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Translation - art & business » Business issues »
A publishing company is requesting a quote for my translation rights of a book I translated long ago
Thread poster: David Meléndez Tormen

David Meléndez Tormen  Identity Verified
Chile
Member (2002)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Oct 23

I need some help for colleagues who have more editorial experience. Long ago (2008) I translated from English a book on trading for a Spanish client who wanted to publish it. It was ca. 200 pages long and it´s the only book I have ever translated, since after that I´ve specialised in pieces of opinion for newspapers.

It looks that it's is sold out by now, and that the original Spanish publisher is not in business anymore. I´ve been receiving occasional mails from people interest... See more
I need some help for colleagues who have more editorial experience. Long ago (2008) I translated from English a book on trading for a Spanish client who wanted to publish it. It was ca. 200 pages long and it´s the only book I have ever translated, since after that I´ve specialised in pieces of opinion for newspapers.

It looks that it's is sold out by now, and that the original Spanish publisher is not in business anymore. I´ve been receiving occasional mails from people interested in the book, asking if I could send them a copy in PDF (I don´t have it).

Today I received a message from an editing company, also from Spain, saying that they are interested in re-publishing it and asking me to 'talk about my translation' (I assume to start negotiations).

I´m based in Chile, but in the past years lived in Spain and have an EU VAT number. I returned to my home country last year.

Would any colleague kindly give me some pointers on what to reply without looking too much how in the dark I am? ▲ Collapse
 

Vadim Kadyrov  Identity Verified
Ukraine
Local time: 23:26
Member (2011)
English to Russian
+ ...
I don`t know anything about legislation in Chile or Spain, Oct 23

but I believe that a flat amount would be the greatest option here.

They just send you, say, 1,000 USD for a total and irrevocable transfer of any rights on your translation to them. You can sign a formal contract with them, and then pay your corresponding taxes in Chile (as an entrepreneur), and there is no need for you to use any EU VAT number, or travel to Spain, etc.

That is what I would do here, in Ukraine, given that I 'know the law' here.

[Edited at 2019... See more
but I believe that a flat amount would be the greatest option here.

They just send you, say, 1,000 USD for a total and irrevocable transfer of any rights on your translation to them. You can sign a formal contract with them, and then pay your corresponding taxes in Chile (as an entrepreneur), and there is no need for you to use any EU VAT number, or travel to Spain, etc.

That is what I would do here, in Ukraine, given that I 'know the law' here.

[Edited at 2019-10-23 07:05 GMT] ▲ Collapse
 

philgoddard
United States
Member (2009)
German to English
+ ...
You're very lucky... Oct 24

I've translated a couple of dozen books, some of them big sellers but mostly long out of print, and this has never happened to me.

I can't advise you what to charge (perhaps 50% of what you originally charged?), but this is money for nothing.
 

Nikki Scott-Despaigne  Identity Verified
Local time: 22:26
French to English
Carry out certain checks first Oct 25

It might be important to make sure that you are able to sell what someone is wanting to buy.
Do you actually own the translation rights? Can you prove it?
If that is the case, then think very carefully before doing so and perhaps take legal advice.
If someone wants to buy them, they probably have an idea about what they want to do. Ask them to put in an offer and then take legal advice about it. If these people are prepared to offer X dollars, someone else might be willing to o... See more
It might be important to make sure that you are able to sell what someone is wanting to buy.
Do you actually own the translation rights? Can you prove it?
If that is the case, then think very carefully before doing so and perhaps take legal advice.
If someone wants to buy them, they probably have an idea about what they want to do. Ask them to put in an offer and then take legal advice about it. If these people are prepared to offer X dollars, someone else might be willing to offer twice that or more. ▲ Collapse


Yolanda Broad
Susana C. Díaz
 

DZiW
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
Counting Oct 25

Indeed, do (1) find out the specifics, (2) consult a dedicated lawyer--and (3) just count:

Flat amount now
-OR-
Royalty × Number of copies × Time

Take care

Yolanda Broad
 

Rosa Plana Castillón
Spain
Local time: 22:26
English to Spanish
+ ...
ACE Traductores Oct 26

Perhaps you could get in touch with ACE Traductores (https://ace-traductores.org/), the Spanish literary translators association. I'm sure they'll be able to give you some good advice!
 


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A publishing company is requesting a quote for my translation rights of a book I translated long ago

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