The secret life of the literary translator Ros Schwartz.

The secret life of theThe secret life of theliterary translatorliterary translator

Ros SchwartzRos Schwartz

Who are literary translators?Who are literary translators?

Skills Skills self starterself starter

contract negotiation contract negotiation

computers/technologycomputers/technology

understanding publishingunderstanding publishing

accounts, tax and social security, accounts, tax and social security,

sickness insurance, pensionsickness insurance, pension

making a living as a translatormaking a living as a translator

professional developmentprofessional development

networkingnetworking

Getting startedGetting started

Proposing books to publishersProposing books to publishers

Check translation rights available Check translation rights available

Contact the foreign rights manager of the Contact the foreign rights manager of the

publishing housepublishing house

Request permission to seek a publisher Request permission to seek a publisher

for your proposed translation for your proposed translation

Identify potential publishers via:Identify potential publishers via:

publishing directories publishing directories

book fair catalogues book fair catalogues

visit international book fairsvisit international book fairs

Presenting to publishersPresenting to publishers

Write to a named editorWrite to a named editor Put together a ‘pack’ including:Put together a ‘pack’ including:

• introductory letterintroductory letter• synopsis and sample translation (2-3,000 words) synopsis and sample translation (2-3,000 words) • facts and figures: facts and figures:

Length (number of words/pages)Length (number of words/pages) Sales figures/bestseller placings Sales figures/bestseller placings selected press cuttings selected press cuttings

• information about the author:information about the author: previous books/sales history/prizes/filmsprevious books/sales history/prizes/films

• your own résumé your own résumé

Factors influencing the publisher:Factors influencing the publisher:

LengthLength Cost of translationCost of translation Skill of translatorSkill of translator Is the author alive, ‘promotable’?Is the author alive, ‘promotable’? Is the book part of a series?Is the book part of a series? Is the country of origin fashionable?Is the country of origin fashionable? Can the editor read the language?Can the editor read the language? Are translation subsidies available?Are translation subsidies available?

Information on subsidiesInformation on subsidies

Translators Companion website Translators Companion website www.translatorscompanion.orgwww.translatorscompanion.org

Cultural Attaché of the embassy Cultural Attaché of the embassy concernedconcerned

For EU subsidies contact the European For EU subsidies contact the European Commission cultural contact Commission cultural contact

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/culture2000/chttp://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/culture2000/contacts/national_pts_en.htmlontacts/national_pts_en.html

Cultural Contact Point GreeceCultural Contact Point Greece

Directorate of European AffairsDirectorate of European AffairsDemetris AntonopoulosDemetris AntonopoulosMinistry of Culture Ministry of Culture 17 rue Ermou17 rue Ermou10563 Athens10563 AthensTel. 210 32 30 293 / 82 01 501Tel. 210 32 30 293 / 82 01 501Fax 210 33 10 796Fax 210 33 10 796E-mail: E-mail: [email protected]@dee.culture.grhttp://http://www.ccp.culture.grwww.ccp.culture.gr

Negotiating contractsNegotiating contracts

The “Decalogue”The “Decalogue”

1. A license contract by which the translator will retain the 1. A license contract by which the translator will retain the

copyright.copyright.

2. A fair remuneration for the translation as commissioned.2. A fair remuneration for the translation as commissioned.

3. Royalties should be paid in the event of sales passing a 3. Royalties should be paid in the event of sales passing a

trigger, to be specified in the contract.trigger, to be specified in the contract.

4. Payment for all subsidiary exploitation of the translation.4. Payment for all subsidiary exploitation of the translation.

5. Protection of moral rights: the naming of the translator 5. Protection of moral rights: the naming of the translator

with suitable prominence and respect for the integrity of with suitable prominence and respect for the integrity of

the translated text; the translated text;

The DecalogueThe Decalogue

6. Translations should be commissioned from the original language.6. Translations should be commissioned from the original language.

7. Rendering of an annual statement of account by the publisher to the 7. Rendering of an annual statement of account by the publisher to the

translator.translator.

8. The translator should be held harmless from any libel suit.8. The translator should be held harmless from any libel suit.

9. The publisher should ascertain the professional competence of the 9. The publisher should ascertain the professional competence of the

translator.translator.

10. The payment of all subsidies for translation should be subject to 10. The payment of all subsidies for translation should be subject to

these general principles and the translator should be informed of the these general principles and the translator should be informed of the

amount and conditions of such subsidies.amount and conditions of such subsidies.

Computer equipment and skillsComputer equipment and skills

present your work in the required format present your work in the required format

back ups back ups

online resources for research (dictionaries, online resources for research (dictionaries,

glossaries, libraries useful websites, translator glossaries, libraries useful websites, translator

forums)forums)

technical assistancetechnical assistance

keep up to date with developmentskeep up to date with developments

Understanding the publishing Understanding the publishing processprocess

Accounts, taxes, insuranceAccounts, taxes, insurance

be aware of your tax status be aware of your tax status keep proper accounts keep proper accounts plan ahead: plan ahead:

sickness insurance sickness insurance pension pension

Professional developmentProfessional development

national translators’ association events national translators’ association events

workshops (language- or subject-based) workshops (language- or subject-based)

translation centre residenciestranslation centre residencies

RECITRECIT

RECIT (a network of 10 European literary RECIT (a network of 10 European literary translation centres) translation centres)

• residencies for translatorsresidencies for translators• events bringing together writers & translatorsevents bringing together writers & translators• WorkshopsWorkshops• summer schoolssummer schools

http://www.recit-trad.euhttp://www.recit-trad.eu

NetworkingNetworking

join your national association join your national association network with colleagues network with colleagues professional eventsprofessional events conferencesconferences mentoring mentoring other professional spheresother professional spheres

Working conditions for the Working conditions for the freelance literary translatorfreelance literary translator

Making a living as a freelance Making a living as a freelance literary translatorliterary translator

The advantages of being freelanceThe advantages of being freelance

doing something you lovedoing something you love

independence, being your own boss independence, being your own boss

no commutingno commuting

compatible with having a familycompatible with having a family

translation community supportive and translation community supportive and

generousgenerous

you never stop learning you never stop learning