Annual Report 2024

Read our Annual Report for 2024

A note from CEO and Publisher Will Evans:

What a remarkable year it’s been for Deep Vellum! In 2024, our mission was in full gear as we increased our ability to connect people through literature and reached new heights, from international acclaim to community impact in Dallas.

Globally, we celebrated monumental success. Mircea Cărtărescu’s Solenoid won the prestigious Dublin Literary Award. Heather Cleary’s translation of Luis Felipe Fabre’s Recital of the Dark Verses earned the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Translation Prize. Fiston Mwanza Mujila’s The Villain’s Dance, translated by Roland Glasser, was a finalist for the National Book Award for Translated Literature. We even managed to sneak in a National Book Critics Circle Finalist nomination for Wei Tchou’s wildly popular Little Seed. Meanwhile, we published the first volume of our yearly Best Literary Translations anthology in April, setting a new benchmark for honoring translators’ artistry. Back home, our bookstore was named Best Bookstore for Local Authors—a testament to our role as a community-driven cultural hub. And in the new year, our Eve Hill-Agnus was awarded the Albertine Translation Prize for the forthcoming Ultramarine by Mariette Navarro.

Our Deep Ellum bookstore remains the beating heart of our mission, serving as a frontline cultural center where diverse audiences connect with stories that inspire, challenge, and unite. This year, we hosted over 100 events, from bilingual programming and poetry festivals to partnerships with local organizations, welcoming thousands of visitors and reaffirming the transformative power of literature.

We’ve also grown as a team! With new staff members bringing fresh energy and expertise, we’re ready to meet the exciting year ahead. In 2025, we’ll continue breaking barriers, becoming the first publisher to release books from six continents in a year. Our local commitment matches this global perspective, as we’ve given away 250 books this year to students and readers throughout the city.

These accomplishments are possible because of you—our donors, board members, and community. Together, we’re expanding Deep Vellum's reach and impact, publishing groundbreaking works, and creating spaces where literature transcends boundaries.

As we look ahead, I’m inspired by the opportunities before us: to grow our programs, expand our space, and connect more people with the transformative power of stories. Thank you for believing in our mission and for being part of this incredible journey.