Amazon To Launch New Publishing Unit (AMZN)

Amazon AMZN is planning to launch a publishing unit, AmazonCrossing, for producing English-language translation of foreign-language books. Jeff Belle, Amazon’s (AMZN) vice president of books, said, “A very small percentage of books are translated from foreign languages into English and sold in the U.S. and U.K. It is an imbalance.” According to the Wall Street Journal, AmazonCrossing is the online retailer’s second attempt into traditional book publishing. Amazon launched AmazonEncore in May 2009 to identify and publish hitherto-unpublished authors. The venture has churned out 19 books so far. AmazonCrossing’s first offering will be French author Tierno Monenembo’s 2008 novel, “The King of Kahel”. AmazonCrossing will also sell its translated books via third-party wholesalers. The digital versions will be available on Kindle e-bookstore.