There are numerous platforms for ebook distribution that will take an author’s digital work and make it available for purchase once the work of writing and formatting the book has been done. At Digital Book World 2012, two companies displayed their new innovations that actually help the would-be author write and publish the book in a step-by-step style.
BiblioCrunch claims that writing a book can be as easy as composing an email, thanks to its highly colorful and engaging on-screen dashboard. BiblioCrunch relies on publishers to pick up the finished products after authors utilize the tabs that offer editing services, formatting services, and more, in order to keep the user cost for authors at free. Authors can also sell their finished products via their own websites as an app book.
BiblioCrunch also has a social reading application within the platform where users can form book clubs to annotate and discuss either traditionally published favorites or user-created content. Robot Media works under a similar user-friendly format to help writers create children’s enhanced ebooks and again, there is no cost to the user unless the book is published, in which case a standard royalty applies per sale. The books appear as apps and can be published to any distribution platform that allows author-created content.
Both products are still in beta at this time, but both have an inherent flaw that the indie author community has been working diligently to overcome, namely, that “anyone can do it” mentality associated with self- and digital publishing. While the two platforms admit that a lot of the purpose in the programs is simply for enjoyment, not commercial publication, the stigma of self-publishing still holds when authors attempt a cookie-cutter approach to writing and publication.
Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
