It's Lit in Translation

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.

It's Lit in Translation is a arts podcast hosted by Evelyn Heis (@amuchneededbreak), with 15 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Evelyn Heis (@amuchneededbreak) hosts It's Lit in Translation, a arts show with 15 episodes published.

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  Episode #15

  Angela Rodel and Joanna Elmy on writing and co-translating Born of Guilt

  Aug 13, 20261h 16mS1

  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

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  Episode #14

  Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary on co-translation, solidarity, and Medea Sang Me a Corrido

  Jul 31, 20261h 19mS1

  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

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  Episode #13

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

  Jul 9, 202655 minS1

  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

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  Episode #12

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

  Jun 29, 202650 minS1

  <p>Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible.</p><p>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.</p><p>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 work...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #12

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

  Jun 29, 202650 minS1

  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

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