Translation services
Translation that keeps the book yours.
Foreign-language translation, literary localization, editing and proofreading — managed by editors who read both versions before anything is delivered.
Overview
A translated book is a new edition, not a converted file.
We begin by reading the source text and writing a translation brief: register, tense conventions, treatment of names, dialect, humour, cultural reference and anything the author considers non-negotiable. That brief is approved by you before a translator begins.
Translators are matched by genre and target market, and every manuscript is reviewed by a translation editor against the source text. Where a decision changes meaning or tone, it is flagged for the author rather than silently resolved.
Machine translation is never used as the basis of a literary edition. It is used, transparently, only for internal reference such as terminology checks.
What is included
Scope, in detail.
Everything listed here appears as a line item in your written scope, with the responsible lead named.
01
Foreign-language book translation
Full-length fiction and non-fiction translation by literary translators working into their native language.
02
Literary localization
Adaptation of idiom, measurement, cultural reference and humour so the text reads as though written in the market.
03
Translation editing
Line-by-line review against the source by a second editor, with a query log returned to the author.
04
Copy editing
Grammar, consistency and register in the target language, governed by a per-title style sheet.
05
Proofreading
Final pass on typeset pages or EPUB, checking hyphenation, spacing and residual errors.
06
Terminology management
Glossaries for series and non-fiction, kept consistent across volumes and languages.
Method
How the work runs.
Each stage ends with something you can read, hear or check before the next stage starts.
Stage one
Sample and brief
We commission a paid sample from shortlisted translators and agree the translation brief with you.
Stage two
First draft
Translation delivered in agreed instalments so you see progress early rather than at the end.
Stage three
Editorial review
A translation editor compares draft and source, returning a query log for author decisions.
Stage four
Copy edit and proofread
Language polish, then a final proofread on the typeset or EPUB proof.
Stage five
Delivery and sign-off
Clean files, style sheet, glossary and query log handed over with your written approval.
Deliverables
What you receive.
Files, documents and reports are yours. We keep no rights over deliverables beyond what a signed agreement states.
Translated manuscript
Clean and tracked-change versions in DOCX, plus a print- or EPUB-ready file if commissioned.
Query log
Every judgement call recorded with the resolution you approved.
Style sheet
The conventions used, reusable for sequels and other formats.
Glossary
Terminology list for series consistency and future editions.
Reference
Working language pairs.
Additional pairs are available through our network; availability and lead time are confirmed before quotation.
| Language pair | Typical use | Editorial review | Indicative lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English → French | Fiction, memoir, business | In-house | 10–16 weeks |
| English → Italian | Fiction, history | In-house | 10–16 weeks |
| English → Spanish | Fiction, self-development | Network + in-house | 10–18 weeks |
| English → German | Non-fiction, thriller | Network + in-house | 12–18 weeks |
| Japanese ⇄ English | Literary fiction, essays | In-house | 14–20 weeks |
| English → Portuguese (BR) | Fiction, YA | Network + in-house | 12–18 weeks |
Scale
Context for planning.
Indicative figures to help you plan. Project-specific numbers are always confirmed in your quotation.
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Working language pairs
0
Editors reading every manuscript
0
Review stages before delivery
0
Machine-translated literary editions
Questions
Frequently asked.
How do you choose a translator?
Shortlists are built by genre and market, then tested with a paid sample of the same passage. The author sees the samples anonymised before we appoint.
Do I keep the translation copyright?
Translation copyright is assigned to you as part of our agreement, with the translator credited as required by the market's conventions.
Can you translate a book already published abroad?
Yes, provided the relevant rights are free. We check the rights position before quoting.
What if I disagree with an editorial decision?
The query log exists for exactly that. Your decision governs, and we record the reasoning for future volumes.
Next step
Send us a sample chapter
Ten pages are usually enough for us to assess register, difficulty and the right translator shortlist.