These revolutionary cards allow publishers and authors alike to sell e-books — digital downloads — at in-person events that include book launch celebrations and speaking engagements. You simply purchase a batch of download codes from Enthrill, print them on cards — or anything else — and sell them.

“One cookbook author printed them on wooden spoons and sold them for $10 each,” says Kevin Franco, co-founder and chief executive officer of Enthrill of Calgary, Alberta.

Enthrill’s e-book delivery technology makes it possible for anyone to buy a book in its catalog, regardless of the type of device used. The company currently offers books from indies plus a wide range of recognized publishers. It also sells e-book gift cards at Walmart stores in Canada.

Cards are redeemed online.

Here’s how it works

After the publisher or author uploads the book’s cover, metadata, and ePub file to Enthrill’s “warehouse,” the company provides download codes that can be printed on cards or distributed electronically. Authors must purchase a minimum of 100 download codes for $1.50 each — a total investment of $150.

Pricing for publishers is different. They pay 5 percent of the digital list price per download code, with a minimum charge of $.25 and a maximum of $1.50.

Books get added to Enthrill’s online “catalog” — which is also where they’re redeemed.

For an additional charge, Enthrill will print cards with your codes, or you can take care of that yourself (remember: each card needs a different code so you’ll need a vendor with that capability).

You can also distribute the codes one at a time via e-mail, making this an option for a free giveaway redemption or as a way to provide review copies without worrying about what device the reader will read it on — and, therefore, which format to send.

Get started

Enthrill plans to have an automated system for authors in place by the middle of 2016 but until then, the process requires human contact (not a bad thing, right?). There is no information about this author purchase option on the company website at the moment, but don’t let that deter you. That will change when the automated system is in place.

In the meantime, to order your download codes, you must contact the company by phone or email. They’re ready, willing, and able to work with individuals as well as companies.

“We started as a publishing house and love working with authors,” says Franco. “What I like most about working with authors is that they’re  extremely passionate about their work. It’s not often you get to work with people who have so much passion about what they do.”

What creative ways can you imagine for using download codes for your e-books?