Amazon opens crowd-sourced programme Kindle Scout

Amazon has today launched Kindle Scout, its new crowd-sourced publishing programme, in the US.

The online retailer described Kindle Scout as “reader-powered publishing for new, never-before-published books”.

“It’s a place where readers help decide if a book receives a publishing contract,” Amazon said.

A website for Kindle Scout advises authors that they can submit their book in “only 15 minutes”, with submissions considered for a publishing contract with Kindle Press “in 45 days or less”.

Authors will be able to submit English-language romance, mystery and thriller, or science fiction and fantasy books, and must agree to a 45-day exclusivity period with Kindle Scout, which starts on submission. Amazon will review submissions within one to two days of receipt, and then send an email to authors if it is approved. The approval email will include a preview link to the page with the author’s book, and a launch date for the Kindle Scout campaign, which will last 30 days.

The more nominations a book receives from members of the public, “the more likely it will get the attention of our Kindle Scout team and be selected for publication”, said Amazon.

At the end of the campaign the author will be sent an email to let them know if their book has been selected for publication. If published, everyone who nominated the book will receive an early, free copy and be invited to leave reviews.

The programme is currently only open in the US, with authors needing a US bank account and social security number or tax identification number to be eligible.

Books selected for publication will receive five-year renewable terms, a $1,500 advance, a 50% e-book royalty rate, 25% for audio editions and 20% for translations on net revenues, rights reversions and featured Amazon marketing.