Why Should Indie Authors Translate Their Books Into Spanish?

If you're an indie author trying to grow your readership, you've probably focused most of your energy on English-speaking markets. But here’s something many authors overlook: translating your book into Spanish could be the smartest move you’ll ever make. Seriously, if you're wondering why indie authors should translate their books into Spanish, let me give you three big reasons right off the bat: more readers, more income, and more impact.

The Spanish-speaking world is huge—over 500 million people speak Spanish globally, and it’s the second most spoken native language in the world (Statista). That's a lot of potential readers who haven’t yet discovered your book—simply because it’s not in their language. So, if you’re asking yourself, “Why should indie authors translate their books into Spanish?” the answer is simple: it opens a door to an entire new world of readers.

A Growing Audience That Loves to Read

Many Spanish-speaking countries have strong reading cultures. Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Colombia all have bustling book markets. And with platforms like Amazon KDP, Google Play Books, and Apple Books now expanding into Latin America and Spain, your Spanish-translated book can be available worldwide within days.

Here’s the best part: not every indie author is doing this yet. That means less competition for you—and more visibility in international markets. It’s one of the easiest ways to stand out.

Yes, You Can Make More Money

Translating your book into Spanish isn’t just about reaching new readers—it’s about making more sales. A translated book means another version of your work earning royalties.

Authors like Joanna Penn and Mark Dawson have both talked about international expansion being a major part of their income strategy (The Creative Penn). Spanish is almost always one of the first languages authors choose after English, and for good reason—it has a massive global presence, especially in digital spaces.

Just imagine: your book is already written. A quality Spanish translation can become a passive income stream, reaching people you never could through English alone.

You Don't Have to Speak Spanish to Succeed

One of the biggest fears indie authors have is: But I don’t speak Spanish! The good news? You don’t need to. That’s what translators (like me!) are here for. My job is to bring your voice, tone, and message into natural, culturally respectful Spanish—while you keep doing what you do best: writing amazing books.

Plus, tools like Babelcube, Reedsy, or working directly with trusted translators can make the process simple. And once translated, I can even guide you on how to market your book in Spanish, even if you don’t speak a word.

Repurpose What You’ve Already Written

Why start from scratch when you’ve already done the hardest part—writing the book?

Translating lets you recycle and multiply your effort. One book. Two languages. Two audiences. And yes, double the royalty potential.

Even better, you can apply this strategy across your entire backlist. If you’ve written a series or multiple standalone books, that’s even more opportunity to grow.

Final Thoughts

So, why should indie authors translate their books into Spanish?

Because the Spanish-speaking world is full of readers hungry for good stories. Because your words deserve to be read by more people. And because this might just be the most affordable way to expand your reach without writing a single new chapter.

If you’re serious about building your author career, translating your book into Spanish isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a strategic move that could change everything.

📌 What You’ll Gain by Translating into Spanish:

• Access to 500+ million potential readers

• Additional royalty stream from your existing book

• Visibility in low-competition book markets

• A growing international fan base

• Easy distribution via Amazon, Apple, and Google

• A professional partner (like me!) to help you every step of the way

Want help translating your book into Spanish?
Let’s talk about your project — I offer free sample translations so you can see the quality before making a decision.