Short Story Translation
Overview
How are short stories published in America and the United Kingdom?
Most short stories in America and the UK are first published in literary magazines. Unlike in Japan, many English-language (ENG) literary magazines primarily publish their short stories online, or publish simultaneously online and in print. Online publication is usually considered equally prestigious to print publication—online publication can even convey unique publicity advantages when it comes to sharing on social media.
If an author gains enough popularity through literary magazine publications, often their next step is to sign a contract with a publishing house to publish a long-form novel or full short story collection. These short story collections most often contain a mixture of stories previously published in literary magazines and brand-new stories.
What are the benefits of publishing short stories in ENG literary magazines?
Japanese authors aiming to have their long-form novels or short story collections translated into English would benefit hugely from publication in ENG literary magazines. Online and print magazine publications attract a new readership, increasing demand for the author’s works in translation. In addition, publishing houses are often more receptive to authors who have been successfully published in English translation.
My Goals and Services
I hope to assist both untranslated and established authors in finding their ENG audience. As such, I offer the following services:
Short Story Translation
Submissions Agent
1. Short Story Translation
I am open to short story translation commissions. Only the rights-holder of a short story (usually the author, the publisher, or the author’s estate) can commission a short story translation.
Please note that a translator always retains the copyright to their translation—you will need to specify what you hope to use this translation for, and purchase the right to use my translation for that specified purpose and that specified purpose alone. For example, if you would like to include my translation on your company’s website, you will be purchasing First Serial Rights (一次連載権). If you decide later on that you would like to publish my translation in a short story collection, you will need to purchase additional usage rights at that time.
Reach out through my Contact page if you would like to request a rate quote. Please include:
the exact character count of the entire short story
a .PDF or .DOC of the entire short story
2. Submissions Agent
If you have commissioned me for a short story translation, you can also commission me to act as a submissions agent for that story.
Once I have completed the short story translation, I will research ENG literary magazines and assemble a submission list of at least 10 magazines that I think are a good fit for the story. Once you have confirmed my submission plan, I will send out and monitor the submissions while providing you with regular updates. If the story is accepted anywhere, I will handle communications with the magazine and negotiate contract details. If you agree to the contract, I will sign and the short story will be published.
Please note that I cannot guarantee your short story will be accepted and published. Please also be aware that ENG literary magazines have notoriously long waiting windows—it usually takes 6 to 10 months to hear back from every magazine.
Reach out through my Contact page if you would like to request a rate quote. Please specify that you are seeking to commission me for a Short Story Translation and Submissions Agent package. Please also include the requirements for a Short Story Translation:
the exact character count of the entire short story
a .PDF or .DOC of the entire short story
****Please remember that some short stories are far more difficult to translate than others. This can be caused by complex subject matter that necessitates extensive research (such as a historical story set in Edo-era Japan), stylistic writing (such as metaphoric or lyrical prose), or simply because that story does not fit a translator’s personal strengths. My rate quotes will take all this into account—as such, I cannot provide a general cost-per-character translation rate.
