Our goal is to support emerging and experienced translators.
Write for World Kid Lit:
Do you have a new translation coming out? We review books regularly. We also like to share more info about the creative (and business) processes of getting a translation to market. Please email the blog co-editors (worldkidlitblog@gmail.com) if you’d like to write or be interviewed about your upcoming publication.
Selection of Resources:
Some resources to help translators navigate the world of children’s and YA publishing:
- Step-by-step guide to becoming a literary translator by Outside In World, together with Daniel Hahn and the BCLT (the British Centre for Literary Translation (download as a PDF)
- Getting started in children’s book translation by Julie Sullivan, Words & Pics, the online magazine of SCBWI British Isles
- Translation in SCBWI: The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators has translator interviews and other resources
- We frequently post interviews with publishers. Search by publisher
There are a growing number of resources to help translators prepare an effective book proposal for a publisher.
- ITD 2020 feature at Translators Aloud: Getting into print: translator Ros Schwartz on how to pitch to publishers
- ALTA43 event: Chad Post and Katie Whittemore ‘How to Pitch Publishers‘ (video and transcript available on Crowdcast)
- LBF 2018: Bridging Language Divides: The Role of Translators in Supporting Diverse Acquisitions (panel discussion with translators Sawad Hussain, Antonia Lloyd-Jones and Nicky Harman)
- How to Pitch a Translation: translator Nanette McGuinness shares her tips at SCBWI blog
Some links on contracts and compensation:
- 3 Cs for Translators: Copyright, Compensation, Credit by Avery Fischer Udagawa
- Authors Guild Literary Translation Model Contract
- PEN America A Model Contract for Literary Translations
Journals and recordings:
The following literary journals welcome submissions of texts for young people in translation:
- Lunch Ticket Literary Journal from Antioch University, USA.
- Voyage YA Literary Journal A journal dedicated to inclusive Young Adult writing.
- Words Without Borders The Home for International Literature
The following organizations encourage translators to share recordings of translations:
Funding and competitions:
The following sites include information on funding opportunities.
- PEN Translates: English PEN funding For UK-based publishers.
- PEN Presents: English PEN funding for UK-based publishers.
- Literature Across Frontiers lists funding institutions, bursaries and grants
We have put together a list of competitions for published and unpublished translators.
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