iUniverse Announces Bookseller Discount Program

New Choice for Authors Makes Titles More Attractive to Booksellers, Stores

Lincoln, Neb. - May 20, 2003 - iUniverse, one of the largest publishers in the United States, today announced a new Bookseller Discount Program for authors that publish books through the iUniverse Premier Program. Authors can now choose to offer book wholesalers discounts of up to 50 percent off the retail price of their books. This allows book stores to purchase and sell the books at margins similar to traditionally published titles, making the books much more attractive to retailers.

To make the deeper discounts possible, authors elect to receive a lower royalty rate for each book sold, and iUniverse makes an investment in the author by reducing its profit margin on the books. Author Dave Distel, who published his popular true crime mystery The Sweater Letter through iUniverse, says that offering books at competitive, industry standard discount rates is an important choice for authors.

"Books that are available in stores have a better opportunity for commercial success," Distel says, "and this is another example of iUniverse working with authors to make it happen. The sales volume generated by a quality title more than makes up for the lower royalties. It's great that iUniverse is investing in the program by lowering its margins as well."

According to Kimra Hawley, president and CEO of iUniverse, the higher printing costs of print-on-demand books have historically meant leaner discounts for booksellers, which discouraged some from ordering or stocking print-on-demand books.

"We are pleased to eliminate this pricing barrier for our authors," says Hawley. "This program, along with our Star Program, Editorial Review Program, and recently announced in-store book program with Barnes and Noble, demonstrates our commitment to giving serious authors the tools and choices they need to make their books successful."

iUniverse recently received the coveted "Editors' Choice" designation from PC Magazine in a comparison of six print on demand (POD) companies published in the magazine's May 27, 2003, issue. The review can be viewed at www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1043145,00.asp.

About iUniverse, Inc.

iUniverse helps individuals publish, market, and sell fiction and non-fiction books. The company is one of the largest publishers in the United States and publishes more than 5,000 new titles per year. iUniverse partners with industry leading author organizations, including the Authors Guild, ASJA, and the Mystery Writers of America, to bring innovative publishing programs to their members. The company's major investors include Warburg Pincus and Barnes & Noble.