Indigo, Chapters and Coles Partner With iUniverse to Fulfill Every Writer's Dream

Self-Published Books to Get In-Store Placement

New York, NY (Nov. 16, 2006) – iUniverse, the leader in supported self-publishing, has teamed up with Indigo Books & Music Inc, who operates the largest bookstore chain in Canada, to offer authors the chance to fulfill their dream—prominent placement of their books in a Chapters, Indigo or Coles store.

"As Canada's leading bookstore chain, we want to support the best of home-grown talent and help outstanding new authors get discovered. By displaying their self-published books on our shelves, we can help increase awareness of their work to millions of booklovers in Canada who shop with us each week," said Joel Silver, senior vice-president of print procurement, Indigo Books & Music Inc.

"iUniverse provides authors with the professional editorial guidance, art direction and marketing advice needed to help them achieve their greatest potential," said Susan Driscoll, president and chief executive officer of iUniverse. "Those authors who publish a high-quality, professionally packaged book through iUniverse now have an unparalleled opportunity to develop a local following through targeted marketing and Chapters, Indigo or Coles in-store placement."

The titles selected will be those achieving the iUniverse Publisher's Choice designation. Publisher's Choice titles meet or exceed standards established by iUniverse that are in line with the editorial and cover design demands of today's competitive marketplace. Only newly released titles published through the iUniverse Premier Pro package are eligible to receive this status.

"Premier Pro is our most comprehensive publishing package," Driscoll said. "This package gives authors a chance to build their skills as writers and marketers through an honest assessment of their work, professional advice for improving it, and training and support to promote the books once they're published."

Authors that publish through Premier Pro have their manuscripts and cover ideas reviewed by professional editors and art directors with experience in the traditional publishing industry. These experts provide valuable advice that increases the likelihood of market success. Authors that achieve Publisher's Choice receive one-on-one marketing training and support from iUniverse to help them prepare for their book's in-store placement. These titles will then be featured in a high-traffic area of a Chapters, Indigo or Coles store for at least sixty days—longer if the book keeps selling.

"This program is unique in the publishing industry," Driscoll said. "For the first time, self-published authors in Canada have a systematic path to getting local bookstore placement. However, let's be clear that getting into bookstores does not guarantee book sales. Even the best self-published authors will still need to aggressively promote their books to generate demand, just as authors who are published through the large commercial houses must do. The good news is that iUniverse can provide them with the support and services to do that."

About iUniverse

iUniverse offers a full range of professional services to help authors edit, publish, market and sell books in all genres—fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Whether writing for a large commercial audience or for a small audience of friends and family members, authors can choose the services and support they need to help them realize the greatest potential of their books. The iUniverse management team has extensive editorial and managerial experience with traditional publishers such as HarperCollins, Putnam, Holt and Holtzbrinck. iUniverse also partners with leading author organizations. For more information visit www.iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS.