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+--- Thread: Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... (/thread-3973.html)
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - YogaSpirit - 2009-09-10
I recently published my first novel, and a short story of mine will be published in October 09. Those two are in French, my mother tongue.
In both texts, you can read about Japan-related elements and flavor. The short story has 2 protagonists, one of which is a Japanese male kind of Dr House. The texts are also related to martial arts (sumo, aikido, ju jitsu) in some ways, love stories and "mystery".
I'm sure the novels would be of interest for many Japan fans. My publisher is French but I would dream about finding ways to translate my texts in other languages to find publishers in foreign countries, such as the USA, U.K, Japan, watever...
Would any of you have connections, skills and/or be interested in helping me get my text be presented to foreign publishers (meaning publishers outside of France)?
Also, I'd be interested in working on manga adaptation of those text. Should it raise a flame in your mind... You? A friend of yours?
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - woelpad - 2009-09-10
Why not simply readers? Don't you want some feedback first from your target group? Since French is not some obscure language (like, um, Dutch), there should be a good response. And we're not even asking to get paid ;D
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - MethodGT - 2009-09-10
What's the name of the novel?
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - YogaSpirit - 2009-09-11
The novel can be found here (the offer international delivery): http://www.publibook.com/boutique2006/detail-4241-PB.html
It may be easier to start with the short story, which will be available in October: http://www.amazon.fr/Mortel-Embonpoint-Simard-Cedric/dp/2916159800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252659849&sr=8-1
Should there be one very motivated person here - whose French skills are enough to read it - I may have one copy to offer.
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - MethodGT - 2009-09-11
There was a reviewer on the French Tutorial website that said the book was pretty good. Personally, I can't read French though. I translate Spanish for a living. Sorry I can't be of more service. I don't know anyone (besides my grandpa, and an old high-school friend I haven't seen for 10 years) who even speaks French.
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - trusmis - 2009-09-11
Imagine you got the stories translated to Japanese by some amateur.
Problem 1:
How to check quality.
Problem 2:
What to do next? You still depend on Japanese to manage to present the work to Japanese publishers. What in case of being amateur person can be a severe burden (may need to sign contract or make interview).
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - YogaSpirit - 2009-09-13
I agree with the 2 problems you see, and for those reasons, the ideal way would be - I guess - to have a native Japanese person working for a Japanese publisher or knowing him good enough to recommend the texts such as "I just read those texts and they're great. You should definitely contact the author and see if a translation is possible".
Another option would be to rely on a Japanese translation without being able to check for its quality, and hope it can be agood promotional tool to contact Japanese publishers.
A first step might be for the text to be translated into Enlgish first...
Any help/advice is welcomed.
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - Hashiriya - 2009-09-13
google translator (just kidding!)
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - YogaSpirit - 2009-09-17
No more bidding? No better idea? No French readers here?
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - Jarvik7 - 2009-09-17
There are only I think three Japanese natives on this board, none of whom (to my knowledge) are pro-translators (or know French). You never want someone to translate into a language they aren't a native of (even if they are good at the language), and you never want a translation by an amateur. That means that there is likely no one on this board that can help you.
Literature is normally translated by a pro-translator that takes it upon themselves to seek out the translation rights from the original author. There is usually no money in literature translation so they normally only do it because they really enjoyed the original.
Novelist looking for translators, mangaka... - YogaSpirit - 2009-09-17
Hi Jarvik7: I already know all this, unfortunately. My point is here not now to know if there is someone on this forum who's got a good command of French - be it ative or good enough to read litterature with pleasure.
I'd be happy to offer him a copy of my novel. That way he could eventually share his thoughts with me, as a fan of Japanese culture. Also I'd be even happier if he/she's willing to share his feedbacks publicly on his blog, on amazon.fr reviews or wherever? I just feel like giving a fan of Japan the chance to discover an author sharing the same passion...