Barnes and Noble Press vs Kobo Writing Life

Last updated: July 09, 2023
Barnes & Noble Press and Kobo Writing Life are two distinct platforms that cater to different aspects of the publishing world, with notable differences in their distribution networks, platform ecosystems, and target audience.

Barnes & Noble Press is the self-publishing platform associated with Barnes & Noble, a prominent bookstore chain. It offers authors the opportunity to publish and sell their books directly through the Barnes & Noble website and Nook e-reading devices. Barnes & Noble Press provides authors with access to a wide distribution network, including the Barnes & Noble retail stores. It also offers various publishing and promotional tools to assist authors in the publishing process. Barnes & Noble Press primarily targets authors who want to reach readers within the Barnes & Noble ecosystem and tap into the customer base of the bookstore chain.

Kobo Writing Life, on the other hand, is a self-publishing platform associated with Kobo, a leading e-reading company. It allows authors to publish and distribute their e-books to the Kobo bookstore, which is accessible through Kobo's ecosystem of e-reading devices and apps. Kobo Writing Life provides authors with tools for formatting, cover design, pricing, and distribution. It offers a user-friendly interface and reporting tools to track sales and royalties. Kobo Writing Life primarily targets authors who want to tap into Kobo's customer base and reach readers within the Kobo ecosystem.

Another key difference lies in the platform ecosystems. Barnes & Noble Press operates within the Barnes & Noble ecosystem, which includes its retail stores and Nook devices. Authors who publish through Barnes & Noble Press have the advantage of reaching readers who are specifically browsing Barnes & Noble's online platform or visiting their physical stores. Kobo Writing Life operates within the Kobo ecosystem, which includes Kobo e-readers and apps. Authors who publish through Kobo Writing Life have the advantage of reaching readers who are using Kobo e-reading devices or accessing the Kobo app on different platforms.
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Barnes and Noble Press
Welcome to Barnes & Noble Press—a free, fast, and easy-to-use self-publishing service that enables you to publish and sell directly to our millions of readers. We've taken all the great aspects of NOOK Press and created one unified experience to make publishing your print or eBook as seamless as possible. Whether you're a seasoned or first-time author, or you simply want to print a beautiful book for personal use, Barnes & Noble Press helps you create your book, your way. We're here to help independent authors and content creators succeed by using the expertise and resources of Barnes & Noble.
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Kobo Writing Life
Do you have a story to tell? Are you an author with a bestseller just waiting to be discovered? Want to reach out to millions of readers in over 190 countries? Do you own the digital rights to your work? Then have we got the tool for you! Kobo Writing Life is the one-stop, do-it-yourself publishing portal.
Barnes and Noble Press vs Kobo Writing Life in our news:

2019. Kobo Writing Life now accepts Audiobook submissions



Writing Life serves as the self-publishing division of Kobo, enabling authors to submit their ebooks for distribution across various markets where Kobo offers digital content, spanning a significant portion of the globe. Independent authors now have a convenient platform through the user-friendly dashboard to effortlessly upload, promote, and sell their audiobooks. They can also customize pricing and select the countries in which they wish to make their audiobooks available. While the roll-out of this feature is currently undergoing beta testing, it will soon be accessible to all users. Initially, audiobook capabilities are accessible for English language titles, with plans to expand availability to additional languages by the end of 2019. Kobo Writing Life competes with other self-publishing platforms such as Audible, Findaway Voices, Draft2digital, and several others in the market.


2018. Barnes and Noble Press added new author tools



Barnes and Noble Press (formerly known as Nook Press) has introduced a range of new tools to enhance their self-publishing platform. Among the updates, authors can now schedule price changes for their eBooks in advance and easily track trends using the new 30-day graph for quick insights. For those aiming to distribute their hardcover or paperback versions across all Barnes and Noble bookstores in the United States, the self-publishing unit of Barnes and Noble Press provides the most viable solution. Additionally, authors have the opportunity to make their digital editions available for purchase in the digital store, ensuring that readers can access the eBook version. To further support authors, Barnes and Noble Press has increased royalties and streamlined the process of creating both print and eBook formats.


2016. Barnes & Noble launched Nook Press Print self-publishing platform



Today, Barnes & Noble made an exciting announcement regarding the introduction of a new self-publishing print platform called Nook Press. This innovative platform empowers authors to transform their ebooks into print editions, enabling them to be sold both in B&N physical stores and online at BN.com. Nook Press offers a self-service program that allows authors to effortlessly create both hardcover and paperback versions of their books. Additionally, authors who have achieved the milestone of selling 1,000 copies of a single ebook within the past year will have the opportunity to showcase and sell their print books on a local, regional, or even national level through Barnes & Noble.


2014. Nook Press adds Print on demand service



Barnes & Noble has entered the Print on Demand (POD) market, taking on competitors such as CreateSpace, Lightning Source, and Blurb, with its newly launched Nook Press print service. This comprehensive platform enables users to embark on a do-it-yourself experience to create their own hardcover or paperback books. The Nook Press print service offers a range of options, including black and white or color printing, a variety of high-quality paper choices, and multiple trim sizes and cover treatments. With pricing starting at $4 per copy for a 5x8 paperback, Nook Press POD supports both color and black and white, as well as hardcover and paperback formats. However, it is worth noting that the service does not currently offer distribution options, unlike competitors such as Lightning Source and CreateSpace, which provide distribution to bookstores.


2014. Nook Press self-publishing platform is now available in Europe



Barnes and Noble, the renowned bookseller known for the Nook e-reader devices and e-reader store, has made an exciting announcement. The Nook Press self-publishing platform, which was previously limited to the United States, is now accessible to authors and publishers in several European countries. These countries include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium. As part of this expansion, Nook Press now offers support for multiple languages, such as French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Dutch. Authors will also receive their payments in their local currencies, as confirmed by the company. Despite facing declining revenues, the executives at Nook remain committed to developing and growing the business.


2013. Nook rebrands and refreshed its self-publishing platform



Barnes & Noble has rebranded its self-publishing platform, PubIt!, as Nook Press, and has introduced several new features aimed at simplifying and expediting the self-publishing process. With these updates, the company seeks to establish itself as a competitor to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and other self-publishing tools available in the market. The key addition is a web-based platform that enables authors to write, format, edit, and preview ebooks directly within the interface. Additionally, a new "quick start" option allows authors to test the product without initially entering all their vendor information. Furthermore, authors can securely and promptly invite their network of friends and editors to read and provide feedback on any Nook Press project. The pricing structure remains the same, allowing ebooks to be priced between $0.99 and $199.99, with royalty rates of up to 65% (compared to Kindle's 70%). It's important to note that currently, the platform is exclusively available to authors based in the United States.