Freelance Translators from Scratch

Here’s a book list compiled by Caroline and I, along with the help from contributing readers:

1. The first book that Caroline and I used, and which has been discussed in detail on various posts on this blog, is How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator by Corinne McKay. Two thumbs up for this book for being well structured, very easy to read, and chalk-full of advice on starting out as a freelance translator. When we have fully established ourselves in this profession (which this blog will document for current and future readers, step by baby step), much credit will be owed to this book and its author for providing precisely what we were looking for when starting from scratch.
2. From Jill Sommer at Sommer Translation and Net Services: “…Corinne’s book is the only book you will probably need if you are most concerned with the business aspects. Books about the theory of translation (Mona Baker, Venuti, etc.) are dry reads. Just a word of warning. Order them from your library. Those are the books they use at Kent State University. They are good books if you want to learn *how* to translate, but don’t talk at all about the business aspects. Morry Sofer’s book is ok and does have some good advice, but it also has a lot of filler (half the book is appendices). I think if you read both his and Corinne’s book you should be on your way.