Kobo Writing Life’s International Reach, Indie Reach

At last week’s BookExpo America event, GoodEReader spoke with Mark Lefebvre, Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations for Kobo’s self-publishing platform Writing Life, to discuss the global potential for indie authors. While so many companies have not yet extended their reach into many foreign markets, Kobo has made its catalog of ebooks available in 194 countries, and it’s writing platform is allowing authors to reach readers on a regular basis in almost as many. “Some of our bestselling authors are selling regularly in over sixty different countries. They’re selling in markets they never even thought of. But from an author’s perspective, you might have a following in a local market, but to sell your book in a foreign country because you made it available globally is incredible.” “What is always fun is that typically an author’s first sales will be in the territory they live in, but what is exciting is the opportunity for cross-promotion.” Lefebvre explained that Kobo’s algorithms suggest titles based on previous purchases, like so many other online retailers, but with its truly global reach, readers who select a title are then offered similar suggestions that don’t necessarily have to come from that original book’s territory. Readers are discovering a wealth of new authors to read, and Kobo has the connection to help those readers discover international authors that they never would have read in the era of brick-and-mortar purchases. “We have one set of authors who are doing really well through Kobo.com, but we have a different set of authors and publishers who are doing really well through our partnership with the ABA [American Booksellers Association]. The sales that are coming through the independents is a list that is more on par with the types of books that sell really well in an independent store as opposed to a chain store. You’ll get more non-fiction, political science, higher end titles, literary titles, and those customers haven’t been trained to drive towards the 99-cent price point. Customers are already comfortable supporting independent bookstores and paying for quality.” This understanding that comes from supporting independent bookstores through the ABA has translated into an understanding that indie authors also need the same support and reader following. “When those books are available through the ABA stores, those customers haven’t been brainwashed into thinking the ebooks aren’t worth anything.” Kobo Writing Life’s International Reach, Indie Reach is a post from: E-Reader News

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