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December 3 – 10, 2009 Edition Amazon Melds POD Book Unit Into CreateSpace
Amazon is merging its print-on-demand division, BookSurge, into its self-publishing tools site, CreateSpace, where authors upload and sell their books, DVDs, CDs, MP3 recordings or videos via Amazon.com. When the transition is complete after the next few months, the BookSurge name will go away and CreateSpace will become a single platform for authors and publishers.
At the same time, Amazons CreateSpace unit has signed an agreement with Berlin-based Springer Science+Business Media to publish Springers English-language paperback book catalogue in print-on-demand format. Springer is moving a substantial amount of its inventory to the POD format, and plans to offer many of its new titles in POD only. About 11,000 Springer titles are already available through CreateSpace.
For Springer, the shift to an inventory-free distribution model means titles can be manufactured and shipped to the customers on the same day they are ordered. Springer is also eligible for Amazons Search Inside the Book feature.
An Amazon spokesman told media that no layoffs are expected with the BookSurge and CreateSpace integration.
