Two Lines Press
Two Lines Press is a nonprofit publishing program of the Center for the Art of Translation that publishes translated fiction and poetry, serving literary readers, academic institutions, and book clubs worldwide through direct e-commerce and wholesale distribution.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Two Lines Press does
Two Lines Press is an award-winning publishing program of the Center for the Art of Translation (CAT), a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. It publishes translated fiction and poetry from dozens of languages and countries, including works by internationally recognized authors such as Prix Goncourt winner Marie NDiaye. The company's core offering is a curated catalog of translated novels, short story collections, and poetry, complemented by the Calico series of themed anthologies organized by linguistic tradition (Chinese, Arabic, Romanian, Japanese, Swahili, and others). It also operates a membership subscription program, a For Academics initiative providing examination copies and reader's guides, and the Stevns Translation Prize.
The business model is a hybrid nonprofit publishing operation. Revenue is generated through one-time book sales priced between $14.95 and $24.95 via direct e-commerce (twolinespress.com) and through wholesale distribution partnerships with Publishers Group West (an Ingram Content Group division) for US/Canada and Turnaround Publishers Services for UK/Europe. Recurring revenue comes from a membership subscription program. The organization is funded through book sales, memberships, donations, and likely grants typical of nonprofit literary organizations. The customer base spans individual literary readers, academic institutions and educators, and book clubs, with a horizontal segmentation approach.
The organization is building a permanent literary and cultural center in San Francisco, planned to open in 2027, which would extend its footprint beyond publishing into a physical venue for literary translation events and community programming. The press has won multiple industry awards including the Ahmadou Kourouma Prize, the Grand Prix d'Afrique noire, and the CLMP Firecracker Award, and has received frequent starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist.
Two Lines Press firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Two Lines Press
- Legal name
- Two Lines Press (Center for the Art of Translation)
- Website
- https://twolinespress.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Two Lines Press is a nonprofit publishing program of the Center for the Art of Translation that publishes translated fiction and poetry, serving literary readers, academic institutions, and book clubs worldwide through direct e-commerce and wholesale distribution.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Two Lines Press industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Literary Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Translated & International Trade Publishing (Rights/Localizations) (MPAJAAAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- General Trade Publishing (Adult Fiction & Nonfiction) (MPAJAAAA)
Keywords
Where Two Lines Press is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Two Lines Press business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Book Sales: Revenue is generated through the sale of translated literary works directly to consumers via their e-commerce website and through retail distribution channels. Books are sold at various price points ranging from $14.95 to $24.95, with both paperback and hardcover formats available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual book purchases ranging from $14.95 to $24.95 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Two Lines Press product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Two Lines Press publishes translated literature in English — novels, short story collections, and poetry — sold as print books through its own website and retail/academic distributors, with prices ranging from $14.95 to $24.95. It also runs a paid membership subscription program and offers academic resources such as examination copies, desk copies, and downloadable reader's guides.
Product overview
Two Lines Press is an award-winning publishing program of the Center for the Art of Translation that publishes daring and original literature in translation. The company's core offerings include their main book catalog of translated novels, short story collections, and poetry; the Calico Series (themed anthologies organized by region or language such as Japanese, Romanian, Arabic, Swahili, and Chinese); a membership subscription program; and academic resources including examination copies and reader's guides. The company specializes in works from diverse international voices, with particular focus on women in translation and underrepresented literary traditions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Calico: A series of collected translated literature featuring genre-defying works from around the world that explore the relationship between text and image.
Products and services
- Two Lines Press Book Catalog Main catalog of award-winning translated literature including novels, short story collections, and poetry from international authors, sold as print books at $14.95 to $24.95.
- Calico Series Region and language-themed anthology series featuring collected works from specific literary traditions, including Japanese, Romanian, Arabic, Swahili, Chinese, and Latin American translations.
- Two Lines Press Membership Recurring subscription membership program offering discounts and exclusive access to Two Lines Press book releases and events.
- Academic Resources Program Educational program serving universities and educators with examination copies, desk copies, permissions requests, and downloadable reader's guides for course use.
Companies that use Two Lines Press
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Two Lines Press technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Two Lines Press partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Publishers Group WestcoreUS and Canada distribution partner for Two Lines Press. Part of Ingram Content Group, located at 819 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94710. Handles retail distribution and order fulfillment for bookstores and other retail outlets across North America.
- Turnaround Publishers ServicescoreUK and Europe distribution partner located at Crown House, 47 Chase Side, London N14 5BP. Handles retail distribution in European markets.
- Center for the Art of TranslationflagshipTwo Lines Press is the publishing program of the Center for the Art of Translation (CAT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of literary translation. CAT operates various programs including Two Lines Press, Poetry Inside Out, and is developing a literary and cultural center in San Francisco opening in 2027.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Two Lines Press competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Graywolf Press: Major nonprofit literary press publishing American and translated poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Larger nonprofit incumbent with broader portfolio but meaningful overlap on translated literary titles.
Direct peers
- Archipelago Books: A nonprofit literary press devoted exclusively to translated fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Closest direct peer given the shared focus on international literature in translation and nonprofit operating model.
- Open Letter Books: University of Rochester press devoted to translated literature, publishing around ten titles per year from various languages. Direct peer in literary translation publishing with a nonprofit/academic structure.
- Fitzcarraldo Editions: Independent UK publisher specializing in contemporary literary fiction and non-fiction, with a notable list of translated works. Direct peer in translated literary publishing, with similar curated editorial approach and award recognition.
- Dalkey Archive Press: Press dedicated to experimental and translated fiction, formerly affiliated with the Center for Book Culture. Direct peer focused on translated and international literary fiction with a nonprofit publishing heritage.
- Seagull Books: Publisher of world literature in English translation, with strong lists in Bengali, European, Latin American, and Arabic writing. Direct peer in translated literary publishing with comparable catalog breadth across regions.
- And Other Stories: UK-based independent publisher focused on translated literary fiction from underrepresented languages. Direct peer with comparable translated-literature mission and curated editorial approach.
- Europa Editions: Independent publisher with a flagship translated-fiction list (notably Elena Ferrante). Direct peer in international literary fiction publishing with overlapping author and translator pool.
- Deep Vellum Press: Nonprofit literary press and bookstore focused on translated world literature and international authors. Direct peer with similar nonprofit model, translated-literature focus, and Dallas cultural-community mission.
- New York Review Books: Publishers of NYRB Classics and NYRB Poets, with a strong translated-literature list alongside reissues. Direct peer in translated literary fiction and poetry, with overlapping catalog and reader base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Two Lines Press social profiles
Digital presenceTwo Lines Press financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Two Lines Press leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Two Lines Press funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Two Lines Press M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Two Lines Press
What does Two Lines Press do?
Two Lines Press publishes translated literature in English — novels, short story collections, and poetry — sold as print books through its own website and retail/academic distributors, with prices ranging from $14.95 to $24.95. It also runs a paid membership subscription program and offers academic resources such as examination copies, desk copies, and downloadable reader's guides.
Is Two Lines Press a public or private company?
Two Lines Press is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Two Lines Press founded?
Two Lines Press was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Two Lines Press based?
Two Lines Press is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Two Lines Press make money?
One revenue line is on record: book Sales.
Who are Two Lines Press's main competitors?
Graywolf Press is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Archipelago Books, Open Letter Books, Fitzcarraldo Editions, Dalkey Archive Press, Seagull Books, And Other Stories, Europa Editions, Deep Vellum Press and New York Review Books.
Does Two Lines Press have an API?
No public API is recorded for Two Lines Press.
What industry is Two Lines Press in?
Two Lines Press's product category is Independent Literary Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAAAO, Translated & International Trade Publishing (Rights/Localizations), with a secondary code of MPAJAAAA, General Trade Publishing (Adult Fiction & Nonfiction). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.