Kobo Is Getting Into Publishing

Canadian-based eBook company Kobo is reportedly getting into publishing early next year. Like Amazon before them, the eBook company will cut out the publisher and work as a publisher/retailer that deals directly with authors.

CBC News has more: “Kobo will be offering complete publishing services for authors, including book editing and design. ‘It’s part of the new market and if you expect to be a number 1 player in that market globally it’s table stakes — you have to provide it,’ [Kobo chief Michael] Serbinis told CBC News.”

Amazon has been expanding its Amazon Publishing business this year and counts a handful of imprints including: 47North, AmazonEncore, AmazonCrossing, Powered by Amazon, Montlake Romance and Thomas & Mercer.

The news comes just as Kobo is getting ready to ship out its new tablet computers. The device, which ships tomorrow, is a $199 competitor to the Nook Color and the Kindle Fire (which ships 11/15/11).

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