iUniverse
iUniverse, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, is a self-publishing platform under Author Solutions, LLC that helps aspiring authors publish books through integrated editing, design, marketing, print-on-demand, and global distribution services. The company has published over 60,000 titles for individual writers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBloomington, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What iUniverse does
iUniverse is a self-publishing platform that operates as an imprint under Author Solutions, LLC, headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana. Founded in 1999, the company serves aspiring authors who lack the resources or access to traditional publishing by providing integrated publishing packages that combine editorial services, cover and interior design, marketing tools, print-on-demand printing, and global distribution through major online retailers including Amazon. The platform's core technology is a print-on-demand infrastructure that prints and ships books as orders are received, eliminating upfront inventory costs for authors and enabling worldwide availability in softcover, hardcover, and electronic formats.
The company's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: aspiring authors reach iUniverse through the company website, a toll-free phone line staffed by publishing consultants, blog content, social media, and a $100 referral program that incentivizes existing authors to refer new writers. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time publishing package fees tiered by service level, with additional a la carte revenue from copyediting, author website setup, and marketing campaigns, supplemented by long-tail royalty participation from book sales through the iUniverse bookstore and retail channels. The company has published over 60,000 titles since inception, with 3,717 titles recognized through its Editor's Choice program that promotes quality works to agents, booksellers, and media. Customers are exclusively individual aspiring authors spanning fiction, nonfiction, memoir, business, and self-help genres, with no disclosed enterprise or institutional customer base.
iUniverse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- iUniverse
- Legal name
- Author Solutions, LLC
- Website
- https://iuniverse.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- iUniverse, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, is a self-publishing platform under Author Solutions, LLC that helps aspiring authors publish books through integrated editing, design, marketing, print-on-demand, and global distribution services. The company has published over 60,000 titles for individual writers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
iUniverse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Self-Publishing Services
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Self-Publishing Platforms (KDP-style Marketplaces & Portals) (MPAJAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Editorial & Production Services (Copyediting, Proofreading, Formatting, Typesetting) (MPAJAJAG), Author Website, Storefront & Direct-to-Reader Commerce (D2C Sales) (MPAJAJAE), Author Marketing, PR & Launch Services (Ads, Book Tours, Influencers) (MPAJAJAL), Author Business Tools & Analytics (Royalty Tracking, Pricing, Keyword/Market Research) (MPAJAJAO), Cover Design, Illustration & Book Interior Design Services (MPAJAJAH), Self-Publishing & Author Platforms (BPAMAJAF)
Keywords
Where iUniverse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bloomington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
iUniverse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Publishing Packages and Services: Authors pay for publishing packages that combine editing, design, and marketing tools. Packages range from basic to comprehensive, with additional services available à la carte including copyediting, author website setup, and marketing campaigns.
- Book Sales Revenue: Authors receive royalties from book sales through the iUniverse bookstore and major retail channels including Amazon. Print and digital formats are available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Publishing packages with various service levels |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
iUniverse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
iUniverse sells tiered self-publishing packages that bundle editorial evaluation, copyediting, interior and cover design, marketing tools (author websites, internet marketing), and print-on-demand book production for individual authors. Books are distributed globally through the iUniverse online bookstore and major retailers such as Amazon in print and digital formats, with authors retaining royalties from sales.
Product overview
iUniverse is a self-publishing platform operating as a single integrated system rather than a modular architecture. The core offering consists of Publishing Packages that combine editing, design, marketing, print-on-demand printing, and global distribution services. Additional products include the Editor's Choice Recognition Program for quality titles, BookStub promotional code system for e-book downloads, and a Referral Program offering $100 rewards. Authors access the platform through the Author Center dashboard to manage their publishing workflow, orders, and royalties.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Editor’s Choice Recognition Program: A recognition program that highlights editorial quality to agents, booksellers and media for exemplary books published through iUniverse.
- Rising Star Recognition Program
Products and services
- Publishing Packages Tiered self-publishing packages that combine editorial services, cover and interior design, marketing tools, print-on-demand production, and global distribution into a single offering for individual authors seeking to publish a professionally produced book.
- Editorial Services Standalone professional editing services including copyediting, editorial evaluation, and full editorial support designed to strengthen and improve a manuscript before publication.
- Marketing Services Book marketing services for authors, including author website setup and internet marketing tools, available as part of publishing packages or purchased separately.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 60,000 authors have achieved their publishing goals through iUniverse
Companies that use iUniverse
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
iUniverse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
iUniverse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Berrett-Koehler PublishingminorPartnership where Berrett-Koehler acquired Terry Hawkins' book 'Why Wait to Be Great?' from iUniverse for traditional publishing republication in Spring 2013. This partnership demonstrates iUniverse serving as a springboard to traditional publishing for quality titles.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
iUniverse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lulu: Lulu is a direct competitor offering self-publishing services including print-on-demand, editorial, design, and global distribution to aspiring authors. Operates a similar bundled-package business model targeting the same individual author segment as iUniverse.
- BookBaby: BookBaby provides self-publishing packages combining editing, design, formatting, print-on-demand, and distribution services to independent authors. It competes head-to-head with iUniverse in the paid-package self-publishing segment.
- Draft2Digital: Draft2Digital is an ebook and print-on-demand distribution aggregator offering automated formatting, distribution to major retailers, and author services. Competes with iUniverse's distribution and value-added service layer with a modern SaaS-first experience.
- Westbow Press: Westbow Press is a sister imprint under Author Solutions, LLC, offering the same self-publishing package model to faith-based authors. Operates from the same parent platform as iUniverse with nearly identical services and pricing structure.
- Xlibris: Xlibris is another Author Solutions imprint offering self-publishing packages with editorial, design, marketing, and print-on-demand services to aspiring authors. Directly comparable as a sister imprint under the same Author Solutions umbrella.
- Balboa Press: Balboa Press is a Hay House-affiliated self-publishing imprint operating under the Author Solutions umbrella. Provides comparable publishing packages, editorial services, and print-on-demand distribution for mind-body-spirit authors.
- Archway Publishing: Archway Publishing is the Simon & Schuster-affiliated self-publishing imprint offering editorial, design, marketing, and distribution packages. Directly comparable to iUniverse as a publisher-affiliated paid-package self-publishing service.
Broad incumbents
- IngramSpark: IngramSpark is the print-on-demand and distribution arm of Ingram Content Group, providing self-publishing infrastructure at scale to authors and small publishers. It is a broad incumbent in the same space but focuses on distribution infrastructure rather than full-service author packages.
- Amazon KDP: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is the dominant free self-publishing platform, offering zero-cost upload, e-book and print-on-demand distribution, and up to 70% royalties. It is the primary competitive incumbent shaping pricing expectations for the entire self-publishing market including iUniverse.
Emerging players
- Reedsy: Reedsy is a marketplace connecting authors to vetted freelance editors, designers, and marketers, plus Reedsy Discovery for book promotion. Represents the emerging SaaS-first, marketplace-based model challenging iUniverse's integrated-service approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
iUniverse social profiles
Digital presenceiUniverse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
iUniverse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
iUniverse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
iUniverse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about iUniverse
What does iUniverse do?
iUniverse sells tiered self-publishing packages that bundle editorial evaluation, copyediting, interior and cover design, marketing tools (author websites, internet marketing), and print-on-demand book production for individual authors. Books are distributed globally through the iUniverse online bookstore and major retailers such as Amazon in print and digital formats, with authors retaining royalties from sales.
Is iUniverse a public or private company?
iUniverse is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was iUniverse founded?
iUniverse was founded in 1999. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is iUniverse based?
iUniverse is headquartered in Bloomington, United States, in the North America region.
How does iUniverse make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Publishing Packages and Services are the primary driver. The others are book Sales Revenue.
Who are iUniverse's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lulu, BookBaby, Draft2Digital, Westbow Press, Xlibris, Balboa Press and Archway Publishing. Broad incumbents are IngramSpark and Amazon KDP. Reedsy is listed as an emerging player.
Does iUniverse have an API?
No public API is recorded for iUniverse.
What industry is iUniverse in?
iUniverse's product category is Self-Publishing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAJAA, Self-Publishing Platforms (KDP-style Marketplaces & Portals), with a secondary code of MPAJAJAG, Editorial & Production Services (Copyediting, Proofreading, Formatting, Typesetting). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.