Literary translation services in more than 25 languages
Translating the writings and works of authors from the original language into another, with specialised literary translators who preserve tone, meaning and the author's voice.
Literary translation services render novels, short stories, poetry, drama and narrative non-fiction into another language while preserving the author's voice, rhythm and cultural nuance. It is creative work, not word-for-word substitution. Orion Translations provides literary translation in more than 25 languages for publishers and authors, from Barcelona since 2009.
What are literary translations?
Literary translation is one of the most common types of translation, consisting of translating the writings and works of writers from the original language into a different language.
To translate literary works from one language into another, it is necessary to use specialised literary translators, otherwise the risk of losing quality in terms of tone and meaning is particularly high. Publishing houses use specialised translation agencies for this type of translation to avoid potential problems.
Our literary translations
Our translation agency specialises in the translation of literary works, and our team of specialised translators is qualified to translate any type of literary work. The translators working with us are skilled at capturing the meaning and sense of the work to rephrase it with the words and expressions of the target language, adapting it to suit the target reader.
They are highly trained and have extensive knowledge of literature to adapt the translation from the original language into the target language perfectly, whether it is a novel, a short story collection, poetry, drama or narrative non-fiction.
What a literary translator actually protects
Every work of literature carries things that do not translate mechanically: rhythm and sentence music, register shifts between characters, irony, wordplay, and cultural references the original audience recognises instantly. A literary translator's job is to carry those effects across, choosing an equivalent that produces the same response in the new reader, even when the literal words must change. That is why our literary translators are always native speakers of the target language with a literary background of their own.
For publishers, we work to editorial deadlines and house style guides, coordinate with your editors during revision rounds, and can maintain a single translator across a series so an author's voice stays consistent from book to book. For independent authors, we advise on which markets and languages offer the best return for your genre before you commit to a full translation.
How a literary translation project runs
We begin with a reading pass and a short sample translation of a representative chapter, so you can judge the voice before committing to the full work. Once approved, the translator works through the manuscript keeping a running glossary of names, places, invented terms and stylistic decisions. A second literary editor then reviews the full translation against the original for fidelity, and reads it independently as a book in its own right, because the final test of a literary translation is that it does not read like one.
Rights holders and publishers receive delivery in the format their production workflow needs, from clean manuscript files to InDesign-ready text, and we remain available through the editorial rounds that follow. Confidentiality for unpublished manuscripts is standard, with NDAs signed on request.
Who needs literary translation
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Literary translation involves rendering creative works, such as novels, poetry, short stories, and plays, from one language into another. Unlike technical translations, literary translation requires capturing the original tone, style, and cultural nuances to maintain the author's voice and intent.
- Literary translation allows works to reach a global audience, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. It preserves the artistic and emotional essence of the original text, enabling readers from different linguistic backgrounds to experience the work as intended by the author.
- Our team comprises experienced literary translators who are native speakers of the target language. They possess a deep understanding of both the source and target cultures, ensuring that the translation is not only linguistically accurate but also culturally resonant. We also implement a rigorous quality assurance process, including proofreading and editing, to maintain the highest standards.
- Yes, we offer comprehensive editing and proofreading services to ensure that the translated work is polished, coherent, and ready for publication. Our editors focus on enhancing clarity, flow, and stylistic consistency.
- Getting started is easy. Simply reach out to us through our website, email, or phone. Provide us with the details of your literary work, and our team will guide you through the process, ensuring a seamless and collaborative experience.
- Book translation is usually priced per word of the original manuscript, and the rate depends on the language pair, the genre and the stylistic demands of the text. A sample translation of a representative chapter is a good way to confirm both voice and budget before committing to the full work. Orion Translations provides a fixed quote for the complete manuscript within one business day.
- A full-length novel of 80,000 to 100,000 words typically takes two to four months, including the independent editorial review that follows the translation itself. Literary translation cannot be meaningfully rushed without damaging the voice, but publishing deadlines are confirmed as firm dates at the quote stage and interim chapter deliveries can be arranged for editorial workflows.