Barnes & Noble announces 'PubIt!' self-publishing platform
Barnes & Noble is opening the doors to the indie publishing crowd this summer, with the unveiling of the PubIt! self-publishing portal set to debut this summer.
The PubIt! service consists of what seems like three simple steps: uploading content, conversion to the ePub format and then displayed with other digital content at BN.com and B&N's eBookstore. Interested readers can then download the content with the BN eReader software or apps available for a variety of devices (iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry devices and, naturally, the Nook).
The exact launch date hasn't been specified more than "Summer 2010," but if you're eager to get your work to the masses, you can sign up for an email update for when it opens.
While the financial specifics haven't been revealed yet, B&N asserts that the royalties and compensation model will please aspiring publishers. It also isn't clear yet if B&N will have some kind of approval/denial process (à la Apple with iTunes and the App Store), and how strict such a program would be should it exist.
However, the program does seem like a unique innovation when it comes to electronic publishing, especially given how large the audience could be with availability on all of those devices.
Do you think this has the potential to boost the e-book reader and e-publishing business to new heights?