Submissions: Translators & Literary Agents

Soda Buddhi Books is open to translation submissions on a rolling basis. There is no reading fee.

We publish English translations of South Asian “unclassics”—boundary-pushing voices that will capture the contemporary reader’s attention and imagination. We actively seek work originating from any language across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.

Submission Overview

  • Human Translations Only: All translations must be the original work of human translators. We do not accept, consider, or publish machine-generated translations.
  • What to Submit: We welcome agented submissions, complete translated manuscripts, and detailed project proposals from translators directly.
  • Response Timeline: We aim to review and respond to every initial inquiry within 4 weeks. If you have not heard from us after a month, gentle nudges are welcome. Feel free to follow up by replying directly to your submission confirmation.
  • Simultaneous Submissions: We welcome simultaneous submissions. If you receive an offer of publication, contract, or exclusive grant elsewhere while under review with us, please notify us immediately.

To submit a project, please use the secure form below for:

  • Agented manuscript submissions
  • Translator proposals and sample translations

Submission and Formatting Guidelines

Please submit a single PDF file that includes:

  1. Brief Cover Letter
    • Why the book is a good fit for Soda Buddhi Books
    • Awards, recognition, and cultural context of the original work
    • Publication history and rights status
  2. Translator’s Note
    • You know the book best: why should we invest our time in this title?
    • Source language reviews (with brief translations), accolades, or comp titles
    • If you are an emerging translator and this is your first book project, let us know!
  3. The Manuscript Sample
    • Polished excerpt of ~5,000 words (or 20–30 pages), or a complete project proposal
    • Full manuscript, if ready
    • Standard 12-pt font, double-spaced, and numbered pages

To get a deeper sense of our publishing model, ethos, and collaborative approach as an independent micropress, explore our FAQ.

Thank you for sharing your work with us.