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. 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 — 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

  2. 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?&new-list-page=true&bkshp-astro=t — 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

  3. Jul 9

    Pablo Strauss on eco-horror, migration, and bringing Quebecian 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 — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Pablo Strauss

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

  4. Jun 29

    Sophie Hughes on literary translation, rediscovering her passion for reading, and judging the 2026 International Booker Prize

    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 Sophie Hughes joins the pod to discuss her journey into translation, the craft of bringing literature across languages, and her experience serving as a judge for the 2026 International Booker Prize. Sophie takes us through her path into literary translation, reflecting on her early fascination with language and the profound influence of writers such as Samuel Beckett. We discuss her studies in comparative literature and translation, her early experiences working in publishing, and the serendipitous opportunity that eventually led her to translate her first book from Spanish. We dive into Sophie’s translation process, exploring the careful balance between fidelity and creativity that lies at the heart of literary translation. Sharing insights into her working methods, Sophie discusses the importance of reading a text multiple times, creating exploratory drafts, and collaborating closely with authors to capture not only the meaning of a work but also its rhythm, tone, and emotional texture. We discuss her translation of Vincenzo Latronico's Perfection, marking her debut Italian-language translation. Together, we discuss Sophie’s experience as a judge for the International Booker Prize and the transformative impact it had on her reading life. From reading more than 100 books in 6 months to discovering authors and genres she might otherwise never have encountered, Sophie reflects on how the process broadened her horizons and renewed her enthusiasm for reading new literatures. We also explored the changing role of translators within publishing, the growing visibility of translated literature, and why fiction from around the world continues to resonate so strongly with English-language readers. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Sophie discuss translation as both a practice of close reading and an act of creative writing, as well as the many ways literature allows us to encounter perspectives beyond our own. - You can purchase a copy of Vincenzo Latronico's Perfection and Fernanda Melchor's Hurricane Season, translated by Sophie Hughes, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Sophie Hughes

    Sophie Hughes on literary translation, rediscovering her passion for reading, and judging the 2026 International Booker Prize

  5. Jun 17

    Kat Storace on photography, memory, and translating Before the Rocket

    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, Maltese editor and literary translator Kat Storace joins the pod to discuss her translation of Loranne Vella's Before The Rocket. Kat also dives into her work of bringing Maltese literature to English-language readers as the co-founder of Praspar Press. Kat takes us through her journey into literary translation, reflecting on the unexpected path that led her into the field and the mentorship that helped shape her career. We discuss the co-founding of Praspar Press and the importance of creating space for Maltese literature within the English-speaking publishing world, as well as the opportunities and challenges involved in representing a literary culture that remains largely undertranslated. We dive into her translation of Before the Rocket, a genre-defying novel set in Malta in 2064 that blends speculative fiction with dystopian storytelling. Kat shares her experience of translating a work deeply concerned with photography, memory, and time, discussing the challenge of rendering vivid photographic descriptions for readers despite the absence of any actual images within the text. Together, we explore the novel’s themes of climate change, colonialism, community resilience, and the relationship between images and storytelling. We also discuss the practical and creative decisions involved in translating Maltese literature into English, from preserving culturally specific language and place names to balancing accessibility with a strong sense of the novel’s Maltese identity. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Kat discuss the role translation plays in expanding access to underrepresented literary traditions, as well as the many considerations involved in bringing a distinctly Maltese story to an international readership. — You can purchase a copy of Before The Rocket by Loranne Vella, translated by Kat Storace, here: https://www.praspar.com/product/before-the-rocket — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: KT Bruce

    Kat Storace on photography, memory, and translating Before the Rocket

  6. May 13

    Ross Benjamin on fascism, film, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of this year’s Prize announcement. In today’s episode, award-winning translator of German literature Ross Benjamin joins the pod to discuss his translation of The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize. Ross takes us through his journey into literary translation, reflecting on his early encounters with translated literature through Grimm’s fairy tales, Bible stories, and French poetry, before eventually developing a deep connection to German language and literature. We discuss how translation became, for him, an extension of reading itself: a form of intense attentiveness that shaped both his literary sensibilities and his craft as a writer. We dive into his translation of Daniel Kehlmann's The Director, a historical novel centred on Austrian film director G.W. Pabst during the rise of the Nazi regime. Ross shares the challenges of translating a work that moves so deftly between horror, satire, absurdity, and psychological tension, discussing the importance of preserving the novel’s tonal volatility without over-amplifying or flattening its effects. We also explore the novel’s cinematic quality, the role of silence and hesitation in dialogue, and the moral questions surrounding complicity, artistic integrity, and self-deception under authoritarianism. Together, we discuss the delicate process of translating humour and historical voice, including Ross’s fascinating approach to the character Rupert Worcester, whose voice draws on the world of P.G. Wodehouse. Ross also reflects on the extensive research involved in the translation process, from watching archival footage and films to recreating the atmosphere of 1930s Europe for contemporary readers. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Ross discuss translation as a craft of calibration, revision, and close listening, as well as the role translated literature plays in preserving cultural difference and expanding the possibilities of reading beyond borders. - You can purchase a copy of The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjamin, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: David Schloss

    Ross Benjamin on fascism, film, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize

  7. May 10

    Padma Viswanathan on translating to build community and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize

    Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of this year’s Prize announcement. In today’s episode, Canadian-American writer and literary translator Padma Viswanathan joins the pod to discuss her translation of On Earth as It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize. Padma takes us through her journey into literary translation, reflecting on her early exposure to translation through the Bhagavad Gita and the role language and literature have played throughout her life. We discuss how her interest in Brazil, through music and the Portuguese language, gradually evolved into a translation practice, as well as the many experiences that shaped her approach to language, close reading, and storytelling. We dive into her translation of On Earth as It Is Beneath, discussing the challenge of capturing the swiftness, atmosphere, and intensity of Ana Paula Maia’s prose while preserving the novel’s striking visual and emotional force. Padma shares her thoughtful translation philosophy, including her decision to avoid footnotes in favour of maintaining the reader’s immersion, and reflects on the delicate balance between cultural specificity and readability in translated literature. Together, we explore the novel’s themes of violence, morality, confinement, religion, and power, unpacking the symbolic connections between the penal colony and the former enslaved plantation at the centre of the text. We also discuss the humour and humanity that run throughout the novel, and the importance of allowing readers to fully inhabit the world of the book without interruption. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Padma discuss translation as both a craft and an art form, as well as the attentiveness, confidence, and care required to bring a literary work into another language. - You can purchase a copy of On Earth As It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated by Padma Viswanathan, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Alex Tram

    Padma Viswanathan on translating to build community and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize

  8. May 9

    Lin King on colonialism, food as politics, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize

    Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I've had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of the Prize announcement. In today's episode, writer and literary translator from Taiwan, Lin King, joins the pod to discuss her translation of the IBP-shortlisted novel, Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ. Based between Taipei and New York, Lin takes us through her journey into literary translation, reflecting on growing up between languages, discovering literature through translation, and the path that eventually led her to champion Taiwanese voices in the Anglophone world. We dive into the layered complexities of translating Taiwan Travelogue, discussing the challenge of preserving historical specificity, cultural nuance, and the novel’s rich culinary vocabulary while making the text accessible to English-language readers. Lin shares her thoughtful approach to footnotes, the importance of retaining the texture of Taiwanese history within the novel, and the many considerations involved in translating a work so deeply rooted in language, colonialism, and memory. Together, we explore the novel’s themes of tourism, empire, food, and power, unpacking the uneasy dynamics between cultural appreciation and appropriation that emerge throughout the text. We also discuss the book’s queer undercurrents, the symbolism of travel and infrastructure, and the role fiction can play in fostering empathy and transcending borders. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Lin discuss her translation process and to learn about the many steps that took place for us to access this novel in English. - You can purchase a copy of Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ (published by And Other Stories) and translated by Lin King from Mandarin, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Annette An-Jen Liu

    Lin King on colonialism, food as politics, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize
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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
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Evelyn Heis (@amuchneededbreak)
  • Show Website
    It's Lit in Translation

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