This nifty website has actually come to my attention via a book I recently picked up and re-read, "The Long Tail," by Chris Anderson. Lulu.com is a website that offers a pretty unique service--it allows anyone to upload and design a book, complete with ISBN number, and sell them on the website.
Not only can they create their own physical book, but they can also opt to make an e-book version.
The idea behind Lulu.com is the consumer as a producer. The society of media is changing as media becomes easier to create, and the line between professional and amateur is blurring. Lulu.com is the literary manifestation of this idea--the fact that anyone who is willing to pay a small fee can upload a book, design cover art, and be a published author.
Most books on the site make little if any real money, however there are some books that sell so well that the opportunity to make money could be legitimate. More than anything, Lulu.com is about the idea of the consumer (normally people reading books) being able to easily become a producer (someone writing, publishing, and marketing or promoting).
Pretty cool concept for people who don't have an in at a publishing house. Just one more way the line between consumer and producer is being blurred, even in a market of literature.
Cheers,
Zach
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Interesting example. So many implications for the publishing world. Let's see how big this site will get.
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