Amazon 與勵志書作者簽約 發展出版業務

Hoping to Grow its Publishing Arm, Amazon Signs Self-Help Author

Online retailer hopes to score big with next release from 4-Hour author Timothy Ferriss.

By Peter Fulham | Posted Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011, at 1:00 PM EDT

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In a move signaling its intentions to become a major publishing force, Amazon announced this week that it has signed Timothy Ferriss, the hugely popular self-help author for men.

The New York Times notes that the deal marks Amazon's most high-profile move in publishing to date, as the company hopes to build on its success with online retailing and sales from its e-book reader, the Kindle.

Amazon has been publishing books for several years, but it has suggested in recent months that it intends to concentrate more energy in that part of its business. In May, the company brought in Laurence Kirshbaum, the longtime New York editor, to head its publishing division.

Next Spring, Amazon will release Ferriss's latest work, The 4-Hour Chef, as a hardcover, an e-book, and an audio book. And if Ferriss's past sales are any indication, his forthcoming title will likely sell well. His first book, The 4-Hour Workweek, has remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 84 weeks. His second book, The 4-Hour Body, has been on the list for 33 weeks.

Ferris, whose books instruct readers how to improve their lives and physical appearance with as little effort as possible, told the Times he was satisfied with the deal. “Amazon has a one-to-one relationship with every one of their customers,” Ferriss said. “You can just imagine the possibilities that opens up.” He added, “The opportunity to partner with a technology company that is embracing publishing is very different than partnering with a publisher embracing technology."