Amazon’s Montlake Romance imprint snaps up self-publishing pioneer in million-dollar deal

Amazon Publishing’s Montlake Romance imprint has signed a seven-figure deal with former self-published erotica author Sylvia Day.

As far as I’m aware, it’s the biggest deal ever announced by an Amazon imprint and it will see Montlake publish Day’s new book, Butterfly in Frost, in August. The book is already benefiting from Amazon’s immense marketing power as well as Day’s popularity as an author as it’s already at No 132 in the Kindle Store US overall rankings.

Even more impressively, the seven-figure contract (that means it’s somewhere between $1 million and $9 million) appears to be just for the one book. Amazon says Montlake Romance acquired world rights in all languages and formats in the deal, and will publish the book in translation via sister imprint Amazon Crossing in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Day has been writing for over 10 years and was very successful at self-publishing many of her books although she has also signed up with various traditional publishers for some titles as well. Her book Bared to You was self-published in 2012 and was quickly snapped up by trad publishers, making the top 10 of many best-selling lists of the year.

Butterfly in Frost will introduce readers to Day’s newest characters, Dr. Teagan Ransom and artist Garrett Frost, as they embark on a passionate journey to find redemption, hope, and ultimately, each other.

‘We are so pleased to welcome Sylvia Day into the Montlake Romance family,’ says Anh Schluep, Editorial Director, Montlake Romance. ‘Sylvia is a powerhouse author with legions of worldwide fans and we’re excited to bring Butterfly in Frost to them.’

Sylvia Day says, ‘I’m very proud of Butterfly in Frost. We can all relate to finding our lives taking a path we hadn’t anticipated, prepared for, or even wanted. This story is ultimately one of renewal. I hope readers are as inspired by Teagan and Garrett’s love story as I am.’