Gittins considers Blurb to be less a publishing company than a technology one. Blurb's software, BookWright, provides customers with easy-to-use templates, and the ability to use plugins for Adobe tools like InDesign to enable further customization. The finished book file can be outputted as both an ebook and print book. For distribution, Blurb provides an ecommerce platform that enables customers to distribute directly to their contacts, as well as through Amazon, Ingram, or the Apple iBookstore. Print books can be printed on-demand for small runs or offset for large runs,
Eileen Gittins
Developed initially as a way of producing picture books, Blurb has bulked up in novel and magazine publishing, and sees itself as the future of the industry - and a massive threat to traditional publishers. "The volume we're seeing globally is unbelievable," says Gittins. "We're entering the golden age of publishing. Back in Dickens's day, everybody self-published, and it only became stigmatised when mass publishing came along and you weren't picked. Even five years ago, there was a stigma attached to self-publishing."
Blurb, the independent publishing platform, historically known for highly illustrated print and ebooks, today announced support for "reflowable" fiction/non-fiction titles for Amazon's Kindle platform, as well as the ability for Blurb authors to sell these books in Amazon's Kindle store.
New PDF to Book workflow allows creative professionals to design books using the design program of their choice and upload directly to Blurb for printing