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*Note (September 11, 2012): We are currently not accepting authors for the fall, but anyone interested in putting their book on Libboo should email fernando@libboo.com since we may re-open submissions in the future. We encourage authors to sign up to be a buzzer for our pilot since it helps them build their brand, increase their social influence, and start building connections with other authors and potential fans.
We’ve been getting a few emails from authors wanting to know more about the pilot and Libboo in general so we’ve put together this FAQ for you guys:
1. What is Libboo?
Libboo is a web community of authors and their fans dedicated to creating the next digital bestseller, with partners and supporters ranging from TechStars to the BBC and major publishers like Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. At Libboo we help authors, whether they have a traditional publishing deal or have self-published, increase their chance of success by pairing their books with the correct buzzers. A buzzer is someone who has influence and who, most importantly, is passionate about sharing the books they love.
Libboo offers a way for talented authors to publish to Amazon and Barnes & Noble at the click of a button, and then interact directly with their fans to identify their most influential buzzers. Readers and buzzers, on the other hand, get early and exclusive access to upcoming talented authors and are recognized and rewarded for bringing that talented author to the universe.
2. What is the Libboo Pilot?
The Libboo pilot is a three (3) month program aimed at helping authors become discovered, increase their influence and improve book sales through the use of Libboo’s patent pending technology.
When the pilot launches we will match buzzers with books they will love and want to share. These buzzers will then be encouraged and rewarded for sharing those books. Authors will be able to see who their most effective promoters are and contact them directly.
3. What kind of independent authors and books are you seeking for the pilot?
We are seeking authors who have a finished manuscript that is ready for immediate publication. This means that it has already been edited, proofread, and has a cover. We are also seeking authors who have already published independently and are currently selling through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other digital stores. We are mostly interested in commercial non-fiction and fiction in any genre.
4. As an independent author, what can the Libboo pilot do for me?
By registering, you become part of a select group of authors that will experience, test, help shape and benefit from Libboo’s new technology. We will pair your book with the right buzzers to increase its visibility and your chance of success, and then give you the tools to interact directly with your greatest buzzers. We want you to sell more books, become discovered and increase your influence in a fun, easy and engaging way.
5. What format should my manuscript be in?
We prefer manuscripts in epub format, but we will accept mobi files as well. If your manuscript is not already in epub format, there are various services and free tools available that you can use to convert to epub. We recommend Calibre, a free software that supports the conversion of documents to epub and other formats. Sigil is another free software that enables authors to convert and edit epub files.
6. My book is currently for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or other digital stores, what will I need to do to take part in the pilot program? Should I consider republishing and distributing through Libboo?
To participate in the program without republishing, please visit your author page on Amazon KDP or Barnes & Noble PubIt!, find the book on your “bookshelf” and download the converted mobi or epub file. You will then need to send this file to Fernando Albertorio at fernando@libboo.com.
There are, however, advantages to republishing and distributing through Libboo. Publishing a “Libboo Edition” allows you to maintain your published book on KDP and allows you to compare how both versions of the book are doing, and see the effectiveness of Libboo’s process. If you are interested in publishing a “Libboo Edition” of your book, please contact Fernando at fernando@libboo.com, and he will walk you through the process.
7. What will it cost me to be part of the pilot? Is there a contract with Libboo? Can I leave at anytime?
All of the services that Libboo provides are available at no upfront costs. Authors retain their copyright and there are no exclusivity contracts. You can opt out of the pilot at anytime.
8. When does the pilot program begin?
The pilot program begins in the Fall. Authors must register and submit their book manuscript to Fernando Albertorio (fernando@libboo.com) at least 3 weeks prior to the launch of the program.
9. What happens after the pilot?
Authors will be notified 2 weeks (14 days) prior to the end of the pilot program and receive detailed information regarding Libboo’s post-pilot terms and conditions. Authors can then choose to opt out or continue with Libboo.
10. How do I register and join the pilot?
If you are interested and would like to talk to someone at Libboo about joining the program, please e-mail fernando@libboo.com. You can also register at www.libboo.com.
-Team Libboo
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Here’s one more question: what do I do if I have a manuscript in the process of being written on Libboo right now? I intend to have it finished by the time this starts, so would I just publish it via the site as normal?
Hi, Joe! You have two options: you can publish as you would normally or you can take your Word doc, convert it to epub using the software recommended above and email it to Fernando. When writing your book, remember to give yourself enough time to have it edited and have a cover designed for it before the pilot starts in the Fall.
Oh don’t worry, I’m talking to someone about a cover right now and I’m waiting for my editor to be on libboo so I can link him up on the libbook. Good to know I can have it published on-site like normal, you guys worried me for a second
I am a newly published author of a children’s safety book. It was published through Renaissance House, Laredo Publishing in Engelwood, NJ. An award winning author, Raquel Benatar edited and helped publish the book. Now on amazon.com studiomagicart.com, and soon to be on barnesandnoble.com
Not just another “kid” book, I’m afraid the message will get lost. What fee is involved for your services? How can you help? The title of the book is “Buckle Up Little Bunny”.
Marianne: For the pilot there are no fees. If you’d like to submit your book, please email fernando@libboo.com. We’ll have a better idea of whether your book is a good fit for us once we take a look at it.
I read that there are no up-front costs – what are the costs after that? thanks
Hi, Ann!
For the pilot there are no costs whatsoever. After, the pilot we will take a small percentage of the royalties from the sale of your book(s). If your book doesn’t sell, we won’t take anything, and there are never any fees for selling under a certain amount or anything like that. There are never any up-front costs, so you don’t have to pay anything to join the site or to put any of your books on the site.