PART 3: PUBLISHING YOUR TRANSLATIONS
This article was adapted by AmeryEdge based on GoodGuyPerson’s original post on Reddit.
[http://bit.ly/ggptranslations3]
The final piece in our three parter on how to get started on novel translations. To recap, at this point in time you should have already
Chosen your series
Started a glossary
Translated a few chapters underneath raws and dictionaries
Started working with editors/proofreaders to improve the chapter qualities
Now we will talk about the issue of where to publish your translations. You have three major choices
Forum Publishing
The classic method that has worked since the dawn of the translation community.
Pros: It requires no startup cost or effort aside from making an account on your chosen website and posting your chapters. Built-in readers from the platform.
Cons: Unless you are posting in wuxiaworld.com’s forum, where your translations could potentially lead to a more permanent position on the main website, it is generally very bad for your group’s long term development.
Recommended: Wuxiaworld Forum
Free Publishing
WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr or any other similar services.
Pros: No hosting and domain cost. No spam and cyber attacks concern. No technical aptitude necessary. Minor customization efforts required while theming and putting together your blog. More control when compared to forum publishing. Ideal for beginners.
Cons: Negative effect on your group’s long term development. Lack of control over your own site ( Example: WordPress automatically insert advertising into your posts unless you pay them not to). Lack of extensive customization, plugins and theming support.
Recommended: WordPress + NovelUpdates
Publishing on an Existing Translation Website
If the thought of running your own website is daunting, you can always approach a larger translation group and ask them for help.
Pros: No hosting and domain cost, no cyber security and general technical effort. Guaranteed traffic and pre set up monetization arrangements like donation buttons and advertising revenue share. Closer access to other experienced translators and editors who will help you improve your releases.
Cons: Little to no control over the way the platform is run. High amount of commitment for a specific series that requires you consistently deliver weekly or daily minimum quota.
Recommended: Dependent on chosen novel and your level of commitment to the project.
[Self-ad: Edgenotes is a compilation magazine published by ameryedge.com. If you are interested in picking up one of our teaser series and want to keep translating it on our site, you are welcome to join us.]
Self-Hosted
Your website, your rules.
Pros: Total and complete control over your own project.
Cons: High startup cost. Paid hosting and domains. (Potentially) Paid themes, plugins and other services that keeps your website running and protected. (Potentially) High amount of effort required when customizing your own website, may require some basic HTML and CSS knowledge. Maintaining and upgrading the website. Working with advertising agencies for monetizations. No built in fan base or web traffic, which means more hours on your end spent on promoting.
Thank you for sticking around to our final article. As previously mentioned, all topics talked during these three preliminary articles will be explored deeper on our later issues. While the first two are more geared towards Chinese Translations, this third part can be applied to almost everybody in the community who wants to start publishing their translations. For now, if you think you have what it takes, go out there and give it your best!
This article was originally published in Edgenotes: The Novel Translations Magazine Issue #1.
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