Blurb.com: The Gift of Words

How often have you had an experience that made you think, "I could write a book"? If the answer is more than once, chances are you’d be thrilled to find yourself at blurb.com. An online book publishing system, Blurb lets you download its software, BookSmart, to your Mac or PC and create your own masterpiece, from "Once upon a time…" to "The End." BookSmart comes loaded with various layouts and graphics, so you can format and design your story as you’d like. Once you’re finished, the company will produce and publish your book, and it’ll be in your hands within 5-10 days. Want to share your story with the world? You can sell your book in Blurb’s online bookstore (for a profit!), and the company will take care of shipping and monetary transactions.

Don’t have an idea for the next great novel? Not to worry — many users frequent the site to design baby books, wedding albums, cookbooks and more. Book pricing starts at $12.95 and can be designed as soft- or hardcover.

While the site has been around for a few years, it’s now offering a new (and exciting) feature — gift cards! For the reader — or writer — in your life, you can select a monetary value and let them shop the Blurb bookstore or write and create their book, all while thinking of you.

– Kate