“Financial support simplifies the decision to publish a Flemish book”
Swedish publisher Karin Tegréus of Berghs Forlag will publish three books by Leo Timmers: starting with Where is the Dragon? this fall, and Bear's Lost Glasses and The Monster Lake in 2026. For the Swedish translations, she received a grant from Flanders Literature. And not just any: for Swedish publishers, this grant temporarily covers 90% of the translation costs as part of our guest of honour programme at the Gothenburg Book Fair in 2027. This clearly lowers the threshold for translating Flemish books, Karin testifies.
What motivated you to apply for the translation grant? How did it influence your decision to publish a Flemish literary work?
Karin: “During a fellowship about children’s and youth literature last February I got loads of information about Flanders Literature’s translation grant and how to apply. It was an easy process, because we knew how to handle the application. Because of the financial support, the decision to publish a Flemish book was easier. In fact, we bought three books by Leo Timmers at the same time. Something we probably wouldn’t have done without the grant.”
How does the financial support from Flanders Literature impact the production and promotion of Leo’s work in Sweden?
Karin: “It enables us to purchase several titles at once, which is beneficial for both the creator and publisher. It makes it possible for us to promote Leo and his titles on a wider scale. I would certainly advise other publishers to apply for a translation grant. It’s not a difficult or complicated process and the response is quick.”
Why did you select Leo Timmers’ work for translation and publication in Sweden? What stood out to you?
Karin: “I first got in touch with Leo’s work during the fellowship. I was immediately impressed by all of his titles: intelligent and funny stories, simple but still brilliant. Books that will be loved by Swedish children and adults.”
As a foreign publisher, you can apply for financial assistance by Flanders Literature to cover a part of the translator’s fee:
- 70% for fiction, nonfiction, comics & graphic novels, and children’s & young adult literature
- 100% for literary classics, poetry and drama
For illustrated books (picture books, comics, graphic novels) and poetry, publishers can also apply to cover 25% of the production costs (with a maximum of 4.000 euros).
The maximum amount of a translation grant is 8,000 euros.
Extra support for Swedish publishers
Publishers of translations from Dutch into Swedish may even be eligible to have up to 90% of the translation costs reimbursed until the end of 2028, as part of our guest of honour programme at the Gothenburg Book Fair in 2027. On top of that, we also reimburse 25% of production costs across all genres, with a maximum of 4,000 euros.
- Read our grant guidelines.
- Visit our online portal My Flanders Literature (use our manual if you need assistance).
- Register as a contact person for an organization (you cannot apply as an individual).
- Login to your account (choose 'Continue as the contact person of an organisation' on the page 'Who am I?').
- Fill out all the information for your application.
- Submit your application before leaving the portal.