Finding New Readers Across Oceans

At BAD BANANA Books: When we publish your book, we make two files: an ebook and a paperback; those files are uploaded into Amazon KDP.  Our authors set their price for each. We also get your book cover idea ready.
 

 💁ADVICE

A Practical Guide to Taking Your Book Global
(Because Publishing Doesn't Stop at Your Borders)

by Julie Trelstad | Bowker | Jan 7, 2025 

Three decades in publishing have taught me this: international book distribution has transformed from a logistics nightmare into a digital opportunity. Today, we can reach readers from Australia to Zimbabwe through digital platforms, but the sheer number of options presents a new challenge. Let's break down exactly how to approach this strategically.

Start with Digital

The first step is getting your book into readers' hands – and increasingly, those hands are holding phones or e-readers. While physical books still hold their charm (my overflowing office shelves can attest to that), digital distribution offers clear advantages for international markets.  An ebook reaches Berlin as quickly as it reaches Boston, while print books face international shipping costs reaching $25-35 per book, complex customs forms, and delivery times that can stretch into weeks or months.

The digital marketplace extends far beyond Amazon.  What was once a limited landscape has evolved into an interconnected network of retailers, each serving distinct reading communities.  StreetLib exemplifies this evolution – while traditional distribution requires separate agreements with each retailer, platforms like StreetLib connect you directly to hundreds of stores worldwide, from Apple Books or to the Tolino network of bookstores in Germany, including Thalia.

Strategic Distribution

Think of a global book distributor as your international publishing hub.  One upload connects you to hundreds of retailers and libraries worldwide - Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and dozens of region-specific stores that serve dedicated reading communities. The platform handles technical requirements like EPUB conversions, European accessibility standards, and metadata formatting that varies by market.

Building International Readership

Connecting with readers across borders requires specific strategies for each market. English-language ebooks command 25% of the German market share, while in Japan, mobile reading platforms dominate.  Success comes from understanding these distinctions.  While focusing on English-language markets is a viable strategy, exploring translation and selling foreign rights can significantly expand an author's global readership and revenue potential.

Choose one market to master first.  If you're writing in English, consider starting with Germany, where English-language readers actively seek new titles, or Australia, which shares similar genre preferences to the US market but has distinct seasonal promotional opportunities.  Research the top book bloggers in your target market – websites like LoveReading in the UK or Buchszene in Germany can connect you with engaged readers.  Once you’ve found the key bloggers and media, consider social media engagement, targeted advertising, and collaborating with local influencers.

Market-Specific Pricing

International pricing requires market research rather than currency conversion.  A $4.99 ebook price point that works in the US might need adjustment for India's price-sensitive market or Germany's higher average ebook prices.  Study the bestseller lists in your genre on each platform – Tolino in Germany, Kobo in Canada, Booktopia in Australia – and price according to local market standards.

The key to international success isn't hoping algorithms will magically surface your book to readers in Albania.  It's about understanding each market's specific dynamics.  When I launched a business book in Canada, we succeeded by focusing on their robust business ebook market and pricing slightly below the category average to gain traction.

Learning from Data

Every market teaches you something.  That romance novel that struggled in the UK might find unexpected success in the Philippines.  Track your results: Which promotional sites drive sales in each region?  What price points generate consistent sales?  Use this data to refine your strategy before expanding to new markets.

Begin with one strategic market.  Test your pricing against local bestsellers in your genre.  Monitor your results for three months.  Then use those insights to guide your expansion into your next target market.   International publishing isn't about immediate global domination – it's about building sustainable readership one market at a time.

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Julie Trelstad has spent three decades helping authors navigate the evolving world of publishing. As the founder of Paperbacks & Pixels and head of StreetLib USA, she combines traditional publishing wisdom with digital innovation to help authors connect their books with the right readers.

SOURCE: https://www.selfpublishedauthor.com/node/760?mc_cid=2e42844600&mc_eid=48d1850c40