Last week, GoodeReader profiled the book discovery website Libboo, a location that allows both readers and authors to find new and intriguing titles without wading through the millions of ebooks available from retailers’ platforms. Libboo‘s Jason Freeman, Minister of Strategic Growth, was on hand a Digital Book World to talk about the importance of a site that speaks to both sides of the book in terms of giving authors an option to aid in helping new readers find their titles, as well as giving readers a place to find content that has been vetted by their own social media contacts.
One issue that Freeman spoke at length about is the ability for authors and readers to connect via the comments’ section on Libboo. There has been so much heated debate–which has led to name calling and angry lashing out–over the process of reviews, with accusations of authors paying for reviews or attacking readers who give negative reviews, even leading Amazon to begin deleting what their system may believe to be bogus reviews. Libboo’s platform allows for open discussion between readers and the author without the appearance of wrongdoing or shady practices. Much like JK Rowling’s Pottermore site in which she can interact with readers, Libboo allows for open dialog about the book between the people who know it best.
Freeman also discussed the importance of its Buzzers, or users who aid in discoverability by sharing other authors’ works via a wide variety of social media outlets. For their effort, Buzzers can earn free content to either read for themselves or share within their online communities.
Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
