Hi guys :: waving ::
I'm a long time lurker here, until I saw this thread and thought I'd pop in here and comment. My name is Michelle L Devon. I am a freelance writer and editor and also an author. I have worked with several different publishing companies providing contract editing services to them, and Koboca is one of the companies I am on contract with to provide editing services to their authors. I am NOT their only editor, just one who was tested by them and then offered a contract.
Let me clarify how this works... I do have my own editing company, however, Koboca does NOT refer it's authors to me. Instead, Koboca contracts out the editing services to me, at no expense to the author whatsoever, and Koboca pays me a percentage of the royalties that would otherwise have been profit for the publishing company - not from the author's royalties. They did give me a test before I could work with them, and I had to provide references and samples of my work. It was a very thorough process. I work with five other publishing companies and three PODs who all do the same. This is industry standard for small to mid-sized publishing houses who do not as of yet have in house staff editors. As an editor, these small publishers are my lifeblood.
I'm also one of the authors who had a book of poetry published through Koboca Publishing. There is also another book called the Ex Factor, which is an anthology, in which I have submitted and been accepted for three short stories, under which I used the pen name Michy Anderson. As many writers do, I write in more than one genre, and I have three pen names I use for the different genres. That book is due to be released in October.
My experience with Koboca as an author? I paid NO upfront fees for anything, nor do I pay a fee per book or any such nonsense as that. In fact, *I* have paid Koboca NOTHING. I have a great contract, am VERY pleased with my royalty percentage (was told that they offer slightly better royalties than most due to the fact they can't afford at this point to offer advances). I also received authors copies for myself at no cost.
My poetry book was published the end of April, and I have already received my first quarterly statement from them for this book. My book, In A Perfect World, is available all over the internet through Amazon.com, B&N, and a ton of other places... in addition, the book is sitting on the bookstore shelves of my local B&N and Waldenbooks - and the publisher is currently working on getting me shelf placement at B&N nationwide. I'm listed through Ingram's, Baker & Taylor, Holt Jackson, Coutts, Blackwell Book Services - in essence, all the big distributors. And I've been purchased by a couple of libraries too, which I guess is kinda cool. (is that selling myself enough? Sorry, I get excited.)
Is Koboca new? As a publisher, yes. However, the people involved in the operation and running of Koboca are not in any way new to the industry of writing, editing, and publishing. Would I consider sending them a manuscript for a mainstream fiction novel that I think has major star potential? Probably not right now, but then again, I wouldn't send a manuscript like that to ANY small or mid-sized publisher, because I still have stars in my eyes that one day one of the 6 sisters will pick me out of the slush and make me their next big thing!!! But I am watching Koboca with great interest... one of their titles seems to be doing very well, and if they keep going this route, I am probably going to consider submitting to them again in the future.
The way I understand it when I was considering both editing and publishing through them was that this is a group of professional writers and promoters who were disillusioned with the proliferation of new publishing companies passing themselves off as "traditional" only to turn around and screw the author over with a bunch of hidden fees on the back end. They were also disillusioned with the wealth of authors who are good writers, some exceptional writers, but who were not getting a fair shake with the big traditional houses. Koboca is a dream started to help new authors or those who have already had limited success with being published to get their foot in the door in the traditional market and boost their writing career. One of the owners that I work with seems very keen on helping authors however she can.
I know for a FACT that they are not in any way, form or fashion associated with or affiliated with Publish America... because *I* would not work with them at all for any reason whatsoever if they were. That's just my personal opinion. And I DO check out EVERY publisher I edit for or publish with...
And finally, I can say this, Koboca does not solicit, spam, bulk email, or do any other type of nefarious means in order to drum up business. Their titles that are being published are all word of mouth advertising from people like me who told other authors to submit to Koboca, or author's that the folks running Koboca had met or worked with in their past endeavors and they welcomed submissions. I've referred several of my writing friends to Koboca.
Anyway, that's my point of view. I know it sounds like a great big ad for Koboca, but I was truly very pleased with their services and the contracts I have received. From an author or editor's standpoint, I'd be happy to answer any questions someone here may have. Please remember, I do not work for Koboca. I contract projects with them and have one book published with them and one pending, so I can't speak much about the inner workings other than my experiences.
I hope this helps. I'd hate to think that a publisher that two of my books are going through gets a bad rap, 'cause honestly, that could potentially hurt my book sales and such too, yanno? Anyway, ya'll have a great day! I'm gonna go get me a chocolate shake!
Love and stuff,
Michy
, I'm just saying it could be possible. I wouldn't put anything past PA, not if they think they can make a few bucks.
