Creative translation isn't for everyone. It requires a good literary background, familiarity with an author and their ideas, as well as excellent writing skills.

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I've always been passionate about literature and chose to do a Baccauréat Littéraire in France - a highlight of my school studies being when I was awarded 20/20 for the oral exam about my favourite writer, Victor Hugo.

 

One of the best things about living in Oxford is being surrounded by culture. I never miss a chance to attend a literary event - be it an interview with Alexander McCall Smith, Ewan McEwan or Salman Rushdie at the Sheldonian, a paper on the challenges of translating Sade at the Maison Française, a talk by Marie Darrieusecq at the Taylorian or an in-conversation event with Delphine de Vigan at Jesus College. I often go to London or hop on the Eurostar to see plays and most of my teaching jobs have involved teaching French literature.

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When I work on a creative translation, I immerse myself in the source text, do extensive background research to choose the right language, check that the client's happy with my approach throughout the project, and meticulously review the translation and polish its style to ensure it reads well and works as a standalone text rather than a translated text. And obviously there isn't a week that goes by when I don't read a lot and write a lot (in English and French), which is essential for maintaining effective creative translation skills.

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Published translations I've worked on

• A series of essays on slavery (University of Liverpool)

• An article on a Belgian novelist (University of Edinburgh)

• French prose and a poem (University of Oxford)

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Why choose me

• Experience of working in academia and with academic clients

• Portfolio of translations of literary texts for publication

• Genuine interest in/knowledge of the field

• Rigorous approach: regular consultation with the client and advice throughout the project

• Professionalism and attention to detail