Xlibris, Lightning Source Announce Strategic Alliance

Posted on December 15, 2000

Xlibris, a publishing services provider for authors founded in 1997, has teamed up with Lightning Source Inc., a digital fulfillment provider. The agreement increases Xlibris' reach to booksellers because of Lightning's relationship with Ingram Book Group, wholesale book distributor. The companies also have agreed to cooperate in industry efforts to develop print-on-demand (POD) product and technical standards.

``Our relationship with Lightning allows us access to a wide array of national, regional and online booksellers,'' said Xlibris CEO John Feldcamp. ``We already have over 4,000 titles in the Lightning system. Getting books into readers' hands more quickly and efficiently keeps with our objective of helping authors reach as broad an audience as possible.''

``The Xlibris-Lightning partnership provides the perfect example of how we can push the envelope with our technologies to come up with a fast, efficient and cost-effective solution,'' said Ed Marino, president and CEO of Lightning Source. ``In the matter of a very few weeks, we have managed together to streamline the process and digitize a huge amount of content. This is a significant indication of what is possible with the right strategic partner.''

The companies claim that through Lightning's POD and drop-ship services, orders for Xlibris paperback titles can be printed and ready to ship to Xlibris customers and wholesalers within 48 hours. They also claim hardcover titles can be printed and ready to ship within 4 to 6 days.