Founded in 2011, YouScribe is a digital library that allows its users streaming access to millions of documents (books, comics, press, manuals, etc.). Established in France and in 12 African countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, South Africa, Madagascar, Ghana), YouScribe announces the launch of “YouScribe Originals” a new platform dedicated to promoting emerging and/or already popular African authors in the digital catalog.
The origins of “YouScribe Originals”
The idea for YouScribe was born from the observation that it is particularly difficult for African authors or publishers to find a readership and market books locally. Digital is then highlighted by the French start-up to respond in particular to the problem of production costs. A solution valued by many publishers, like the Ivorian publishing house Nimba which has been affiliated with the platform since its creation.
Juan Pirlot de Corbionfounder of YouScribe, explains: “ It is a French-speaking digital library, and not French “. The initial project of the platform is to promote local talents and texts. YouScribe currently works in partnership with 450 African publishers. The founder continues: “ The platform development strategy is not north-south but south-south and south-north “. The start-up then aims to develop the African publishing market, but also to finance the authors and publishers who enrich it (60% of revenue in proportion to the number of pages read on the platform).
More than 10 years after its launch, the results are convincing. Some authors have enjoyed immense success on the platform. “ When we become aware of this reality, it is an element of enormous satisfaction, because most authors, particularly of fiction, do not find their readership », Enthuses the founder, who wanted to amplify the phenomenon.
Propose a specific offer
New application, new platform, new URL, with “YouScribe Originals”, the company targets a more specific demand by focusing on exclusive content. The platform is dedicated to emerging authors and around ten particularly popular “star pens” in the catalog. For Juan Pirlot of Corbion, “ the idea of YouScribe Originals and making all these pens coexist “. Until now, content was adapted to the target country via the IP address. The platform had already developed content reserved for certain audiences such as educational establishments.
The launch of “YouScribe Originals” is also intended to extend the visibility of certain writers and editors, already well present on social networks. Pages will then be dedicated to them on the platform to promote the author-reader link. The company also wishes to use this new platform to further target the literary news of the authors highlighted.
“A talent incubator”
With its 1.8 million subscribers, 95% of which in Africa, and an estimated turnover in 2024 of 12.5 million euros (figures communicated by headquarters), YouScribe is one of the largest libraries multilingual in Africa and Europe. The platform therefore benefits from a significant influence in the African publishing world. Juan Pirlot from Corbion also confirms the organization, following the launch of the platform, of an exchange with publishers who wish it.
According to Wattpad, Juan Pirlot de Corbion sees YouScribe Originals as ” a modern manuscript service for publishers, a talent incubator “. Among the “star feathers”, he notably retains Ernestine Mbakou in Cameroon and Eden Tchagua in Ivory Coast. Women are also the majority on the platform.
If the majority of authors are already listed in the digital catalog, the launch of YouScribe Originals is planned for December 2024. The sales price including tax of the Originals bouquet will be 2.8 euros per month.
