Vancouver-based BitLit announced today that it has signed a deal to bring Elsevier content to its ebook publishing platform. BitLit’s Shelfie mobile app lets readers download or purchase a discounted ebook version of their print edition books by snapping a quick photo. The agreement adds Elsevierâs health, science, and technology content to BitLitâs catalog of over 40,000 titles.
Speaking with BitLitâs CEO, Peter Hudson, he seemed optimistic that the partnership was a sign that publishers are warming to new distribution models for its digital content. âThe publishers are starting to move mentally towards the idea of new business models around digital,â he said. âMore and more publishers are starting to sign up to an all-you-can-eat subscription model. I think mass market publishers are becoming more comfortable with bundling as a business model.â
Hudson indicated that the reason for that comfort may not be coming from an industry wide change of heart, but ongoing frustration with Amazonâs dominance in the space.
âTheyâre so frustrated with Amazon, they donât even say the word Amazon,â Hudson told me. âThey say ‘Seattle’, or âbig book retailerâ – itâs actually a little like Voldemort. Itâs actually a running joke at publishing conferences that no one ever says the âA wordâ.â
With Amazon’s recent fight with Hachette sending ripples throughout the industry, publishers are more willing to experiment. Harper Collins, known for its publishing experiments, has already signed on with BitLit as a pilot, and Hudson is confident that relationship will continue. Which is good news for BitLit, because Hudson knows that the company’s user experience dies without content.
âIf you take that shelfie, and thereâs no books on it that are available, thatâs disappointing.”