A Vietnamese book firm has introduced a platform that allows authors to publish books by themselves, the first of its kind in Vietnam.

Hanoi-based Alpha Books said its self-publishing platform iPub was launched to help authors with a tight budget to promote their literary works.

With a few simple steps of registration, self-published authors can easily upload, edit and design their works on the platform.

The drafts will undergo review by Alpha Books and will be published within 72 hours after they are sent online.

In the initial phase, users can upload their books on the platform for free, according to Alpha Books.

In addition, the book company also offers extra services at different prices such editing and page layout.

Moreover, self-published authors can also choose to print their books, as per the normal publication procedure for a printed work, with additional options of cover design and PR/ Marketing packages.

After the initial phase, Alpha Books will charge iPub users VND2 million for the “Super save” service, VND4 million for the “Best choice” service, and VND8 million for the “Easy publish” package. The prices depend on which of the services of publishing permission application, cover desining and editing are used. (US$1 = VND23,256)

Nguyen Canh Binh, iPub co-founder, confidently affirmed that the new online self-publishing platform is helpful in shortening the publishing process, making authors’ expenditure and profit more transparent, and growing their connection with readers.

iPub is now available for free access on web browsers and for download on Android and iOS devices.

Before the introduction of iPub, such other Vietnamese online reading platforms as Waka and sachweb have merely allowed users to update ebook versions of printed publications.

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