With the rise of the print-on-demand, digital publishing, and self-publishing age, authors have more choices than ever before to meet their book needs. Unfortunately, that can mean navigating some treacherous waters with nothing more than word of mouth recommendations for solid platforms. As the current climate of publishing services companies closing their doors or facing legal battles has demonstrated, it’s a game that not everyone was cut out to play.

Just as self-published authors were accused of slapping poorly-written tripe onto Amazon in order to make a quick buck, more than a few companies launched a website and lured in authors in order to capitalize off of their lack of know how. Fortunately, the culling of a very crowded herd has already begun; just as those authors who didn’t take the process seriously are starting to fall by the wayside, companies that sprung up overnight to produce those books are, too.

That’s why it’s newsworthy when some of the mainstays in the business are doing something to increase author productivity and offer a value-added proposition. Two well-known names in book services, Reedsy and Blurb, are partnering to streamline the process for authors with ebook and POD services.

According to a joint statement by both companies, “Through the partnership, users will be able to access the author services and tools offered on the Reedsy platform, including its marketplace of top quality editors, designers and marketing experts, as well as its bespoke book production tool, the Reedsy Book Editor. They can then use Blurb’s printing and distribution services to print their quality book in an entirely streamlined and professional manner, as well as sell their book in a wide variety of ways.”

It will be interesting to note if this type of partnership is just the beginning for author services. While it’s a sign that both long-time companies are on top of the need for innovation and collaboration in the current book environment, it begs the question as to which companies will be next to pool their resources and combine their tools in order to stay relevant.