Skip to content
“Translated poetry” and “paying market” are two phrases seldom seen in the same sentence.
For many of us, it’s pretty much a given that translating poetry doesn’t pay the bills. I, too, used to think this way until I began creating a directory of paying literary markets for creative writers and translators.
As my list quickly grew to include well over a hundred diverse markets that pay for translated works of fiction and non-fiction alike, I was astounded to see how many of them also accept translated poetry.
Check out the five examples below for inspiration – and start getting paid for your translated works of poetry today!!
1. SAMOVAR
About the publication:
“Samovar is a triannual magazine of and about speculative fiction in translation, published by Strange Horizons.”
What the guidelines say about translation:
“In each issue, Samovar prints at least one short story newly translated into English, one reprint of a previously published fiction translation, and a translated poem. In all cases, the English-language versions will be accompanied by the original-language versions.”
“We want excellent speculative fiction stories, and strong poems, in translation!”
What the publication pays for translated works of poetry:
“For poetry we pay US$40 to the author and US$40 to the translator.”
2. RECKONING
About the publication:
“The fiction we publish is mostly, but not exclusively, speculative; the nonfiction is more creative than journalistic, the poetry tends towards the narrative, preferably with some thematic heft, the visual art leans away from the pulpy towards the surreal, subversive, political.”
What the guidelines say about translation:
“We’d love to publish work in translation! We’re currently open to considering writing in Spanish, French or Swedish for potential translation, and work already translated into English, for which we pay the same rate to both author and translator.”
What the publication pays for translated works of poetry:
“Payment is eight cents a word for prose, thirty dollars a page for poetry.”
3. RATTLE
About the publication:
“We’re looking for poems that move us, that might make us laugh or cry, or teach us something new. We like both free verse and traditional forms—we try to publish a representative mix of what we receive.”
What the guidelines say about translation:
“Rattle publishes unsolicited poetry and translations of poetry.”
What the publication pays for translated works of poetry:
“Contributors in print receive $200/poem and a complimentary one-year subscription to the magazine. Online contributors receive $100/poem.”
4. COPPER NICKEL
About the publication:
“Copper Nickel accepts submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, and translation folios from September 1 to December 15, January 15 to March 1.”
What the guidelines say about translation:
“For a translation feature, submit five to ten poems or a piece of prose (fiction or nonfiction). If we accept, we’ll ask for a contextualizing introductory essay of 500-1200 words.”
What the publication pays for translated works of poetry:
“Copper Nickel pays $30 per printed page + two copies of the issue in which the author’s work appears + a one-year subscription.”
5. GUERNICA
About the publication:
“Guernica welcomes submissions from writers at all stages of their careers.”
What the guidelines say about translation:
“Please send 4 – 5 poems in a single file. Translations welcome.”
What the publication pays for translated works of poetry:
“Guernica offers honoraria of $50 for poetry, $100 for original essays, and $150 for original fiction and for reportage.”
Like what you see above?
My new e-book for creative writers and translators lists 350 PAYING literary markets with a diverse selection of publications that are waiting to publish your creative works, including translations of poetry, fiction, memoirs, essays, and other works of creative non-fiction.
Choose the Amazon link that works best for your location: