Dylan MacNeil is a Japanese-to-English translator and literary proofreader based in Tkaronto/Toronto.
About
I have over 20 years of full-time experience in the translation industry.
I began my career as a technical Japanese-to-English translator in 2005 after earning my BA in East Asian Studies from the University of Toronto. I’ve been freelance since 2010 after working in-house for an agency for five years.
A passionate and enthusiastic reader, primarily of experimental and maximalist works, as well as a broad range of global literature in translation, I now provide services in literary proofreading and creative Japanese-to-English translation.
In my spare time, I also enjoy baking, film, and swimming.
Projects
Proofreading
(Upcoming) Michael Brodsky: Plentitude; Or, The Bull by the Horns (TBD)
Antonio Moresco: The Beginnings (Deep Vellum), trans. Max Lawton (forthcoming 2026)
Michael Lentz: Schattenfroh (Deep Vellum), trans. Max Lawton (2025)
Translation
Mishima Yukio: Sotoba Komachi (play) for Tin Drum (production forthcoming 2026)
Senior Linguist, SunLeaf Language Services, Inc. (2010–Present)
Services
Literary Proofreading
I bring my sensitive eye for grammar, spelling, and prose style to my proofreading work, with the aim of helping publishers present the most polished possible versions of their books to the world. With a taste for the sweeping, the lush, and the singular, I work in close communication with authors, translators, and editors to flag errors, research potential issues, and suggest alternatives in a collaborative process of consideration and discovery.
Japanese-to-English Translation
My love of Japanese literature spans everything from foundational Classical Japanese texts to post-war novels and more contemporary writing. I’m interested in showcasing new authors and their works to the English reading world, as well as long-overlooked books that deserve a broader international audience. I’m also available for technical translation, but am presently focused on building my creative portfolio.
Contact
Reach out to me at dylan.macneil@gmail.com.