Fast Company: "Publishers are concerned about losing their relevance in the digital age. Production costs of e-books are declining thanks to online distribution (Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble), and literary agencies are more and more considering breaking from traditional publishers. The Wylie Agency was one of the first to perform this coup, launching a line of e-books through Odyssey Editions, an e-publishing firm the agency started that attracted authors with offers of higher royalties. As reported by the Associated Press, traditional publishers typically offer 25% royalties for e-books--agents and authors are now hoping for 50%. But today, the situation has been resolved, though not in the Wylie Agency's favor."
How do we know that this was not settled in the favor of Wylie and his clients? The terms of the agreement between Wylie and Random House are sealed. It is entirely possible that Random House blinked and Wylie got the 50%. Also note this from the Financial Times: "Mr Wylie was not immediately available to discuss where the truce left his plans for a new imprint, but told the Financial Times last month he was principally trying to make a point about the importance of getting the right terms in the e-book era."
The only clear loser in this particular deal is Amazon, which loses its two-year exclusives on the 13 Random House titles. But by my count, that leaves them with seven more Wylie/Odyssey exclusives still in hand.
