How to send sample work to publishers Thread poster: Clothilde
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Clothilde 
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:43
Member (2007)
French to English
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Hi all,
I know it is a minefield and very difficult to drum up work this way...but I still wish to approach publishers to offer my services as a translator.
I need to send samples of my work in order to do this - my question is, in what format should I do this?
I already have various samples of diverse texts (a page long each), both in the source and target language.
What else (i.e.: a whole chapter,...) can I send in order to be considered?<... See more Hi all,
I know it is a minefield and very difficult to drum up work this way...but I still wish to approach publishers to offer my services as a translator.
I need to send samples of my work in order to do this - my question is, in what format should I do this?
I already have various samples of diverse texts (a page long each), both in the source and target language.
What else (i.e.: a whole chapter,...) can I send in order to be considered?
Also - and this, I imagine, is very important - do I send the documents via email or in hard copy?
Many thanks for any light you can shed on the matter.... ▲ Collapse
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There might be slightly different rules in different countries. You have to submit hard copies of book manuscripts (the first 50 pages, only)--I am not sure about translation samples. It might be Ok to e-mail them as attachments, altough I have never done it. The manuscript has to be double spaced and have at least one inch margins on each side. This is for submitting manuscripts, though. but I think you can follow the same rules to submit translation samples. Good luck.
[Edited at 201... See more There might be slightly different rules in different countries. You have to submit hard copies of book manuscripts (the first 50 pages, only)--I am not sure about translation samples. It might be Ok to e-mail them as attachments, altough I have never done it. The manuscript has to be double spaced and have at least one inch margins on each side. This is for submitting manuscripts, though. but I think you can follow the same rules to submit translation samples. Good luck.
[Edited at 2014-01-17 13:21 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Clothilde
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:43
Member (2007)
French to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks for you input
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urbom
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:43
German to English
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Usch Pilz
Local time: 22:43
English to German
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Hello Clothilde,
There are standards and rules - but in my experience most publishers have their own requirements.
Start by checking out the publishers' websites. You can often find the name of the person / editor in charge of translations into your target language that way. Quite frequently the sites contain the information you are looking for, concerning the specifications of the text samples they expect from you.
If you don't find any of that info online, try m... See more Hello Clothilde,
There are standards and rules - but in my experience most publishers have their own requirements.
Start by checking out the publishers' websites. You can often find the name of the person / editor in charge of translations into your target language that way. Quite frequently the sites contain the information you are looking for, concerning the specifications of the text samples they expect from you.
If you don't find any of that info online, try making a phone call and inquire.
You would usually send a cover letter, a concise CV and your text samples directly to a specific person. Whether by e-mail or hard copy - see above.
Good luck! ▲ Collapse
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| Hi Clothilde | Jan 17, 2014 |
There are no hard-and-fast rules - just a few hundred words should be enough to show them how good you are. One possibility is to put some samples on your website, and send them a link. That way, they can find out more about you and hopefully get sucked in to the site.
But congratulations on the idea of sending out samples. When I used to run my own translation agency, most people just sent me CVs, which weren't a lot of help on their own.
[Edited at 2014-01-17 19:00 GMT]
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Clothilde
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:43
Member (2007)
French to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Many thanks for these most valuable tips!
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Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 22:43
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
When I approach agencies or publishing houses, I normally send a cover letter to the person in charge, addressing her or him by name. Attached are 2 one-page translation samples, both source and target text, and the note that the author has granted me permission to translate the work. Additionally, I attach my business card and then send it as regular mail through the post office.
Approximately 85% of the contacted potential clients have replied by sending a letter instead of an em... See more When I approach agencies or publishing houses, I normally send a cover letter to the person in charge, addressing her or him by name. Attached are 2 one-page translation samples, both source and target text, and the note that the author has granted me permission to translate the work. Additionally, I attach my business card and then send it as regular mail through the post office.
Approximately 85% of the contacted potential clients have replied by sending a letter instead of an email. In fact, one publisher mentioned that he's found it quite refreshing to receive an (old-fashion) letter instead of an email. I assume they a drowning in like emails. ▲ Collapse
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