Looking for book translation services?

Work with esteemed literary translators on Reedsy

If your book has taken off domestically, your next step is to conquer the world. A professional translator gives your book the voice it deserves in every language, delivering a translation that's ready for every market you want to enter.

On Reedsy, you can hire book translators who have translated the likes of George R. R. Martin and Michael Morpurgo. All of our literary translators have experience at major publishing companies in their home countries and have published at least five critically acclaimed book translations. 

We only accept the top 3% of translators who apply to be on our marketplace, so you can trust that every translator is skilled at capturing your style and reaching your target audience. Unlike in traditional publishing, our translators deliver a “ready-to-publish” translation, often partnering with a colleague, who edits and proofreads their work.

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Available

Melody S.

German-English translator of children's, YA and literary fiction. Winner of the John Dryden Translation Competition 2017

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Available

Laura M.

English to Italian translator of romance and Y/A books. More than 40 books translated for traditional publishers.

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Available

Pamela M.

English to German translations for over 300 finished books, including Romance, Thriller, Horror Novels. Unusual topics are no issue at all.

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Your voice in every language

While your translator may offer recommendations based on their knowledge of the target market and publishing industry, you’ll have genuine input into how your book reads in translation (unlike in traditional publishing!).

Do you want readers to actively learn about the original language and culture, or would you rather keep them immersed in the plot by making the translation read like an original work? Let your translator know and they can adapt their approach accordingly. And if you’re unsure which would work better for your audience, they’ll be happy to walk you through the pros and cons of each strategy.

Find the perfect translator for you

Follow these tips to choose the best book translation services for your book:

1. Narrow your search by genre. Because factors like vocabulary and tone vary so much between genres, a translator who specializes in literary fiction may not be the best fit for a thriller — or for a children’s book, a romance, or a self-help title. 

2. Look up other books the translator has worked on. What did critics say about the translation style? Do the books match yours in terms of genre or tone?

3. Request a sample translation. On Reedsy, you can ask shortlisted professionals to translate a short sample from your book (250 to 300 words). If you can’t read the target language, get a friend or a fan fluent in the language to offer feedback on the style.

4. Ask potential translators about their terms and workflow. How often will they keep you updated on their progress? How much input will you be able to give? Who will retain copyright of the translation? Make sure you’re happy with the answers before starting a collaboration.

5. Agree on the scope of the project. Does the quote include proofreading, and does it include the translation of the blurb or other marketing materials.

Assemble your team

Request quotes from up to 5 professionals in your genre with a free Reedsy account.

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Need help? Get 24/7 support from our dedicated team

In the rare case that something goes wrong — or if you simply need help getting started — our customer support team is always on hand. With 12 years in the industry, 600+ successful translation projects, and 4.7⭐ on TrustPilot, Reedsy is the go-to place for hundreds of authors looking to hire a book translator. 

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