Roughly 100 titles, including plays and musical librettos, will be available for the Nov. 15 launch, with an expected 200 additional titles prepared for eBook format by the end of the month. A representative for Samuel French told Playbill.com the aim is to have 1,000 titles available by the end of the year.
The titles will first launch on Apple's iBookstore for use on iPhone, iPod and iPad, but Samuel French is also preparing the scripts for use on the Kindle, Nook and Sony eReader via all online retailers in 2012. Most plays will retail for $8.99.
Among the playwrights whose work will be available in eBook format during the initial launch are Dale Wasserman, Charles Busch, Israel Horovitz, Ray Cooney and Marsha Norman.
Samuel French director of publications and operations Ken Dingledine said in a statement, "Being able to deliver an author's content in an additional format will only enhance the reach of the creator's work. We are witnessing a new generation of actors embracing technology in new ways we never could have imagined. We feel Samuel French has a responsibility to make our authors' work accessible to this and future generations."
You can browse the first available titles beginning Nov. 15 the Samuel French eBooks Store.