Fitzcarraldo Editions

Fitzcarraldo Editions was established in 2014 by Jacques Testard, a former editor at The White Review, with the aim of publishing "brave and intelligent" literature that challenges readers.¹ The name references Werner Herzog's film about an obsessive dreamer, reflecting the press's commitment to ambitious, unconventional projects. Testard initially ran the press as a one-person operation, focusing on a small annual output of around ten titles to ensure meticulous editorial attention. The house style—uniform covers with bold typography and a signature blue—was designed by Adam Thirlwell and has become instantly recognizable in bookshops worldwide.²

Fitzcarraldo's list includes Nobel laureates Svetlana Alexievich and Olga Tokarczuk, as well as International Booker Prize winners such as Han Kang, László Krasznahorkai, and Marieke Lucas Rijneveld.³ The press has also published works by Annie Ernaux, Jon Fosse, and Mathias Énard, many of whom were relatively unknown in English before Fitzcarraldo introduced them. Its translation program, which accounts for roughly half of its output, has been praised for bringing diverse voices to Anglophone readers. In 2022, Fitzcarraldo won the London Book Fair's International Excellence Award for Literary Translation, recognizing its role in promoting world literature.

The press is known for its rigorous editorial process, often working closely with translators to refine texts over several years. Its covers, designed by Adam Thirlwell, feature a minimalist aesthetic with a consistent blue hue, which has become a hallmark of the brand. Fitzcarraldo also publishes a series of essays under the "Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay" imprint, which has included works by such thinkers as Mark Fisher and Olivia Laing.⁴ The press's commitment to long-form fiction and nonfiction has earned it a reputation as a tastemaker in independent publishing, with many of its titles appearing on major prize shortlists.

Beyond its flagship list, Fitzcarraldo has quietly built a niche in publishing works that explore the intersection of philosophy and literature, such as the novels of Elisa Gabbert and the essays of Brian Dillon. The press also runs a small but influential podcast, Fitzcarraldo Sessions, featuring conversations with authors and translators.⁴ In 2020, it launched a subscription model called "The Fitzcarraldo Club," which offers early access to new titles and exclusive events, a move that has helped sustain its independence during industry consolidation. Testard has also been an advocate for fairer contracts for translators, and Fitzcarraldo was among the first UK publishers to adopt the Translators Association's recommended rates.

Jacques Testard

Founder and publisher of Fitzcarraldo Editions, previously an editor at The White Review.

International Booker Prize

Annual literary award for a single book translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland.

Translators Association

A UK organization that sets recommended rates and standards for literary translators.