Apple Books for Authors vs Reedsy

Last updated: October 21, 2023
Apple Books for Authors and Reedsy are both platforms designed to assist authors in publishing and distributing their books, but they differ in terms of their features and focus.

Apple Books for Authors is a platform specifically created by Apple for authors to publish and distribute their books on Apple Books, the digital reading platform for iOS devices. It offers a user-friendly interface and provides tools for authors to format and design their books, including templates for different genres. Authors can upload their manuscripts, create interactive widgets, add metadata, and set pricing for their books. Apple Books for Authors also provides marketing tools, such as promotional resources and analytics, to help authors track sales and engagement. It is a comprehensive platform aimed at enabling authors to reach a wide audience within the Apple ecosystem.

On the other hand, Reedsy is an online marketplace that connects authors with a range of publishing professionals and services. It offers a curated selection of editors, designers, marketers, and other industry experts who can assist authors throughout the publishing process. Authors can browse and hire professionals based on their specific needs and budget. Reedsy also provides a book editor, where authors can write and format their manuscripts collaboratively. Additionally, Reedsy offers resources and educational content to help authors learn about the publishing industry and improve their writing skills. It serves as a one-stop platform for authors to access professional services and support.

Another key difference between Apple Books for Authors and Reedsy is the distribution scope. Apple Books for Authors focuses on publishing books specifically for the Apple Books platform, which is accessible to readers using iOS devices. It provides authors with a direct pathway to reach the Apple Books audience. On the other hand, Reedsy offers more flexibility in terms of distribution. While it doesn't have its own dedicated reading platform, Reedsy connects authors with professionals who can assist with various publishing options, including traditional publishing, self-publishing, and distribution across multiple platforms and retailers.
45
Apple Books for Authors
Share your story with the world. Get the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to help the world read or listen to yours. Turn your book into an audiobook with digital narration.
22
Reedsy
Reedsy is free and simple cloud based ebook creation platform. You can either write your whole book there, or copy and paste it in once you are finished. You can add pictures and notes. On the downside, the customizing options are very limited: this is the price you have to pay for them to be able to automatically generate your beautiful book.
Apple Books for Authors vs Reedsy in our news:

2023. Reedsy Marketplace adds Projects section for book collaboration



Reedsy Marketplace has undergone a complete renovation. Numerous enhancements have been implemented in the background to enhance the user experience, resulting in a much more user-friendly platform. If you're currently engaged with a Reedsy professional, whether it's submitting a request, negotiating an offer, or collaborating on a book, all these activities can now be managed effortlessly using the Projects tab. The system has been reorganized to ensure efficient handling of multiple projects or collaborations. This new system simplifies the tracking of requests, collaborations, payments, and shared files between you and your collaborators. To access all project-related information swiftly, simply tap the arrow on the Manage button for any collaboration. Sharing files with your Reedsy professionals has become a breeze, as you can now drag and drop files directly into messages from your inbox. All the files exchanged between you and Reedsy professionals can be conveniently accessed on your Files page.


2023. Reedsy adds cats to its Writing App



All of these renowned writers - Stephen King, Doris Lessing, Jorge Luis Borges, Alice Walker, and Mark Twain - had a common source of inspiration: their cats. And now, writers using the Reedsy Book Editor can also benefit from feline companionship with the new "Reedsy Cats" feature. By toggling CAT mode after starting a new project, a cute cat will appear in your virtual workspace, ready to keep you company as you work towards your daily word count goals. These virtual kitties will spend their time sleeping and grooming, just like their real-life counterparts, while you focus on writing and boost your productivity.


2020. iBooks Author is being discontinued



Apple has recently made an announcement stating that iBooks Author will be discontinued in July. Consequently, the app will be removed from multiple platforms, including the Mac Store. However, books that have been previously published using iBooks Author will continue to be accessible. Going forward, Apple is promoting two alternative methods for distributing digital content. The first option involves directly uploading EPUB or audiobook files via iTunes Connect. To facilitate this process, Apple has developed a comprehensive publishing portal that provides detailed guidance on publishing with their platform. The second alternative involves utilizing Pages, their free word processing program, for content creation and distribution.


2020. Apple launched publishing portal Apple Books for Authors



Apple has recently unveiled a comprehensive publishing portal called Apple Books for Authors. This platform serves as a valuable resource for authors interested in self-publishing or for publishing companies seeking to submit content. It offers a wealth of instructions and guidance on various aspects of ebook creation, with contributions from bestselling authors, including videos that delve into their personal workflows. By exploring this portal, authors can gain insights into the sales reporting system and learn effective book marketing strategies. For those looking to directly submit an ebook to the Apple Book Store, a new publishing tool is now available. Simply log in to iTunes Connect or register a new account, upload the metadata and book files, and start selling without delay.


2019. Reedsy launches Goodreads alternative for indie authors



Reedsy has introduced a new book marketing tool called Discovery, specifically designed to cater to independent authors. This platform offers a direct connection to hundreds of reviewers and thousands of readers. With the help of machine-learning algorithms and Reedsy's community, Discovery helps you find potential readers who would have otherwise remained unaware of your book. It's like Goodreads but for indie authors, with a much-improved interface. After you sign up, your book will be presented to a pool of relevant and experienced reviewers who will select which book to review. On your chosen launch date, your book will be promoted to registered readers who can browse the sample chapter, comment on it, appreciate your cover design, read the reviews, upvote the book, and purchase it through online retailers.


2018. Apple iBooks is making it easy for publishers to earn commission



Apple introduced a new toolbox for their iBooks program a few months ago, enabling book bloggers, YouTubers, authors, and content publishers to incorporate various elements such as audiobooks, books, badges, app icons, or basic text links into their websites, blogs, or newsletters. The recent addition to the Apple Books Toolbox is a valuable feature that allows users to easily create interactive audiobook preview widgets. Users can select any audiobook available on Apple Books, customize the dimensions, and obtain the embed code to display on a website or newsletter. These widgets enable users to listen to a sample of the audiobook, providing a glimpse into the production quality. Publishers earn a commission if someone purchases an audiobook from Apple.


2017. iBooks Author gets new tools



Apple has recently rolled out an update for its ebook creation software, iBooks Author, introducing several new features. Notably, users can now easily incorporate images and videos from the Mac photo management app, Photos. Additionally, the update includes minor changes, such as support for wide color gamut images. Despite these improvements, many individuals have transitioned to alternative digital publishing applications. The primary reason for this shift is that iBooks Author is exclusively compatible with Apple products and does not function with online retailers like Amazon and Google. Consequently, some have criticized Apple for seemingly neglecting the digital publishing sector. Furthermore, the latest iOS update has removed the subcategories within the "Magazines & Newspapers" section, making it exceedingly challenging to discover new digital edition apps.


2016. Reedsy launched Google Docs for books



Reedsy, renowned as a marketplace for editors, cover illustrators, and more, has recently introduced a collaborative book editor that facilitates seamless interaction with editors, ultimately leading to the creation of a polished final book. While Reedsy's book editor may not possess the same level of power as Scrivener or Ulysses, its strength lies in its emphasis on collaboration. Think of it as a Google Docs specifically designed for books. With this editor, you can commence your writing process in Scrivener, and then seamlessly transition to Reedsy for the subsequent stages. Operating within your browser, Reedsy's book editor enables writing and editing in real time while automatically saving your progress. Multiple individuals can simultaneously edit the same document, leave comments, and track changes, eliminating the cumbersome back-and-forth process involving Word documents and convoluted file names.


2014. Self-publishing startup Reedsy wants to compete big publishing houses



Self-publishing startup Reedsy has officially launched, providing authors with a platform to collaborate with expert editors, book designers, marketers, and translators to elevate their books to new heights. Reedsy exclusively partners with certified freelancers who possess industry experience, ensuring that authors can find the most suitable professionals for their projects. Freelancers who have been invited to join the beta phase can sign up and create visually appealing profile pages where they can showcase the books they have worked on, highlight their professional affiliations, and outline the types of projects they are interested in. Reedsy is set to become the first curated marketplace for publishing freelancers of its kind. Authors will have the convenience of utilizing Reedsy as a centralized platform to manage every aspect of the publishing process. Additionally, Reedsy is currently developing a dedicated eBook editor that will facilitate seamless collaboration between authors and editors, streamlining the entire workflow.