Bloomberg Businessweek unveiled a cover story about Larry Kirshbaum today, studying the former literary agent and publisher at Amazon Publishing. The front cover will feature flaming imagery and the headline: “Amazon Wants to Burn the Book Business.”

The article called Kirshbaum “Amazon’s hit man,” running anonymous quotes from spooked traditional publishing executives. These provocative elements aside, the article offered some insight into Amazon’s influence in the world of literary agents.

Here’s an excerpt: “As [Kirshbaum] began to work on Amazon’s behalf last summer, agents, at least, were excited, because getting deep-pocketed Amazon into the game of bidding for books could translate into larger advances. ‘I want to do business with Larry wherever he is,’ says agent Scott Waxman, who sold Amazon the Bob Knight book. ‘Do I think this is something that would make the Big Six publishers uncomfortable? Yes, with a big capital Y.’”

Over the past year, literary agencies have been embracing digital publishing technologies and taking on the role of the publisher.

For example, literary agent Scott Waxman is publishing eBooks through Diversion Books and Dystel & Goderich will help clients navigate eBook and print-on-demand options. Movable Type Literary Group literary agent Jason Allen Ashlock argued in a recent editorial that this approach is not fair for the author. What do you think?

Here is more from Ashlock in Publishing Perspectives: “Though some agents come to representation from publishing houses, without significant internal reorganization, few agencies could publish efficiently: workflow restraints, small staffs, capital concerns, and the modest revenues generated by most digital properties will prevent most Agent-Publishers from adequately managing and effectively publishing more than a few titles.”

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Today the Waxman Literary Agency announced that novelist Jason Pinter will join the agency on August 2nd. Working as an agent, Pinter will specialize in commercial fiction, pop culture, sports, and YA/middle grade fiction.

Pinter is the author of numerous thrillers, including The Mark and The Darkness. In addition to working as a novelist, Pinter served as an editor at St. Martin’s Press, Crown, and Warner Books.

Agency founder Scott Waxman had this statement: “Jason brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in the thriller and commercial fiction market as both a former editor and successful novelist. His background will add a new and important component to the agency. We couldn’t be more excited to have him on board.”

Baltimore Ravens Michael Oher inked a deal with the Penguin imprint Gotham Books for his memoir. In I Beat the Odds My Amazing Journey from Foster Care to the NFL and Beyond, the football star from the book and movie The Blind Side will tell his own story with co-author Don Yaeger.

The memoir is scheduled for hardcover release in February 2011. Scott Waxman from Waxman Literary Agency negotiated the deal, and Gotham Books editorial director Megan Newman will edit. Earlier this year, Sandra Bullock won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in an adaptation of The Blind Side–a Michael Lewis book (pictured, via) that told Oher’s story for the first time.

Gotham Books publisher William Shinker had this comment: “From reading the book The Blind Side and seeing the award-winning movie of the same name millions of people think they know Michael Oher’s story, but they really don’t. He gave only two interviews for the book and none for the movie. This will be the first time he will be able to tell his story in his own words with details that only he knows, and to offer his point of view on how anyone, no matter their background and upbringing, can achieve a better life.”