iUniverse Reader's Choice Program Offers Important Benefits, Help to Authors

New Program Key Milestone on the iUniverse "Roadmap to Publishing Success"

Lincoln, Neb. - Aug. 26, 2003 - iUniverse, one of the largest publishers in the United States, today outlined some of the important - and free - benefits to authors who qualify for its Reader's Choice program. The program was announced recently as part of the iUniverse Roadmap to Publishing Success: a step-by-step process to help authors succeed by progressing through a series of clearly defined achievements, or "milestones."

The Readers Choice program rewards authors that have completed initial steps on the Roadmap, including completing iUniverse's Editorial Review process, achieving an Editor's Choice quality designation for their book, and meeting preliminary sales goals. Reader's Choice authors receive advanced sales and marketing assistance, including several free tools to help them market their books to readers and booksellers more effectively.

"Authors who reach the Readers Choice program have demonstrated not only that their books are good, but also that they have the drive and determination to make their books successful," says Susan Driscoll, president and CEO of iUniverse. "At that point, we want to give them the tools and help they need to move to the next level."

Some of the free benefits that Reader's Choice authors receive include:

• Publicity Teleseminars - Authors can participate in monthly seminars (and receive personal advice on promoting their book) with Penny Sansevieri, veteran publicist and author of Get Published! An Author's Guide to the On-Line Publishing Revolution.
• Annie Jennings Cassette Tapes - Authors receive a twelve-month subscription to book publicist Annie Jennings' renowned audiocassette series.
• Reader's Choice Catalog - Reader's Choice books will be included in both the print and electronic versions of this professional publication that targets booksellers.
• Reader's Choice Newsletter - This monthly newsletter includes exclusive tips on publicity opportunities and special sales advice.
• Free Book on Writing - Authors receive a copy of Arthur Plotnik's best selling The Elements of Authorship: Unabashed Advice, Undiluted Experience and Unadulterated Inspiration for Writers or The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words.
• Reader's Choice Icon - iUniverse identifies qualifying books with the Reader's Choice icon to make them more visible to people browsing the iUniverse bookstore.

"I'm impressed with the quality of support provided in the Reader's Choice program," says Daniel Meyer, author of the Reader's Choice title Life is a Road, the Soul is a Motorcycle. "These are serious tools designed for serious authors."

About iUniverse, Inc.

iUniverse helps individuals publish, market, and sell their books. The company is one of the largest publishers in the United States, with more than 12,000 titles in its backlist, and publishes 400 new fiction and non-fiction titles each month. 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. In May 2003, PC Magazine awarded iUniverse its coveted "Editors' Choice" designation, along with five of five stars, setting it far above all other publishers that utilize print on demand (POD) technology.