Kobo talks self-publishing at the London Book Fair
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Kobo is planning to make a major move into self-publishing, the Bookseller reports. In a conversation at this week’s London Book Fair, chief executive Mike Serbinis told the British publishing industry magazine that Kobo will open its self-publishing arm this quarter.
In October, Michael Tamblyn, executive vice president of sales and merchandising at Kobo, told the Quill & Quire that Kobo’s publishing focus ‘will be on building out an improved self-publishing offering to bring us in line with our competitors in that fast-growing category.’
Last year, the Canadian-based e-reading company was purchased by Rakuten, Japan’s largest e-commerce website. As that deal is finalized, the company is planning expansion into a dozen new countries. It points to France, where it is beating rival Amazon, as proof that the international e-reader marketplace is open to competition.
In America, Amazon dominates the e-reader marketplace. But Kobo seems determined to take the company on. Serbinis told the Bookseller, “We have a nuclear deterrent by having a strong balance sheet.”
RELATED:
What the heck is social reading?
Kobo announces new Touch edition e-reader
Poll: Hey good looking, what’s your e-reader?
-- Carolyn Kellogg
