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(Follow the linked bullet points for the other posts.) The Results: Writing Life Today’s post will discuss Kobo’s Writing Life Platform. My perspective is unabashedly that of an indie author. My intent has been to deduce whether Kobo seems to understand what it will take to become a serious player in the eBook retail universe currently dominated almost exclusively by Amazon and their Kindle store. 52533.I’ve tracked for several weeks now, keeping my eye on the following things: “This turned out so well.”īooksellers interested in hosting a Kobo Writing Life event in their stores can contact Christine Munroe via e-mail or at (646) 943-8200, ext. “I wish I could do one once a year,” she said.
Kobo writing life free#
Free food and drinks will be provided to attendees, as well as an eReader giveaway.įor her part, Burke highly recommends stores try out an event with Kobo Writing Life. Lyga will discuss his life as a hybrid author, and Munroe will talk to attendees about the importance of buying eBooks through WORD, via Kobo, and supporting the local store.
Kobo writing life code#
Munroe and Lefebvre plan to create both large and small Kobo Writing Life events that are carefully developed to suit the needs of bookstores across the country.Īt WORD bookstore in Brooklyn, New York, author Barry Lyga, who has published traditionally in the past and is now releasing a self-published title, will meet with fans on December 4.Īt the event, customers will receive cards with a QR code leading to WORD’s website, where they can purchase Lyga’s book. Having already embraced the world of digital reading and author relationships with a curated display of digital-only titles and endcaps featuring plentiful local authors, “Jan’s demonstrates that all it really takes is the right combination of the right store owner or manager willing to work with local authors, whether they’re independent or not,” said Lefebvre. Lefebvre credits Jan’s Paperbacks for making the event so successful. In the days following the event, nine of the 18 reception authors saw their titles rise into the top 50 bestselling Kobo eBooks, and Jan’s saw a huge leap in sales during the event. The event was deemed a resounding success by Jan’s Paperbacks and by Kobo. “It was amazing to have the authors in the bookstore space, meeting fans face-to-face,” said Munroe. The store also offered giveaway baskets featuring signed books from a variety of authors.īurke said that the register continued to ring up purchases throughout the night.
Kobo writing life for free#
Munroe, Burke, and Jaimeson spoke at the workshop, giving different perspectives - from Kobo, a bookseller, and an author - on self-publishing, eBooks, and the bookstore-author relationship.įollowing the workshop, 18 Pacific Northwest authors attended a three-hour reception at the bookstore, where they met with more than 75 workshop participants and customers and gave away coupons for free eBook downloads through Jan’s Paperbacks, via Kobo.įood and drinks were provided by Kobo, as well as a Kobo device for a raffle and promotional cards for free eBooks. “Some published and some just hoping, but everyone wanted to learn,” said Burke. The workshop, which was open only to booksellers and authors, brought in a surprising number of attendees, nearly all authors. “The response from authors was huge,” said Burke. “The more people that we can get to set foot in the store, the more likely it is that those consumers are going to find something they love because, sometimes, all it takes is getting inside and seeing what the indie bookseller is up to in order to recognize the tremendous value a local bookstore brings to that community.” I know the importance of getting foot traffic,” said Lefebvre. “Our goal with Kobo Writing Life is to do these kinds of things and drive people into the store. Kobo's Christine Munroe presents at the workshop. Now, they are looking to coordinate more events that team independent bookstores and local authors (both self- and traditionally published) with Kobo. manager, worked with author Maggie Jaimeson to develop the event for Jan’s Paperbacks.
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Mark Lefebvre, director of self-publishing and author relations for Kobo, and Christine Munroe, Kobo Writing Life’s U.S. It was beyond what we all could have planned for,” said Burke. Seventy people participated in an afternoon educational workshop on Kobo and Kobo Writing Life’s self-publishing portal and even more participated in an evening reception to celebrate the relationship between authors and independent bookstores. Kobo Writing Life, Kobo’s do-it-yourself eBook publishing platform, sponsored the November 2 event that brought together independent booksellers and local authors. Earlier this month, Jan’s Paperbacks in Aloha, Oregon, hosted an event that owner Debbie Burke said amounted to her highest grossing day ever.
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