Skip to main content

Comixology launches online self-publishing platform for comic books

Comixology launches online self-publishing platform for comic books

Share this story

via puu.sh
via puu.sh

Digital distribution has spurred new interest in self-publishing, with storefronts like Apple's iBookstore creating special tools for authors who work outside the traditional publisher model. At the same time, Comixology has helped bring digital versions of traditional comics into the mainstream, creating a broad platform that moved beyond either webcomics or titles from single publishing houses. Now, Comixology is launching Submit, its own publishing tool for indie authors.

Opened in private beta last year, Submit lets creators upload comics for approval. From there, Comixology reviews work to make sure it "maintains a level of professional content," then adds it to the catalog. Besides getting a storefront, authors will have their work formatted for Comixology's mobile apps, with a panel-by-panel view that's proved useful on small screens. In return, they'll give up a hefty chunk of revenue: there's no up-front fee, but Comixology keeps half the money from each sale after other processing fees, and like other in-app purchases, sales through the iOS app will see Apple take its own cut.

No up-front fee, but Comixology gets half the net money from each sale

Submit isn't the only self-publishing tool for comics: similar service Graphicly has been around for several years, and it's possible to create and submit graphic novels with iBooks Author. Authors who publish through Comixology can also still sell their books on other platforms.

Update: Comixology clarifies that its take is half the net sale amount, which means processing fees (or fees for the App Store) will be deducted and authors and Comixology will receive half of what's left.