Meet your literary translator
If your book has already taken off domestically, your next step is to conquer the world. A professional literary translator can help you enter different markets — and meet more readers.
On Reedsy, meet experts who translate bestselling and award-winning books. Our translators are equally adept at capturing your style and understanding your target audience so that you’re in the best position to reach new readers in your target language.
Julia F.
Available to hire
I'm a professional English to German translator with 20 years of experience, focusing on cosy mysteries and family novels.
Sara P.
Available to hire
Professional translator and proofreader from English and Spanish into Italian, specialized in children's books.
Martina M.
Available to hire
As an ambitious and driven individual, I strive for success. The challenge motivates me, and I set goals for myself constantly. EN/IT- DE
Agustin G.
Available to hire
Bilingual Translator (English-Spanish and Spanish-English), author, editor. I've translated 48 fiction, nonfiction, and children's books.
Juan Carlos M.
Available to hire
I am a spanish philologist, with a wide experience as translator, editor, typesetter... especially, but not only, in Christian publishing.
What does a literary translator do?
A literary translator is a translator who specializes in book translation, i.e., the translation of literary fiction and nonfiction. Translators may also be available to help the author market the foreign-language edition, mostly by translating any marketing materials such as the book description, author bio, editorial reviews, and advertising blurbs.
Literary translators are commissioned either by traditional publishers who have acquired the foreign rights of a manuscript — and therefore need it translated to publish it in their country — or by independent authors looking to have their book translated to reach new markets.
When working with publishers, translators will most often deliver an unedited translation, which will then be edited and proofread by the publisher’s team. When working directly with independent authors, translators will generally strive to deliver a “ready-to-publish” translation. To achieve that, they’ll often partner with a colleague on a given project: one will complete the translation, and the other will edit and proof it.
The Reedsy Marketplace is home to dozens of translators who’ve helped books reach new audiences.
What makes Reedsy’s translators special?
Like all of the publishing professionals on our marketplace, Reedsy translators have undergone rigorous vetting. We accept only the top 3% of translators in the industry to maximize your chances of matching with the right professional. Because we value past experience, credentials, and proven quality above all, you’ll find that all of our translators have worked for the biggest publishing companies in their respective countries — and often on bestselling titles.
Assemble your team
Request quotes from up to 5 professionals in your genre with a free Reedsy account.
We’ve also taken the extra step to ensure that all translators you’ll find on our marketplace are ready to work directly with independent authors. Almost all of our translators will take charge of not only the translation of your book but also the editing and proofreading of that translation. You can be confident about having a high-quality “ready-to-publish” book in your hands at the end of your collaboration.
So whether you’re a publisher looking for a world-class translator for the foreign book you just acquired, or an independent author looking to establish your presence in new markets, Reedsy is the perfect place for you to begin your search.
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a literary translator?
When should I hire a literary translator?
What else can a translator do for me?
Can I hire a translator to work on AI-generated translations?
