Abstract
The American publishing industry is notorious for its disinterest in translation. Although its notoriety has made most publishers very aware of the absence of translated literature in America, its perception as an unprofitable venture has prevented publishing houses from investing in the genre and thereby improving the small number of published translations. This thesis explores the possible ways in which translated authors and their readers can alter this perception by utilizing recent technological advances in global social networking. “The Author Was Never Dead” will cover the history of and current environment surrounding literary translation in the U.S. including which translated novels have become successful and how that relates to the visibility of the translated author. Researching the slow growth in the visibility of the translated author and their cultural ambassadors on social media and online communities provides insight into how and why a translated book can gain popularity in a country known for its literary ethnocentrism.