McDowell has translated works of many important Latin American writers working today, including Samanta Schweblin, Mariana Enriquez, and Alejandro Zambra.
Her translations have won the National Book Award for Translated Literature, the English PEN award, the Premio Valle-Inclán, and two O. Henry Prizes, and have been nominated for the International Booker Prize (four times) and the Kirkus Prize. Her short story translations have been featured in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The New York Times Magazine, Tin House, McSweeney’s, and Granta, among others. In 2020 she won an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
She is from Richmond, Kentucky, and lives in Santiago, Chile.
“Megan is one of the most highly regarded translators of Latin American literature working today,” said Daniel O’Malley, associate professor of English and co-director of the Herd Humanities program. “She’s responsible for making so many acclaimed, innovative, exciting contemporary voices available in English. For me personally, seeing her name on a book works like an endorsement or a seal of approval — if Megan finds this writer compelling, then absolutely they are worth your time.
“It can feel daunting sometimes to navigate the world of literature beyond your own native language, so having Megan talk about that experience is sure to be insightful.”
All are welcome to her presentation, which is sponsored by Herd Humanities, The John Deaver Drinko Academy, Marshall Libraries, and The Honors College at Marshall University.
“For our students, this is a wonderful opportunity to hear from someone who is not only an internationally acclaimed translator but also a native of Appalachia,” O’Malley said. “She has the experience to help students — or anyone — see ways to build a life around their passions for language and literature.”