Amazon is planning to launch a new crowd-sourced publishing programme, which will choose books to publish based on early reviews from the online community.



The online retailer has been contacting Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) authors, saying that when the as-yet-unnamed programme launches, it will invite authors to submit unpublished manuscripts and jackets. The opening pages of the books will appear on the site to be previewed by readers, who are able to vote for their favourites, which will go on to be judged by the Amazon team for publication.



Contract terms offered by Amazon include the selected authors receiving a $1,500 (£918) advance and 50% royalties on net e-book revenues, retaining their own print rights, and being able to opt out after five years if the book does not earn $5,000 (£3,060) in royalties. The readers who nominate the books will receive a free, early copy of the finished book, while all the titles will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.



Amazon has confirmed the programme, and said more information would be released soon.