It's Lit in Translation

Evelyn Heis (@amuchneededbreak)
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Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation, the podcast celebrating literature in translation and the people who make it possible. Each episode features an interview with translators from around the world about the books they bring into English, the creative choices behind their work, and what it truly means to carry a story from one language to another.

  1. 9h ago

    Hazel Evans on translating trauma, class, and complexities in The Fathership

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, Danish-to-English literary translator Hazel Evans joins the pod to discuss her translation of The Fathership by Glenn Bech: an extraordinary work of autofiction that pushes at the boundaries of storytelling and what we think a novel can be. Hazel takes us through her unconventional journey into literary translation, from moving to Denmark to discovering the books she felt compelled to bring into English. We discuss how she found her way into publishing, the importance of persistence when pitching translations, and why The Fathership was a book she simply couldn’t leave alone. We dive into Bech’s fractured, non-linear novel, which explores childhood trauma, memory, masculinity and growing up gay in a working-class Danish family. Hazel shares the challenges of translating its deliberately tangled grammar, shifting perspectives and elusive layers of meaning, from first working out what a sentence might mean to recreating its disorientating effects in English. We also discuss the decision to preserve the book’s Danishness rather than relocate or smooth out its cultural references, and how dialect, class and poverty can be understood differently by Danish and British readers. Finally, Hazel reflects on the particular responsibility of translating autofiction, where the boundaries between lived experience and fiction are never entirely clear. This is a fascinating conversation about the possibilities of literary form, the complexities of translating trauma, and the delicate balance between making a book accessible to new readers and preserving what makes it distinct. — You can purchase The Fathership by Glenn Bech, translated by Hazel Evans, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast-2026? If you like the work I do and would like to support, please buy me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/amuchneededbreak — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/⁠⁠ Photo Credit: Hazel Evans

    Hazel Evans on translating trauma, class, and complexities in The Fathership

  2. Oct 11

    David McKay on storytelling, the craft of translation, and bringing the Brontës home

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, Dutch-to-English literary translator David joins the pod to discuss his translations of Anjet Daanje's The Remembered Soldier and The Song of Stork and Dromedary: two masterfully crafted novels about memory, storytelling, and legacy. David takes us through his early encounters with translated literature; we discuss his background in poetry and constrained writing, exploring the parallels between writing within formal limitations and the constraints of translation. We also chat about his approach to literary translation, the importance of collaboration and research, and how working closely with authors, editors and fellow translators can positively shape the process. We dive into The Remembered Soldier, a haunting novel set in a psychiatric asylum in post-First World War Belgium, exploring memory, identity and the question of who we are when we can no longer remember our own past. David shares the challenges of translating its distinctive, propulsive style, as well as the extensive historical research that went into bringing its photography, weaponry and wartime setting into English. We then turn to The Song of Stork and Dromedary, a sprawling, Gothic novel inspired by the Brontë sisters, which spans across time and space. David discusses his experience in translating various styles and registers across the novel's eleven chapters, his thorough research into the Brontës and visit to Haworth, and the challenge of recreating Emily and Charlotte Brontë’s voices without simply imitating them. Finally, we discuss the importance of institutional support for literary translation, the international reception of Anjet's work, and the role that translators, authors, editors and readers can play in bringing literature across languages and cultures. This is a fascinating conversation about translation as craft, research and collaboration, and about the many ways a novel can travel across language, time and place. — You can purchase The Remembered Soldier and The Song of Stork and Dromedary by Anjet Daanje, translated from Dutch by David McKay, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast-2026? If you like the work I do and would like to support, please buy me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/amuchneededbreak — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/⁠ Photo Credit: David McKay

    David McKay on storytelling, the craft of translation, and bringing the Brontës home

  3. Sep 26

    Ecre Karadag on the joys of translating children's literature

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, literary translator Ecre Karadag joins the pod to discuss her debut translation, Mari the Unwonderful Witch by Asako Yuzuki, and the joys of bringing Japanese children’s literature into English. Ecre takes us through her winding path from linguistics and academia to working in Tokyo’s fashion industry, before eventually finding her way back to books and literary translation. We discuss the role that childhood reading and creative writing have played in her translation practice, and the importance of finding the right book and the right voice as a translator. I, for one, can't wait to read Ecre's own fiction one day! We dive into Mari the Unwonderful Witch, a middle-grade fantasy about an 11 year old witch who refuses to conform to expectations of what a “wonderful” witch should be. Ecre shares how she approached the book’s distinctive voices, playful world-building and celebration of individuality in Asako's first children's novel and her role as a 'moonlight' or 'starlight' translator working on the manuscript. She also shares some of the challenges of translating age-coded speech and Japanese kinship terms, as well as the importance of voice in bringing the characters to life in English. We also discuss the state of translated children’s literature in the UK, and why Ecre believes Japanese children’s fiction offers an exciting opportunity to expand the kinds of translated books available to young readers. Finally, Ecre introduces her “Diva Manifesto”, an advocacy project exploring translators’ professional and artistic agency, from fair pay and contracts to the expectation that translators should remain quiet and invisible. This was a lively conversation about children’s literature, the creative possibilities of translation, and the importance of making space for translators to be recognised as artists in their own right. — You can purchase a copy of Mari the Unwonderful Witch by Asako Yuzuki, translated from Japanese by Ecre Karadag, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast-2026? If you like the work I do and would like to support, please buy me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/amuchneededbreak — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Ecre Karadag

    Ecre Karadag on the joys of translating children's literature

  4. Sep 20

    Daniel Bowles on tone, voice and the musicality of translation

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, award-winning literary translator and professor Daniel Bowles joins the pod to discuss his translation of Christian Kracht’s latest novel, Air. Daniel takes us through his journey into literary translation, from discovering German as a teenager to finding his way into the profession through academic and literary translation. We discuss what drew him to the craft, the puzzle-like satisfaction of finding the right words, and the importance of building a community of fellow translators. We dive into his translation of Air, exploring Kracht’s strange and atmospheric novel and the challenge of preserving its deliberately hazy, dreamlike quality in English. Daniel shares how he approached the novel’s multiple narrative voices, the subtle differences in language between its characters, and some of the fascinating linguistic problems that arise when translating between German and English. We also discuss the importance of tone and rhythm in translation, why Daniel reads his work aloud during the revision process, and how linguistic features that cannot always be recreated in the same place in the source text can sometimes find their way into the translation elsewhere. Finally, Daniel reflects on his long-standing collaboration with Christian Kracht, including their unusual practice of sitting together and reading through translations, as well as the importance of revision and finding a supportive community of translators. It is a fascinating conversation about the craft of translation, the importance of tone and voice, and the many small decisions that go into bringing an intricately constructed novel like Air into English. — You can purchase Air and Eurotrash by Christian Kracht, translated from German by Daniel Bowles, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast-2026? If you like the work I do and would like to support, please buy me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/amuchneededbreak — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Daniel Bowles

    Daniel Bowles on tone, voice and the musicality of translation

  5. Aug 30

    Iliana Franco Alvarenga on linguistic resistance, cosmoperceptions, and translating Guaraní

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, Guaraní translator and linguistic activist Iliana Franco Alvarenga joins the pod to discuss the Guaraní language, Paraguayan Spanish, and the complexities of translating between languages shaped by colonial histories. Iliana takes us through her relationship with Guaraní and her journey into translation, exploring the history of the language and the concept of linguistic pain, the generational trauma created when children are punished for speaking their mother tongue, and how this history can continue to influence the way families perceive their own languages and efforts towards language revitalisation. Together, we also explore the relationship between language and power, from the influence of institutions such as the Royal Spanish Academy to the role of artificial intelligence in determining which varieties of language are represented and prioritised. We discuss the politics behind linguistic standardisation and what happens when one variety of a language becomes treated as the default. The conversation also turns towards the ethics of literary translation, including the question of whether translators should reconsider language in older works when the social meaning of certain words has changed. We discuss the responsibility translators have towards their readers, authors, and the communities whose languages and cultures they are bringing into another linguistic context. Iliana also reflects on the invisibility of translators, sharing a particularly powerful moment from a book fair where she instinctively stepped behind the author she was translating, only for the author to take her hand and bring her forward. We explore what this reveals about the position translators have historically occupied within publishing, and the importance of recognising them as equal creative collaborators. Finally, Iliana shares her advice for aspiring translators, from learning to move away from the literal word to embracing rejection and accepting that every translation will inevitably contain something that only the translator notices. This is a fascinating conversation about language, power, colonialism, and the role translation can play in both preserving and challenging the ways we understand different cultures and their histories. I also loved learning more about how Guaraní operates as a language, and chatting through different examples of Guaraní cosmoperceptions that have traditionally been reduced on the page, and therefore have been lost, in translation. Iliana's approach to translating an indigenous language that exists beyond the page and working between the two worlds she inhabits is incredibly fascinating. — You can purchase a copy of We Are Green and Trembling by Gabriela Cabezon Camara, translated from Spanish by Robin Myers, which features Iliana's Guaraní translations, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast-2026? If you like the work I do and would like to support, please buy me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/amuchneededbreak — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/⁠ Photo Credit: Iliana Franco Alvarenga

    Iliana Franco Alvarenga on linguistic resistance, cosmoperceptions, and translating Guaraní

  6. Aug 13

    Angela Rodel and Joanna Elmy on writing and co-translating Born of Guilt

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, Bulgarian novelist Joanna Elmy and International Booker Prize-winning translator Angela Rodel join the pod to discuss Born of Guilt, Joanna’s debut novel, and the fascinating collaborative process behind bringing it into English. Joanna reflects on the origins of Born of Guilt, a multigenerational novel following three Bulgarian women as they navigate domestic violence, addiction, immigration, and the lasting impact of post-communist Bulgaria. We discuss how the novel grew from a single competition entry into an internationally published debut, and why it seeks to explore experiences that have often remained absent from the Bulgarian literary canon. We also dive into the unique process of co-translation, with Joanna and Angela sharing how they divided the novel between the different generations of narrators in order to best preserve each woman's distinctive voice. Together, they discuss the creative negotiations involved in translating dialect, register, and culturally specific language, from retaining uniquely Bulgarian words such as loza to subtly embedding historical context for English-language readers without interrupting the narrative. Together, we explore the novel's wider themes of inherited trauma, family, identity, and migration, as well as the myriad ways readers from across Europe have connected with its portrayal of life on the margins of the continent. Joanna and Angela also reflect on the evolving visibility of literary translators, share their favourite book and must-read Bulgarian book recommendations, and discuss why reading widely remains one of the most important foundations of the craft. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Joanna and Angela discuss the relationship between author and translator: learning how trust, collaboration, and paying close attention to voice shape every stage of bringing a novel into another language. — You can purchase a copy of Born of Guilt by Joanna Elmy, translated from Bulgarian by Joanna Elmy and Angela Rodel, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast-2026? If you like the work I do and would like to support, please buy me a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/amuchneededbreak — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Joanna Elmy and Angela Rodel

    Angela Rodel and Joanna Elmy on writing and co-translating Born of Guilt

  7. Jul 31

    Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary on co-translation, solidarity, and Medea Sang Me a Corrido

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, literary translators Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary join the pod to discuss their co-translation of Medea Sang Me a Corrido by Dalia de la Cerda, a powerful short story collection that explores gendered violence, resistance, and solidarity in contemporary Mexico. Julia and Heather take us through their respective journeys into literary translation, reflecting on the books, languages, and experiences that first drew them to the craft. We discuss the many unexpected paths into translation, from undergraduate research projects to multilingual upbringings, and how both of their careers evolved through a shared passion for literature across languages. We dive into their collaborative translation process, exploring the unique dynamics of co-translation and the creative possibilities that emerge when two translators work in conversation with one another. Julia and Heather share how they divided stories, revised each other's work, and navigated difficult translation decisions together, revealing how some of the book's most memorable moments were born through collaboration. (All roads go back to poodle) Together, we discuss the importance of preserving cultural specificity in translation, from retaining culturally embedded language to researching folklore, mythology, corridos, and contemporary Mexican popular culture. Julia and Heather reflect on the careful balance between accessibility and authenticity, explaining why leaving certain words untranslated is not only a stylistic decision but also part of the book's political and cultural project. We also explore Dalia de la Cerda's urgent and uncompromising writing, discussing the collection's engagement with violence against women, systemic inequality, and the networks of solidarity that offer hope amidst despair. Finally, Julia and Heather share their advice for emerging literary translators, speaking candidly about the realities of the profession, the importance of community, and why collaboration and transparency remain at the heart of literary translation. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Julia and Heather discuss translation as a collective act of care, curiosity, and creativity, and to gain a deeper understanding of the many conversations and decisions involved in bringing a politically charged work across languages. — You can purchase a copy of Medea Sang Me a Corrido by Dalia de la Cerda, translated from Spanish by Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast-2026? If you like the work I do and would like to support, please buy me a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/amuchneededbreak — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary

    Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary on co-translation, solidarity, and Medea Sang Me a Corrido

  8. Jul 9

    Pablo Strauss on eco-horror, migration, and bringing Quebec literature into English

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, literary translator Pablo Strauss joins the pod to discuss his translation of Horsefly by Mireille Gagné: an unsettling eco-horror novel that blends speculative fiction, historical narrative, and environmental anxiety into a wholly original reading experience. Published by New Cross Press in 2026, this marks the first title for their indie press. Pablo takes us through his journey into literary translation, reflecting on how a lifelong curiosity about languages and cultures eventually led him to Quebec, where an immersion in French literature paved the way for his career as a translator. We discuss the patience and persistence required to establish a career in literary translation, as well as the creativity and collaboration that underpin every stage of this process. We dive into his translation of Horsefly, exploring the novel's three interwoven timelines and its haunting exploration of climate change, memory, disease, and humanity's fragile relationship with the natural world. Pablo shares the fascinating challenge of translating the perspective of a horsefly, balancing an unfamiliar non-human voice with a tone that remains unsettling, lyrical, and believable for English-language readers. Together, we discuss the practical and creative decisions involved in translating a novel so deeply rooted in Quebec, from navigating regional expressions and cultural references to recreating the landscapes and atmosphere that shape the story. Pablo also reflects on the collaborative nature of literary translation, discussing the invaluable role editors and authors play in refining a translation and bringing a book to its fullest potential. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Pablo discuss translation as a process of curiosity, experimentation, and close attention, as well as the unique challenges of bringing an ambitious work of eco-horror across languages for a new readership. — You can purchase a copy of Horsefly by Mireille Gagné, translated from French by Pablo Strauss, here: https://newcrosspress.com/books/horsefly // https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast-2026? If you like the work I do and would like to support, please buy me a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/amuchneededbreak — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Pablo Strauss

    Pablo Strauss on eco-horror, migration, and bringing Quebec literature into English
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About

Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation, the podcast celebrating literature in translation and the people who make it possible. Each episode features an interview with translators from around the world about the books they bring into English, the creative choices behind their work, and what it truly means to carry a story from one language to another.

Information

  • Creator
    Evelyn Heis (@amuchneededbreak)
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Evelyn Heis (@amuchneededbreak)
  • Show Website
    It's Lit in Translation

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