Apple will begin to distribute material from self-published authors in their iBookstore on the iPad and when the iPhone O.S 4.0 is released, the iPhone and iPod Touch as well.

Self-publishing has been steadily moving away from it’s stigmatized beginnings as being the route to authorship for the talentless and vain to the point where it is commanding respect from the big publishing companies. Many of whom use the self-publishing market as a cost-free testing ground for the best authors, looking for those who sell and then signing them up. This is obviously a huge incentive for those looking to publish.  Up to this point, the route for those looking to self-publish would be to use a print-on-demand service (which is becoming increasingly prevalent), enlisting the help of a self-publishing company who command fees of around $1000 or to self-publish an ebook. Now there is a fourth option, to publish an iBook.

Authors will be able to have their books published on the iBookstore without the need for an agent or publisher. It appears as if Apple is following on from it’s successful App Store model in which virtually anyone with an idea can be successful. Apple is allowing authors near total control with writers being able to set prices and global distribution locations for their work, much like they do with developers for the App Store. What isn’t clear at this point is whether Apple will carry over the model of taking 30% of the profits as they use in the App Store. Another point of uncertainty is whether there will be a reviewal process of any kind and if so, how strict will it be? Apple has come under pressure due to it’s app reviewal process, some describing it as totalitarian in nature. The guidelines set out by Apple stipulate the book be in EPUB 1.0.5 format and have an ISBN. They also state that payments will only be made once an author has sold a certain amount of books; Apple has not stated what this amount is as of yet.

It is hard to know at this point how this move will pan out. Will the iBookstore be filled with the half-hearted attempts of those with a slow Saturday afternoon? Will Apple operate a stringent reviewal process? Or will those who are genuinely talented who have been given a chance to shine be successful and championed? I for one hope so.

[Submit iBooks > iTunes Connect]