Amazon just offered some authors a deal that sounds too good to refuse: A full 100 percent of proceeds from the sales of their ebooks.
"If we sell a book at $9.99, the author would get the full $9.99, many multiples of what they would normally get," David Naggar, Amazon's vice president of Kindle content, wrote in a letter to some authors, a version of which was posted on GigaOm.
The retailing behemoth is looking to win over writers whose works are published by Hachette in an attempt to break stalemated negotiations over ebook pricing. Amazon reportedly wants better terms on the Hachette ebooks it sells, and has flexed its muscle by removing the presale buttons on some Hachette titles and delaying shipments of certain books.
The sweet deal Naggar outlined in his letter to authors would last until Amazon and Hachette reach an agreement.
The offer would be "a big windfall for authors," Naggar wrote.
There's a catch, though. Hachette, owned by a French conglomerate, would have to agree to the proposal. That seems unlkely.
In a statement to The Huffington Post Tuesday afternoon, Hachette acknowledged that Amazon had "just" sent a proposal to Hachette, but did not say it would agree to the terms.
"We will continue to negotiate in good faith and with the hope of a swift conclusion," Hachette said in the statement. "We believe that the best outcome for the writers we publish is a contract with Amazon that brings genuine marketing benefits and whose terms allow Hachette to continue to invest in writers, marketing, and innovation."
News of the letter was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Amazon has said it's fighting for better prices for its customers. But some high-profile authors, like Stephen King, Barbara Kingsolver and Richard Russo, say they're the losers in the dispute.
These authors have joined hundreds of others, some published by Hachette and some not, in signing a petition that urges Amazon and Hachette to come to an agreement.
"Without taking sides on the contractual dispute between Hachette and Amazon, we encourage Amazon in the strongest possible terms to stop harming the livelihood of the authors on whom it has built its business," the petition, spearheaded by the author Douglas Preston, reads.
As The Guardian recently noted, other independent authors are petitioning in the retailer's favor. Self-published authors Hugh Howey, J.A. Konrath, Barry Eisler and others have asked readers not to boycott Amazon, because the company "has done more to liberate readers and writers than any other entity since Johannes Gutenberg refined the movable type printing press."
"Major publishers like Hachette have a long history of treating authors and readers poorly," the petition reads. "Amazon, on the other hand, has built its reputation on valuing authors and readers dearly. The two companies didn’t simultaneously change directions overnight."
The offer, Naggar said in his letter, "would motivate both Hachette and Amazon to work faster to resolve the situation," because neither Amazon nor Hachette would be making money while negotiations continue.
Naggar wrote that the letter was being sent to authors and their agents before it was going to Hachette.
Amazon has taken a beating in late-night TV and in the press. Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," and an author whose book is affected in the dispute, has pilloried the online retailer on his TV show, saying that "because of Amazon's scorched-earth tactics, more people are getting screwed than in Fifty Shades of Grey."
This article has been updated to include information about a petition circulated by independent authors who oppose a boycott of Amazon.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.