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Today, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of TED Books, an imprint of short nonfiction works designed for digital distribution. Shorter than traditional books, TED Books run less than 20,000 words each — long enough to explain a powerful idea, but short enough to be read in a single sitting. Books are available on the Kindle and Kindle Reader apps, and cost $2.99 each.

We launch with three titles from TEDTalks stars:

Nic Marks: The Happiness Manifesto: How Nations and People Can Nurture Well-Being

Juan Enriquez and Steve Gullans: Homo Evolutis: Please Meet the Next Human Species

Gever Tulley: Beware Dangerism! Why We Worry About the Wrong Things, and What It’s Doing to Our Kids

“The success of TEDTalks has demonstrated that millions of people around the world are hungry to absorb new ideas,” said TED curator Chris Anderson. “But not everyone has the time to go out and read an entire book on an interesting subject. TED Books fill that gap. Their shorter format allows someone to see an idea fleshed out in a satisfying way — without having to set aside a week of reading time.” Read more of Chris Anderson’s thought on TED Books >>

TED Books are launching as part of Amazon’s brand-new Kindle Singles imprint. (Read their press release.) As Amazon told us: “Our goal with Singles is to allow compelling ideas to be expressed at their natural length. TEDBooks fit nicely within that mission,” said Russ Grandinetti, vice president of Kindle Content. “TED has a great history of bringing important ideas to a wider audience, and we expect TED Books will add to that legacy.”

Read the full TED Books press release >>

Learn more about TED Books >>

Watch TEDTalks from these TED Books authors >>