Vook

What Vook does

Vook, Inc. is a New York-based digital publishing company founded in 2009 that operates a proprietary ebook creation and distribution platform aimed at individual authors, literary agents, and enterprise media clients. Its core technology is the VookMaker platform, an HTML5-based authoring environment supporting epub and mobi output with embedded video, audio, and images, complemented by an in-house HTML5 eReader and a WeJIT community-discussion integration built with Democrasoft. Vook packages this technology with a full-stack of services: ebook conversion and QA, professional cover design (Standard $199 / Deluxe $299), copy editing ($6-$11/page), proofreading, book scanning with 99.99% text accuracy, print-on-demand, and distribution. Distribution is routed through eight major retailers (Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Samsung, Sony, Google Books, Baker & Taylor) covering up to 192 territories, plus a proprietary Vook Store where the company takes a 15% royalty cut and authors retain 85%.

The business model blends product-led growth (DIY self-service via VookMaker subscriptions) with enterprise field sales (custom pricing handled by a VP of Business Development for clients such as The New York Times' TimesFiles program, The Wall Street Journal, Franklin Covey, GigaOm, The Boston Globe, Newsweek Daily Beast, and Diversion Books) and channel-partner distribution. Vook is venture-backed, with a board including Mike Maples (Floodgate), Brian Hirsch (Tribeca Venture Partners), Richard Harroch (Vantage Point), and John Kilcullen (creator of the For Dummies brand). Over its operating history Vook has produced 500+ video-enhanced titles, executed acquisitions of Booklr (2014) and Byliner (2014), and generated marquee case-study traction (e.g., Sherlock Holmes Experience reaching 20,000 downloads in its first week on Apple). However, the firmographic description notes Vook "was" a self-publishing service, the last funding round was in 2015, and there are no recent product launches or expansion signals in the data, indicating the business is likely in a mature or contracting phase.

Name

Vook

Legal name

Vook, Inc.

Website

https://vook.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vook is a New York-based digital publishing company that operates a proprietary ebook authoring platform (VookMaker) and full-service production, distribution, and print-on-demand offering for individual authors, literary agents, and enterprise media clients such as The New York Times.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Publishing / Self-Publishing Platform

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732)

akta.pro primary industry

eBook & Digital Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Book & Periodical Wholesalers (Trade Distribution) (MPAJAKAA)

Keywords

• Ebook publishing platform
• Multimedia ebook creation
• Self-publishing services
• Digital book distribution
• Print on demand

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Subscription Plans: Annual subscription fees with pricing dependent on Basic/Pro/Advanced tiers chosen for platform access. Paid monthly or as single upfront payment. Subscription auto-renews annually unless cancelled 30 days prior.
2. Ebook Creation Services: Custom pricing based on manuscript length, layout, formatting, and media inclusion. Price per project quoted after manuscript review. Additional fees for revisions beyond included rounds.
3. Enterprise Plan: Customized pricing packages for organizations requiring more than 30 works or 500MB storage. Negotiated on case-by-case basis.
4. Distribution Services: Vook takes percentage of royalties from distribution through retail partners. Vook's own store takes 15% of royalties. Additional quarterly check-processing fees ($5 US, $30 foreign).
5. Cover Design: Standard tier at $199, Deluxe tier at $299. Free templated cover included with ebook creation.
6. Copy Editing: Standard copy editing at $6/page, Stylistic copy editing at $11/page (one page = 250 words).
7. Book Scanning: Digitization of print books to editable Word documents with 99.99% text accuracy guarantee.
8. Proofreading: $1.50/page for final QA check comparing ebook to original manuscript (99.995% character accuracy).
9. Print on Demand: One-time setup fee of $100 plus annual $15 access fee per title for retail distribution. Authors pay printing costs plus shipping for bulk orders.
10. Vook Store Sales: Authors keep 85% of net royalties from sales made through Vook's proprietary storefront. Paid 60 days after quarter end.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vook operates a proprietary ebook authoring and distribution platform (VookMaker) that enables creation of enhanced ebooks combining text with video, audio, and images. The company offers full-service ebook production (manuscript to epub/mobi), multi-retailer distribution to nine major storefronts reaching up to 192 territories, print on demand, cover design, copy editing, book scanning, proofreading, and enterprise publishing solutions for large media organizations.

Product overview

Vook is an ebook publishing platform and full-service digital publishing company. The core product is the VookMaker Platform, a proprietary authoring and creation tool that enables ebook creation with multimedia elements. This platform is supplemented by a suite of managed services including ebook creation (conversion to epub/mobi), distribution across major retailers (Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more), print-on-demand, cover design, copy editing, book scanning, proofreading, and marketing services. Vook also offers its own HTML5 eReader for browser-based reading and the WeJIT community engagement feature. Enterprise publishing services are available for large media companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VookMaker: Self-service ebook creation platform allowing authors to build, format, and distribute their own ebooks.

Products and services

• VookMaker Platform Proprietary ebook authoring and creation platform enabling users to design, create, and distribute enhanced ebooks with multimedia elements including video, audio, and images. Includes Vook Style Editor, Vook Content Editor, and daily sales-tracking dashboard.
• Ebook Creation Service Full-service ebook production converting manuscripts into polished epub (iPad, iPhone, Nook) and mobi (Kindle) formats with thorough QA, preview rounds, marketing metadata optimization, and optional free cover from template.
• Ebook Distribution Service Distribution service placing ebooks across major retailers including Amazon, Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Samsung, Sony, Google Books, Baker & Taylor, and Vook's proprietary HTML5 eReader storefront with up to 192 territories.
• Print on Demand Print-on-demand service producing bookstore-quality hardcopies when ordered, with global distribution through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, and Ingram's network of 30,000+ retailers. Includes print-ready PDF creation, cover design, and bulk print run options.
• Cover Design Professional ebook cover design in two tiers: Standard ($199) with original treatment, 1 revision, 1 graphic element; and Deluxe ($299) with completely custom premium treatment, 2 revisions, 3 graphic elements. Free templated cover also included with ebook creation.
• Copy Editing Two-tier copy editing service: Standard ($6/page) for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency checks; and Stylistic ($11/page) including language editing, word choice improvements, fact checking, and rewrite suggestions.
• Book Scanning Digitization service converting bound print books into editable Microsoft Word documents with 99.99% text accuracy guarantee. Includes rigorous QA process; scanning is 'destructive' (original books not returned).
• Proofreading Final QA check comparing digitally reproduced text against original manuscript to correct conversion errors. Guarantees 99.995% accurate character match. Cost: $1.50/page.
• Enterprise Publishing Enterprise-level publishing solutions for large media companies, including customized ebook catalogs, branded digital content, and large-scale title production. Clients include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Franklin Covey, GigaOm, The Boston Globe, and Newsweek Daily Beast.

Quantifiable outcome

• Authors can reach up to 192 territories through Amazon distribution alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, supporting and core.

• The New York TimesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 December 2012Enterprise publishing partnership to launch TimesFiles ebook program. Vook's technology platform powers creation of curated ebook series from New York Times archives, available through Amazon, B&N, and iBookstore.
• AuthorightsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner providing book publicity and social media marketing services. Runs comprehensive custom book marketing campaigns for authors and publishers including social media, press releases, national media distribution, and 8-week media campaigns with US and UK publicists.
• AuthrosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner providing custom author websites and book trailers. Vook authors receive special discounts on Authro services. Creates professional marketing tools for first-time and seasoned authors.
• DemocrasoftsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing WeJIT functionality for embedded discussion links in ebooks. Enables readers to engage in topic-based discussions, debates, and community interactions directly from within ebook pages.
• Diversion BookscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublishing partner for large-scale ebook production. Vook powers Diversion Books' print-to-digital book conversion and digital production at scale. Partnership launched to handle Diversion's existing print catalog conversions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lulu: Self-publishing platform offering print-on-demand, ebook creation, and global distribution to retailers. Comparable service breadth to Vook including authoring tools, cover design, and retail placement.
• BookBaby: Self-publishing service providing ebook creation, formatting, cover design, and distribution to major retailers. Closely matches Vook's hybrid DIY-plus-service model for indie authors.
• Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): Amazon's free self-publishing platform for ebooks and print-on-demand, enabling direct author-to-Amazon distribution. The dominant competitor to Vook's self-publishing and distribution offering, sharing the same target customers (indie authors and publishers) and overlapping retailer relationship.
• Draft2Digital: Ebook distribution aggregator that places titles across major retailers (Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, libraries) with a single submission. Direct functional competitor to Vook's distribution service with a broader current catalog and ongoing product investment.
• Smashwords: Self-publishing platform and ebook distributor, now part of Draft2Digital. Provides similar author services including format conversion, distribution, and royalty management — directly comparable to Vook's VookMaker and distribution offerings.
• IngramSpark: Ingram Content Group's print-on-demand and ebook distribution platform, offering global retail distribution through 40,000+ retailers and libraries. Direct peer for Vook's POD and wholesale distribution service.
• FastPencil: Ebook creation and publishing platform offering authoring tools, formatting, and distribution. Notably, Vook board member John Kilcullen is also Executive Chairman at Fast Pencil, making this a particularly close comparable in product scope.
• Blurb: Self-publishing platform specializing in book creation, print-on-demand, and ebook distribution with a strong design and creative-author focus. Comparable in hybrid DIY-and-service model for premium book creators.

Emerging players

• Reedsy: Marketplace and toolset connecting authors with vetted publishing professionals (editors, designers, marketers) plus a free ebook formatting tool. An emerging modern alternative to legacy self-publishing services with a more curated, freelancer-driven approach.

Broad incumbents

• Apple Books for Authors: Apple's direct self-publishing portal for iBooks/Apple Books distribution. A broader incumbent in the ebook retail space that competes with Vook-distributed content on the Apple iBookstore channel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pronoun
• Facebookfacebook.com/publish.at.pronoun
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pronoun

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vook