As the rights coordinator at Ooligan Press, I have been tasked with the exciting yet challenging responsibility of expanding the reach of our titles beyond English-speaking audiences. Recently, I embarked on a mission to sell foreign translation rights to Croatia for one of our upcoming releases Supersymmetry. What seemed like a straightforward task quickly turned into a deep and enlightening dive through the complex world of foreign rights management.

Initially, my plan was simple: identify and contact a Croatian publisher directly to negotiate the sale of translation rights. However, it wasn’t long before I realized that this approach was not the usual way of going about things and potentially ineffective. To navigate these murky waters, I sought guidance from someone with more experience—book scout Kalah McCaffrey.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a book scout is a professional who tracks book trends and identifies promising titles for foreign publishers. They act as matchmakers between local publishers and international markets, providing insights into what might succeed in different cultural contexts. Working with Kalah was enlightening. She provided me with a comprehensive overview of how foreign translation rights are typically handled, and it became clear that I needed to rethink my strategy.

In large publishing houses, the sale of foreign translation rights is often managed through coagents. A coagent is a specialist who collaborates with the primary literary agent to handle rights sales in various territories. They possess in-depth knowledge of specific markets and maintain relationships with foreign publishers. However, as a small press, Ooligan does not have the resources to hire coagents, which meant I had to explore alternative solutions.

This realization led me to discover DropCap, a company that serves as an intermediary between self-published authors or small presses and entities interested in purchasing rights. DropCap simplifies the process by offering a platform to facilitate these transactions, thereby bridging the gap that small presses like Ooligan often face. By leveraging their extensive network and expertise, DropCap provides a viable pathway for bringing our titles to international audiences without the need for in-house coagents.

While a lot of work still needs to be done to decide whether DropCap is the right fit for Ooligan and establish that professional relationship, the potential benefits are clear. Utilizing their services could streamline the process of selling foreign rights and open new doors for our titles in international markets. This could be particularly advantageous for Supersymmetry, allowing it to reach Croatian readers and beyond.

This journey to understand how a small, independent press like Ooligan can sell foreign translation rights has been a testament to the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness. By exploring innovative solutions, small presses can effectively navigate the complexities of the global publishing landscape. As we continue to assess our options with DropCap, I am optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for Ooligan Press and our authors. This experience has not only broadened my understanding of rights management but also reinforced the value of collaboration and innovation in the ever-evolving world of publishing.

Written by Emmily Tomulet.