How much to charge for translating a children's book? Thread poster: Carolina Sanchez
|
|---|
Hi,
I have been asked to translate several children's books, however I'm not sure how to charge. Children's books are very short, so one of them is under 300 words. I charge $0.10 per word so that would only be $30, but that seems like I'm working for free. What do others charge for children's books translations? The author is self-publishing.
Also, I have been asked to do an audio book recording of that same book, and if I charge per minute, I'll also be getting very little ... See more Hi,
I have been asked to translate several children's books, however I'm not sure how to charge. Children's books are very short, so one of them is under 300 words. I charge $0.10 per word so that would only be $30, but that seems like I'm working for free. What do others charge for children's books translations? The author is self-publishing.
Also, I have been asked to do an audio book recording of that same book, and if I charge per minute, I'll also be getting very little for the recording since I will be able to record the whole thing in about 5 minutes probably. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Also, since the author is self-publishing, would it be still fair game to ask for an advance/royalties? Thanks!
[Edited at 2014-12-31 21:27 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | It partly depends | Dec 31, 2014 |
on whether you're competing with other translators and what kind of a relationship you have with the client. If other people are pitching for the job, there's bound to be someone else that quotes $30 for 300 words, which is not nearly enough in my opinion. I'd charge a couple of hundred dollars for a 300-word book, and I'd forget the idea of royalties unless the client is J.K. Rowling.
As for the audiobook, you're presumably going to have to travel to a recording studio, so again yo... See more on whether you're competing with other translators and what kind of a relationship you have with the client. If other people are pitching for the job, there's bound to be someone else that quotes $30 for 300 words, which is not nearly enough in my opinion. I'd charge a couple of hundred dollars for a 300-word book, and I'd forget the idea of royalties unless the client is J.K. Rowling.
As for the audiobook, you're presumably going to have to travel to a recording studio, so again you shouldn't sell yourself short. Good voices can be worth a lot of money. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Olga Koepping 
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:11
German to English
+ ...
| The only time that I have settled for a bad rate | Jan 1, 2015 |
I translated a children's book for a school friend (so really an acquaintance), and took no money at all. It did take me about half an hour, waiting for dinner to cook, my other friend looked over it... I got a copy, and it didn't sell many copies the last time I looked.
Basically, self-published in children's books means no money. Perhaps now I would just refuse the job, or do exactly as you are and request your (low!!) standard rate. If you knew this person had a big publisher, th... See more I translated a children's book for a school friend (so really an acquaintance), and took no money at all. It did take me about half an hour, waiting for dinner to cook, my other friend looked over it... I got a copy, and it didn't sell many copies the last time I looked.
Basically, self-published in children's books means no money. Perhaps now I would just refuse the job, or do exactly as you are and request your (low!!) standard rate. If you knew this person had a big publisher, then it would be a VERY different story. Sophie the Giraffe is a good example, originally published in France, but I know no one in England who doesn't have a copy of the translated version, as well as the soft toy. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | One never knows... | Jan 1, 2015 |
Well I guess for a self-publishing author I would charge about 0,15 € per word or my minimum wage for translation. But who knows maybe the author is good in marketing or has got friends who are or does a lot of networking and gets discovered by a publisher? For books I always fix royalties.
As for the audiobook I agree with philgoddard.
[Modifié le 2015-01-01 09:07 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
| Probably $0.15/word, or royalties | Jan 1, 2015 |
Be careful with children's books, though, especially in the US--they have to be written in a certain type of language--different for children up to 8 years old, and then older children--you cannot just translate the book in most of the cases, but also modify the language (vocabulary and grammar)
Happy New Year, everyone.
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » How much to charge for translating a children's book? | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
