For contracts signed on or after Dec. 1, 2010, these services are included in each package. This service is not available as an add-on to other packages or for previously published books.

Top

Does this mean all books will now be ePubs?

Yes, all books with contracts signed after Dec. 1, 2010, will have an ePub file created so that it can be distributed to the various digital content partners.

Top

What about print-ready titles?

Due to technical limitations, text files that have been submitted by the author as print-ready (PDF) cannot be converted to an ePub file.

Top

What will be the pricing for the ePub book? Do I get to select how much to charge?

We will set the default and maximum price of all eBooks solely at our discretion. However, if the paperback format of the work has a price less than the default price, the work will be sold at the lower price. Additionally, the price can be modified prior to channel submission at the author’s request.

Top

What's my royalty percentage?

The author receives 50% of the net payments received from sales of the eBook. Royalties will not be paid on copies provided free of charge or sold to the author.

Top

Does the price of the eBook sold on iUniverse.com have to change?

Yes. The eBook price, regardless of the channel where it is sold, will need to be consistent. You will always receive 50% of the net sale when sold. Therefore, if sold on iUniverse.com at $3.99, you will receive $2.00. If sold in the retail channel at $3.99, the channel discount will be deducted from the sales price and you will receive 50% of the balance.

Top

When will the eBook be submitted to the channel?

When the print edition of the book is made active, we will submit the eBook to the retail channel.

Top

How long does it take for books to be posted on retail sites?

It will take no more than four weeks for the eBook to appear on all retail sites.

Top

Will I be able to see channel eBook Sales in myUniverse?

Currently, your eBook sales will be paid quarterly in conjunction with print book sales. However, the online statement currently will not reflect these sales. We are working on adding these items to the monthly statement.

Top

How many devices will be allowed to share one file? Can the purchaser make copies?

For Barnes & Noble, the eBooks can be loaned to friends for a specific period of time. The purchaser, however, cannot make copies or print the book.

Top

Will there be an ISBN connected to this format?

Yes. The eBook will have the same ISBN, regardless of the channel of the format it is sold in.

Top

What is Kobo Books?

A leading global eReading service for smartphones, laptops, eReaders and any other device used for reading digital content, Kobo provides access of your book’s content (book block and cover) to book enthusiasts from more than 200 countries. Once your book has been digitally formatted, it will be made available for sale on the Kobo Web site. It can then be downloaded to a digital device that allows the buyer to adjust the font size and more for readability.

iUniverse will format and submit your ePub file for Kobo bookstore distribution where it can be downloaded for virtually any digital reading device.

Top

What is Google eBookstore?

Google launched an e-book store called Google eBookstore, which allows the purchase of thousands of titles through any Web-enabled computer, e-reader, or mobile phone instead of a dedicated device.

Top

What is Scribd.com?

Scribd.com is the largest social publishing company in the world where tens of millions of people each month publish and discover original writings and documents. On Scribd.com, you can turn nearly any file — including PDF, Word, PowerPoint and Excel — into a Web document and share it with the world.

Scribd.com also gives readers the opportunity to view 20% of the book’s content prior to purchasing the full eBook edition. This will entice readers into purchasing content and is similar to the experience of previewing a book in a bookstore prior to purchase.

Top

How will I benefit from distribution to Barnes & Noble?

Having your book added to the Barnes & Noble eBook store gives the public access to author books through various forms of digital media such as the nook, PC and Mac (by downloading the FREE Barnes & Noble eReader). Barnes & Noble is one of the largest retailers in the country, and having access to their e-store expands distribution opportunities for our authors' books.

Top

What is the Barnes & Noble eReader?

The Barnes & Noble eReader is an application used to read Barnes & Noble eBooks on your iPhone, Blackberry, Windows PC or Mac. Without it, you will not be able to read Barnes & Noble eBooks. Barnes &Noble eBooks are encrypted to protect the authors’ work. Thus, other eBook Readers will not work with Barnes & Noble eBooks. The B&N eReader can display styled text (italicized, underlined, etc.) and formatting as well as perform functions not found on other eBook readers. The B&N eReader is FREE and is supported on multiple devices.

Top

What is the nook^TM?

The nook is a digital eReader (like the Amazon Kindle or Sony Reader) with access to over 1 million titles.

Top

How will I benefit from the partnership with Sony?

Together with Sony, iUniverse will give its independent authors the opportunity to offer content through the Reader Store. Yet another way author titles can be made available to a multitude of readers through the Sony Reader.

Top

What is the Sony Reader?

The Sony Reader is another handheld device capable of downloading an author’s eBooks through its online storefront called the Sony ReaderStore.

Top

What is the Amazon Kindle?

A handheld e-reader device, the Amazon Kindle provides the reader with a wide choice of literature, at their fingertips, almost anywhere. Kindle users can access top magazines and newspapers, as well as audio books, through the device. And with the Kindle for PC and Kindle for iPhone apps, readers can read Kindle books even if they don’t have their Kindle in hand.

Top

How will I benefit from the partnership with Amazon Kindle?

Our partnership with Kindle is a great opportunity for our authors to offer their digital content through one of the most popular eReader devices in the industry.

Top

What is the iBookstore?

The iBookstore is an eBook store created by Apple. Books can be downloaded to an iPad, iPhone and iPod touch via the iBookstore.

Top

Why isn't my book in the iBookstore?

It can take up to three months for your book to appear in the iBookstore. If your book is still not available after that period of time, it is possible that Apple did not accept your content. Reasons that Apple may choose to deny content include typos, poor editing, poor formatting and subject matter.

Top

What formats does each digital content device accept?

Currently, only Scribd accepts a pdf format for the text. Other partners, such as Sony require ePub files.

Top

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions in Digital Formatting and Distribution

How much does it cost to have my book published in ePub format?