A Tip to Reach a Wider Market on Amazon

 

Costa Rica is a bird-watcher's paradise.
The touconette is the most exciting bird we saw on our trip.

By Linda Wilson @LinWilsonauthor

Is your book for sale on Amazon? If so, in your Author Profile have you added your biography in different languages? On a recent trip to Costa Rica, I learned how to use a language translator on Google. I tried it for my profile page and it worked. Here’s how:

• Go to the edit function for your Author Profile page in Author Central.
• My bio was outdated, so I spruced it up.
• Find “Your biographies,” where it says, “Do you have translations of your biography in other languages? You can add other versions of your biography here, so your readers can get to know you—wherever they are.” 
• Languages offered are: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. 
• Copy your bio. 
• Go to Google. I typed in “Spanish translator.” 
• On the left side, plug in your bio in English. 
• On the right side, choose the language you want to translate, and paste in your English bio. 
• Voilà! You have your translation. 
• Go back to your Author Profile page, click the green button that asks for your bio in another language, and paste your new bio in. Click Review, then Publish. 
• If you’re not able to paste the translation directly from Google, paste it into a Word document, and copy and paste from there. 
• A message will tell you when your bio in another language will go live.Then for fun, go to the drop-down menu and button that allows you to see how your Author Page looks in an assortment of other countries.

 Anyone who would like to share more tips on how to reach markets outside of the U.S., your comment would be greatly appreciated.

 Bonne chance! Buena suerta! Buona fortuna!

Photo credit: Linda Wilson

Sketch by Nancy Batra,
illustrator of A Packrat's Holiday:
Thistletoe's Gift,
for the cover of  Waddles the Duck:
Hey, Wait for Me!
Coming Soon!

Linda Wilson writes stories for young children. Visit Linda at https://www.lindawilsonauthor.com. Sign up for Linda’s quarterly giveaways. Choose your prize! 

Find Linda’s books at https://www.amazon.com/author/lindawilsonchildrensauthor.

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The Work of Editing

So you have probably all seen the images showing how much time is spent actually writing. Sad but true, that even when we, as writers are working at our best capacity, we still find ways to be distracted. 

I work in an office that is almost exclusively used for my writing, yet, still I find myself moving containers, getting my tea where it is handy, straightening books, etc. Moving, organizing, and preparing are as much a part of the writing process as actually putting my fingers on the keyboard. 

Of course, I must do a bit of thinking - although sometimes this is done well before I make my way to the studio to work. It is done in a bathtub, hammock or even in bed. Sometimes while walking, doing dishes or making beds. 

Finally, I get words onto the screen.

All too soon, the creative process is over and its time to edit. And that part of the process is exhausting - both in time and intensity of work.

Recently, I was asked to edit an autobiography. The original had been published in Guatemala and now the author was prepared to publish in the U.S. She had searched for an editor, someone who would edit lightly so as to leave her voice. I apparently made the cut and was trusted with the work. 

Editing a piece of writing that is being translated is in itself interesting. Verbs are generally inconsistent due to tense issues. Present and past tense met and merged throughout the document and had to be fixed. As she had requested, I was mindful in my editing to her voice as a native Guatemalan. One thing I found immediately, editing lightly allowed me to be less ruthless than I am generally with my own work, especially with word choice and in particular regarding verbs.  

Another challenge was homonyms. These were varied and kept me on my toes. I was also made mindful of cultural differences in how individuals referenced each other. 

As I worked to finished the initial portion of the project, I gave much thought to the amount of time, but also to the final product. Editing is a must, but with this project there was no need to agonize for word choice.

I came to realize that the editing process is really made up of several different evaluations.

1. General grammar:

    Checking for correct spelling, capitalization, and sentence structure.

2. Format:

    Line spacing, font and size type

3. Story or plot line:

    Does the story flow? Does it keep the reader's attention?

4. Word choice

    Strengthening verbs or other descriptions, reviewing metaphors and similes. 

Editing is in itself an effort of love, a love of the process. 

__________________________________________

D. Jean Quarles is a writer of Women's Fiction and a co-author of a Young Adult Science Fiction Series. Her latest book, House of Glass, Book 2 of The Exodus Serieswas written with coauthor, Austine Etcheverry.

D. Jean loves to tell stories of personal growth – where success has nothing to do with money or fame, but of living life to the fullest. She is also the author of the novels: Rocky's Mountains, Fire in the Hole, and Perception.The Mermaid, an award winning short story was published in the anthology, Tales from a Sweltering City.

She is a wife, mother, grandmother and business coach. In her free time . . . ha! ha! ha! Anyway, you can find more about D. Jean Quarles, her writing and her books at her website at www.djeanquarles.com

You can also follower her at www.djeanquarles.blogspot.com or on Facebook.