A group of bestselling authors just took out a full-page ad in the New York Times in an effort to call out e-commerce giant Amazon "in the strongest possible terms to stop harming the livelihood of the authors on whom it has built its business".

The full-page ad, costing US$104,000 will be printed in the Sunday edition of the newspaper.

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The said group, consisting of more than 900 writers which include Stephen King, Suzanne Collins and Douglas Preston, was prompted to pen a petition in an effort to urge Amazon to end its dispute with publishing house Hachette.

The writers accuse Amazon of using dirty business strategies to get their way. Amazon has currently blocked the sale of Hachette's books and consequently, slowing down the delivery of works created by Hachette's roster of authors to customers.

Hachette authors include J.K. Rowling, famed author of the "Harry Potter" book series and, Stephenie Meyer, writer of the "Twilight" saga.   

Amazon's move was due to Hachette's refusal to give discounts on their books.

While Amazon claims that it only wants to "lower ebook prices" for its customers and that Hachette is using their "authors as human shields", Hachette rebuts, saying that it only intends that the author and publishing house receive what is due them.

The ad will present the authors' viewpoint, stating that no bookseller has the right to block the sale of books and, preventing people from obtaining the books they want. The group states that although they are not the particular writers being targeted by Amazon, they feel that the "selective retaliation" is not uncalled for.

"Many of us have supported Amazon since it was a struggling start-up. We have made Amazon many millions of dollars and over the years. This is no way to treat a business partner. Nor is it the right way to treat your friends," the group shared.

TagsAuthor, full page ad, Amazon, New York Times, Hachette