Amazon.com Innovation Aims to Revive Short-Form Literature -- Offers Exclusive Digital ``Shorts'' from Renowned Authors; ``Amazon Shorts'' Gives Readers Instant Access to Short Works for 49 Cents Each.SEATTLE -- Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN AMZN Amazon.com (NASDAQ symbol) ) today launched its latest innovation for customers, Amazon Shorts, an entirely new way for customers to enjoy their favorite authors and to sample the work of new authors through exclusive short-form literature, for 49 cents each. Amazon Shorts have no printed editions and are only delivered digitally. "Amazon Shorts will help authors find new readers and help readers find and discover authors they'll love," said Steve Kessel, Amazon.com's vice president of Digital Media. "We hope that by making short-form literature widely and easily available, Amazon.com can help to fuel a revival of this kind of work." "Publishers have always had a hard time selling and marketing the single, short-form work -- the novella novella: see novel. novella Story with a compact and pointed plot, often realistic and satiric in tone. Originating in Italy during the Middle Ages, it was often based on local events; individual tales often were gathered into collections. , for instance, or the novelette nov·el·ette n. A short novel. novelette Noun a short novel, usually one regarded as trivial or sentimental Noun 1. , or its even more diminutive cousin, the novelini -- and these days it's even harder. Amazon.com has created a new way for authors to get that kind of work out there, which is incredibly exciting," said author Daniel Wallace. "It's my hope that their Shorts program brings a renewed interest to the genre, as well as the opportunity for us to keep in touch with our readers in a really direct, fun way between books." Beginning today, customers can find Amazon Shorts from accomplished authors in a diverse array of genres and formats, including alternate chapters and scenes to well-known stories, personal memoirs about everything from food poisoning food poisoning, acute illness following the eating of foods contaminated by bacteria, bacterial toxins, natural poisons, or harmful chemical substances. It was once customary to classify all such illnesses as "ptomaine poisoning," but it was later discovered that to contact lenses contact lenses contact npl → verres mpl de contact contact lenses contact npl → Kontaktlinsen pl contact lenses npl to potty training, one-act plays, and, of course, classic short stories. For example: Literature and Fiction --Audrey Niffenegger, whose debut novel, "The Time Traveler's Wife," was a New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times Bestseller and nominated for the Orange Prize, has written a charming short story about a man who is experiencing a celestial infestation infestation /in·fes·ta·tion/ (-fes-ta´shun) parasitic attack or subsistence on the skin and/or its appendages, as by insects, mites, or ticks; sometimes used to denote parasitic invasion of the organs and tissues, as by helminths. of sorts; he is having trouble keeping his attic angel-free. --Gregory David Roberts There are several people named David Roberts:
or chemical dependency Physical and/or psychological dependency on a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance (e.g., alcohol, narcotics, nicotine), defined as continued use despite knowing that the substance causes harm. , crime and prison, has written an Amazon Short in which the unfolding lives and spiritual development of the characters build upon one another in a consecutive timeline. --Daniel Wallace enchanted en·chant tr.v. en·chant·ed, en·chant·ing, en·chants 1. To cast a spell over; bewitch. 2. To attract and delight; entrance. See Synonyms at charm. readers with his novel "Big Fish," which was adapted for the major motion picture of the same name. His Amazon Short is a two-part illustrated fable that takes place before recorded time and chronicles the story of a tribe of hunter-gatherers. Memoirs --Stuart Woods, known for his bestselling crime thrillers, has written a personal account of an obsessive and nearly lifelong struggle to find, obtain and hold onto the only luggage a man could ever want. --Richard Rhodes is the author of 20 nonfiction books and a Pulitzer Prize Pulitzer Prize Any of a series of annual prizes awarded by Columbia University for outstanding public service and achievement in American journalism, letters, and music. Fellowships are also awarded. winner. His Amazon Short is an essay connecting his experience with the birds of the Pacific and the magnificent drawings and writings of John James
John James (c 1673- 15 May 1746) was an architect particularly associated with Twickenham in west London, where he rebuilt St. Mary's Church and built the house for Hon. Audubon. --Terry Brooks is a master of the fantasy genre, with over 12 million books in print and 18 consecutive New York Times bestsellers. His Amazon Short details his writing process, as well as his motivation and why his work is often misunderstood. Mystery and Thrillers --Robin Cook is widely credited with introducing the word "medical" to the thriller genre. His Amazon Short is a medical drama about a young surgeon looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. accolades and attention, who experiences a tremendous range of emotions in the operating room operating room n. Abbr. OR A room equipped for performing surgical operations. . --James Lee Burke, a two-time winner of the Edgar Award for Best Crime Novel of the Year, has been dubbed the "Faulkner of crime fiction." His Amazon Short is a compelling new coming-of-age drama about experiences growing up during the Depression era and the war years. --F. Paul Wilson Paul Wilson may refer to:
Adjective without suffering or resulting in a penalty: the guilty must not go unpunished, such crimes should not remain unpunished Adj. 1. . Nonfiction and Essays --Danielle Steel, novelist, children's book author and non-fiction writer, shares her own experiences of the roller coaster ride of life in her Amazon Short, "Candy for the Soul." --Ann Beattie, renowned novelist and award-winning short-story writer examines the process of writing fiction, the power of words and the mirror that we hold up to examine ourselves when we read fiction in her Amazon Short. --Pico Iyer, a prolific travel writer whose articles appear in "Harper's," "The New York Times" and "Conde Nast Traveler," has departed from his usual travel pieces to write about a place he has never been. Sci-Fi and Fantasy --Walter Jon Williams, a Nebula Award The Nebula is an award given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the two previous years (see rolling eligibility below). winner and author of more than 25 novels, writes a lagniappe la·gniappe n. Chiefly Southern Louisiana & Mississippi 1. A small gift presented by a storeowner to a customer with the customer's purchase. 2. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. intended for readers of the "Dread Empire's Fall The Dread Empire's Fall series began in 2002 when The Praxis was published, science fiction novel by Walter Jon Williams. Being well-received by many, The Sundering released the subequent year. " series to enrich their appreciation of certain characters. For new readers, it's an introduction to the sort of surprises that are found in his books. --Kevin J. Anderson, an award-winning science fiction author with 16 million books in print in nearly 30 languages, gives readers a rare advance preview of his next novel with his Amazon Short. He offers the first four chapters of "Of Fire and Night," the fifth installment in his "The Saga of Seven Suns" series, a year in advance of its release. --Robin Hobbs's popular fantasy trilogies have been translated into 17 languages. In her Amazon Short she revisits the Bingtown area, also the setting for her "Liveship Traders Trilogy," and weaves a captivating cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. "tale within a tale" about family perceptions and how they shape each generation. Amazon Shorts are copyrighted works available for purchase and cost 49 cents each. However, in order to preserve a frictionless viewing experience, no digital rights management software is needed to download and read Amazon Shorts. Customers who purchase Amazon Shorts will have three options for reading the piece: --View now: Takes customers to a Web page to read or print out the Amazon Short. --Download: Initiates the download of a PDF file. --E-mail: Sends the entire Amazon Short in a plain-text message to the specified e-mail address. Amazon Shorts will also be stored permanently in customers' Digital Lockers, and customers are welcome to print out hard copies of purchased Amazon Shorts from any of these formats. Amazon Shorts is its own store at Amazon.com and can be accessed directly via www.amazon.com/shorts, as well as from the Amazon.com homepage, Store Directory and through the Amazon.com Books store. Each Amazon Short product page will also feature the complete works of the author, along with product images and descriptions of other works available for purchase on Amazon.com. A complete, alphabetical listing of current Amazon Shorts authors: Kevin J. Anderson Brendan Halpin Bruce Holland Rogers Michael Baden Robin Hobb Michael Rose Ann Beattie Pico Iyer Mary Rosenblum Gregory Benford Tama Janowitz Gwyn Hyman Rubio Terry Bisson Ken Kalfus Kristine Kathryn Rusch Terry Brooks Dave King Lucius Shepard James Lee Burke Jonathon King Robert Silverberg Jay Caselberg Howard Klausner Danielle Steel Veronica Chambers Peter Kramer Allen Steele Robin Cook Howie Mandel Olen Steinhauer Mark Crispin Miller Alison McGhee Michael Swanwick Jack Dann J. Milligan Gloria Vanderbilt Harry S. Dent Jr. James Morrow Daniel Wallace Gardner Dozois Kris Nelscott Brad Watson Eileen Dreyer Audrey Niffenegger Lord Breaulove Swells Whimsy Esther Friesner James Reston, Jr. Walter Jon Williams Gregory Frost Richard Rhodes Sarah Willis Kristine Grayson Christie Ridgway F. Paul Wilson Lauren Grodstein Gregory David Roberts Stuart Woods Joe Haldeman Kim Stanley Robinson About Amazon.com Amazon.com (Nasdaq:AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened its virtual doors on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and third-party sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished, and used items in categories such as health and personal care, jewelry and watches, gourmet food, sports and outdoors, apparel and accessories, books, music, DVDs, electronics and office, toys and baby, and home and garden. Amazon.com and its affiliates operate seven retail websites: www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, and www.joyo.com. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. Forward Looking Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, significant amount of indebtedness, competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings All actions that are authorized or sanctioned by law and instituted in a court or a tribunal for the acquisition of rights or the enforcement of remedies. and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, consumer trends, inventory, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, fraud, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended December 31, 2004, and all subsequent filings. |
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