Checklist
Pre-submission manuscript checklist
Fifteen checks to complete before a manuscript goes to any translator or publisher.
In preparation — request a copy
Resources
Reference material we use internally, shared openly.
These are working documents rather than lead magnets. Items marked as in preparation are being written or reviewed and will be published when they are genuinely useful.
Library
Guides, templates and glossaries.
Request any item by email and we will send the current version — no form gate, no newsletter requirement.
Glossary
Rights contract glossary
Territory, exclusivity, sub-rights, reversion, option clauses — defined in plain language.
In preparation — request a copy
Template
Translation brief template
The document we build for every project: register, names, dialect, humour and constraints.
In preparation — request a copy
Specification
Audiobook technical checklist
Loudness, noise floor, room tone and file naming requirements for major retailers.
In preparation — request a copy
Market notes
Territory briefing notes
Short profiles of the markets we work in most, with typical advance and format expectations.
In preparation — request a copy
Guide
Reading a royalty statement
How to reconcile a statement against channel reports and spot what is missing.
In preparation — request a copy
Start here
Three questions before you translate anything.
01
Which rights are actually free?
Check your existing contracts for territory, language and audio grants before planning anything new.
02
Which market fits this book?
Comparable titles, not enthusiasm, decide where a translation is worth funding first.
03
Who will publish or distribute it?
A translation without a route to readers is an expense. Decide the channel before the file.
Glossary extract
Terms worth knowing before you sign.
- Territory
- The geographic area a licence covers. Not the same as language.
- Exclusivity
- Whether anyone else may publish the same edition in that territory.
- Sub-rights
- Secondary rights such as audio, serial, film or book club editions.
- Reversion
- The date or condition on which rights return to you.
- Advance
- A payment against future royalties, not in addition to them.
- Net receipts
- What is actually received after channel deductions — always define it.
External bodies
Independent organisations worth consulting
We encourage authors to take advice that is not ours. National translators' associations, authors' societies and copyright offices publish free guidance on contracts and rights. Ask us for the relevant body in your country and we will point you to it.
Related pages
Where to read more on the site
Questions
About these resources.
Do I have to subscribe to download them?
No. Email us and we will send the current version. If you also want the newsletter, you can opt in separately.
Can I share them with my agent or publisher?
Yes. They are reference documents, not proprietary material.
Are the templates legal advice?
No. They explain common terms so you can have a better conversation with a qualified lawyer in your jurisdiction.
How often are they updated?
When market practice or retailer specifications change. Each document carries a revision date.
Next step
Request a document
Tell us which resource you need and we will send the current revision.