2) What readership is expected to buy translations of Korean literature and how can it be expanded?

In the US, a clear distinction should be made between

1) an academic (above all a Korean Studies) readership, which buys the books to be used as textbooks.

These are often published by university-based presses, listed by teachers in their syllabus, and are only available in specialized bookstores, or through online bookstores.

2) a general readership, which needs to hear about books through publicity, reviews, or word of mouth, and wants the books to be distributed to and stocked by bookstores nationwide.

The second kind of readership is that we should be aiming at, if our aim is to make Korean literature part of world literature. It is much more difficult to penetrate that market.


The topics for our discussion