Kobo Enhances Kobo Writing Life Making Self-Publishing Easier For Authors

TORONTO, July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kobo, a global leader in eReading, today announced its Kobo Writing Life (KWL) self-publishing platform now offers advanced features that enable authors to easily create eBooks and edit their work directly within the KWL text editor. Since its launch in July of last year, KWL has attracted more than 17,600 authors who have published more than 100,000 titles available in 184 countries and in 54 languages. New KWL features enable authors to create eBooks directly within the KWL platform, avoiding time-consuming conversion processes when editing their work.

To further simplify the publishing process, Kobo now offers authors a way to create an eBook from scratch using an online WYSIWYG editor within the Kobo Writing Life platform, avoiding the extra step of converting a Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format document. It also allows them to tweak the auto-converted file and maintain even tighter editorial control over their eBook. The WYSIWYG editor helps ensure the layout and formatting of the file is accurately translated the way the author intends. At the same time, authors can use the feature to quickly and easily update ePub files without using conversion tools and additional editing software.

"We built Kobo Writing Life by listening to what authors need and want in a self-publishing tool, and we continue to introduce improvements and updates based on their feedback," said Mark Lefebvre, Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations, Kobo. "Kobo is the only international eReading company to offer authors an open self-publishing service that is author-centric. We help them connect with a global community of Readers by making it as easy as possible to create, edit, and publish their work."

Kobo's self-publishing platform has experienced tremendous success in its first year, with Kobo Writing Life titles representing more than 10 percent of the company's unit sales. Attracting best-selling authors like Bella Andre, Kelly Favor, Sylvia Day, Morgan Rice, Kate Perry, Tina Folsom, Barbara Freethy, and H.M. Ward, KWL authors are consistently ranked in Kobo's top 50 bestsellers list.

About Kobo Writing Life

At no cost to the author, Kobo Writing Life titles are published easily using an intuitive self-service portal. The submission process takes mere minutes, with books published within 24 to 72 hours.  The platform publishes content in the ePub format, and Kobo offers assistance with the conversion of Word, Open Office, and mobi files. The platform puts the power of all aspects of publishing – layout, production and marketing – into the hands of the author.  

With instant access to Kobo's 14.5-million registered users in 190 countries, Kobo authors enjoy higher royalties than with competitive platforms. Unlike other self-publishing tools, Kobo allows authors to set their book price to "FREE" at any time without restrictive exclusivity agreements or hidden transaction or processing download fees. Authors receive royalties of 70 percent on eBooks priced between $1.99-$12.99; 45 percent for items priced lower or higher than that range, and have the flexibility to change pricing at any time to help promote and market their work.

The Kobo Writing Life portal is currently available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Dutch. To sign up for Kobo Writing Life, please visit www.kobo.com/writinglife and check out tutorial videos and FAQs.

About Kobo Inc.

Kobo Inc. is one of the world's fastest-growing eReading services offering more than 3.5-million eBooks, magazines, and newspapers to millions of customers in 190 countries. Believing that consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device, Kobo provides consumers with a choice when reading. From its Family of eReaders, which includes the Kobo Touch™, Kobo Mini, Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura HD, and Kobo Arc, to its free, top-ranked eReading applications for Apple®, BlackBerry®, Android®, and Windows® products, Kobo ensures the next great read is just a page-turn away. Headquartered in Toronto and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten, Kobo eReaders can be found in major retail chains around the world. For more information, visit www.kobo.com.

For more information please contact:
Rene d'Entremont
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE Kobo Inc.