In May, AmazonCrossing, a publishing imprint of Amazon.com, announced the release of its first translated title, Tierno Monénembo’s French-language The King of Kahel. This Wednesday, it promised to translate and publish six more books from Bavaria, Beijing, and elsewhere by early 2011. The titles, selected and acquired by AmazonCrossing based on feedback from international Amazon sites, have never been published in English before. The books include: The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch; No Reserve: The Limit of Absolute Power by Martín Redrado; Old Town by Lin Zhe; Pizzicato: The Abduction of the Magic Violin by Rusalka Reh; Pepita Jimenez by Juan Valera; and Field Work in Ukrainian Sex by Oksana Zabuzhko. According to Market Watch:

The AmazonCrossing editions of these forthcoming novels will be available in print format at www.amazon.com and national and independent booksellers, and as wireless digital downloads in less than 60 seconds from the Kindle Store¦ AmazonCrossing acquires the rights, commissions translations, and introduces these compelling voices to the English-speaking market through multiple channels and formats, such as the Amazon Books Store, Amazon Kindle Store, and national and independent booksellers via third-party wholesalers.