Self-Published In U.S.; Skinny Books Hit #1 And #2 On Chinese Best Sellers List
WESTPORT, Conn., Sept. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In one of the oddities of international culture, self-published books by a U.S. real estate attorney, Jim Randel, are experiencing big sales in China.
In 2010 - 2011, Randel wrote a series of self-improvement books that he titled The Skinny On series. This series of books provide a plain English analysis of today's most critical issues. Each book is designed to be read in about one hour because it synthesizes the best information that has been researched or written on the topic. These books are illustrated narratives written in a Manga style.
"The books never caught on in the U.S.," Randel recounted. "I blame myself because I self-published and had no knowledge of how to market or distribute a book series."
But, then he got a break. In 2013, he was approached by a book agent from Hong Kong who asked if he would consider licensing five of his books to a Chinese publisher. The deal was struck in 2014, the books were translated into Chinese, and then Randel forgot about it.
"Then three months ago I get a call from a friend telling me that one of my books is the best-selling e-book in China. I figured he had to be confused until he directed me to a site on Amazon which ranks all e-books ever written in or translated into Chinese. And there I am…two of my books are in the top ten. The only other non-Asian authors are William Shakespeare and Ernest Hemingway."
What Randel saw was the Amazon list of all e-books written in Chinese - fiction or non-fiction and sold on amazon.com.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Kindle-Store-Chinese-eBooks/zgbs/digital-text/7735167011
Beginning this year all five titles were e-books and things really started to take off. While ranks change hourly, a few weeks ago, two of Randel's books were #1 and #2 on the best-seller list. Sales reported to date are over 100,000 copies.
"I never saw this coming," says Randel, "although about a year ago I started getting e-mails from Chinese readers … first one a month, then one a week, then 2 – 3 a week. Obviously China is a very competitive society and the young readers apparently see my books as a path to get ahead."
Website: http://theskinnyon.typepad.com/
For more information, contact Cindy Monroy at 203 818 3883 or [email protected]
SOURCE Jim Randel
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