Episode 87
(UPDATE: Pronoun is no longer trading, so this interview is really only for historical purposes now…:-( )
Continuing my series of interviews with eBook aggregators, in this show I talk to Justin Renard of Pronoun. EBook aggregators are companies that allow you to submit your eBook to multiple eBook stores (like Apple, Kobo and Barnes and Noble) and often provide other features as well. Pronoun have been in the news as they are very competitive compared to the other eBook aggregators, especially in the US and Canadian markets for Amazon. They actually pay better rates for some books than going direct via KDP direct.
Why should authors consider buying editing, cover design and marketing services from Pronoun?
Justin says that Pronoun is a self-publishing hub rather than providing services directly. They in effect recommend other people’s services rather than sell their own. They are more interested in providing technology to help authors market their books, such as category analysis and creating an author page rather than providing services..
What eBook stores do you allow you to submit your eBook to?
They allow you to submit to Amazon, Apple, Kobo and Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
Your royalty structures for U.S and Canadian sales are very generous, how do you pay for this?
They have several agreements with companies like Amazon and have very good terms. For books priced $9.99 and below they give you 70% royalties in US and Canada and 65% for books above $9.99. Rates vary for territories outside US and Canada.
You claim to have technology to allow authors to know if there book would do better in another category, how does that work?
They have built a database of sales ranks, categories and other information from various book stores. They have created technology to suggest which category to put your book into. If things change they will notify you that you might want to change your categories.
You can create an author web page– what are the advantages for this for the author?
A challenge authors have is in terms of marketing their book. Pronoun can create a page to show where your book is available on all platforms that they provide access to.
What new features or stores are you working on adding?
They are looking to introduce tools to help authors with the post-publication process.
What is the business model of Pronoun?
They get asked this question a lot. While Pronoun want to stay nimble, Justin says that they are to some extent still working out what their business model will be. They are owned and backed by Macmillan, who are keen to help Pronoun develop.
How can people find out more about Pronoun?
You can visit their site at Pronoun.com
If you liked this interview then you might like PublishDrive with Kinga Jentetics, Discovering Streetlib with Giacomo D’Angelo and What’s New on the Kindle Store with Alex Newton of K-Lytics