On Contracts and Other Business-Related Stuff

The American PEN website has some invaluable resources regarding the business end of literary translation, including FAQs about copyright/publishing agreements, a Model Contract, and also a list of Selected Books on Translation.

For those based in the UK, the Translators Association, part of the Society of Authors, offers a similar range of services and information for both members and non-members. Translators just starting out might like to join the Emerging Translators Network.

How-to Manuals

We never thought anyone could write a 'how-to' for literary translation, but then someone did: the Dalkey Archives' Translation in Practice book is ostensibly the notes on a 2008 symposium on literary translation best practices, but the result is wonderfully written, audaciously broad-ranging, and incredibly helpful. Notes on the nitty gritty of dealing with editors and authors, negotiating contracts, dealing with regional dialect, editing… Nearly everything you could want to ask.

Thinking Chinese Translation

Another how-to book, with lots of good insights, by two very reputable UK-based teachers, Valerie Pellatt, and Eric Liu. This is Routledge course-book, available direct or from Amazon.