Online book retailer Book Depository has predicted a boom in Australian book sales overseas after confirming plans to expand its range of Australian titles and use a third party logistics partner in Melbourne to speed up local delivery. 
BookDepository.com managing director Chris McKee said the retailer, a division of Amazon, was adding 25,000 Australian titles to its catalogue of 14 million books, making Australian books more accessible to consumers here and overseas.
"It's a win win for everybody," said Mr McKee.
"We see a lot of great books coming out of Australia but generally it takes them a long while to filter through to the international market, if at all," he said.
"The big authors make it on to the market but there are lots of up-and-comers who miss the opportunity for international sales. We are creating more of a market for them - it's a win win situation."
However, not everyone is happy.
Book sellers have accused Australian publishers of hypocrisy for agreeing to sell books directly to the British-based Book Depository while at the same time arguing against the removal of parallel importation restrictions.
Parallel import restrictions prevent book stores from importing books if local publishers stock them within 30 days of release overseas.
"This is another example of the fact that the market has abnormal restrictions - it's not supportive of a level playing field," said Dymocks managing director Steve Cox.
"An international player can buy directly here whereas Australian retailers can't source supply from overseas. Either you believe in a free and open market or you don't."
The Productivity Commission and the Harper competition law review have recommended that parallel import restrictions be removed, saying Australian books cost on average 35 per cent more than they do overseas.
But publishers and authors say removing import restrictions would decimate the Australian industry and lead to a flood of cheap books from overseas.
Australian Booksellers Association chief executive Joel Becker fears more Australian retailers will struggle to compete.