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German Book Office for N.Y.C.
John Mutter -- 3/30/98
The German Book Office, a not-for-profit organization managed by the International Division of the Frankfurt Book Fair, has opened in New York City. It's the first such office devoted to promoting German books in the U.S., and aims to boost the visibility of German books both commercially and culturally. It's similar in some regards to the French Book Office.The GBO aims to provide American publishers and others with contacts and information about the German book market and new German titles. It's not working in competition with agents.
Besides helping to boost the importing and translation of German books in the U.S., the GBO wants to promote German publications in the U.S. and serve as a "home base" for German publishers, agents, scouts and translators here.Kathie von Ankum has been appointed director of the new office, which has offices in the G the House across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Raised in Germany, von Ankum received a Ph.D. in German literature here and has done editing work for Houghton Mifflin and worked in rights at S. Fischer Verlag and Norton.

"We are trying to pick out the best titles and make sure people here are aware of them," von Ankum told PW. Toward that end, the GBO will provide reading copies, sample translations and reviews of German books for U.S. publishers and editors. It will also offer information on the Web and access to its databank of U.S. translators of German books.

Of particular interest to publicists and booksellers, the GBO intends to co-sponsor book tours, readings and other programs featuring German authors.

The GBO will have an official opening party on Thursday, May 28, just before BookExpo America, when many foreign publishers are expected to be traveling through New York on their way to Chicago.

The GBO is located at 1014 Fifth Ave., 4th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10028; (212) 794-2851; fax (212) 794-2870; e-mail: kvonankum@gbo.org.
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