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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 [email protected] 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".

"A lot of pain is being inflicted on innocent third parties, "he says, referring to authors whose books have been affected.

Preston's next book The Lost Island is a collaboration with Lincoln Child that comes out in August. Only the audio edition can be pre-ordered.

"Our focus for years has been to build a bookstore that benefits authors and readers alike," read a statement issued on July 3 by Amazon. "We take seriously and regret the impact it has when, however infrequently, a terms dispute with a publisher affects authors. We look forward to resolving this issue with Hachette as soon as possible."