishing house, hopes their recent expansion will improve Tilted Axis’s fortunes. Licensing has been the traditional route for U.S. distribution, but now the press can engage directly with American bookstores.
The initial batch of book releases includes works like “Again I Hear These Waters,” featuring poetry from Assamese writers, and Hamid Ismailov's “The Devils’ Dance,” which intertwines the lives of Uzbekistan's historical figures. Using platforms like Facebook for its chapters, Ismailov credits Tilted Axis with “giving voice to the silenced, making the unheeded heard,” showcasing the importance of amplifying diverse experiences amid the often homogenized narrative of global literature.
The foothold Tilted Axis has established not only enriches literature but also cultivates compassion, empathy, and connectivity between cultures. By continuing to bring overlooked narratives to light, it champions the idea of literature as not only artistic expression but as civic engagement—inviting readers to explore worlds and perspectives they might not encounter otherwise.