Submissions to the OverDrive Black History Sale and the OverDrive Romance Sale are now open!

[richardmurray]

Submissions to the OverDrive Black History Sale and the OverDrive Romance Sale are now open!

Please download attached file and send the completed sheet to writinglife@kobo.com with the subject line OverDrive Sale. Please ensure it is clear which promotion(s) you are submitting to in the body of your email; if you are submitting to both promotions, please send submissions in separate, clearly labelled spreadsheets.

Submissions close November 29th.
https://kobowritinglife.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360059385371-OverDrive-Promotion-Submissions

The Sheet link https://1drv.ms/x/c/ea9004809c2729bb/EZslzvbD63VCnp1LEUPn1ioBTovj8JZG5FB4XI-UZw0nqw?e=6EZciU   

KWL Live Q&A - Everything You Need to Know About OverDrive with Maria Fesz

kobo overdrive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrOY4Anm0s4

 

THOUGHTS 

 

6:54 overdrive started with legal books on floppy disk
digital lending for libraries
8:28 what is difference between Libby as opposed to Overdrive
Libby is the main patron reading app experience, overdrive isn't labeled anywhere except the website
9:41 Kobo devices allow straight access to Overdrive
11:03 what is top priority for collection development for children's books?
You want children to come in and find a book they identify with. More mental health, learning to listen to your body or listen to your mind
12:17  Does overdrive have an editorial calendar for 2025
yes
and kobo has a mailing list for libraries
13:12 does overdrive make acquisition recommendations? what are top ways that librarians make overdrive acquisition decisions?
Overdrive will.
17:44 Why is it important for indies to export to libraries?
The more voices you can have the better. 
Ensure a library has the ability has a deeper collection. 
Lot of avid readers on these apps
Reach readers wherever you are
Librarians are your best recommender
19:52 what are common misconceptions about indie authors for getting their book into libraries
Libraries are natural in your head if you are not avidly into libraries
Use the proper code. Make sure you add more than one. 
22:29 what are best ways for indies to support libraries
Libraries aren't outdated. The best way to support libraries in the digital space, is to interact. 
Libraries are publicly funded and their resources are finite.
Can see fluxes as libraries get their budget
24:06  How to approach a library as an author to entice them to have my book
You don't need to have an excerpt are they doing a program like NaNoWriMo, or a book talk. 
25:22 Netgalley has been huge in getting libraries to get her work
26:02 any success stories from library distribution
She recalls one person Grace Burose loves libraries. She puts all in marketplace. 
27:02 What role do libraries play in the book market?
The exposure role, will i like an author enough to auto buy their books
The library is low pressure, no one expects anything. You might reach readers who don't read in other ways, some people read exclusively through the library.
30:14 What does it look like for a librarian to go through the catalog and choose a book
The catalog is huge so we have old things, new things, have to use filters, , put titles in carts. They may have a budget in mind. 
Multiple people at a library can have an account. When they are ready to purchase they go straight in hours. 
They can discover in Libby in many ways. Curate display lists, based on subject, audience level.
She gives an example in the video.
You can see what libraries own now, aside the collections.
If you download the kobo sales account, you can see the specific library that purchases the books .
37:08 any tips for libby users for a reader, that are underused
She likes to use the available now filter. She is using tags more in libby. 
38:40 is there a way to make playlist on libby?
39:57 how are revisions dealth with, are they automatically provided to libraries?
It depends. If it is a preorder, and the full source file isn't sent, the new update will come through. if an older title, but a different title id to make the title, it will come as a separate title. 
Usually libraries will not purchase new editions, they will keep the one they ave, if just for budget sakes
41:43 Any trends popping up? 
Cosy fantasy , that has been doing very well
Legends and Lates
The spell shop
Swordcross
A poll suggested that most people enjoy reading on their bed , ala the cozy fantasy life [ https://www.tumblr.com/communities/black-artist-on-tjambler/post/767501139627458560/i-wonder-where-you-voted ] 
Alot of inclusivity, but the stakes aren't so big, maybe extra escapist, world building  but not 
43:22 how is cosy and fantasy are combined?
Less earth shattering consequences. She gives an example. Maybe romance implied but not heavy, low stakes.
a hug in a fantasy land
44:39 a fun or video game will relate
I think it is the new legend of Zelda game, echoes of wisdom
46:11 any other genres
Horror is really getting mainstream, so many subgenres. you can find for anyone.
Can cosy horror exist?:) 
People are reading horror at any time. 
47:47 are libraries responding to illustrated ebooks for kobo colour ereaders?
Kobo launched two color devices, 
Maybe a cosy fantasy with a map of the coffee shop.
48:57 any upcoming initiatives or features in Overdrive? 
Shopping can take place in one search. More generally, more personalized for a particular library. Tags are great in Libby, but more powerful or interactive has been helpful.
More authors. The growth has continued. 
51:56 One thing , an online social element
Libby focused blog called reader life. A colleague is writing one on self published or indie. 
53:51 talk about the podcast
the professional book lenders podcast. a cosy fantasy episode may be.

 

OverDrive Distribution
https://kobowritinglife.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360059385651-OverDrive-Distribution

 

[richardmurray]

@Troy I don't know if you can use but consider the black history sale.