Helga Köller

Helga Köller – Translator

EN→DE translator for fiction series. Thriller, Crime & Cosy Mystery. Reliable, series-experienced, author-focused.

Overview

Hello! I'm Helga — a professional English → German translator with a focus on thrillers, crime, cosy mystery, psychological suspense, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and biographies.

My goal is simple: your German book should read like it was written in German — natural, fluent, true to your voice, with the same pacing, tension, and emotional impact as the original.

Why indie authors work with me:

✅ Series experience — I've translated multiple series (3+ books each), so your characters, terminology, and tone stay consistent across every volume. Once we've worked together on Book 1, I know your world.

✅ Author-focused communication — I keep you in the loop, flag questions early, and deliver on time. No surprises.

✅ The German market knows quality — readers notice when a translation feels off. I make sure yours doesn't.

✅ Published work for traditional publishers (Festa, Eulenspiegel/Neues Leben) — the same standards, now available to independent authors.

📖 20+ books translated, including series by Rachel Amphlett, Danielle Collins, Alethea Kontis, and Alyssa Clarke.

While my portfolio includes some romance titles, I am no longer taking on romance or historical romance projects.

⚠️ I offer human translation. MTPE only after reviewing both manuscript and draft output — and only if quality meets professional standards.

💬 Not sure if we're a good fit? I'm happy to translate 1–2 sample pages so you can see the result before committing.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Cozy Mysteries Historical Fiction Historical Mysteries Horror Psychological Thriller Short Story
Languages
English to German
Certifications
  • Certified foreign language secretary

Work experience

Self-employed

Apr, 2011 — Present
I translate from English into German, specializing in fiction — thrillers, crime, cosy mystery, horror, and biographies — as well as health and nutrition topics.

Self-employed

Apr, 2011 — Present
I've been working freelance since 2011 and have translated over 20 books and short stories for traditional publishers and self-publishers. I am a member of VdÜ (Verband deutschsprachiger Übersetzer). I am a trained nutritionist and offer specialist translations on nutrition and health topics.

Portfolio

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Engel wider Willen (German Edition)

Kontis, Alethea

Alethea Kontis

Book Translation
Der Einhorn-Jäger (German Edition)

Kontis, Alethea

Alethea Kontis

Book Translation
Schweige für immer

Rachel Amphlett

dp DIGITAL PUBLISHERS GmbH

Geheimnisse können tödlich sein, aber die Wahrheit noch viel grausamer …Der dritte Band der fesselnden Thriller-Reihe um Detective Kay HunterDer brutale Mord an einer Teenagerin schockiert Det... read more
Book Translation
Book Translation
Book Translation
Lass sie nicht sterben

Rachel Amphlett

Ein Serienmörder, der das Töten genießt und eine Ermittlerin, die Rache will …Der Auftakt der nervenaufreibenden Thriller-Reihe über die Abgründe der MenschlichkeitAls die Leiche eines Mädchen... read more
Book Translation
Book Translation
Book Translation
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Book Translation

Most recent contributions

How do you estimate how long a project will take?

In book translation I ask for details about the book, such as the number of words, pages, or characters, and use my experience to estimate how long a translation will take. I translate about eight to ten pages a day, depending on the difficulty of the source text. This is a rough estimate. I can...
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In your opinion, do you need a certificate to work as a translator in publishing?

For a literary translator, practical experience and a deep understanding of literature and language are more important than a formal degree. While a degree in translation or linguistics can be useful, it is not essential to succeed as a literary translator. Rather, strong language skills, a good ...
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