I read something interesting today in the New York Times. It seems Amazon.com has decided to enter the publishing game. Not only does the company now provide aspiring authors with the ability to self-publish POD and e-books–and to read them not only on a Kindle e-book reader but also on the new Kindle Fire–but has now taken on the role of traditional publisher. It has begun offering publishing contracts and advances to authors.
That’s right, Amazon will publish 122 books this fall in a variety of genres and in both physical and e-book form. As the publisher grows its publishing program the company places itself squarely in competition with the New York publishing houses that supply the on-line book store.
Amazon’s flagship line of books will be run by a publishing veteran, Laurence Kirshbaum, and, according to the NYT, is set to “bring out brand-name fiction and nonfiction.” The first contract went to already successful self-help author Tim Ferriss. Last week it announced it would publish a memoir by actress and director Penny Marshall, and, the NYT reported that a person with direct knowledge of the deal said Amazon offered her an $800,000 advance.
Hmmm. Makes an aspiring author or established author reconsider those New York houses. Although at the moment Amazon supposedly is “aggressively wooing some of their top authors,” it is also picking up a few lesser known writers. Here’s one such story, which was included in the Times article:
If some writers are suffering collateral damage, others are benefiting from this new setup. Laurel Saville was locked out by the old system, when New York publishers were the gatekeepers. “I got lots and lots of praise but no takers,” said Ms. Saville, 48, a business writer who lives in Little Falls, N.Y.
Two years ago she decided to pay for the publication of her memoir about her mother’s descent from California beauty queen to street person to murder victim. She spent about $2,200, which yielded sales of 600 copies. Not horrible but far from earth-shaking.
Last fall, Ms. Saville paid $100 to be included in a Publishers Weekly list of self-published writers. The magazine ended up reviewing her memoir, giving it a mixed notice that nevertheless caught the attention of Amazon editors. They sent Ms. Saville an e-mail offering to republish the book. It got an editorial once-over, a new cover and a new title: “Unraveling Anne.” It will be published next month.
Ms. Saville did not get any money upfront, as she would have if a traditional publisher had picked up her memoir. In essence, Amazon has become her partner.
It might be time to look into publishing with Amazon or at least publishing with Create Space, Amazon’s self-publishing arm, and then pursue a deal with Amazon’s publishing arm when you can show good sales. Anyway, it’s something to think about.
Do consider the fact that this is not great news for publishing houses, and Amazon’s tactics threaten literary agents as well. Amazon, to some extent, is taking advantage of its position in the marketplace. That doesn’t mean writers should not take advantage of the opportunity.
To read the whole Times article, click here.
I have self publoished a very good fiction novel, the title is…code Name: Merlin and is currenetly available as a sof or hard cocver or as an e-book thru amazon and Barnes and Nobel. I have since written three more and each subsequent book is better than the last. I write in the style of robt. B. Parker. The stories are unique, the characters are engaging and totally enjoyable. I have contacted an agent recently but have not as yet heard back. I would like to publish the rest of my books as well as subsequent works. Again, I am a very good writer and would like to find an agent/publisher. I wlll not self-publish again; however, maybe you can help. George