What is Amazon's book publishing unit launched in 2009?

Amazon Publishing is Amazon’s book publishing unit launched in 2009.

Amazon created the group to acquire, develop, and publish books through a collection of specialized imprints. Its first major imprint, AmazonEncore, launched in May 2009 and focused on promising out-of-print or self-published books. The first AmazonEncore title was Cayla Kluver’s Legacy, published in August 2009.

The unit later expanded beyond a single imprint. AmazonCrossing concentrated on translated books, while Montlake Romance, Thomas & Mercer, 47North, and Lake Union targeted genres or reader communities. This structure allowed Amazon to publish both original work and selected titles in areas where its retail and Kindle ecosystems already had strong audiences.

Amazon Publishing is distinct from Kindle Direct Publishing, which is a self-publishing platform that lets authors release books themselves. It is also different from Audible Studios, which develops audiobooks and audio programming. Kindle Unlimited is a subscription reading service, not a conventional publishing division.