As faster internet speeds and cheaper cellphone devices bring digital books to the rest of the world, I believe authors should be considering global markets for sales growth in the coming years.

I'm super pleased to have sold books via Kobo in 74 countries (in English) and in today's show, I get excited with Mark Lefebvre as we discuss the possibilities ahead, and current options for authors to sell more books on Kobo.

In the brief introduction, I mention that I'm in Austin, Texas as this goes out for the Smarter Artist Summit and I'll report back on my return in 2 weeks. I also mention the Indie Author Fringe, a fantastic free online summit run by the Alliance of Independent Authors. Go check it out here!

This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors.

Mark Lefebvre is Director of Self Publishing and Author Relations at Kobo. He also writes horror and dark humor under Mark Leslie. In the interview, we discuss this article from Michael Tamblyn's (Kobo CEO) speech and this article on demographics.

You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

Kobo's focus and the difference between Kobo and Amazon.

Recent news about Nook and how that may affect Kobo's position globally.

On Kobo's readership demographic

The type of information Kobo collects about their readership, including estimates about how long it takes the average reader to finish a book.

Kobo's waterproof (and sand proof) device.

Why box sets are good for authors on Kobo, including getting more value and positive ROI from Facebook advertising. How pricing works in everyone's favor with large box sets.

How Kobo's algorithms and 'temperature' settings for books work and why authors who stick with the retailer long term have better sales than those who dip in and out.

Why pre-orders matter.

Advantages of using Kobo directly (vs. going through Smashwords or D2D), including control over global pricing.

The new authors services area of the Kobo Writing Life Dashboard.

On Kobo's purchase of OverDrive in March 2015, and how Kobo works with libraries using OverDrive to support indie authors.

Kobo's partnership with Flipkart and the support Kobo provides for authors who will use Kobo to move into markets like India.

A reminder about world English rights and how they work.

You can find Kobo's self-publishing side at www.KoboWritingLife.com and on twitter @kobowritinglife and Mark @markleslie or www.MarkLeslie.ca

Transcription of interview with Mark Lefebvre
Joanna: Hi, everyone. I am Joanna Penn from TheCreativePenn.com, and today I'm here again with Mark Lefebvre. Hi, Mark.

Mark: Hey, Joanna, how are you doing?

Joanna: I'm good. And just in case anyone doesn't know Mark, Mark is the Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations at Kobo, and he also writes horror and dark humor under Mark Leslie. So that's super exciting. Mark, you've been on the show before and because I talk about Kobo a lot, but we want to just start briefly.
What is Kobo and what is Kobo Writing Life, so everyone is on the same page before we get into the detail?
Mark: Kobo is an anagram for book. Kobo is an e-book company that was born in Canada and it's basically, our focus is bringing readers and writers together.

Kobo Writing Life is a platform, very much like Kindle Direct Publishing without all that exclusivity jazz. Basically, we're there to make it easier for independent authors and small publishers to publish their work to Kobo's global catalog in a 190 countries around the world.

Joanna: As we record this, we've just heard that Nook is closing their U.K.