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 literary book translators who translate best-selling 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.
Scheherezade S.
Available to hire
Seasoned professional in EN-SP translation. Translated John Green, Dan Brown, Chimamanda Ngozi. Working with YA, fantasy, romance and more.
Isabella C.
Available to hire
Experienced Italian and English literary translator with 20+ publications. Specialized in YA, Fantasy, Self-help.
Agustin G.
Available to hire
Bilingual translator (EN–ES & ES–EN), author, editor. 48 books translated—fiction, nonfiction, children’s. Clear, fluent, voice-aware.
Sara P.
Available to hire
Professional translator and proofreader from English and Spanish into Italian, specialized in children's books.
Terry L.
Available to hire
I'm an experienced freelance literary translator who's translated 21 books in a variety of genres; some of my translations were bestsellers.
What does a book translator do?
A literary translator is a translator who specializes in book translation, or the translation of literary fiction and non-fiction. They will convert the source text into the target language, while retaining the original style. Often a proofread of the translation is also included in the service.
Literary 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.
Book 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.
As mentioned earlier, 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 for your book.
Because we value past experience, credentials, and proven quality above all, you’ll also find that all of our book 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 literary 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
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