King, Tartt among those challenging Amazon's 'tactics'

Stephen King, Nora Roberts and Donna Tartt are among the hundreds of authors who have added their names to an online letter criticizing Amazon.com for restricting access to works published by Hachette Book Group.

The letter, initiated by Hachette author Douglas Preston, urged Amazon to resolve its standoff with Hachette over e-book prices and other issues. Readers were asked to e-mail Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos at jeff@amazon.com and "tell him what you think". Amazon has slowed delivery on books by Preston and other Hachette authors, limited discounts and removed pre-order tags for upcoming releases.

In a telephone interview last week, Preston said he was receiving so many e-mails of support that he felt like "a data-entry clerk". Known for such thrillers as Blasphemy and The Codex, Preston said he admired Amazon and appreciated how many of his books have sold through the online retailer. But he objected to Amazon's "scorched earth tactics".