TechFlash notes that Amazon is making an end run around publishers to talk with agents and authors trying to have them sell the electronic rights directly to Amazon. I’m not sure this is such a great idea, especially since it is platform dependent. Publishers perform more than just distribution. We will see how this shakes out.

Is Amazon.com trying to do an end-run around publishers for Kindle book rights? The Bookseller reports the online retail giant has been pursuing U.K. literary agents and authors, urging them to sell electronic book rights directly to Amazon. That follows a report from Crain’s in November that Amazon flew a dozen top New York literary agents to its Seattle headquarters for meetings.