~ Heritage Spanish speakers strongly encouraged to apply ~
Do you speak Spanish? Did you grow up in, or are you based in, Australia? Would you like to co-translate a novel from Spanish into English?
You might be a professional translator interested in literary translation. You might be a creative writer in English. Maybe you are a multilingual writer. You don’t have to already be a translator, but if you are not, then you do need to have some sort of language-based creative practice (published or unpublished).
You will be paid equitably, in the vicinity of the UK Translators Association recommended rate of 95 pounds per 1000 words. Your name will be the first listed on the cover and/or title page. You will liaise with the publisher and gain experience across the publishing and publicity process.
About me
My name is Elizabeth Bryer, I’m a writer and a literary translator from Spanish. I have translated novels by María José Ferrada, Eduardo Sangarcía, José Luis de Juan, Claudia Salazar Jiménez and Aleksandra Lun, among others, for publishers in Australia, the US and the UK. I was lucky enough to be awarded the 2025 NSW Premier’s Translation Prize and want to pay that generosity forward to broaden the pool of literary translators from Spanish.
Requirements
You need to have the time and capacity over the next year to translate approximately 5,000 words per week and to revise another 5,000 words per week (we will each translate 50 % of the project, revise each other’s work, and make decisions in collaboration). We will meet IRL or via Zoom to discuss the first three revisions, then move to sharing weekly drafts via email (and meet as needed/preferred).
Please email an expression of interest to ekbryer@gmail.com by Friday 6 November. Make sure to include the following:
- Introduce yourself. What is your connection to Spanish? What excites you about literary translation? What is your creative practice or your professional translation experience?
- Tell me about a time when you had to perform detailed work on a long-term project that required sustained attention.
- Tell me about a time you collaborated with someone else on a shared goal.
- If you have a piece that you have translated and are proud of, send that, too. Make sure to include the Spanish-language source text. Otherwise, send a piece of your own multilingual or creative writing.
Selection criteria
Expressions of interest will be judged on how well the above are addressed. Candidates will be advised of whether they have been shortlisted 1 week after the deadline.
Next steps
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited – and paid – to translate a sample from the novel in question, and optionally to include a brief statement justifying your choices, with a 2-week turnaround. This is a chance for both of us to get a feel for whether you have creative affinity with the particular text.
The co-translation opportunity will be offered within 1 week to the candidate whose sample shows the greatest flair and promise.
If you have questions about anything, feel free to email me at ekbryer@gmail.com.
—Elizabeth (Eli) Bryer
