MacKenzie Scott, billionaire philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is releasing her new novel, Last Days in Two Nations, chapter by chapter on the open platform Substack. This marks her first novel since 2013 and comes amid her well-known philanthropic efforts, having given away more than $26 billion in recent years, according to fortune.com.
Scott, who trained under acclaimed writer Toni Morrison, chose to bypass traditional publishing houses and major booksellers like Amazon for this release. Despite her significant stake in Amazon following her 2019 divorce from Bezos, she opted for an open platform, signaling a departure from commercial distribution channels. She rarely engages with the press and seldom shares personal updates, focusing instead on her philanthropic blog, Yield Giving.
This move stands out given Scott’s deep ties to Amazon, a company she helped build in its early days by overseeing operations, business plans, and contracts. Her decision to publish independently contrasts with the typical path for high-profile authors and highlights her unique approach to sharing creative work. Scott’s net worth is estimated at over $38 billion, underscoring her financial independence from traditional publishing revenue.
Last Days in Two Nations is now available chapter by chapter on Substack, marking a notable moment in Scott’s literary and philanthropic journey. Her previous philanthropic contributions have totaled more than $26 billion, making her one of the most generous donors in recent history, as reported by fortune.com.