Kobo publisher news

Why it’s Smart to Sell Books via KOBO

Book-Reviews

Many writers I am talking with are still selling their books via Amazon only. It is hard to understand why they “put all their eggs into one basket only”.  During the last years, I wrote more than a dozen of articles, and explaining in detail how authors can diversify – a commandment in any business!  So why not sell your books at Apple’s iBooks, on Barnes&Noble, on Kobo, and many other retailers in and outside of the USA?

I showed on my blogs all the avenues an author can go, up to selling their e-books and print versions from their own website.  For example herehere, and here.

Sure, being on KDP Select has some small benefits, but there is an exclusivity rule, although there are ways to opt out for a while (or forever).  Yes, and the majority of books is still sold by Amazon.  But if you want to have more sales, more readers around the world, and most of all: to get into the libraries it is essential to spread your books in more markets.

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Good News: Kobo and OverDrive
OverDrive, the library ebook vendor was bought by Rakuten, the parent company of Kobo last year.  OverDrive is the major supplier of books and ebooks to libraries.  See the connection and the Benefit for authors who have their books sold through Kobo too?

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Readers Can Borrow Library Titles using Kobo’s Aura One e-Reader.
There is an enormous benefit for readers – and certainly authors: Kobo’s latest and greatest e-reader the Kobo Aura lets you borrow library titles. The Digital Reader reported:
“Aura One features close integration with Overdrive, the library ebook vendor bought by Rakuten/Kobo last spring. However, the feature only works in the USA, UK, Canada, NZ, and Australia so far.”

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How Readers Can Borrow Kobo Library Books
The way it works is that once you have entered your OverDrive info in the settings menu, you can simply search the Kobo store on the Aura One and the e-books you see will list their price as well as whether they are available to be checked out of your library.
You can check out an ebook on the Aura One, and you can also place a hold for an ebook. Any borrowed book will indicate how long until the library loan expires.”
A tip from a reader: It is faster and simpler to first browse OverDrive’s website from your PC and borrow an e-book, and only then pick up the Aura One and tell it to sync.  This borrowed library e-book will show up on the Aura One’s home page as a “New” title which can be downloaded and read.

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About OverDrive
eBooks, audiobooks, and more are delivered to over 34,000 libraries, including your local public library. Information for publishers can be found here where a presentation shows every step of the “OverDrive Connect” platform.

OverDrive partnered with more than 5,000 publishers to build a catalog of more than 2 million premium titles available for retail.

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But There’s More:
If you offer your own books on your website as an author, you can also include two million! other book titles via OverDrive and earn a sales commission.

“Offer our entire retail catalog or select from our vast inventory of popular digital eBooks and audiobooks in more than 50 languages. We deliver titles to your customers directly from your online bookstore, device or app. OverDrive distributes titles in virtually every subject from more than 5,000 publishers.”

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Lots of Possibilities for Authors
Using eBookPartnership, Draft2Digital or any other distributor or submit your books directly to the online retailers will spread your book to new markets, and makes you more independent as a self-publisher.  And now with the added bonus of Kobo and their OverDrive company you are one more step up to have your books included in library catalogs.

 

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Mixed Stocking of Publishing News

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Christmas-Tree
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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY READERS – ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

 

Inspire!: Toronto Launches New Book Fair in 2014
Inspire!, a four-day Toronto International Book Fair, will make its debut next November at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. News of the fair’s launch comes just three months after the release of a feasibility study, funded by the Ontario Media Development Corp., which raised the tantalizing prospect of a reimagined Toronto book fair after six years without one.”

Steven Levy, a “master of big consumer trade shows, has partnered in the venture with Rita Davies, former executive director of culture for the city of Toronto, and publisher John Calabro of Quattro Books, according to the Star. Levy noted that while the show partially fills a gap left by the demise of BookExpo Canada, Inspire! will be 80% public and about 20% for publishing industry insiders.

“In Toronto we have a large audience with a serious interest in both print and digital subjects,” he said. “And we have a highly diversified society, with many different languages and cultures. Our challenge is to create a number of unique events that will be entertaining and educational, and engage this audience.”
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PAINTER OF THE HEAVENS Amazon Kindle Countdown Deal

“A Novel of Crime and the Heart” by Bart Stewart   http://bit.ly/18YaHqY
Starts Dec ember 26, at 08:00 am, @ 99cents

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Kobo to Raise Revenues for Authors
e-Book retailer Kobo is raising the minimum price for an e-book to qualify for 70% royalties from $1.99 to $2.99 and has dropped the upper range limit of $9.99, this way DOUBLING the revenue offered by Amazon’s Kindle on higher-priced e-books. The change represents a 50% increase as, previously, to qualify for 70% payments, an e-book on Kobo Writing Life had to be priced between $1.99-$12.99, with the royalty dropping to 45% for e-books outside that range.  In comparison: Amazon pays 70% royalties on e-books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 and 35% outside that range.  It looks like a move that could attract a new wave of authors to Kobo, especially those with high-end e-books, such as text books and “coffee-table” books or those with lots of images.

The minimum prices internationally to qualify for 70% e-book royalties from Kobo are:

  • £2.99 in the UK (previously £1.99-£7.99)
  • $2.99 CAD in Canada (previously $1.99-$12.99)
  • $2.99 AUD in Australia (previously $1.99-$11.99)
  • €2.99 in the European Union (previously €1.99-€12.99)
  • $2.99 NZD in New Zealand (previously $1.99-$12.99)

Certain conditions apply: See the Kobo website
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From Kobo’s News Release:
Kobo expanded its distribution channel in France with the addition of top France retailers Pixmania, Cora, Casino, Auchan, and Boulanger.

Kobo takes e-Reading to a New Continent
World-Class Platform Now Available to South African Consumers :
Kobo brings eReading to South Africa through its partnership with Pick n Pay, one of the largest and most successful retailers in the country. Not even a month after partnering with the New Zealand Booksellers Association and Paper Plus, Kobo brings its world-class e-Reading experience to people in South Africa, with the award-winning Kobo Touch e-Reader and a localized online customer experience.  Local content is also available in both English and Afrikaans, including works from authors such as Deon Meyer, Leon van Nierop and Tess Gerritsen.

More Languages
Kobo’s self-publishing platform is now available in German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch, in addition to English.

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/
to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.

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Tagged: Kobo brings eReading to South Africa, Kobo in South Africa, Kobo publisher news, Kobo to raise revenues for authors, Ontario Media Development Corp, Toronto Book Fair "Inspire"