Want to Write Better Fiction? Become a Translator - The Millions

Unlike many of their counterparts elsewhere, most American novelists don't translate books. Here in the United States, with its constellation of MFA programs, many teach creative writing. Those who don't teach work full- or part-time jobs, sometimes more than one; unless you're independently wealthy, it's nearly impossible to make art and provide a decent life for yourself and your family. Like freelance writers, independent (non-academic) translators are part of the gig economy-a perilous balancing act between employment and under-employment. For translators whose primary income is derived from translation, it's a constant hustle. Even if you're signed to translate two books, say, you're always thinking about landing a third, because you can't let the well run dry. You want to know you've got a reliable income stream ahead of you. And with many translators increasingly losing jobs to generative AI, the hustle is even more acute today.