Editr (Tablo)

Tablo operates as a self-publishing platform, providing a streamlined, all-in-one solution for authors to write, publish, and distribute their work. The company was founded in Melbourne, Australia, in early 2013 by Ash Davies, who, at 19, was motivated by his own challenging experience in publishing a book. This personal struggle led to the creation of a cloud-based platform designed to simplify the entire publishing journey, from manuscript to market.

The venture began its journey in the AngelCube startup accelerator, which provided an initial $20,000 in capital. A subsequent seed funding round raised an additional $400,000 from Australian and American angel investors, including Y Combinator partner Kevin Hale. Initially launched as a browser-based application for creating and self-publishing eBooks, Tablo expanded its services significantly. In July 2014, it relaunched as a social writing and reading community, and in April 2018, it introduced paperback publishing and expanded its distribution network through a print-on-demand service.

Tablo's business model is centered on a subscription service, distinguishing it from platforms that take a commission on royalties. Authors pay an annual or monthly fee, which allows them to retain 100% of the net sales proceeds after retailer and printing costs. Plans vary in price, offering different levels of service, such as the number of books that can be created and the formats available (eBook, paperback, and hardcover). The platform targets independent authors, both new and experienced, in over 150 countries, offering them a user-friendly interface to focus on writing rather than the technical hurdles of publishing. The service includes writing and formatting tools, professional templates, and assigns necessary ISBNs. A key feature is its global distribution network, which reaches approximately 40,000 retailers and 30,000 libraries, including major players like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. This is facilitated by a print-on-demand network with printers worldwide, ensuring global availability without authors needing to manage inventory. Authors can also track sales in real-time and withdraw their earnings on demand.

Keywords: self-publishing platform, book publishing, author services, print-on-demand, eBook distribution, paperback publishing, hardcover publishing, independent authors, book formatting, global book distribution, Ash Davies, publishing subscription, author tools, writing community, book creation, online publishing, royalty management, ISBN assignment, author portfolio, manuscript publishing