Αντιγράφω εδώ το κείμενο που μοίρασε η Ros Schwartz στο συνέδριο της Θεσσαλονίκης σχετικά με τον τρόπο που προτείνει να προσεγγίσετε τους εκδότες όταν θέλετε να σας εκδώσουν τη μετάφραση ενός βιβλίου που σας άρεσε. Το έγγραφο περιγράφει σχεδόν ιδανικές συνθήκες και σε σχέση με τον εκδότη και σε σχέση με τον μεταφραστή. Έχω, π.χ., υπόψη μου την περίπτωση φίλης που προσέγγισε με αυτό τον τρόπο έναν Έλληνα εκδότη (επειδή της άρεσε το βιβλίο και ήθελε να το μεταφράσει), ο εκδότης πήρε τα δικαιώματα και, στη συνέχεια, έδωσε το βιβλίο για μετάφραση στους δικούς του μεταφραστές (και, ενδεχομένως, άριστα έπραξε αν έκρινε ότι η φίλη μου δεν θα έκανε ικανοποιητικά τη μετάφραση).
Guidelines for presenting to publishers:1. First, check that the translation rights for the book are available by contacting the foreign rights manager of the publishing house. If the rights are free, ask for permission to seek a publisher for your proposed translation. Some countries work through agents, in which case you will need to liaise with them, but most foreign publishers are delighted that a translator wants to do their job for them!
2. Identify potential publishers using publishing directories and book fair catalogues. Better still, try and visit international book fairs it's the best way to get a feeling for the market.
3. Write to a named editor at the publishing house. Send your submission by post, not email.
4. Professional presentation is essential. Put together a ‘pack’ that includes:
- a letter describing the book and, most importantly, explaining why you are so enthusiastic about it and why you think it is appropriate for that particular publisher (refer to other titles in their list, for example);
- a synopsis and sample translation (a chapter, around 2-3,000 words, enough to give a flavour of the book);
- facts and figures: length, number of words/pages, sales figures/bestseller placings in the country of publication and in translation in other countries (which you can obtain from the original publisher);
- translated excerpts from press cuttings;
- information about the author (previous books, sales history, prizes, films based on their novels etc.);
- your own resume.
5. Factors affecting the publisher's decision:
- Length
- Cost of translation
- Skill of translator
- Is the author alive, ‘promotable’, available for launch?
- Is the book part of a series?
- Is the country of origin fashionable?
- Can the editor read the language or will s/he need to rely on an outside reader?
- Are there subsidies available for the translation?
It is advisable to approach several publishers at once. If you don't receive a response within a month, follow up with a telephone call.
There are sometimes subsidies for translations, which many publishers are unaware of, so make sure you are well informed it could influence their decision if funding is available.
Contact the Cultural Attaché of the embassy concerned for details of any grants they may offer, or the EU cultural contact point for details of EU subsidies.
Ros Schwartz
31/10/2006
Useful addresses:The Translator's Companion for details of courses, subsidies and a wealth of other useful information:
http://www.translatorscompanion.org/RECIT (Réseau Européen de Centres Internationaux de Traduction - European network of international translation centres)
http://www.recit-trad.eu/For EU subsidies contact the European Commission cultural contact point:
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/culture2000/contacts/national_pts_en.htmlCultural Contact Point Greece
Directorate of European Affairs
Demetris Antonopoulos
Ministry of Culture
17 rue Ermou
GR-10563 Athens
Greece
Tel. ((30) 210 32 30 293 / 82 01 501
Fax (30) 210 33 10 796
E-mail: Demetris.Antonopoulos@dee.culture.gr
http://www.ccp.culture.gr