My Babelcube Experience (part 2) Getting Interesting
My optimism for self-pub opportunities spiked when I heard about Babelcube and their book translation services. I filled out a profile, uploaded books and began working with translators. I also wrote a blog post on that initial aspect (see Part 1 of My Babelcube Experience).
Now comes part 2, what I’ve learned since a few translations have just been published. The answer is a fair amount. Some notes:
Babelcube uses Draft2Digital as a distributor, which doesn’t distribute to Amazon anymore so how does that work? Not sure, but it might explain why these titles went live two weeks ago to Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Scribd, but just today on Amazon.
Full length novels are much harder to get translated than shorter works or non-fiction. I still haven’t had any offers on my novels that are 98K and 108K in word count, but every other book has been translated, is being translated or has received offers.
Non-fiction seems easier to get deals. Perhaps it’s because the writing is simpler. How-to books attract attention, here and apparently abroad. One thing to beware of for authors of how-to guides: recognize any differences that exist in America (or your home nation) compared to the final destination. For example, my guides deal with websites and software that are popular in the US but not always elsewhere, so some changes were made accordingly. It helped to point that out to the translators ahead of time.
Take your time getting qualified readers to check the sample offer. Why rush into a decision when the book may take a few months once you agree on a deal? Babelcube doesn’t give advice or support there, leaving each author to find a solution. Fiverr, Facebook and Yahoo answers are places to get translations checked if you don’t have friends that read well in certain languages. However, you may have to take the word of strangers you don’t really know or trust.
Don’t ask proofreaders to read more than a few assorted paragraphs unless you’re giving something in return. If you have multiple books and offers in Spanish, for example, try not to wear out your Spanish-reading friends by asking them to read and critique large sections of each title.
Don’t expect masterpieces. These translators are working for free on the hopes of selling books and making a cut on the sale. They’re unlikely to be perfect in what they do. Of course you expect competency, but in some cases you may ask yourself, “Is it better to have something in a foreign language or nothing at all?” These can be hard choices.
Don’t upload MS Word .doc. Instead use .docx–it converts better. My uploads got stuck in a Babelcube cyber-vortex that took several emails and Twitter and Facebook mentions to sort out, segue to the next tip.
Don’t rely on prompt customer support whether you email them, make a post on their Facebook page or @-message them on Twitter. Presently Babelcube has the slowest customer support I’ve dealt with for any publishing-related website, and it’s surprising for a fledgling company that seems to have a good product and a jump on any competition. They really should take customer relations and social media more seriously, IMO.
Below is the status of some of my titles. The top three have just been published, while the fourth is months away.
There are some good translators out there. There are also some not so great people to beware of.
If you get along well with your translator, add their name to the cover design and give them some kudos in the “About the Author” section. Whatever extra credit you give should help in their interest at marketing the book in their country, which may be easier for them than you.
Part of me wonders if this is a flash in the pan. Google translate has come a long way in a few short years. I remember trying the program when it was younger, and it was terrible. These days, it’s getting more intelligent fast, especially with non-fiction. Might there be a limited number of years before Babelcube’s service will be obsolete to Google or Amazon or something else?
Now for the real question: how are sales? At this point it hasn’t been enough time. Two of my titles just came out and I’m curious how they’ll do. I hope they aren’t duds because the translators spent several weeks on them. Sales will be a main focus of part 3 of this experience. I’ll let you know.
What do you think about this: good idea, not so good idea or waste of time? Please share comments.
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Great question, Luca! In these books, many of the websites, software and explanations that go with them are more appropriate for readers in the USA than for European nations. I mentioned that to the translators and asked them how they wanted to handle it. For the first one that you pointed out, the translator basically did a straight translation without many changes on his own. In the second book, the translator spent much extra time to go through every website and make changes that would benefit Italian readers. It turned into so much extra work for him, and I thought the best way to compensate him was adding his name to the author credits.
Adding the translator's name in the credits of a translated book y not something generous, is something that every honest editor or riter ever does.
Maica wrote: "Adding the translator's name in the credits of a translated book y not something generous, is something that every honest editor or riter ever does."True, but adding a biography, pohoto, links to websites, blogs and social media sites are helpful.
Hello Jason! I just actually picked up a book to translate into spanish (my native language) and I cannot tell you how aweful Google translate is. I think it is far from any one being able to paste a sentence and having Google translate in a way that makes sense. I know because I use it on certain words that there is no real word in spanish so that I can get an idea on how to go about the translation. Most times however, you paste a sentence and its translated literally which I can tell you, hardly ever will it make sense in spanish. Don't get me wrong it is a great tool for simple words but don't expect it to give you a sentence translation and for it to make sense.
Thank you for this post, I loved the concept of Babelcube since I first heard of it. Been trying it since 2 weeks. I expect more such platforms in the future - where indies can collaborate on creative projects and split royalties with the help of a 3rd party.
I feel the same way, Anca. I love the concept and hope the business model works for the long term. The jury is still out on that, but the potentials are there.
Hi Jason, I read your posts with interests. I find babelcube hopeless when it comes to support. My e-mails to them have remained unanswered. I have had a book translated to Spanish and have just hired a Spanish proofreader. But once that's done, what happens? And what about the cover? Do I supply one with the Spanish title? I'm doing this as an experiment, so no big deal, but I find the instructions and lack of support on that site very frustrating.
Hi Susanne. I can relate to that! Babelcube is a great idea with somewhat lousy execution. But I do make some sells there and it has been a worthwhile experiment for me. I do not whole-heartedly recommend the experience though. It is only for those who enjoy going the extra mile.If your book is already translated, why do you need Babelcube?
Now if you want it translated to other languages, it could be an option. Yes, you'd have to provide a translated cover if it were translated. However, many books don't get translated there. My novels have not been translated. At over 100,000 words apiece, perhaps they are just too long. Short pieces and how-to books get more action there.
Hi Jason . I meant my book has been translated through babelcube, so I have to go with them.
Susanne wrote: "Hi Jason, I read your posts with interests. I find babelcube hopeless when it comes to support. My e-mails to them have remained unanswered. I have had a book translated to Spanish and have just hi..."Yes, you will provide a cover with the Spanish title. And once the translation is ready, you will upload the file after checking formatting. The steps are very clear, but that section will not appear on your dashboard until the translation will be ready and accepted by you.
As an Italian book promoter, I read many books translated into Italian through Babelcube. Many times, these books are not well translated because translators work for free. I found bad translations, sometimes, and often, typing mistakes in Italian. These mistakes reduce translation quality and also the chances to sell a book internationally. Only quality books sell internationally. If authors can't pay for translation services, they should pay to get an editing service on the translated edition of their book, at least. I wrote a post about this topic on my website: https://www.advicesbooks.com/index.ph... .
Advicesbooks wrote: "As an Italian book promoter, I read many books translated into Italian through Babelcube. Many times, these books are not well translated because translators work for free. I found bad translations..."I get the translated book professionally proofread after the translation is finished. I wouldn't just approve a book without a thorough proofreading.
Susanne wrote: "Advicesbooks wrote: "As an Italian book promoter, I read many books translated into Italian through Babelcube. Many times, these books are not well translated because translators work for free. I f..."Hi Susanne, I completely agree with you. Never release a translated book without proofreading!
Thank you!