In the present article the author attempts to formulate an answer to the following questions: How does a translator deal with a publisher who fails to promote his work effectively, especially if his rmuneration depends on sales? What about a translator's relationship with a living author who proves difficult in more way than one? Is it politic for a translator to polemicize with a reviewer whose criticism is deemed wronghead or unfair. From the major projects that the author has tackled, four instances were selected to shed some light on these questions.