Will Collaborative E-book Distribution Platforms Last?

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

Spain’s Libranda, Italy’s E-digita, France’s Eden Livres, Brazil’s DLD — they’ll all last only as long as publishers need them.

By Edward Nawotka

collaboration

Several markets have seen collaborative e-book distribution platforms launch within the last year: Libranda launched Spain; in Italy Rizzoli, Feltrinelli and Gruppo Gems developed the E-digita platform; a French group comprised of Gallimard, Flammarion and others brought out Eden Livres; and as discussed in today’s feature story, DLD, Brazil’s new e-book distribution platform has opened for business.

The question is whether or not, over time, the publishers will remain committed to such group distribution platforms. Collaborative platforms have given publishers an entry point into the market and has streamlined distribution, especially when working with existing retail networks.

Is there reason to believe that as e-book retail landscape continues to morph and publishers begin to see gains from their individual efforts at branding and direct sales, that they won’t at some point decide to go it alone?

Do the advantages outweigh the compromises implicit in trying to get several publishers to come to a consensus on best practices, particularly as the market continues to morph?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

About the Author

Edward Nawotka

A widely published critic and essayist, Edward Nawotka serves as a speaker, educator and consultant for institutions and businesses involved in the global publishing and content industries. He was also editor-in-chief of Publishing Perspectives since the launch of the publication in 2009 until January 2016.