Or an author of an English-language version of a book might be asked to write two or three foreign-language editions. She and her publisher might then seek out a translator/writer who shares her sensibilities for the work and whose writing ability matches her own. This is often a difficult search.
LMP lists the names and capabilities of many translators. Some write in many languages. It takes expertise and proficiency to translate and to write professionally and in a specialized field. Columbia University has an agency that offers translating services in thirty foreign languages including such uncommon ones as Korean, Hindi, Serbo-Croatian, and Urdu.
Translators perform a unique function in book publishing. Their special talents make it possible for works of many important foreign authors to gain acceptance in the English language.
In one recent year, about fifteen hundred foreign-language books were translated into English for publication including about 400 from the German language, 370 from French, 170 from Russian, and 80 from Japanese.
The American publisher of the noted author Umberto Eco, who writes in Italian, will seek out an accomplished translator such as William Weaver to write the English-language version of Eco's work. At the Frankfurt Book Fair one can also see the large number of English-language books translated into other languages.
Translating, as with many other book publishing services, is often a freelance occupation, performed by home-based individuals. A fax, modem, and photocopier make it convenient for the translator to communicate with the author and/or the publisher.
The Wide Range of Editorial Services for Authors and Publishers
Although many of the services listed here are performed in-house at large publishers, it is often economically feasible for authors and publishers to employ freelance individuals and organizations to perform various functions in the publishing process. The current edition of LMP lists twenty-two separate categories of editorial services available to authors and publishers as follows:
- Abstracting Adaptations
- Interviewing Line Editing
- Novelizations Advertising and Promotion
- Manuscript Analysis
- Copywriting Bibliographies Broker for Manufacturing Condensations Copy editing Fact Checking Ghostwriting Indexing Statistics
- Permissions Photo Research Illustration Agents Proofreading Research Rewriting
- Special Assignment Writing Translation Editing
How does a publisher use these services? Let's say a publisher signs a contract with a movie superstar to write the story of her life. The actor is long on anecdotes and experiences, but short on writing and organizational ability. Either the star's publisher or agent recommends engaging the services of a competent "ghostwriter." (A ghostwriter is a person who writes a book for another person who is named or presumed to be the author.) The writer has frequent meetings and interviews with the author so that the writer will have the raw material to write the book. In addition, a researcher may be engaged to dig up additional background for the book. The ghostwriter may be paid a flat fee or enjoy a portion of the star's advance and royalty.
Another example of the use of freelance talent would be a large publisher's plan to produce a comprehensive illustrated history of Europe from 1900 through World War II. Rather than tie up its own editorial staff, the publisher might appoint a freelance editor, and then engage a team of consultants including photo researchers to track down appropriate photographs, writers, copy editors, proofreaders, book designers, artists, and other specialists.
Note the listing below for Carlisle Publishers Services as it appeared in the 1995 LMP. This company performs a comprehensive range of services, including "pre-press," which consists of all the elements of production until the book actually goes to press. Services such as these are used by publishers all the time to complement their own activities.
There are numerous services available to either write a complete book, ghostwrite, or polish a troubled manuscript.
Carlisle Publishers Services Div of Carlisle Communications Ltd 4242 Chavenelle Dr. Dubuque, IA 52002
TEL: (319) 557-1500 FAX: (319) 557-1376 Mgr: Terrance Stanton Pres & Chmn of the Bd: John B. Carlisle CEO, Carlisle Commun: Sandra Hirstein Sales Mgr: Kim Hawley
Full service project management & production group for publishers and others.
Editorial services: copy editing, line editing, rewriting, type-marking, proofreading, permissions, photo research, indexing.
Design & illustration services: book cover & interior design; calligraphy & lettering, layout, illustrations, computer graphics, mechanical drawings.
What a Book Producer or Packager Does
Book producers, as they prefer to be known, are individuals or companies who provide all the services necessary for a book's production, from concept to complete physical book, and delivery to a publisher's warehouse.
In the course of this service, book producers work with authors, agents, editors, designers, photographers, illustrators, typesetters, and printers. At times they go beyond these responsibilities and assist publishers in developing marketing plans for the books they produce.
