From bob-e-books to BGPublishers: 25 years of digital publishing evolution

When I launched bob-e-books in 1999, digital publishing was a wild frontier. eBooks were barely on the radar for most readers, and self-publishing in a digital format was a technical challenge. But I was fascinated by the potential of online publishing, and I knew that digital books had a future. What I didn’t know then was how much my approach—and the technology—would evolve over the next 25 years.

Looking back at my websites from the early 2000s to now, it’s clear that my journey as a digital publisher has been a story of adaptation, experimentation, and innovation.

The early days: bob-e-books and the dawn of digital publishing (1999–2006)

In the late ‘90s, eBooks were a niche concept, and there was no Kindle, no Apple Books, and certainly no widespread digital reading habits. But I was determined to explore the possibilities.

With bob-e-books, I created one of the first Australian eBook publishing platforms, offering digital books in PDF format and distributing them via email downloads—a far cry from today’s instant one-click purchases.

bob-e-books 1999–2006: a pioneering experiment

The earliest version of my website was bright, simple, and functional—designed to showcase eBooks at a time when most people had never read one. Looking at the archived screenshots, I’m reminded of the early internet aesthetic—static HTML, clear category lists, and a focus on educating readers about what an eBook was.

Some highlights from this era:

✅ Offering free eBook downloads to introduce hesitant readers to digital formats.

✅ Selling books for $7.95 AUD—an early test of the online eBook marketplace.

✅ Encouraging readers to take a ‘tour’ of eBooks—because in 1999, most people needed a demonstration to understand how they worked!

Back then, PDFs were the standard, and digital books were often seen as complements to print rather than replacements. My work with bob-e-books was all about testing the waters, proving the viability of eBooks, and making the concept accessible to an audience that had never read on a screen before.

Building a digital-first publishing odel (2006–2015)

By the mid-2000s, technology was catching up. eReaders were emerging, Apple launched the iPhone (2007) and iPad (2010), and suddenly, digital reading was no longer a novelty—it was becoming mainstream.

This was when I transitioned from bob-e-books into BGPublishers, a brand that reflected my broader expertise in digital content, eBook production, and web publishing.

BGPublishers 2012–2015: the professional shift

In this phase, my website evolved from an eBook storefront to a full-fledged digital publishing business. The archived versions show:

✔ A sleek, professional design, aligning with a growing industry standard for online publishing.

✔ Expansion beyond eBooks—offering consulting, digital training, and multi-channel publishing services.

✔ Integration with Amazon, Kindle, and iBooks, marking the shift to mainstream digital book distribution.

This was also the period where I fully embraced ePUB formats, moving beyond static PDFs to interactive, reflowable content that worked across devices.

Today: fully committed to digital-first publishing (2015–2025)

Now, with BGPublishers.com.au, I’m fully focused on digital publishing as a creative ecosystem—not just for selling books but for creating immersive, media-rich experiences.

What’s different now?

🔹 Interactive ePUBs with embedded video, pop-ups, and handwritten elements—pushing eBook formats to their limits.

🔹 A focus on travel sketching eBooks, blending art, storytelling, and digital interactivity.

🔹 No print books—I’ve embraced a 100% digital model, selling my eBooks through Amazon and my website.

Looking at where I started—with bob-e-books as a simple experiment in digital reading—and where I am now, it’s clear how much the industry has changed. But more importantly, my vision has changed. I no longer see digital publishing as just an alternative to print—I see it as a completely new medium, with unique creative possibilities.

Lessons learned from 25 years in digital publishing

1️⃣ Be willing to adapt – Technology and reader habits change fast. What worked in 1999 doesn’t work now. Staying flexible is key.

2️⃣ Think beyond traditional books – Digital publishing isn’t just about putting words on a screen. Multimedia, interactivity, and visuals matter.

3️⃣ Experiment early and often – bob-e-books was ahead of its time, but testing ideas early helped me refine my approach for the long haul.

4️⃣ Simplicity wins – Even today, making the digital experience easy and enjoyable for readers is the most important factor.

What’s next?

As I continue developing my travel-sketching eBook series (Vietnam, Belgrade, Montenegro, Arnhem Land, and Broken Hill), I’m also thinking about how eBooks integrate with digital products, courses, and creative experiences.

My journey from bob-e-books to BGPublishers has been a testament to digital evolution, creative risk-taking, and embracing technology. And looking at how far eBooks have come, I can’t wait to see where they’ll go next.

Are you interested in digital publishing? Have you seen how eBooks have changed over the years? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment or connect with me at BGPublishers.com.au!