Amazon the publisher?

The latest news in the publishing world is Amazon.com has signaled its determination to enter the book publishing business. In recent weeks Amazon has rolled out two new book imprints, announced a roster of best-selling authors whose books will be published under those imprints, and hired a prominent publishing executive, Larry Kirshbaum, to set up an office in New York.

Certainly this is making tradition book publishers anxious. But I can't help thinking it might benefit authors. What do you think?

Bethany Overland discusses it over at www.techflash.com: E-sales to imprints: Amazon's ambitious publishing plan.