|
Amazon.com Inc and publisher Simon and Schuster have entered into a multi-year deal for the sale of print and digital books. While the specifics of the agreement were not disclosed in a letter that the publisher sent to authors on yesterday, Simon and Schuster chief executive officer Carolyn Reidy said the deal ''maintains the author's share of income generated from e-book sales.'' With the accord Simon and Schuster gains control of digital-book pricing and also ''flexibility to deliver great prices for readers.'' Another publisher Hachette Book Group, has been locked in a running dispute with Amazon over pricing. The world's largest online retailer did not allow a number of Hatchette books earlier this year seeking lower prices, while Hachette sought to retain more control over pricing. Many authors had thus far sided with Hachette, and hundreds of writers signed a letter last month addressed to Amazon's board, calling for an end to the spat. According to Sarah Gelman, a spokeswoman for Seattle-based Amazon, the deal ''creates a financial incentive for Simon and Schuster to deliver lower prices for readers.'' ''We are very happy with this agreement, as it allows us to grow our business with Simon and Schuster and help their authors reach an ever-wider audience,'' Gelman wrote in an e-mailed statement yesterday. Industry experts had expected other publishers eventually to be drawn into negotiations as well, as the internet retailer tried to set new benchmarks for the e-book market, Reuters reported. Negotiations with Simon & Schuster stretched over three weeks and closed two months before the expiry of Amazon's contract, Business Insider reported citing a source. Simon & Schuster made its original offer and an agreement was reached after a few changes by Amazon, the report said.
|
