Leading authors join Amazon dispute

Stephen King, John Grisham and James Patterson are among 900 of the world's most famous authors who have waded into a publishing dispute with book retailer Amazon.

Amazon dispute - authors Stephen King and John Grisham weigh in

Best-selling authors Stephen King and John Grisham weigh into the Amazon dispute.

Hundreds of writers, also including blockbuster novelists Lee Child, Philip Pullman and Suzanne Collins, have signed an open letter informing readers about the row and urging Amazon to bring the dispute to an end.

In the letter, the group accuses Amazon executives of using "unusual tactics" in a bid to push through a deal with publishing house Hachette, alleging they have boycotted the company's authors, refused to apply discounts to their books, and slowed delivery of works by Hachette's writers to customers.

The letter reads, "As writers - most of us not published by Hachette - we feel strongly that no bookseller should block the sale of books or otherwise prevent or discourage customers from ordering or receiving the books they want.
"It is not right for Amazon to single out a group of authors, who are not involved in the dispute, for selective retaliation ...
"Many of us have supported Amazon since it was a struggling start-up ... We have made Amazon many millions of dollars and over the years ... This is no way to treat a business partner. Nor is it the right way to treat your friends ...

"We call on Amazon to resolve its dispute with Hachette without further hurting authors and without blocking or otherwise delaying the sale of books to its customers."

Hachette boasts some of the publishing industry's biggest names on its roster, including Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Stephenie Meyer, the writer behind the Twilight franchise.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world