Having previously offered bundles of video games and music, Humble Bundle has now launched a bundle of ebook titles. It’s a pay-what-you-want deal with a charitable component, offering titles by the likes of Neil Gaiman, Cory Doctorow and Kelly Link. The Gaiman title is one of two extras for those who pay more than the average.
Bundles have been a hot topic this year. The idea is that the consumer trusts that the bundles have been curated by someone who knows what they’re doing. In a way, then, this is about discoverability, because it allows consumers to just find a trusted source that offers a carefully curated selection of complimentary titles.
I’m not sure how this type of bundling can really benefit self-published and unknown authors, and it’s probably not going to change the publishing industry forever. Then again, partnering well-known authors with lesser-known names is a good way to help get new authors off the starting block. It depends, ultimately, on who’s doing the bundling. Curated collections of ebooks could be a big deal over the next year.
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