1st Books Library, a print-on-demand and e-publishing services firm, announced an agreement with Lightning Source U.K., the British subsidiary of Ingram's digital fulfillment service, to print and distribute 1st Books print-on-demand titles in the U.K.

Robert McCormack, COO of 1st Books, said, "We can now deliver to our writers an international distribution channel for their books." Ed Marino, CEO of Lightning Source, noted that the English market, while smaller than the U.S., publishes 30% more books each year than the U.S. market does. He said there was "a great environment for high-quality print-on-demand. I am confident that the Lightning distribution channels, paired with the breadth and quality of the 1st Books catalogue, will be successful in the U.K. market."

Lightning Source will digitally store 1st Books titles, which can be printed and shipped within 24 to 48 hours. 1st Books titles will be available in Britain through Bertram's book shops and other Lightning Source distribution partners.