How we translate children’s literature – in conversation with Thomas Clark & Johanna McCalmont
2 July @ 14:30 - 15:15 BST
Grab a cuppa and get to know translators, Thomas Clark and Johanna McCalmont. Thomas and Johanna will be in conversation with translator and TA committee member Josephine Murray to discuss the joys and challenges of translating children’s literature and to offer a glimpse into their creative routines.
This event is in conjunction with our Translators Association (TA).
#SoAatHome in conversation events – free for all + donation
All donations made go towards the Society of Authors’ Access Fund. The fund is to help provide authors with support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats. If you would like to make a donation with your booking, please do so when registering for the event below.
Programme
- Welcome, introductions and housekeeping from Josephine Murray (3 mins)
- Thomas Clark and Johanna McCalmont, and a glimpse into their creative routines (20-25 mins)
- Thomas Clark and Johanna McCalmont will each do a short reading from a recent book (5 mins)
- Q&A with audience (10 mins)
- Summary and closing comments (2 mins)
- This event will be moderated by Catherine Fuller – Senior Contracts Advisor & TA co-coordinator, SoA
Send us your questions
If you would like to send questions in advance, email CFuller@societyofauthors.org with ‘Thomas Clark & Johanna McCalmont – Question’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.
The Line-up
Thomas Clark
Thomas Clark is a writer and translator who works mainly in the Scots language. His work for children includes Scots translations of ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’, ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’, and ‘Peppa’s Bonnie Unicorn’. He also runs (alongside fellow translator Matthew Fitt) the Scots language schools resource provider ‘Scots Hoose Yaldi’.
Johanna McCalmont
Johanna McCalmont was born in Northern Ireland and now lives in Brussels, Belgium. Her translations for children have been published by Blue Dot Kids Press & North South. As a co-editor at the World Kid Lit blog, she helps champion global literature for younger readers. She also works as a conference interpreter.
Website: www.johannamccalmont.com
Josephine Murray
Josephine Murray is a translator from French to English and a journalist. Her published translations include Suffusion, Anne-Sophie Pic’s food memoir/manifesto with recipes for Hachette Pratique and three non-fiction illustrated children’s books by Manon Bucciarelli for Harper Collins, Nature and Cities which were published in 2025 and Myths which is due to be published in September.
LinkedIn: Josephine Murray | LinkedIn | Instagram: @MsJHMurray
Accessibility
- Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles
- If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org
Booking
Please either use the form titled ‘Register – no donation’ or the option of the different ticket options with a donation amount depending on how much you would like to donate towards the Society of Authors Access Fund.
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Register - No Donation
Please use the booking form to register for this event.
Please email events@societyofauthors.org if you have any questions.
