What’s your stance on AI?

Short answer: I don’t sell AI translations. All my work is written and proofread by real people—myself and my proofreader, Maria.

Long answer: I believe AI can—and will—be an amazing tool across countless fields, including translation. The key is using it responsibly, to enhance human creativity rather than replace it.

Personally, I’ve experimented with AI in small, supporting roles—for instance, to pre-edit parts of my drafts (before they ever reach Maria) or to help tidy up my social media content. But the core of my work remains fully human. I translate everything myself, and Maria handles the proofreading. That process isn’t going to change.

Translation isn’t just about converting words—it’s about tone, nuance, voice, and cultural context. And for that, you still need real people.

Why should I get my work translated into Italian?

Short answer: To sell more books.

Long answer: The Italian ebook market is growing steadily. Ebook sales and market share continue to rise (more info here and here). While traditional publishers are lagging behind—offering overpriced ebooks and publishing at a slow pace—indie authors have a real chance to catch the wave and ride it.

The typical Italian ebook reader is a heavy reader—win them over, and you’ve gained a loyal customer for life. But strong readers are also extremely picky. They have a keen eye and can spot the subtle mistakes a bad translator might make. Which leads us to the next few questions…

What are your credentials?

I’m a native speaker of Italian—the language I translate into—and I’ve translated more than 200 books, including titles by bestselling authors like Glynnis Campbell, Tanya Anne Crosby, Erica Ridley, Grace Burrowes, Nadine Mutas, Maggie Shayne… and many more.

That said, I understand why an indie author stepping into a new market with limited resources might have doubts. That’s why I offer a free sample translation: send me 1,000 words of your work, and I’ll translate it for free. That way, you can decide for yourself if I’m the right person for the job.

Do you have a proofer?

Yes! Her name is Maria, and she’s really good at her job. 🙂

I want to commission a translation! How does it work?

Great! I’ll draft a contract and send it to you for review. Once we agree on the terms and both sign, I’ll start translating your book.

After I finish the translation, the manuscript goes to Maria for proofreading. Then I’ll review the proofread version, make any necessary adjustments, and send the updated text back to Maria for another pass. Once she’s done, I’ll deliver the final version to you.

Would you be willing to work for a share of the royalties?

No. I made that mistake once and won’t do it again. Royalty-share deals put all the risk on the translator—if the book doesn’t sell, you lose nothing, while I’ve spent weeks or months working for free. If you want your novel translated, invest in it.

I might consider a royalty-share deal only if:

• it comes with a substantial cash advance (as a sign of real commitment), and

• it comes from a well-established and reliable author or publisher.

But don’t count on it.

How long does it take you to translate a book?

I’m a relatively fast translator and can do around 5,000 words per working day. Maria is quick too, but she’s meticulous, so the revision phase can take just as long as the translation.

Then comes quality control. And then my own additional revisions—because I want to make sure the final product is actually worth your money.

All in all, a 50,000-word book usually takes about five to six weeks from start to finish. I’m often faster, but it’s best to be prepared for that timeframe.

I’m a struggling writer! Can you translate my novel for free? I’ll advertise your website a lot!

Try asking your plumber to work purely for visibility. Please film the conversation—I could use the entertainment.

Seriously, I don’t work for free. Don’t even ask. That said, I’m open to negotiation, but that’s a whole different story.

How can I pay you?

I accept PayPal, but I prefer Wise (formerly TransferWise), as it’s quicker, easier to manage, and comes with significantly lower fees on my end.

What does the website’s motto mean?

“Follow the stars”. It’s an invitation to explore new worlds and new paths—translation being one of them.

The header image on my site is a detail from The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo. I chose it because, to me, it symbolizes the contact between two worlds that gives birth to something new.

Translation is ultimately an act of creation. The translated book isn’t a copy of the original—it’s a new creature that happens to wear the same fur.