The Process
- Springer Nature will only grant translation rights licenses to other Publishers, University Presses or Institutions who are responsible for the publication and distribution of the translated edition. We cannot enter negotiations with individuals as the marketing, sales and production activities to publish the translated edition can be cost prohibitive.
Usually, due to our presence in the market, we are contacted by a foreign publishing house interested in translating and publishing a domestic edition of our work. Sometimes, we get contacted by the authors, a translator or a student who can get a publishing house or publishing department of an organization interested in acquiring the rights, this is also a viable option for us. We always welcome author’s suggestions as to where to best place their titles internationally, however, we take over the sole responsibility for all the further negotiation processes.
After confirming that the language rights are available, we can proceed with negotiations. We require the publisher’s business address and VAT number. The foreign publisher has an option of up to three months to analyze a given title.
- The license fee is calculated on the first print run and retail price provided by the foreign publisher. The foreign publisher determines the retail price for their edition, as they have better knowledge of their market. We understand that, for our authors, the main objective is to have their content disseminated and made available as widely as possible, so we aim to be reasonable with our quotes. After the license fee has been agreed we issue a license agreement which is then signed by both parties.
- The translation itself is a responsibility of the foreign publisher. They are fully in charge of the translation of the work. Usually, the foreign publisher has up to two years to place the translated edition in the local market.
- After publication of the translated edition, it is possible for us to request complimentary copies from the foreign publisher for the author(s).
- Securing a contract with a foreign publisher can take at least 6 months. There are situations in which the agreement is concluded more quickly but we would ask for your patience as contractual negotiations can be lengthy.
For a book to sell in translation, it should...
- Have generic or/and international examples (foreign publishers don’t consider examples from the UK, US, New Zealand, Canada and/or Australia as international) and not be too UK/US specific.
- Avoid niche subjects, the more specific topic the fewer the publishers that can be targeted.
- Be of the interest to foreign publishers, subjects popular in the English speaking world may not be popular in other countries.
- Appeal to a wider audience, more diverse readership can generate better sales.
- Be unique in the field(s) covered, must be different from other books already available on the market.
- Take into account the current political/economic/social situation of the potential foreign market.
Please note
- Some territories/markets are difficult to sell into, especially countries with a strong academic publishing history such as Germany, please seek advice from our Translation Rights Team if there are specific markets you are interested in.
- The above information acts as a guideline to aid a greater understanding of the process, if in doubt please contact our Translation Rights Team at: Booktranslations@springernature.com
www.palgrave.com
