Amazon buys US publisher Avalon

The deal will bring Avalon's books to the Kindle. Image: Amazon.com
Amazon has announced the acquisition of Avalon Books, a US publisher with a backlist of around 3,000 titles predominantly in the Romance, Mystery and Western categories.

The deal heralds the arrival of the firm’s titles on Amazon’s Kindle ereader.

Avalon was established in 1950 by Thomas Bouregy and has been run by his daughter Ellen Bouregy Mickelsen since 1995.

Mickelsen will stay with the company for a transition period during which she will help secure digital rights to books whose digital rights are not currently owned by Avalon.

“I chose Amazon Publishing because they care deeply about the writers, readers, and categories that have long mattered to our family business and they are uniquely positioned to assure that our titles make the leap forward into the digital future, said Mickelsen.

“I am pleased they have asked me to assist during a period of transition to provide continuity and support for our authors.”

“Avalon has a long tradition in publishing wonderful stories that affirm a positive way of life,” said Amazon’s Philip Patrick.

“We are thrilled to have these talented writers join our publishing program. None of these titles have been digitised yet and we know Kindle customers will delight in this great new offering.”

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