Two large book publishers have reached new electronic-book pricing deals with Amazon on the eve of Apple’s release of the iPad, according to a Wall Street Journal report yesterday.

The new agreements are with CBS Corp.’s Simon & Schuster and News Corp.’s HarperCollins, and will enable both to set their own e-book prices. (News Corp. also owns The Post.)

Sony, the maker of three digital book readers, said it, too, had reached pricing arrangements with several publishers on e-books starting today.

The new pricing model mirrors deals the two publishers struck with Apple for the iPad earlier this year.

Under what is called the “agency model,” some new best sellers will be priced at $9.99, but most will be priced at $12.99 to $14.99.

Many older titles will be priced at less than $9.99.