Welcome to my website. I’m David McKay, and Open Book Translation is my Dutch-to-English translation business specializing in literature, academic books and articles, museum publications, and books for the general public. My clients include major museums, scholars, and publishing houses. I am a member of ALTA, Sense, and the Society of Authors. I am the 2021 ALTA Emerging Translator Mentor (Dutch-English). The Dutch Foundation for Literature, a semi-governmental organization, has approved me as a literary translator from Dutch into English. In November 2017, I was awarded the biennial Vondel Translation Prize for my translation of War and Turpentine by Stefan Hertmans, which was also nominated for the International Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Best Translated Book Award. My joint translation with Ina Rilke of the anti-imperialist Dutch classic Max Havelaar was shortlisted for the Oxford-Weidenfeld Prize 2020. You can find more information about past literary projects here.
If you’re interested in working with me, or have any questions, please contact me.
Selected Translations













