Software Solutions for E-book Sellers and Publishers
An e-book is one title in several files: an EPUB, a PDF, perhaps an audio version. Each edition has its own ISBN, a sample chapter and an author whose share must be reported. Sellers need a catalogue that holds those details and a delivery step that marks each copy.
Sell e-books with every edition, format and sample kept on one record.
A title may exist as a hardback, a paperback and two digital files. The store has to tell them apart, price them separately and still show a reader that they belong to one book.
Authors and translators are paid on what is sold, so the sales record doubles as a royalty record.
Independent publishers
A small press sells its list from its own site, in several formats, and pays authors from the sales record.
Authors selling direct
A writer lists a few titles and wants a simple store that sends the file and tells readers about the next book.
Textbook and reference sellers
A seller offers study guides and reference works, often as a bundle with a printed copy or a yearly update.
The workflow for e-books.
- 1
Cataloguing a title
The title is recorded with its authors, edition number, language and ISBN for each format, and a sample chapter is attached so a reader can judge the book first.
- 2
Taking a pre-order
A forthcoming title is sold ahead of its release date. The files are sent on the day, not at the time of payment.
- 3
Delivering a marked copy
The reader receives the chosen format with a name or order number placed inside the file, so shared copies can be traced.
- 4
Issuing a corrected edition
A second edition replaces the first. Earlier buyers are told, and may be offered the new file.
- 5
Reporting to authors
Each period, sales by title and format are totalled for the author and the royalty rate is applied.
The challenges, and what they cost.
What is specific to this trade.
These are requirements we would confirm in discovery. They describe what the solution may need to handle. They are not features that already exist.
- Which formats are sold, and whether each needs a separate ISBN
- Whether copies are marked with the buyer’s details, and how that is disclosed
- Royalty rates and the dates on which authors are reported to
- Rules for corrected and revised editions
What we would build for e-books.
Chosen from the commerce capabilities this business needs, not a list of everything.
Who works in the system, and what each can do.
What it would connect to.
An integration is confirmed only after its API, access and scope are checked. A connection that updates on a schedule is described as scheduled, not real-time.
- The system where ISBNs and metadata are already kept, if it can export them
- A payment gateway able to hold a pre-order until release
- An email service for release-day notices
How the work runs, and what we need from you.
What you provide
- A list of your titles with editions and formats
- Your royalty terms for each author
- The files you deliver and how they are produced
Begin with the title record
We settle how a title, its editions and its formats relate before anything is listed.
Run one pre-order through
A single forthcoming title is taken from pre-order to release day to check the dates and the delivery.
What you receive.
- A title, edition and format catalogue
- Marked delivery and corrected edition flows
- An author royalty report
- A short guide for the editorial team
How progress is judged.
Measures are agreed against your own baseline. We do not promise a result in advance.
- Titles listed with every format on one page
- Pre-orders released on the stated date
- Royalty queries from authors
Selling at home and abroad.
Readers abroad expect the book in their language and a price in their own currency. Where a book may be sold, and how it is taxed, differs by country and is set from your adviser’s advice and the rights you hold.
The wider requirements for digital downloads are on the Digital Downloads page.
Related subcategories.
Digital Downloads E-commerce & Secure Delivery Software
Configured implementation
Discovery selects the commerce platform for the shop, and a secure delivery and licence layer is added for your products. No existing GullySystem product sells downloads, so none is named.
Formats, ISBN records and per-copy marking are catalogue and delivery settings that the category solution already provides.
Read about the softwareQuestions about e-books e-commerce.
Does the store apply copy protection?
It can place a buyer’s name or order number in the file. Stronger protection depends on the format and on reading apps, and we discuss the options with you.
Can readers get a corrected edition?
Yes, if you choose to offer it. Earlier buyers are notified and can fetch the new file from their library.
Does it register ISBNs for us?
No. ISBNs come from the agency that issues them. The store records the ones you hold.
Talk through your commerce requirement.
Describe what you sell, where you sell it and what is slowing you down. An engineer will reply within one business day.
- No obligation
- A reply within one business day
- Your details stay private