Amazon planning crowd-sourced publishing program

24 September 2014 Books+Publishing

Amazon is planning to launch a crowd-sourced publishing program, reports the Bookseller. The retailer has told authors who self-publish using Kindle Direct Publishing that they will be invited to submit unpublished manuscripts and jackets when the as-yet-unnamed program launches. The program will allow readers to preview the opening pages of each book on Amazon and vote for their favourites. The Amazon Publishing team will then decide which books are published, with authors offered an advance of US$1500 (A$1690) and 50% royalties on net ebook revenues. Authors will retain their own print rights under the terms of the contract and will be able to opt out after five years if the book doesn’t earn at least US$5000 (A$5650) in royalties. Readers who vote for the books will receive a free advance copy. All published titles will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library.

Category: International news