Life and death question..

Davidinos_99

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Dec 25, 2023
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Well, I'm a translator for a website, I'm a bit troubled by two options..
1) Take a % of the novel's earning. (The novel i'm translating)
2) Get paid $ per chapter.

Which options is better? I mainly translate chinese novels. So if it's the first option then how much % is good?

If it's the second option then how much should i get paid for each chapter? For example if the chapter is 1300-2000 words long.
 

Glitched

Moth Mommy
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Imo percent should be better since the novel might make $ off-site and then you would get a portion. Then again that's only good if you know its gonna make money. Otherwise per chap is better bcs you're at least getting paid for the work even if the novel doesn't gain traction in the english community. As for percent, idk. I don't know typical translator rates per word count.
 
D

Deleted member 1244

Guest
Well, I'm a translator for a website, I'm a bit troubled by two options..
1) Take a % of the novel's earning. (The novel i'm translating)
2) Get paid $ per chapter.

Which options is better? I mainly translate chinese novels. So if it's the first option then how much % is good?

If it's the second option then how much should i get paid for each chapter? For example if the chapter is 1300-2000 words long.
You have better luck asking this question over at NUF

Most people of this community are not translators.
 
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I didn't how to answer your questions since it all depends on how much you can earn on the two options. Anyway, I want to say you posted twice in this forum.
 

BlackKnightX

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I have no experience in translation whatsoever, but in terms of business, percentage commission rate has more potential and can bring you some big money if the product does well in terms of sales. But for someone new to the job, I think it's better to start with a fixed service cost.
 
D

Deleted member 84247

Guest
Well, I'm a translator for a website, I'm a bit troubled by two options..
1) Take a % of the novel's earning. (The novel i'm translating)
2) Get paid $ per chapter.

Which options is better? I mainly translate chinese novels. So if it's the first option then how much % is good?

If it's the second option then how much should i get paid for each chapter? For example if the chapter is 1300-2000 words long.
I am unsure the answer to your question, but you shouldn't make the same thread twice in a row.
 

Nahrenne

Pure and Innocent Maiden~
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Well, I'm a translator for a website, I'm a bit troubled by two options..
1) Take a % of the novel's earning. (The novel i'm translating)
2) Get paid $ per chapter.

Which options is better? I mainly translate chinese novels. So if it's the first option then how much % is good?

If it's the second option then how much should i get paid for each chapter? For example if the chapter is 1300-2000 words long.
Is it an official translation permitted by the original novel's author, or is it a fan-translation?
If it's the latter, it's not really right to be earning anything from it, legally speaking I think...
If it's the former...wouldn't it be better to discuss this with the author and publisher?

X
 

HungrySheep

I like yuri
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Jun 19, 2022
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It depends on the number of chapters available and how much you are getting paid per chapter. Personally, I am a literal GOD of grinding as that's the only thing I'm good at, so I'd go with second. If people were paying me even $1 a chapter, you can bet I'll be on my ass for 24 hours pumping out a thousand chapters a day.

Now imagine the pay being even more.
 
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