Tracking Digital Changes New Opportunities for Working with Indie Authors Christine Munroe Manager, Kobo

Focus on eReading “Read Freely” motto Global reach What isall about?

Kobo Goes Global Kobo offers over 4 million eBooks to customers in over 160 countries, more than Amazon, B&N, and iBooks COMBINED Leading market share in many markets Localized Ranking & Bestseller lists – each territory’s view is unique Each Kobo device and app supports 68 languages for a completely global experience

Partnership, Acquisition, and Collaboration eBooks uploaded to automatically land on the virtual shelves of over 17,000 retailers worldwidewww.kobo.com

What isall about? Free self-publishing platform, launched in 2012 Easy-to-use: publish your book in 5 easy steps Lives sales tracking with the KWL dashboard Frequent platform updates to improve user experience: pre-orders, price scheduling tool, WYSIWYG editor, and more Promotional opportunities for authors on kobo.com, the KWL blog, our podcast, and more Unique and exciting partnerships: SouthWest, bookstores, Overdrive

Simple Five-Step Process

Free ePub Conversion Convert INTO ePub for FREE (for those who need it) Upload your own ePub (for those who already have it)

WYSIWYG Text Editor

Pricing and Royalties Standard 70% –$2.99 USD and up All else = 45% Complete control over pricing (to help maximize margin or adjust for market trends) Price at FREE at any time (no strings attached)

Live Sales Dashboard

Dashboard

Global Snapshot of Sales

Where have KWL titles sold?

How to Engage with the Growing Indie Community Good news: Every writer requires a great editor Bad news: They don’t always think so (or they think they can’t afford one) With the power of self-publishing comes the responsibility of writers acting as publishing entrepreneurs, managing everything from distribution to editorial to marketing. Editors need to build their own platform and connect with self- published authors through a variety of avenues…

#1 – Word of Mouth Indie authors are an engaged community who turn to one another for advice and recommendations. The more work you do (assuming all goes well…), the more work you’ll get!

#2 – Online Resources Online directory of editors - EAC Bibliocrunch

(Online Resources cont’d) ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors) Publishers Marketplace

#3 – Editorial Collectives ….why not form your own?

#4 – Trusted Resources Build your network!

Build Your Brand Like self-published authors, freelance editors need to market themselves Professional website Newsletter + social media + writers conferences … focus on opportunities that work well for you (be everywhere vs be where you want to be)

Since we’re talking about going global… Self-publishing created endless opportunities for translators and editors in other languages Babelcube Pubmatch

Full Circle: Become the Author Turn your blog or newsletter content into profit and promotion Nothing says “expert” like a book! A book is on sale 24/7, earning you money and building your reputation while you’re sleeping, on vacation, walking your dog

Christine Munroe US Manager, Kobo Writing Life