After retooling its business model, BiblioCrunch, a free DIY e-book production and distribution platform, is being relaunched with a new e-book production and editorial services marketplace. Founded by Miral Sattar, a journalist and former digital project developer at Time Inc., the relaunched BiblioCrunch now offers its publishers a network of more than 500 professionals offering a range services to produce, support and sell e-books.
Originally launched in 2011, BiblioCrunch provides a turnkey solution to publishers or authors looking to self-publish e-books and distribute them through the big online e-book retailers. BiblioCrunch allows any user to upload a manuscript and produce e-books in all formats (EPub, mobi, pdf). The service is free and authors/publishers set their own e-book prices. Publishers/authors keep 85% of the list price if sold through the BiblioCrunch e-bookstore, but pay a small fee for broader distribution through online retailers like Amazon, Nook, Kobo and other outlets. BiblioCrunch also offers a secure payment system and the ability to rate projects and service providers.
Sattar said that she realized that novice as well as experienced e-book publishers needed support services such as editors, book designers, marketers or experienced publicists. The new BiblioCrunch has been revamped into what Sattar calls, “a Craig’s List for e-book services,” and provides access to a network of services. Using the new services market, BiblioCrunch users can post the services they are looking for and offer a budget. The marketplace allows the publishers and digital services professionals to match up and bid on jobs posted. All the professionals must request to join the BiblioCrunch market and are vetted by BiblioCrunch.
“We vet every e-book service provider who requests to join the service,” said Sattar. “With our platform, users will have access to high quality ePublishing professionals from around the world to create the best books. Our participating freelancers include e-book professionals with backgrounds from Simon & Schuster, Penguin, HarperCollins, Bloomsbury, Random House, Time Magazine, New York Times and several university presses.”
