Trusting Your Book to the Art of Translation

🎙️ New episode: Norwegian author Victoria Kielland on "My Men"

Apr 24, 2025

Hi Bleeders!

Have you ever thought about how much trust it takes to let someone translate your book into another language?

I'm currently taking a translation class for my MFA, and it reminded me of my interview with Victoria Kielland, the Norwegian author of My Men—a historical fiction novel that's now being translated into 14 languages! 😮

In our conversation, Victoria opened up about the strange, exhilarating, and sometimes nerve-wracking experience of handing her words over to translators.

But how did her book take off internationally in the first place? Victoria shared how her timing was a bit of a lucky break.

"I think I had a really good post-COVID wind with me… My book came out in June, so the different newspapers and magazines didn't have anything to write about, so they picked up my book quite fast."

After a wave of glowing reviews, an independent literary agent reached out and helped My Men find homes in other countries. But finding the right English translator was a process.

"We first did a translation sample from one translator. And that didn't work because… the rhythm or the poetry or the tactility of the language didn't quite land in the first sample. So we changed the translator.”

They wound up going with Damion Searls for the English translation, and he got the rhythm right away. Victoria emphasized how important it was to find someone who could capture the musicality of her prose—something closer to poetry than traditional narrative.

"For all my books, actually, you need to sort of think as a poet, not as a novelist... You need to have like the metaphors and the rhythm... I connect more to the world of poetry than I do to normal prose."

Of course, entrusting your words to a translator—especially when you don’t speak the language—requires an epic leap of faith.

"It's a game of trust and it's hard for me. I can read the Danish and the Swedish... but yeah, it's really hard. It's hard."

She also acknowledged the artistry involved in translation itself.

"My agent actually told me that the translators themselves often see themselves as artists, and I kind of get that because they are sort of writing a new book, they are making a new artwork. They have to take some decisions which will make this another book."

✨ Translators ARE making another book—a distinct work of art. I’ve recently gained a new appreciation for this art form. This conversation is a great primer for anyone interested in the art of translation from either side of the equation.

🎧 Click here to listen to the full episode!

Happy bleeding,
Courtney

I’m teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:

So… ROLL CALL! 🗣️

Do you have experience with your work being translated? Are you a translator? Share your thoughts and feelings.

What’s your favorite translation? I would love some recs.

The Bleeders

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