Amazon snags 2-year exclusive deal with Wylie Agency for e-editions of 20th century novels

Amazon snags exclusive deal for e-editions

SEATTLE — Amazon.com Inc. said Thursday it has struck a deal that will give it exclusive rights to sell some of the great works of 20th century literature in electronic form.

An agreement with The Wylie Agency gives Amazon exclusive rights for two years to sell e-book versions of novels including Saul Bellow’s “The Adventures of Augie March” and Philip Roth’s “Portnoy’s Complaint” among others.

Amazon says it is the first time any of these books have been available for electronic readers. They are being published under a new imprint from Wylie called Odyssey Editions.

The deal comes as Amazon’s Kindle reader races to keep its dominant position in the e-reader market.

It faces competition from a slew of similar dedicated reading devices available from Sony Corp. and Barnes & Noble Inc. as well as Apple Inc.’s new iPad.

Amazon said the new titles are on sale for $9.99 each.