Skip to content
FacebookTwitterLinkedinYoutubeInstagram
  • Join ATA
  • Renew
  • Shop ATAware
  • Contact Us
  • Log In Welcome, My Account
American Translators Association (ATA)
Find a Language Professional
  • Certification
    • Certification
      • Guide to ATA Certification
      • What is a Certified Translation?
      • How the Exam is Graded
      • Review and Appeal Process
      • Looking for more information?
    • Taking the Exam
      • About the Exam
      • How to Prepare
      • Practice Test
      • Exam Schedule
    • Already Certified?
      • Put Your Credentials To Work
      • Continuing Education Requirement
    • Register Buttons
      • Register for Exam
         
      • Order Practice Test
  • Career and Education
    • For Newcomers
      • Student Resources
      • Starting Your Career
      • The Savvy Newcomer Blog
    • For Professionals
      • Growing Your Career
      • Business Strategies
      • Next Level Blog
      • Client Outreach Kit
      • Mentoring
    • Resources
      • For Educators and Trainers
      • Tools and Technology
      • Publications
      • School Outreach
    • Event Buttons
      • Visit ATA66
      • Upcoming Webinars
  • Client Assistance
    • Client Resources
      • Why Should I Hire a Professional?
      • Translator vs. Interpreter
      • Buying Language Services
    • More Client Resources
      • Need a Certified Translation?
      • What is Machine Translation?
      • The ATA Compass Blog
    • Find a Translator Button
      • Find a Language Professional
  • Events
    • Events
      • Annual Conference
      • Free Events for ATA Members
      • Certification Exam Schedule
    • More Events
      • Virtual Workshops and Events
      • Live and On-Demand Webinars
      • Calendar of Events
    • Event Buttons
      • Visit ATA66
      • Upcoming Webinars
         
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Advocacy and Outreach
    • The ATA Chronicle
    • The ATA Podcast
    • ATA Newsbriefs
    • Press Releases
  • Member Center
    • Member Resources
      • Join ATA
      • Renew Your Membership
      • Benefits of Membership
      • Divisions & Special Interest Groups
      • Chapters, Affiliates, Partners, and Other Groups
      • Get Involved
      • Member Discounts
      • Shop ATAware
    • Already a Member?
      • Member Login
      • Connect with Members
      • Credentialed Interpreter Designation
      • Become a Voting Member
      • Submit Member News
      • Submit Your Event
      • Contact Us
    • Member Buttons
  • About Us
    • About ATA
      • Who We Are
      • Honors and Awards Program
      • Advertise with Us
      • Media Kit
    • How ATA Works
      • Board of Directors
      • Committees
      • Policies & Procedures
      • Code of Ethics
      • ATA Team
    • Contact Button
      • Contact ATA
  • Join ATA
  • Renew Your Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
  • Find a Language Professional
savvy-newcomer-header

Self-Published Authors: Another Option for Literary Translation

May 10, 2022 | The Savvy Newcomer | No Comments | Specializations, Translation
Self-Published Authors: Another Option for Literary Translation

A lot of us first became interested in translation because we wanted to translate books, or more specifically, novels. Even if we ended up specializing in marketing, insurance, or patent translation, we never quite gave up that literary dream. The thing is, if you don’t already have a track record as a literary translator, the chances of a publisher emailing you out of the blue to translate the current bestseller in your source language are slim to none. I don’t know about the rest of you, but so far, nobody has asked me to produce a new version of any of the French classics I love so much.

Does this mean you’re doomed to pine away as your bookish hopes slowly crumble like a gothic ruin? Not at all! As Henry David Thoreau said, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” One way to build the foundation under this château of literary translation is to collaborate with self-published authors.

Where can you find self-published authors? Lots of places. I’ve gotten projects through online platforms (like Upwork). the ATA directory, and a post on a translator listserv. I also belong to Facebook groups for self-published authors, and although that hasn’t brought me any work yet, I have chatted with authors who seem interested in hiring me in the future. Another option (which I haven’t tried) is to approach successful writers and ask them if they would be interested in having you translate their novels. Finally, there are platforms like Babelcube. Under their model, you’re only paid in royalties. While I’m not willing to spend weeks or months on a translation with no guaranteed payment, if your goal is the satisfaction of translating a book and you don’t care so much about payment, then it’s worth knowing it’s out there.

Can you make money working with self-published authors? Yes! Will you make as much per word as you would if you were translating a chemical patent or financial report? No, probably not, but it can still be worth your while. I always give writers two pricing options. The first is at my normal rate—not my highest rate ever, but what I’d be happy to get for any project—and with a relatively short deadline. The second is several cents lower than my normal rate, but with a much longer deadline. Then the author can decide. If they choose the shorter deadline, their project will be my priority, even if I have to turn down other work to finish it on time. If they choose the longer deadline, that will allow me to continue to take on most of my usual projects and focus on the book translation when higher-paying work is slow. If someone says I charge too much, I just move along. I am more expensive than many translators they can find online, and that’s fine. They’ll find a cheaper option and I’ll find someone who’s willing to pay more.

If you connect with an author who would like to hire you, make sure you get everything in writing and approved by the author before you start translating. You can draw up an agreement based on the ATA Model Job Contract and/or the Pen America Contract for Literary Translations. Some of the details you need to spell out are:

  • Payment – How much are you going to be paid and how and when will you get it? Depending on the project, I request ½ or ⅓ of the total fee at the beginning. It would be great to be able to ask for the total upfront, but realistically, I think most people would hesitate to pay thousands of dollars before they’ve seen any work. And I don’t blame them!
  • Timeline – When is it due? Make sure you’re realistic about how long it will take and don’t forget to leave time for editing. Will you send the author the entire finished translation at the end, or will you set up milestones along the way (submitting sections of a novel, for example, or sending short stories as you complete them)?
  • Editing – Who is going to edit your work? Will you use your own editor and include their fee in your own? Will the author pay your editor directly? Does the author have an editor they want to use? Will you have the option to accept or reject the suggested changes?
  • Credit – Will your name go on the cover? On the title page? Or are you expected to be a silent partner with no mention of your name on the finished product?
  • Royalties – Will you receive any royalties? If yes, you need to agree on the terms at the beginning. If not, you should still mention it.
  • Copyright – Will you own the copyright or is it a work-for-hire project?

You probably won’t get rich working with self-published authors, but I’ve found that it’s a nice source of extra income alongside my usual marketing translations. If you’ve always wanted to translate a novel, some short stories, or even a non-fiction book, this is a viable way for you to do it and still make money. Why not give it a try?

This blog post was edited by Isabelle McRae of The Savvy Newcomer team


Author bio

Beth Smith is an ATA-certified French to English translator specializing in advertising and marketing (especially cosmetics and luxury goods), entertainment, and literary translation. She has translated two novels, a short story collection, a memoir, and a book about finance and happiness. Beth won the ATA Rising Star Award in 2020 and she currently serves as the Assistant Administrator of the French Language Division, the Chair of the ATA Honors and Awards Committee, and a member of the ATA Mentoring Committee. You can follow her on Twitter @BethTranslates or click here to connect with her on LinkedIn.

Share this

Posts navigation

← ATA’s Back to Business Basics – Entrepreneurial Habits for Freelance Translators and Interpreters
Global Talent Networking Session: Acing the Application Process Edition →

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply





I accept the Privacy Policy

  • Home
  • Editorial Team
  • Resources
  • Write for Us
  • Style Guide

Recent Posts

Embracing the Part-Time Paradigm: Empowering Part-Time Professionals to Adopt the Small-Business-Owner Mentality

Cultivating Connection: 8 Tips for Interpreters and Translators to Tackle Loneliness

Keep Track of Your Translation Time

Savvy Diversification Series – Advice I Wish I Had Followed on How to Become a Medical Translator

A Translator’s Value(s) in a Shifting Market

The Best Google Search Tips for Translators

Conference Countdown: Your Guide to Preparing for Success at ATA64

What I’ve Learned in 8 Years of Blogging

Linguist in the Spotlight – John Milan

A Short Guide to Gender Inclusiveness in Italian Translations

Subscribe to The Savvy Newcomer


Connect with The Savvy Newcomer

Contact Us
Language Services Directory
ata_logo_footer

American Translators Association
211 N. Union Street, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone +1-703-683-6100
Fax +1-703-778-7222

  • Certification
  • Career and Education
  • Client Assistance
  • Events
  • News
  • Member Center
  • About Us
  • Member Login
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Submit Feedback

© 2025 - American Translators Association

Find a Language Professional
Scroll To Top
By clicking accept or closing this message and continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies.I AcceptPrivacy Policy