Amazon is making a rare effort to branch out in its e-book publishing beyond the Kindle through a new deal with author James Atlas that was outlined on Friday. A new 12-book biography line, Amazon Lives, will be edited by Atlas and published in e-book form in other stores, the New York Times was understood. Which stores would get it weren’t mentioned, although it’s unlikely to involve the Nook store given active bans on Amazon material over Barnes & Noble’s objection to digital exclusives on the Kindle.
The goal was to “distribute these books as broadly as possible,” Amazon representative Katie Finch said.
First titles from Amazon Lives are due to arrive in June 2013.
It’s not expected that the practice will be a regular one. Atlas isn’t becoming a regular paid employee of Amazon. However, the biographies could expand beyond the initial dozen if sales are strong. Amazon hasn’t said if other series will get similar treatment.
