K.E. Semmel
 |
K.E. Semmel | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Writer, literary translator |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (BA) Kansas State University (MA) |
| Genre | Fiction, literary translation, essays |
| Notable works | The Book of Losman (2024) |
| Website | |
| www | |
K.E. Semmel is an American author, literary translator, and disability advocate. He is best known for his translations of contemporary Danish and Norwegian literature into English, including works by Jussi Adler-Olsen, Karin Fossum, Simon Fruelund, and Naja Marie Aidt.[1] In 2024, he published his debut novel, The Book of Losman, which explores the intersection of translation and Tourette syndrome.[2] A 2016 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Translation Fellow,[3] Semmel is also a prominent voice in the Tourette syndrome community through his writing and public speaking.[4][5]
Early life and education
[edit]Semmel attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts.[6][non-primary source needed] He later received a Master of Arts in English from Kansas State University.[7][non-primary source needed]
Career
[edit]Semmel is a prolific translator of contemporary Scandinavian literature. In 2016, he was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Literature Fellowship for Translation.[8]
In addition to translation, Semmel is a fiction writer and essayist. His debut novel, The Book of Losman, was published in 2024 by SFWP.[9] The novel incorporates autobiographical details from Semmel's life, and the life of a translator living with Tourette syndrome.[10] The book was recognized by Debutiful as a noteworthy debut of 2024.[11]
Advocacy and personal life
[edit]Semmel has lived in Denmark, where for two years he was employed as a mailman for the Danish postal service,[12] an experience that facilitated his fluency in the Danish language and provided the cultural immersion that informed his later career as a translator and a novelist.[non-primary source needed]
Semmel resides in Scottsville, New York,[13] near Rochester. Having lived with Tourette syndrome since childhood, he is an active advocate for the community. He was a keynote speaker at the 2025 TIC-CON (Tourette Association of America) Conference.[14]
Published works
[edit]Novels
[edit]- The Book of Losman SFWP, 2024) ISBN 978-1951631369
Selected translations
[edit]| Year | Author | Title | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Jussi Adler-Olsen | The Absent One | Dutton |
| 2011 | Karin Fossum | The Caller | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |
| 2013 | Simon Fruelund | Milk | Santa Fe Writers Project |
| 2014 | Naja Marie Aidt | Rock, Paper, Scissors | Two Lines Press |
| 2014 | Erik Valeur | The Seventh Child | AmazonCrossing |
| 2015 | Thomas Rydahl | The Hermit | Oneworld |
| 2017 | Jesper Bugge Kold | The Wall Between | AmazonCrossing |
| 2018 | Mathilde Walter Clark | Lone Star | Deep Vellum |
Essays and short fiction
[edit]Semmel's short stories and essays have appeared in The Southern Review,[15] Huffington Post, The Washington Post, and World Literature Today.[16] Notable pieces include:
- "How Should Debut Novelists Measure Success?" (The Millions, 2024)[17]
- "Want to Write Better Fiction? Become a Translator" (The Millions, 2024)[18]
- "7 Novels Set in Copenhagen" (Electric Literature, 2024)[19]
Awards and honors
[edit]- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Translation Fellowship (2016)
- Danish Arts Foundation Grant (Multiple recipient)[20]
References
[edit]- ↑ Øgaard Jensen, Katrine. "Translator's Profile: K. E. Semmel". Asymptote Journal. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ Pietrzyk, Leslie. "Interview with K.E. Semmel". South 85 Journal. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "K.E. Semmel: 2016 Fellowship". National Endowment for the Arts. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ "An Evening with Author K.E. Semmel". tourette.org. Tourette Association of America. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ Semmel, Kyle. "I Always Knew I Was Different. Still, I Was Shocked To Hear My Doctor Say These 4 Words To Me". HuffPost. Buzzfeed. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "Commencement" (PDF). Keystone Library Network. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "Alum News". K-State English. Kansas State University. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ Bernofsky, Susan. "NEA Announces 2016 Translation Fellowships". Translationista. Translationista. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ↑ "The Book of Losman by K.E. Semmel". Santa Fe Writers Project. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ Graser, Geoff. "Geoff Graser and K.E. Semmel Discuss His Novel The Book of Losman". Heavy Feather Review. Heavy Feather Review. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "A Life of Books: K.E. Semmel, author of The Book of Losman". Debutiful. October 2, 2024. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ Semmel, K. E. "Stirring the pot: Albrecht Dürer, Bob Dylan, and Simon Fruelund". Necessary Fiction. Necessary Fiction. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "Author Bio". K.E. Semmel. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "An Evening with Author K.E. Semmel". Tourette Association of America. October 28, 2025. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ Lang & Semmel, Line-Maria & K. E. "As You've Planned It". The Southern Review. LSU Press. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "Hair". Word Literature Today. Word Literature Today. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ K.E. Semmel (October 16, 2024). "How Should Debut Novelists Measure Success?". The Millions. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ Semmel, Kyle. "Want to Write Better Fiction? Become a Translator". The Millions. The Millions. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ↑ K.E. Semmel (October 2, 2024). "7 Novels Set in Copenhagen". Electric Literature. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ "Kyle Semmel Translator - Danish". Center for the Art of Translation. Center for the Art of Translation. Retrieved 10 March 2026.