The Espresso Book Machine has made its worldwide book chain debut, and can print cheap paperbacks on demand in seven to 14 minutes while you wait.
Developed by former Random House editorial director Jason Epstein, the Espresso Book Machine was launched in the US in 2006 and in 2007 was named by Time Magazine as one of the "Best Inventions of the Year".
The Espresso Book Machine is being marketed in-store by Angus & Robertson as "The Story Maker", and contains a duplex laser printer and can produce black-and-white paperbacks in seven to 14 minutes, printed on 75gsm paper with 210gsm colour cover. Some titles will sell at less than the shelf price, with the average price around $30.
Angus & Robertson's first Espresso Book Machine was launched today in the retailer's Bourke Street store in Melbourne, with plans to roll out 50 machines throughout Australia and New Zealand network within a year.
Several hundred books are initially available, mostly out of copyright titles sourced from Internet Archive's Million Book Project via Australia book wholesaler Central Book Services - the Australian supplier of the Espresso Book Machine.
Two Lonely Planet titles are also available, exclusive to the Espresso Book Machine, along with a one title from an independent publisher and a novel supplied by the Australian Society of Authors.
Negotiations are underway with various publishers and authors, with Angus & Robertson planning to make up to 10,000 titles available through the Espresso Book Machine by 2010.
"While Angus & Robertson's initial focus will be on out of print and exclusive books, there is a great opportunity to offer customers a wider variety of titles and niche genres," says Angus & Robertson managing director David Fenlon.
"We believe that the Espresso Book Machine can achieve this at lower cost and higher convenience than ordering from offshore providers."
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| Angus & Robertson managing director David Fenlon with the Espresso Book Machine |