A behind-the-scenes look at my book translation workflow for authors
If you’re looking to have your book professionally translated from English to German or vice versa, it helps to understand how the process actually works. As a USA Today bestselling author and professional translator, I’ve developed a thorough, organized approach that ensures your story keeps its voice, tone, and emotional depth intact.
Here’s a full look at how my book translation process works in 10 clear steps, from file prep to final delivery.
Step 1: Reading or Reviewing the Book
Before diving in, I either read the entire book to get a deep understanding of the voice, vocabulary, and style—or, if I’ve already translated a sample and feel confident about the tone and narrative voice, I might skip this full read-through. The goal here is to get a solid feel for the book’s rhythm and character, so I can carry that same energy into the translation from the very first chapter.
Step 2: File Organization
Before I begin, I set up a project tracker—a simple table to help me monitor:
- Which chapters have already been translated
- Which sections I’ve sent to you for review
- Where there are still open questions or comments
I also “clean” the manuscript by removing any unnecessary content (like auto-generated tables of contents) that won’t be needed for Kindle or paperback formatting later on.
Step 3: Software Setup with Trados
I use Trados, a professional translation software, to organize your manuscript chapter by chapter. It helps me keep track of every sentence, manage terminology, and maintain consistency—especially across longer books or series.
Step 4: Translation Memory and Termbase Setup
In Trados, I create a Translation Memory (TM)—a database of your translated segments. This is especially useful for book series, as it ensures consistency in terms, character names, and repeated phrases. It’s like having a personalized style guide that grows with each book.
I also set up a Termbase, which is a glossary of terms, a dictionary so to speak. If your book includes unique world-building, character names, or repeated expressions, the Termbase keeps everything consistent throughout the project and beyond.
Step 5: Translation Draft 1 in Trados
This is where the core translation happens. I create the first draft directly in Trados, translating your manuscript from the source to the target language.
During this step, I:
- Translate chapter by chapter
- Take detailed notes in the original manuscript
- Flag any unclear sections, typos, or places where the meaning could shift in translation
Step 6: Questions
Once the first draft is complete (or halfway, for longer books), I send you a Microsoft Word document with all my comments, questions, and suggestions.
This document helps us clarify:
- Ambiguous sentences
- Possible revisions
- Cultural nuances that might need adjusting
- Typos or other errors that I noticed
That way, you can respond while I continue translating, so the project keeps moving smoothly.
Step 7: Translation Draft 2 in Scrivener
For the polishing phase, I move the manuscript into Scrivener, a writing tool I love for its flexibility and editing features.
In this step, I:
- Review and edit the entire draft
- Polish style, tone, and flow
- Fix any stylistic repetitions
- Adjust apostrophes, dashes, and punctuation for the target language
- Leave notes for the editor with specific guidance on tone or phrasing
Step 8: Editor Review
While the editor works on the translated version (especially if it’s a sequel), I may start translating the next book while the current one is being reviewed.
Once the editor returns their suggestions, I:
- Carefully go over all edits
- Accept or revise based on context
- Ensure that the final version reflects both author intent and reader clarity
Step 9: Title, Blurb, Front and Back Matter
Some parts of your book—like the title, blurb, and back matter—require special attention. I usually start with this step early on, but sometimes I have to postpone it if it’s too difficult to finalize without context and thorough research (👉 Related: Legal Requirements for Publishing in Germany)
What this step contains:
- In German, I’ll research whether the title violates title protection guidelines
- I make sure the blurb is culturally adapted and emotionally resonant
Step 10: Proofing on Kindle and Final Delivery
As an author, I find it incredibly helpful to proof the translation on an eReader. It gives me a “reader’s eye” on the story and helps catch any lingering issues in flow or formatting.
After that, I:
- Convert the translation back into Microsoft Word
- Send the final document to you
- (Optional) Handle eBook and paperback formatting, if you’ve selected that service
Final Thoughts
Translating a book isn’t just about switching languages—it’s about preserving your voice, engaging a new audience, and polishing the story for another market. With a structured 10-step process like this, you can trust your book is in experienced, creative hands.
👉 Ready to get started on your book translation project? Let’s chat
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