Apple Increases Support for Self-Publishing in iBookstore

[MacRumors]

While Apple may be struggling to sign up major publishers for international eBook distribution through its iBookstore, the company appears to be making things easier for independent authors without a publisher to have their work included in the store.

Mac|Life reports that Apple has rolled out a new portal for iTunes Connect that allows authors to self-publish their work in the iBookstore if it meets certain identification and format standards.

Book Content Requirements:
- ISBNs for all titles you intend to distribute
- You must be able to deliver your book content in EPUB format, passing EpubCheck 1.0.5.

A similar interface has been present in iTunes Connect for several months, but previously required submitters to have invitation codes from an iBookstore representative. Apple also continues to support authors working with approved third-party iBookstore aggregators who can help streamline the process for authors.

Apple notes that all authors signing up to work with Apple must have a U.S. tax ID and valid iTunes Store account with credit card on file. Apple also requires authors to meet certain minimum sales in individual markets before making payments to authors and recommends that authors weigh that factor before deciding whether to work directly with Apple or through a third-party aggregator.

Article Link: Apple Increases Support for Self-Publishing in iBookstore

 

[Compile 'em all]

Sounds good. I hope they fix the horrendous performance of iBooks though. I have some 170 books and that thing scrolls like 1 frame per minute.

 

[-=XX=-Nephilim]

Cool news

 

[SBlue1]

maybe i should finish that novel i was writing for a while now...

 

[-=XX=-Nephilim]

Sounds good. I hope they fix the horrendous performance of iBooks though. I have some 170 books and that thing scrolls like 1 frame per minute.

They should have build it in Flash - it would scroll faster for sure

 

[Jaro65]

They should have build it in Flash - it would scroll faster for sure

Yep, it would scroll up and down in a flash.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Some ideas...

Here are some ideas:

Android Tricks and Tips
Jailbreak your iPhone for Mere Mortals
Adobe Flash Pro Techniques

 

[douglaswilliams]

So, is this like a Podcast for articles, newsletters, anything written?

 

[yetanotherdave]

Must have a US tax ID?
**** all international authors then? Apparently the only things worth reading are written by Americans.

 

[aswitcher]

Must have a US tax ID?
**** all international authors then? Apparently the only things worth reading are written by Americans.

Mmm. Hopefully that will change soon.

 

[Fourman]

Very cool!

 

[Lord Vader]

Good to hear.

 

[run-kmc]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Lulu titles available in the iBookstore? It's fine that Apple can offer this service directly to authors, but certainly not the only way to self publish on the iPad.

 

[shervieux]

Great News

I know someone who is an author. Her last publisher went under and she could not get the money back that she invested with them. but at least she got the rights to her book back, to try again with someone else.

 

[Rocket Rion]

I know someone who is an author. Her last publisher went under and she could not get the money back that she invested with them. but at least she got the rights to her book back, to try again with someone else.

Real authors don't have to "invest" with a publisher. She was taken in by a scam.

 

[goobot]

Must have a US tax ID?
**** all international authors then? Apparently the only things worth reading are written by Americans.

not all countries have freedom of spech so doesnt need probs.

if you guys love apple so much just move.

 

[Black Macbook]

Must have a US tax ID?
**** all international authors then? Apparently the only things worth reading are written by Americans.

I don't know about that. But if something is not written in English, then nope, it is not worth reading.

 

[MikhailT]

Must have a US tax ID?
**** all international authors then? Apparently the only things worth reading are written by Americans.

Different rules and laws for different countries. Apple is based in US and have lawyers who's trained in this already to start providing this service. They don't have that much resources outside of US. It'll come to the international market when they have the resources and knowledge to pull off.

It's the same reasons that the international bookstore for iBooks aren't full of books right now. Same publishers in US and in UK have different polices/law/rules for both markets. Agency pricing model may be illegal for Apple to use in UK/europe markets.

 

[diamond.g]

If you are self publishing and you haven't published before, how do you get an ISBN?

 

[skellener]

So authors can self publish and make some money - that's great!!! But podcasters who want to charge for a subscription or startup garage bands that want to publish music just get static.

C'mon Apple! Want to really change the world? Open iTunes up to the masses so anyone can publish their work. Good-bye old corporate media!

 

[SeanMcg]

If you are self publishing and you haven't published before, how do you get an ISBN?

Check here

This site may also explain why the International delay for this service, although I would never expect something like this to be available immediately to everyone around the world. Lawyers have to get involved, and what fun would it be if that didn't happen?

 

[crazybudgy]

US Authors Only?

That's a little silly! Not required for Amazon or Lulu...

Also EPUB is very limiting. They tried so hard to make it like real books, that they forgot that it's a standard for computers. Sound, interactivity, scripting, SVG, all the fun things got left behind!

 

[blackpond]

So authors can self publish and make some money - that's great!!! But podcasters who want to charge for a subscription or startup garage bands that want to publish music just get static.

C'mon Apple! Want to really change the world? Open iTunes up to the masses so anyone can publish their work. Good-bye old corporate media!

+1 I agree with this 100% ! This would change everything!

 

[Craigy]

Existing App Developers

We have published apps and an iTunesconnect account. But when I try and sign up for the iBook store also - It doesn't seem to let a dev use their existing iTunesconnect account.

Anyone else having a similar experience - I will of course email Apple - but they always take weeks to reply.

I was hoping that app developers with a proven track record would be invited to publish to the iBook store but no sign of that yet.

 

[gtsipad]

If you are self publishing and you haven't published before, how do you get an ISBN?

I had the same question...three minutes and google searching and i had my answer...try it sometime