Horror author Stephen King says publishing house mergers hurt writers

Bestselling writer supports blocking Penguin Random House-Simon & Schuster merger

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  US horror author Stephen King arrives to give evidence against his own publisher, Simon & Schuster, on behalf of the government during a trial in which the Department of Justice is trying to convince a federal judge to prevent the proposed merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster. EPA

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  King arrives to give evidence at the E Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington. EPA

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  King gives autographs to fans outside the courthouse. EPA

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  Best-selling author King has published 64 novels, including 'The Green Mile', 'The Shining' and 'Delores Claiborne', all of which were made into hit movies. EPA

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  King greets fans outside the courthouse. EPA

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  King said that streaming networks have been a 'goldmine' for writers. AP

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  King said that it is difficult enough for writers to earn enough income to live on and that the merger would make it even harder. EPA

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  King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in 2018 in New York after receiving the PEN Literary Service award. Invision / AP

Horror author Stephen King said on Tuesday that writers will have fewer places to sell their books if Penguin Random House is allowed to merge with Simon & Schuster, as a trial determining the legality of the deal continues.

In the federal trial that began on Monday, the US Justice Department is seeking to block the $2.2 billion merger of two of the “Big Five” book publishers, arguing that the deal would lead to lower advances for some authors who earn $250,000 or more.

King, author of The Shining, Carrie and other popular works, took issue with pledges that the companies have made that would give Simon & Schuster imprints — essentially different brands of books — that would allow it to continue to bid for titles against Penguin Random House independently.

“You might as well say you're going to have a husband and wife bidding against each other for the same house. It's kind of ridiculous,” he said in court.

King's appearance in the merger trial shifted the conversation from dry discussions of the economics of publishers competing for books in auctions to a celebrity author telling how a publishing executive once laughed at him when he asked for a $2 million advance for two books.

The writer's own books are largely published by Simon & Schuster’s Scribner imprint. He said he stayed with them because they had published authors he idolised and were “muscular” in their dealings with booksellers.

But much of King’s evidence focused on difficulties he perceived would face less well-known authors. He said the five biggest publishers have largely squeezed out independent shops, making it harder for fledgling authors to make it into print.

“That is the minor leagues for writers,” King said of independent publishing houses, though he added that new opportunities were cropping up at television streaming services.

“The streaming networks have been a gold rush for writers,” King said.

The defence, led by Daniel Petrocelli, who defeated the Trump administration's 2018 bid to stop AT&T from buying Time Warner, had no questions for King. The publishers have rejected the idea that the largest booksellers will be able to reduce advances, saying consumers would simply pay more for books.

The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.

Netflix purchases Roald Dahl's works — in pictures

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  Netflix has acquired the complete works of British children's author Roald Dahl, creator of such classics as 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', in which Gene Wilder, pictured, plays Willy Wonka in the 1971 film adaptation. Getty Images

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  The streaming company released a photo of a Netflix branded golden ticket in a chocolate bar wrapper to announce the news. Photo: Netflix

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  A young girl reads 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl. Dahl's books have been translated into 63 languages and sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. Alamy

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  Roald Dahl in 1971. Getty Images

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  Roald Dahl classic 'The BFG' was adapted for film by director Steven Spielberg in 2016, with Mark Rylance voicing the title role. Alamy

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  Roald Dahl in 1963 with his wife, American actress Patricia Neal, and two of their children. Getty Images

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  The entire company of the Sydney production of 'Matilda the Musical', produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, take a final bows after their run in 2016. Alamy

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  An annotated page from Roald Dahl's 'The BFG' by Quentin Blake on display at Sotheby's auction House in London. Getty Images

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  Mara Wilson played Matilda in the 1996 movie adaption. Alamy

Agencies contributed to this report