Iād like to respond to a comment you made a few hours ago about not wanting to translate Alchemised in Russia and in Israel, and Iād like to contribute to the conversation from the other side of the map. I have no intention of insulting or underestimating your personal opinions and decisions, which are yours alone.
I understand the concerns regarding the funding issues in Russia and am not aware if there are any āacceptableā publishers out there. But personally, I canāt find value in cultural boycotts. I believe they can even cause harm, especially in literature discussing wars, by closing one of the few āwindowsā into the world of people in countries that could benefit from a variety of perspectives. If the only books available to Israelis were written by people who support the war, wouldnāt that make their perspective narrower? As an Israeli teen who does not support an eternal war, my complex view of the world - and specifically of the conflict - could never be what it is today without the books I have read, whether they were written by pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli supporters. Books can be both an influential and powerful force.
It is important to express opinions and to protect freedom of speech against wars or policies, but I donāt think cultural boycotts do more good than harm, being mere statements. I donāt know which Israeli publishers reached out to you, but I know there are liberal translation agencies out there.
Needless to say, I adore your writing, and I am planning to purchase your book the moment I find myself abroad.
I don't disagree. It wasn't an easy choice to make because I was constantly second guessing what the appropriate decision would be. Objectively speaking, I don't think withholding Alchemised from translation does anything inherently meaningful. Especially given that Alchemised is a deeply anti-war story with specifically tissue paper thinly-veiled criticisms of the US, Russia, and Israel in particular.
Additionally, I am very adverse to the conflation of people with their government because it is that manner of othering that is used to increase division and drive extremism and nationalism. As an American I am bitterly aware of the things my taxes are funding against my will.
I felt incredibly grieved at the thought of excluding my Russian speaking readers in multiple countries from being able to read Alchemised when they have been so enthusiastic and supportive of me for many years. Or from any Israelis who are staunchly protesting their governments' genocide of Palestinians.
I considered accepting the deals but then donating the entire advances and potential royalties to charities, but given the amount, and my newness to the process of publishing and international deals, it wasn't something I had the knowledge or any of the resources to commit to while on an incredibly tight writing deadline. With the Russian deal in particular, I consulted with several Russian friends, as well as journalist-activists like Ksenia Mironova in trying to find a publisher/translator outside of Russia in order to have an authorised edition of Alchemised translated. Unfortunately due to international legal constraints my literary agency was not able to find an alternative that which could pass the vetting process that publishers were required to undergo. Perhaps that will change in the future, but that is the situation presently.
Ultimately what my decision came down to was that saying "I don't think people should be excluded from art, and that's why I'm taking this translation deal' sounds very hollow if I'm standing there, accepting enough money to buy a house, while other people are having their houses blown up.
While I don't hold individual citizens responsible for their oppressive government's actions, I have chosen to prioritise the feelings of the people suffering invasion and genocide.
It is not a perfect solution, but it is the best one I have the capacity to make right now.
Honestly, being told about how widely distributed pirated translations would be actually made me feel even more at peace with the decision. I hope the story still finds all the people who look for it.
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