Apple allows individuals to publish in iBookstore.

Friday, May 28, 2010 at 07:09 AM | Posted by LOOPRumors Staff

Apple is now taking applications to submit e-books to the iBookstore from the general public.

Macworld reports that, in the past, authors had to deal with intermediary publishers such as Smashwords and Lulu to submit material to Apple. These companies obtain ISBNs among other steps toward publishing which can be accomplished by an individual.

Prospective authors will now need an Apple ID, IRS Tax ID, an ISBN for their title, and to validate it’s ePub file to make it available in the iBookstore.

“Some might argue that publishers act as a filter, making sure that the under-par material doesn’t get through to our delicate eyes, but I’d disagree: plenty of poorly-written books make it onto bookshelves anyway (ever browsed the carousels at an airport newsstand?) and many good writers languish in obscurity,” writes Dan Moren.

“It’s unknown, however, whether Apple will act as a filter itself, vetting the titles as it does for software submitted to the App Store.”