Dive Brief:
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Books-A-Million has announced its new BAM! Publishing DIY, where authors can create, edit, and self-publish books. The move takes on Amazon’s CreateSpace service, which has dominated the area, and other similar services.
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The services include tools to design, print, and distribute paperbacks as well as e-books that can be sold through Amazon, iTunes, and elsewhere.
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An “Espresso Book Machine" is available at Books-A-Million’s stores in Birmingham, Alabama and South Portland, Maine, where books can be printed and picked up in person.
Dive Insight:
As with its issues with more traditional publishers, Amazon’s CreateSpace service has some authors grumbling about percentages and problems selling their books through bookstores. As more options become available, Amazon will likely have to adjust, at least if enough authors move on.
