Authors, bloggers and everybody else, are you interested in translations to Spanish?

Hello everybody:

Those who know me already know that I’ve been publishing my books and posts in this blog for over two years (I’ve been writing for much longer), in Spanish and English. I’ve lived, studied (Psychiatry, a BA and a PhD in American Literature and a Masters in Criminology) and worked in the UK for many years now and the truth is that I didn’t give it much thought and it seemed the normal thing to do to publish in both languages, although it meant spending more time working before I could publish my books (as I always try and publish both versions at the same time).

My second publication a NA novella, Twin Evils?

Despite the time involved, translating a text helps me to read it and to become submerged in it totally, that results in an in depth editing of the original. Reading it slowly one notices details that might escape even repeat fast lectures.

A few months ago I started translating other people’s book, and the same is true for those. I spend a lot of time with the book, living with it, and if I notice some typo or misplaced detail in the original I let the author know. The process is more complicated than with my own books, as the correct interpretation of the texts requires working closely with the author to clarify any details that could be confusing.

After a few months doing it and enjoying it (although it is a job that requires dedication and many hours) I’ve decided to adjust my prices ($40 per 1000 words of text) in the same conditions as before. I’m happy to offer a short sample translation for free (a page or a page and a half), or a longer one (a whole chapter or a number of pages) for the price as stated, that would be deducted from the final price if the project goes ahead. Most of the authors I’ve worked with so far have preferred to pay by instalments and that’s not a problem (although of course before I sent the final manuscript I require the payment in full), and the translation also includes the description/synopsis of the book, the blurb (including a brief biography if that is used for the paper version), and a few promo Tweets (if the author so wishes), a press release or a post for a blog also translated at no extra cost.  (As I usually publish reviews in my blog and in others, I will also publish a review of the finished book, although as I’ll appear as translator, I could not post it to any of the shops officially, at least not for the translated version).

And in Spanish, Gemela Maldad

More recently several authors I know have asked me to check and proofread some translations of their works, to ensure there were no typos or anything missing. That is also fascinating work (as it allows me to learn from the work of other translators) and as it takes me far less time I’m currently charging approximately $100 per 100 pages.

Apart from translations of books and the corrections and proofreading already mentioned, I also offer shorter translations (blog posts, press releases, biographies for the author page in Amazon or other sites, Tweets, synopsis and descriptions, letters to publishing companies and authors, interviews…) for very reasonable rates, depending on length. Ask me and we’ll talk about it.

If you want more details about my works, here I leave you my web page.

http://www.OlgaNM.com

And the cover of Virgin of the Sun by Jordi Díez, that I love and really enjoyed translating (and I learned a lot about the Incas!). The next novel I’ve translated for another author is nearly ready…but for the moment we’re keeping it quiet.

Virgin of the Sun by Jordi Díez (translation: Olga Núñez Miret)

Thanks to all of you for reading, and if you’ve found it interesting, you know, like, comment, share and CLICK! And if you’d like to chat about a translation, leave me a note and I’ll be in touch. Of course, previous clients always have a special price.

Note: Ah, several authors have asked me about the possibility of doing translations for a percentage of the royalties of the book. I’ve thought about it although currently due to time constraints I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I’ll think about in the future, and might participate in a special project every so often.  If I do it, I’ll advertise it and see if there’s any interest. I’m also happy to consider exchanging a translation for other services.

And I could not help but share the image David Cronin (husband of a great friend and fabulous blogger, Sally, visit here) created for me. He’s also doing a great series on how to create an e-book in Sally’s blog, so don’t miss.

Olga-Núñez-Miret. Thanks David!

Do you enjoy historical novels? Come and meet ‘Virgin of the Sun’ by Jordi Díez. A great historical novel with a big heart and plenty of spirit.

Hi all:

As you know, a few months ago, when I left my day job, I mentioned my intention of offering my services and translating other authors’ work. Jordi Díez, who had already translated one of his books (The Pendulum of God, I included it in one of my posts on new books a while back) to English decided he’d like to have his first book, the wonderful ‘La Virgen del Sol’ translated to English too.

As I told Jordi, the experience was always interesting (I got to know much more about the Inca period and civilization than I had ever known), challenging at times, and emotional (it’s not easy to translate when you’re crying with the turmoil and events the characters live through).

I have tried to do the best job I could but all the merit remains with the author. I won’t try and review the finished piece, but as I read and scrutinised in detail the original in Spanish, I thought apart from links and the description, I’d leave you a translation of my thoughts on the Spanish version.

I hope you’ll give it a go.

Virgin of the Sun by Jordi Díez. A great historical novel with a big heart and plenty of spirit.

I must confess I don’t know much (hardly anything) about the historical period shown in the novel Virgin of the Sun. I cannot comment with knowledge how exactly it sticks to the historical facts (that due to the peculiar characteristics of the Inca civilisation are not easy to check as all sources are indirect) although for what I’ve read in the the author’s (that he calls ‘Slight historical licenses’) it seems to provide a fairly close idea to what the era was like. I can say for certain that I am now much better informed that when I began my reading and I’ve been inspired to carry on documenting myself.

Virgin of the Sun is a novel covering a specific period in the history of the Inca Empire, one of its moments of maximum expansion. The author chooses (very successfully) to combine the history of a seemingly nobody (Nuba, a farmer from a tiny village) and his family (especially his daughter, Nemrac) with that of the great of the Empire, Inca Tupanqui Pachacutec and his son Tupac Yupanqui. In fact, the novel takes place in a sort of world of the ‘Upstairs/Downstairs’ where the fates of the most powerful and of those that at first sight have no power at all, intermingle and combine in complex and unexpected ways.

Nuba’s story isn’t simply (even if it is not simple at all) the history of his life and his family, the tragedies that happen to him, his loses, but also of his spiritual awakening. When we reach the end of the book (and I’m not going to tell you about it, don’t worry) and we get to completely understand his experience and the teaching he has assimilated, that we share as we accompany him, we realise that his journey towards a new understanding was matched by the actual journey he undertakes during the novel.

I loved Virgin of the Sun. The author manages to provide the needed information to place his action and the characters, without transforming the book into a tedious historical treatise. Despite the distance, not only historical, but also cultural, that separates us from the action, his writing is such that we get to know and identify with the characters, who are multidimensional, human and interesting. Like in all eras we find envies, characters blinded by desire (be it of power, immortality, love…), victims of situations outside their control, and also enigmatic characters that share their lessons in ways sometimes difficult to understand (wonderful Corioma). I cried with the Nuba’s misfortunes, Nemrac’s vicissitudes, and marched with the troops through the desert. I was horrified by the sacrifices, worried by the future of the ill-fated lovers, I was touched by the vision of Machu Picchu, and fascinated by the project of conquests and the creation of an empire. What else can I tell you? You’ll cry, laugh, learn, and discover new things about the Incas and perhaps about yourselves.

I recommend you this novel for its breath and ambition, for the fascinating plot, the humanity of its characters and because it is a great story. Don’t miss it!

Virgin of the Sun by Jordi Díez

Description

These are turbulent times for the Inca Empire. Emperor Yupanqui Pachacutec has started a territorial expansion to avoid the fulfilment of a prophecy that predicts the future disappearance of his people. This bloody process will result in fights between possible successors, unexpected betrayals and the birth of heroes and martyrs. But above all, it will require the effort of the whole population that will be obliged to work together in the building of the holy city form where the Son of Inti will rule the future of all his territory.

Meanwhile, in a small hamlet of the Empire, a priest has read in the stars that Nemrac, a young girl with eyes like emeralds, is the chosen one to become Daughter of the Sun. Full of emotion for such an honour, the parents of the girl, Nuba and Airún, will set off on a journey of no return towards the Temple of Inticancha, were the girl shall fulfil her destiny. During the hard trip, Nuba will lose his wife and daughter; he’ll discover that reality can be terrible and at the same time he will find the necessary courage to resist fatality and to try to reunite again with Airún and Nemrac. This adventure will require not only all of his effort, rigour and ingenuity, but also enormous spiritual growth that will help him accept and understand the slippery meaning of life.

The Virgin of the Sun is a gripping novel that transports the readers to the Inca lands, and introduces them to the spirituality of this millenarian culture.

Link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NN1RAL0/

UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NN1RAL0/

And also available in all Amazon stores.

You can check all of his offerings and a bit more about Jordi in his author page, here:

http://www.amazon.com/Jordi-D%C3%ADez/e/B001HPW4A6/

Thanks so much for reading, and if you’ve found it interesting, please, like, comment, share and of course CLICK!