The Best Translated Book Award was an American literary award that recognized the previous year's best original translation into English, one book of poetry and one of fiction. It was inaugurated in 2008 and was conferred by Three Percent, the online literary magazine of Open Letter Books, which is the book translation press of the University of Rochester. A long list and short list were announced each year leading up to the award. The award took into consideration not only the quality of the translation but the entire package: the work of the original writer, translator, editor, and publisher. The award was "an opportunity to honor and celebrate the translators, editors, publishers, and other literary supporters who help make literature from other cultures available to American readers." In October 2010 Amazon.com announced it would be underwriting the prize with a $25,000 grant. This would allow both the translator and author to receive a $5,000 prize. Prior to this the award did not carry a cash prize. In January 2023, the prize's initiator, Chad Post, announced on the Three Percent blog that the award, which had not been given out since 2020, would remain on "continued hiatus."

Winners

Fiction

Poetry

Awards

The first awards were given in 2008 for books published in 2007. The Best Translation Book Awards are dated by the presentation year, with the book publication the previous year. = winner.

2008

The award was announced January 4, 2008 for books published in 2007. It was the first award and was based on open voting by readers of Three Percent, who also nominated the longlist. Fiction shortlist Poetry shortlist

2009

The award was announced February 19, 2009 for book published in 2008. There was a ceremony at Melville House Publishing in Brooklyn hosted by author and critic Francisco Goldman. Fiction shortlist Poetry shortlist

2010

The award was announced March 10, 2010 at Idlewild Books. According to award organizer Chad Post, "On the fiction side of things we debated and debated for weeks. There were easily four other titles that could've easily won this thing. Walser, Prieto, Aira were all very strong contenders." Fiction shortlist Poetry shortlist

2011

The longlist was announced January 27, 2011. The shortlist was announced March 24, 2011. The winners were announced April 29, 2011 at the PEN World Voices Festival by Lorin Stein. Fiction shortlist Poetry shortlist

2012

The longlist was announced February 28, 2012. The shortlist was announced April 10, 2012. The winners were announced May 4, 2012. Fiction shortlist Poetry shortlist

2013

The longlist was announced March 5, 2013. The shortlist was announced April 10, 2013. The winners were announced May 6, 2013. Fiction shortlist Poetry shortlist

2014

The longlist was announced March 11, 2014, the shortlist was announced April 14, 2014. The winners and two runners-up in each category were announced April 28, 2014. Fiction shortlist, runners-up and winner Poetry shortlist, runners-up and winner

2015

The longlist was announced April 7, 2015. The shortlist was announced May 5, 2015. The winners were announced May 27, 2015. Fiction shortlist and winner Poetry shortlist and winner

2016

The longlist was announced on March 29, 2016. The shortlist was announced April 19, 2016. The winners were announced May 4, 2016. Fiction shortlist and winner Poetry shortlist and winner

2017

The longlist for fiction and poetry was announced March 28, 2017. The shortlist was announced April 19, 2017. The winners were announced May 4, 2017.

2018

The longlist for fiction and poetry was announced April 10, 2018. The shortlist was announced May 15, 2018. The winners were announced May 31, 2018.

2019

The longlist for fiction and poetry was announced April 10, 2019. The shortlist was announced May 15, 2019. The winners were announced May 29, 2019.

2020

The longlist for fiction and poetry was announced April 1, 2020. The shortlist was announced May 11, 2020. The winners were announced May 29, 2020 in a public Zoom meeting.

2021-present

The award went on hiatus in 2021.