Literary agent Andrew Wylie launches e-book venture

The literary agent's plan to produce e-books and sell them via amazon.com causes a stir in the publishing world.

Literary agent Andrew Wylie ’70, recently profiled in Harvard Magazine, has announced a publishing venture called Odyssey Editions that will offer e-book versions of works by some of the Wylie Agency's biggest clients through amazon.com's Kindle store, the New York Times reports. The Harvard Magazine profile, which the Times cites, describes Wylie's dissatisfaction with his negotiations on electronic rights with publishers and quotes him sketching out a plan for such a venture. The day after his announcement, the Times followed up with a report on the reaction of publishing houses to the plan; the most forceful counter-response came from Random House, which not only claimed ownership of the relevant e-book rights, but announced that it would stop doing business with the Wylie Agency until the matter is resolved.  

You might also like

How Adam Ehrlich Sachs Writes Absurd and Beautiful Fiction

The Gretel and the Great War author on how the Lampoon derailed his science career—and set him on a literary path.

The Year a Beat Poet Squatted at Harvard

In 1954, Gregory Corso moved into Eliot House. How he stayed there is a literary legend.

Tara Menon’s Debut Novel Combines Friendship, Grief, and Climate Disaster

The popular Harvard English professor published Under Water this spring.

Most popular

Harvard Stabilizes Finances With Strong Endowment Returns, Philanthropy

Small operating surplus is dwarfed by reduced federal research support and endowment tax liabilities.

Treat AI Like a New Species, Harvard Scientist Says

Joshua Joseph discusses how society can manage and coexist alongside self-governing AI agents.

How Philosophy at Harvard Saved Itself

As humanities shrink across higher education, one department is flourishing. Is its success a fluke, or a roadmap?

Explore More From Current Issue

Two fans celebrate in front of a TV showing a football game.

Researchers at Harvard Kennedy School say yes.

St. Peter's Basilica at sunset, illuminated by purple and orange sky reflections in the river.

For advocacy and benevolence, three late alumni are reportedly in line for the Catholic Church’s highest honor.

A woman jogs on a path beside a boy riding a bicycle, surrounded by trees.

Why Harvard Medical School is training physicians to think more like coaches