Google a few months ago released their Google Books website that allows you to download and purchase ebooks directly through Google. They also quietly released the Google Books Partner program to allow authors to submit their own books. This was only available to USA based authors and publishing companies but now Canada can now submit books in a few weeks.
The Google Partner program allows your work to be submitted to be shown in the online store. It also has the ability to reach other stores as well and increases your visibility. They cater mainly to publishers both large and small and once you upload the books that meet certain requirements in ePub and PDF format they can be listed in the Google Books store. If you are an independent author there is even ways for you to submit your books, and an ISBN number is necessary to submit books. You also have the ability to add DRM (Digital Rights Management) to protect your books from piracy.
Google offers a solid revenue model and gives you the ability to list books and get more sales! The companies move into Canada was a solid move on their part because there are tons of publishing companies based here that can take advantage of it. This move is slatted to occur by the end of May and is a welcome reminder that Google cares about Canada.
Learn more about the Google Books Partnership Program HERE.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
