And so, I have came back from the realm of the dead. I apologize if I sometimes got discouraged by some people. I don’t know how much it cost to buy my time, so I’ll just put a poll about it ranging from $60-$100. I won’t give you the option to reject..
Why ?
Because, I’m not charging you for chapters, I’m charging you if you want bonus chapters. If you don’t want it, there’s no need to donate it..
If you don’t like it, which is weird, go ahead and unfollow me…I don’t care anymore. I hope you won’t read the chapters anymore from me…. *sigh* I just don’t care about unfollower anymore..
Thanks to Alex, Brandon, and RKA for filling the bar when i slept.
Btw, I’m happy enough with $60 / day which will make daily release. Poll will be closed when I got a good number of vote..
Time needed for each chapter : KnW 1.5-2hr, Nidoume 2.5hr, Isekai 4-5/6 hr (thanks to the narration…)
Some Q for you:
– What’s the estimated monthy cost of your future site (hosting + maintermance), with and without extra labor cost (hire more translator, editer, proof reader,…)
– Do you expected to make a living out of this WN Translating job?
– If yes how will you share the profit with original author?
– If you do share profit will you make a contact with original author and become a publisher. How will you handle free leech? Will this site become pay to read?
– What will happen when the donation bar is full? You reset it right away/ reset at the 1st of new month/reset at your next billday?
– How long will you continue this job? Untill you graduate /reach 25/married/find a job/1 year from now?Additional question to John Smith’s.
You do not do your own editing, but someone else edits the chapter for you. Unlike wuxiaworld, who edits and translates, your initial translations are quite horrid grammar wise. Do you intend to share those profits with whomever has been editing your chapters? If not, how can you justify the price point of your sponsored chapters?
While you do the hardest part in translation, the editing requires another person to do this. As it can be seen your English grammar is not perfect. Similar to how real publishers work, the editor would/should get paid as well.
I truly want to know how you justify taking the entire fee, and not offering any compensation for your editor, who also spends their time in editing.
– I will answer the estimated cost once I actually got the site up.
– I don’t expect that much, but I expect that it worth my time. (Even $60 a day is already a lot for me right now..)
-I’m planning to contact the author and share profits based on views and share a percentage of the profits.
-I still havent think about the leech…. I don’t think this will become pay to read.
-I will substract $80/(whatever it will be) every bonus released.
-I will continue this job until I deemed this doesn’t worth my time at all. ( I can gain a lot more doing something else)
– I will pay editors if they want to be paid.
ELYSION Translation 
I have been wondering this for a while, wouldn’t it be more sensible / profitable for you (and Ren) to just outsource the work and charge $80? At worst you may may have to make minor amends to the translations. I believe the going rate is 2500 words can be done for $30-40 (Chinese) and about $45-55 for Japanese. And this is for a one time contract. You would get rates as low as $25 if you negotiated for a longer collaboration? I support outsourcing because it would mean you can churn out more chapters (probably better quality too).
Also, “Because I was thinking about the reader’s pleasure. I realized that it backfired. So, I will be a bit selfish this time.” – You may want to rephrase this. Just saying …..
My personal opinion on taking donations for translations is (applicable to Ren as well)- if it covers anything more than real expenses incurred (other than website + novel purchase), it is an income. And if you are profiting of the author without his consent – it is piracy. Not that I am against piracy…just letting you know. If you don’t live in the States and your server is located outside of US, you should be fine…hopefully.
Other than that, it would be nicer if you dropped KnW etc and focused only on Isekai – I feel the story is better and you will attract more reader. Which in turn should allow you to charge more. I would suggest breaking the chapters into smaller parts so that donations can max out each part (also lets you charge more per chapter) rather than charging a bigger lumpsum amount for the entire chapter – which might take forever to accumulate…..
Happy TL-ing.
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This is actually the best suggestion I heard in a while.
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Hohoho! Of course it would be the best suggestion – after all I am Kami-sama! :3
On a side note, you should try to repeat the success of Coiling Dragon and Overlord. There are many other TL sites but I chose these two because CD is one of the successful in terms of *cough* money *cough* and Overlord is ~somewhat similar in terms of chapter length.
You need to get the readers addicted. Coiling Dragon is a stupid story (I have never seen a dumber MC than Linley) but the beginning is good – that is more than enough to get readers hooked to the story. That is the source of long term funding.
Quality is really important. Read and re-read 100x or get editors. If you are doing it for the money – quality is really important. Even if you didn’t do it for money, quality is still very important – because your english skills determine whether a reader will read the story or not. If you have a good vocab / english / grammar etc you can move beyond literal MTL level translations to high quality work – which is worth paying. I forget which novel I was read but it literally *sucked* “i kid not you Tler wrote shit” . I dropped the novel after reading 3 sentences. Then, I picked it up tried a few paras and was sure I could not read more.
On the more short term funding, cliffhangers are powerful instruments. Elf Tensei is on a cliffhanger right now. So is Overlord and Knights & Magic…The chapters of Elf Tensei are broken into 3-4 parts. Finding the sweet spot to break the chapter is always a good
thing.
The reason, why I said ditch KnW is because there are 2 more people TLing it. Its a crowded market with no returns. You will be the only one doing Isekai, means readers need to come here for the latest. If you get bored remember you can always expand later, even Ren began with only CD and then expanded.
Also focus on building a community – I have often heard people say Ren manages the site community very well. I don’t get what this is …but meh,.
Lastly, about paying the author and editors. Check with Ren, Goodguy etc. Do they pay money to authors? Did they ever reach out to authors?
Paying editors? If the Editor can TL too then sure why not pay at a mutually agreed rate. Or maybe the Editor’s work is *really* good and he goes beyond grammar rules but also provides vocabs and author poetry – then it might be worth paying for it.
But if the Editor can only correct english by the rules – What a joke. Other than rolling credits, this type of editor shouldn’t get anything. You can get tons of free help – if you look for it. Try RoyalRoad – they have so many PRs for Fanfics. If they can do FFs (for free) they can surely help you with a light novel.
Don’t be so willing to part with your money and say “Okay if editor wants money, i will pay.” Age old wisdom – ” A fool and his money are soon to part.”
You don’t have to make any commitment to TL the entire series. Because paid chapters are for the chapter they are and not for future chapters. But, a good story left incomplete is sad. So even if you don’t plan to TL in the future, you can always reach out to Ren, GoodGuy other TLers etc and see if they are willing. Everyone is always willing when there is a golden egg laying goose.
Kami-sama watches over you – like a stalker. So have no fear.
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I will pray to kami-sama everyday for guidance.
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Well I agree with you but I don t think it would be to be as low as45-55 per chapter and if he does split Isekai into parts maybe something like 2 or 3 since he always said that this was how much long it is than KnW and he get something like 80 or 90 for each part
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Mmmm…
If you truly want to make a living out of translating, go to the license holders website’s find the “careers” or “jobs” button. They’re ALWAYS looking for more translators. Visual Novel’s too.
The problem is that you really wont be able to choose the projects you wish to work on; however, the upside is that you will be able to work from home, probably can get paid per page, and you will be in the field that you want to be.
With this website alone you already are proving that you can do it, so i’m sure getting the job will be easy as cake for you. Delicious delicious cake. Mmmm…
Anyway, ignore the haters. You do good work. You can’t please everyone and trying to do it only stresses you out to no avail. Good luck, Sir! *Salute*
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First up! Thanks for the translations Elysion, enjoying reading knw from all of you working on it, great work.
Secondly, just an idea… make a page that is the next unreleased chapter and put your fund raising meter / donate button on it 🙂
Also maybe try and link the donation to something substantial that people will think is worth it, like quick buttons for donate 1/2/3/5$ for next 5 chapters (i don’t know for sure, i was just thinking a chunk and guessed) set your goal, and run it a week ahead, so people are donating for the next week.
I just think id be more inclined to donate like that 🙂
As to wether or not you should take donations… do what you want! 🙂 you will get some picky people but just remember to look at it in 3rd person. They’re just pushing their ideals on you, it doesn’t lessen you, it lessens them. Everyone has different circumstances, those that cant see that likely never will either… but hows this, they will always be stuck with themselves haha.
Do you look at stats on your site? take a look at them, when you see a bad comment… thats one bad comment, all those others that went to your site are loving what your doing even if they don’t comment, your audience are likely quiet people like me (until i start to talk, then i don’t shut up:). Don’t lose heart!
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Thanks ! I will consider your suggestion.
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i would like to donate but i live mexico and im fucking poor sorry 1 dollar equals 14 pesos
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It’s alright.
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Me also
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I m Mexican also and I can t donate that s why I try to help but I can t give money
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Elysion how much time do you take to translate a chapter of each series?
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I don’t think time matter, because it only show my skills.
Well, KnW – avg 1.5 hour Nidoume-avg 2 hour Isekai Mahou avg 4 hour
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Well you re amazing to do it that fast more or less one would take more hours
So maybe for Konjiki would have to be compared with other translators to know how much to expect from it so maybe from 60 to 65 should be maybe for a day and Nidoume 62”50 to 67.50 and Isekai 65 to 75 maybe this would be a chapter/ day worth for each though I think I m asking too much well a the end your monthly income if we use this would be 790 well that what I think
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That’s enough for me.
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I throw money in your general direction. I don’t give a damn about accounting or justifications. Call it a tip.
… Do what you love. If the horse bucks, jumps, falls or dies: stay in the saddle. Live until you die.
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Well, there’s thousands of you. $1 from each one is already tremendous.
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i think a lot of us(at least me) didn’t realize we can donate (so maybe at the middle of the chapter you can remind us to donate)
i know you wracking your brains to think of a way for us to pay by means other than paypal but can’t think of one (if it comes down to it I will mail cash by envelope)
i am not sure if i can help you but when i translated kids in my school payed me in gift cards. if you get reader to somehow send you money through other means that is not too complicated and that parents would allow it would work.
i am a high school senior (i can pay by credit, debit but not paypal)
the general public want to donate but have hard time doing so.
Since you’re probably in college i might just see you next year might go to university illinois urbana champaign , u mich, university toronto.
🙂
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I’m trying to register few another accounts right now.
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Eita, sou bbrasileiro, nao traduzo mais gosto de ler, então menda que eu traduzo para mim msm, sou egoista, tenho quase. Tenho centenas das suas postagem em português e não posto, calculando, tenho capítulos o suficiente para postar 2 cap por.dia por 3 meses, mais repito sou egoista, poste Isekai Mahou Okureteru que lhe ajudo com algum ddinheiro.
Ps, preguça de escrever em inglês, se virem para entender
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^somebody please help me translate this…
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Jeez, am bbrasileiro , not translate more like reading , then mends that I translate for me msm , I’m selfish , I’m pretty . I have hundreds of their posting in Portuguese and not post , calculating, chapters have enough to post 2 cap por.dia for 3 months , more repeat ‘m selfish , post Isekai Mahou Okureteru I help you with some ddinheiro .
Ps, preguça to write in English , if they see to understand
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Basically, he will donor for Isekai ? It’s barely readable.. Help people..
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Well basically it is Portuguese which is similar to Spanish so I could more or less understand but I preferred to translate with google translator to be sure and yep what you said is right ELYSION
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What did he tell me to announce ? That he have hundreds of chapter (of what?) in portuguese ? I’m confused haha
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He is brazilian and love to read, but not translate. Something about translating for himself but not sharing it, cause egoism( he have translations to post 2 a day for 3 months). Also say he will donate for isekai.
PS. Dont want to write in english, understand by yourself.
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So from what I understand you will release a bonus chapter sometime after the donation bar is full and reset it and it does not hinder whatever your future *regular* release schedule maybe.
For reference US minimum wage is $7.25/h/pps. If you translate 8h/days that make $60/day. How much words/chapter is that?
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So, If i were to be paid $7,25/h, that would make 8h to reach $60… Hmm, to my speed, I guess that’s 6 chapter ? But, isn’t more speed is more expensive ? So, I don’t think it really matter though…
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Then you are faster so maybe $8,25/h should be what you get 😐
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Just hypothetical speaking since 6 chapter/days would be too much for all of us translator, editer, proofreader and leecher. And no one want to make a side hobby work
Imo you should expect donation likes some kind of “bonus” that mean there will be days there’s none. Ad revenue should be the slow and steady income.
For me I think I can make it $10/month for a side hobby of reading WB/LN and I read free from other site as well
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How much do you think a chapter/day worth ?
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So if we say that he works for 8 hours and 8,25 for hour then he will get $66 per day of chapter and you would like to ask 10 dollars monthly of his I think $752 monthly income he would get?
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How may money money would you like to be donated on a day if possible ? I mean there is the poll and all but what daily income would you like to expect
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yay you came back! selfish? well, you did start this cuz you wanted to and, as far as i know, you can end this just like the way you started it. As long as you keep up, i wont care if the updates become irregular, if i can get them then i’ll be happy c:
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Are you do this for the re:monster? Cuz if so I would donate 20-30 for that with my budget as is
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I’m still a bit confused with Re : Monster right now, I’m still waiting reply from tom foster.
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Ah ok but if you do I will definitely donate for that
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the $60 – $100 per bonus is a great idea.maybe you can charge $60 for a normal chapter and depending on how longer the chapter is than normal, you can put additional $$$ to your $60.just do things one step at a time.maybe just limit your projects for now.as for those bonus chapters maybe you should do a poll on what LN should should have it and the only voters are those who had donated in the past till present,i mean they shared their money giving them privilege to choose is the least we leechers could do.this are all just suggestions
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Yeah, I have been sending private polls for donator.
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Some Q for you:
– What’s the estimated monthy cost of your future site (hosting + maintermance), with and without extra labor cost (hire more translator, editer, proof reader,…)
– Do you expected to make a living out of this WN Translating job?
– If yes how will you share the profit with original author?
– If you do share profit will you make a contact with original author and become a publisher. How will you handle free leech? Will this site become pay to read?
– What will happen when the donation bar is full? You reset it right away/ reset at the 1st of new month/reset at your next billday?
– How long will you continue this job? Untill you graduate /reach 25/married/find a job/1 year from now?
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– I will answer the estimated cost once I actually got the site up.
– I don’t expect that much, but I expect that it worth my time. (Even $60 a day is already a lot for me right now..)
-I’m planning to contact the author and share profits based on views and share a percentage of the profits.
-I still havent think about the leech…. I don’t think this will become pay to read.
-I will substract $80/(whatever it will be) every bonus released.
-I will continue this job until I deemed this doesn’t worth my time at all. ( I can gain a lot more doing something else)
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Additional question to John Smith’s.
You do not do your own editing, but someone else edits the chapter for you. Unlike wuxiaworld, who edits and translates, your initial translations are quite horrid grammar wise. Do you intend to share those profits with whomever has been editing your chapters? If not, how can you justify the price point of your sponsored chapters?
While you do the hardest part in translation, the editing requires another person to do this. As it can be seen your English grammar is not perfect. Similar to how real publishers work, the editor would/should get paid as well.
I truly want to know how you justify taking the entire fee, and not offering any compensation for your editor, who also spends their time in editing.
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If they want a share of profit, yes.
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The Zombie Rises! All hail! *Guaaahhh!*
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Don t worry anyways just do what the hell you want it is your blog , I won t unfollow you, do like some blogs, only of you can, like for example if it the donation reaches 25 dollars on a day don t know if that enough you will try to make chapter daily or two chapters on the next day how does that sound?
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I’ll try.
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Just my ideas don t need to try , I just wanted to suggest something to help 😀
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that elysion tat i know,
this is your site, you aren’t tools, and money talk.
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Thanks.
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