KWL – 219 – Finding the Right Translator for Your Novel with Vanessa Åsell Tsuruga
Debut author Vanessa Åsell Tsuruga joins us on the podcast this week to discuss her novel Förgätmigej för allti (Forget-me-not Forever), and how she went about…
A NaNoWriMo Takeover, An Imprint Closure, and Tegan and Sara Return to High School (again): This Week in Book News
Hello writers, and happy Friday! The roundup this week is on the shorter side – which is probably for the best since I could definitely use…
NaNoWriMo: Story Prep
Hello Writers! We are officially ten days away from the start of NaNoWriMo! How are we all feeling? Excited? Stressed? Confident? Nervous? Me too! Based on…
KWL – 218 – The Heroine’s Journey with Gail Carriger
Bestselling author Gail Carriger joins us on the podcast this week to discuss her writing career and her new non-fiction book, The Heroine’s Journey. Gail started…
Frankfurt, Time Magazine’s Best Fantasy, and Ranking Mr. Darcy: This Week in Book News
Hello and happy Friday everyone! We hope all our Canadian writers had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend last week, hopefully with an excess of pie (pumpkin is…
NaNoWriMo Prep: Scheduling
Hi Writers! Now that we have all committed to NaNoWriMo 2020, it’s time to start thinking about the next step in our prep work: scheduling. To…
KWL Live Takeover with NaNoWriMo’s Grant Faulkner
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Live Q&A on October 22nd 2020. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our takeover guest, NaNoWriMo…
KWL – 217 – How to Excel at Co-Writing with PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Bestselling mother-daughter author duo, PC Cast and Kristin Cast, join us on the podcast this week. PC and Kristin tell us how they got their start…
Introducing the KWL #OwnVoices Free Page Promotion
Hi writers! As you know, we here at Kobo Writing Life are huge fans of promoting our authors’ work and supporting the indie author community, which…
Genius Grants, Literary Prize Shortlists, and Unpublished Raymond Chandler: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday everyone, and to all the Canadian KWLers, Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you’re able to spend time with your loved ones this weekend, whether it’s…
NaNoWriMo Prep: Commitment
Hello writers, and welcome to the official planning phase of NaNoWriMo! Throughout the month of October, we’ll be sharing tips and advice to make this NaNoWriMo…
KWL – 216 – The Art of Embodied Writing with Brooke Adams Law
Award winning author Brooke Adams Law joins us on the podcast this week to discuss her writing method, embodied writing, which aims to explore emotions and…
New Imprints, Booker Prize Rescheduled, and Banned Book Week: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday everyone! Now that we’ve hit October it means spooky season has officially begun! While I am a self-admitted wimp when it comes to most…
Countdown to NaNoWriMo
Hi writers, and welcome to October! It is officially time to start counting down to our biggest writing event of the year: National Novel Writing Month! …
KWL – #215 – Crafting a Compelling Series with Susan Stoker
Bestselling author Susan Stoker joins us on the podcast this week to discuss how she creates her romance series from creating the initial layout on an…
Macmillian Salary Increase, A Judith Butler Response, and Literary Zoom Meetings: This Week in Book News
Hello and happy first official Friday of fall! I know, I know, I claimed it was fall a few weeks ago while I was enjoying the…
KWL – 214 – Going Global: Sell More Books Around the World with Orna Ross
Novelist, poet, and director of the Alliance of Independent Authors Orna Ross joins us on the podcast this week to discuss taking a global approach to…
A MacMillan Departure, The Booker Shortlist, and a Presidential Memoir: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday, everyone! We hope you’re having a good week, are staying healthy, and are staying safe. It’s definitely starting to get chillier here in Toronto……
KWL Live Takeover with author Ines Johnson
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Live Q&A on September 22nd 2020. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our takeover guest, Ines Johnson, will be…
KWL – 213 – Selling a Series with Laurelin Paige
Internationally bestselling author Laurelin Paige joins us on the podcast this week. Laurelin has a background in musical theatre and marketing, making her an expert in…
5 Things to Know About Going Wide
“Publishing wide is an attitude, not just a technical choice”– Joanna Penn One of the biggest questions indie authors face is, “should I go wide or…
The Giller Shortlist, Pros and Cons of Virtual Events, and the Rise of Political Memoirs: This Week in Book News
Hello and happy first Friday of the fall, everyone!. I know, I know, *technically* summer doesn’t end for another ten days, but the kids are back…
Applying to Promos and Custom Pricing
Hi everyone, As you might already know, we recently made a change to the promo application process. Now, when you submit a title for certain promos,…
KWL – 212 – All Things Audio with Deyan Audio
Jeff and Jamie from Deyan Audio join us on the podcast this week to discuss all things audiobooks! Jeff and Jamie have a combined 23 years…
Top Tips to Improve your Sales on Kobo
This post originally appeared on SachaBlack.com If you’re an indie author, the world of information on publishing can be overwhelming. We wanted to break down some…
KWL – 211 – Advice for Going Wide with Adam Croft
Bestselling author and creator of The Indie Author Mindset Adam Croft joins us on the podcast this week. Adam is a huge advocate for publishing wide,…
Printing Capacity, Independent Bookstore Day, and Writing About 2020: This Week in Book News
Happy last Friday of August, everyone! It’s wild to me that we’re almost in September and summer is coming to an end. Where does the time…
KWL – 210 – Fandom, The Evolution of Geek Culture, and Building an Online Author Community with Sam Maggs
Bestselling author Sam Maggs joins us on the podcast this week. Sam has written both fiction and nonfiction, as well as comics, graphic novels, and video…
A KWL AMA, New Dr. Seuss, and 5000 Vintage Cookbooks: This Week in Book News
Hello and happy Friday everyone! It’s been a pretty slow week in publishing news, which is pretty par for the course in the late summer as…
KWL – 209 – Collaboration in Self-Publishing with Tim McConnehey
Author and founder of Izzard Ink Tim McConnehey joins us on the podcast this week. Tim has spent almost a decade working with indie authors and…
Defamation by a Fictional Character, A Raptors 905 Reading Group, and a Huge Fall 2020: This Week in Book News
Good afternoon and happy Friday, everyone! Another week has just flown by, making me worry about how quickly winter and it’s accompanying cold is approaching. I’m…
KWL Live Q&A: Ask Kobo Anything!
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Live Q&A on August 20th 2020. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our very own KWL…
KWL – 208 – Book Reviews and Author Branding with Melissa Dalton Martinez
Melissa Dalton Martinez, a veteran marketing and PR manager and the host of The Book Break, joins us on the podcast to discuss the ins and…
Not the Booker Prize, The Hugo Awards, and Meme Linguistics: This Week in Book News
Another week has come and gone, and I hope everyone is still hanging in there as 2020 continues to 2020. We’re kicking off the roundup this…
KWL – 207 – Assembling a Street Team with Nick Thacker
Bestselling author Nick Thacker joins us on the podcast this week to discuss utilizing street team marketing to grow your readership. Nick explains how to use…
The Booker Prize Longlist, Mariko Tamaki’s Imprint, and a Keanu Reeves Comic Book: This Week in Book News
Hello everyone, and happy Friday! Although, to be perfectly honest, I’m writing this on Thursday as we have a long weekend here at Kobo, so if…
KWL – 206 – Creating a Fictional Future with Megan Angelo
Author Megan Angelo joins us on the podcast this week to discuss her debut novel Followers. Megan tells us what inspired the story of Followers, how…
Canada Reads, a Bestseller Controversy, and a Bromance Book Club: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you’re continuing to stay safe, healthy, and cool during this hot and humid July (if you’re located somewhere that is not…
KWL – 205 – An In Depth Look at Kobo Plus with Erik Rigters
Kobo Plus, our all-you-can-read subscription service, launched in Canada last week, so we asked the director of Kobo Plus and Publisher Relations, Erik Rigters, to join…
A Big Week for Kobo, Big Changes in Publishing Leadership, and the Future of Conservative Imprints: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday everyone! It has been a very busy week here at Kobo. In case you missed it, we had two big launches this week! We…
Introducing the Kobo Nia
The big Kobo announcements keep coming this week! We are so thrilled to announce the launch of our newest eReader, the Kobo Nia. Our latest entry-level…
KWL – 204 – Creating a Successful Writing Routine with Allison Fallon
Bestselling author and writing coach Allison Fallon is on the podcast this week. As the published author of thirteen books and the founder of the writing…
5 Reasons to Enroll Your Books in Kobo Plus
This is a big week for us here at Kobo and KWL – Kobo Plus has officially launched in Canada! For those who need a refresher,…
Musical Memoirs, Camp Penguin, and an Ode to Claudia Kishi: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday everyone, and a belated Happy Canada Day/Fourth of July. I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy, and if you’re experiencing a heat wave like…
KWL Live Takeover with The Hot Sheet’s Jane Friedman
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Live Q&A on July 23rd 2020. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our takeover guest, Jane Friedman, will be…
KWL 2020 Reading Challenge: Mid-Year Update
Now that we’re officially halfway through 2020 (AKA the longest year in the history of humankind), we thought it was time to check in on the…
KWL – 203 – Establishing Your Author Brand with Dana Kaye
Veteran Publicist, social media pro, and brand manager Dana Kaye joins us on the podcast this week to discuss all things marketing, publicity, and branding. Dana…
KWL – 202 – A NaNoWriMo Success Story with Paul Austin Ardoin
Mystery author Paul Austin Ardoin joins us on the podcast this week. After spending eight years writing the first few chapters of his novel, Paul signed…
Kobo Emerging Writers Prize Winners, Bookselling During Phase Two, and New (Very Old) Louisa May Alcott: This Week in Book News
Good afternoon and Happy Friday everyone! The speed at which time is flying by is really out of control. Was I not just saying I couldn’t…
Celebrate Pride Year Round with these 33 Books by LGBTQ+ Authors
This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march, but with social distancing measures in place across the world Pride as we know it…
KWL – 201 – The Evolution of Publishing with Kevin J. Anderson
Bestselling author and publisher Kevin J. Anderson joins us on this podcast this week to discuss his illustrious thirty year writing career and how the world…
Anti-racist Bestsellers, NBCC Resignations, and a Summer Literary Series from a Beer Company: This Week in Book News
Another week has come and gone, and on this warm Friday before the summer solstice, I am really looking forward to spending the next two days…
KWL Live Takeover with bestselling author and success coach Becca Syme
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Live Q&A on June 25th 2020. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our takeover host, Becca Syme, will be…
KWL – Bonus Episode – Kobo in Coversation with Linwood Barclay
Please enjoy this special bonus episode from Kobo in Conversation! We spoke with thriller writer (and former newspaper columnist and humourist) Linwood Barclay about the myth…
KWL Playlist of the Month: Video Game Soundtracks
Writing to music is a controversial subject. Some of us need absolute silence to get writing done, some of us need some background noise, and some…
This Week in Book News
Hi KWLers, To say the past few weeks have been difficult would be an extreme understatement. It has been an extraordinarily emotional time, especially for the…
KWL – 199 – Selling Audiobooks to the Kobo Customer with Elyse Daniels
Kobo’s Global Audiobook Merchandiser Elyse Daniels is on the podcast this week discussing all things audio. Elyse tells us the ins and outs of selling audiobooks…
Black Lives Matter: A Resource List
We want to take the time to acknowledge that many in our global community are in pain and experiencing feelings of fear, fury and heartbreak. We at Kobo…
4 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Prose
by Sacha Black There are very few strict rights and wrongs in storytelling. Sure, some might argue that grammar has rules that should be followed. But you…
A Kobo Original, Larry Kramer, and Omegaverse Copyright: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday, everyone! Can you believe June is almost here? It seems like just yesterday I was saying the exact same thing about May. Time really…
Cost-Per-Circulation Model Option added for Library Distribution
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve expanded our reach to libraries by adding the cost-per-click purchase option for OverDrive distribution! This gives librarians from OverDrive’s vast…
KWL – 198 Incorporating Mythology and Folklore into Your Writing with Skye MacKinnon
Skye MacKinnon is an international bestselling author who writes across multiple genres, from science fiction to fantasy to paranormal romance and even children’s books. Skye joins…
The Vivian Awards, Canadian Publishing in a Post-Pandemic World, and Silent Virtual Reading Clubs: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday, everyone! To those who celebrated a long weekend last week, I hope you had a wonderful break, and to those who are heading into…
KWL – 197 – An #OwnVoices YA Debut with Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Author Nora Shalaway Carpenter is on the podcast this week to discuss her debut YA novel, The Edge of Anything, and how her own experience with…
A Long Weekend, Remembering Carolyn Reidy, and New Adaptations: This Week in Book News
It’s Victoria Day Weekend here in Canada (or May 2-4 if you will), so heading into the long weekend means our news roundup is coming at…
KWL – 196 – Expanding Your Written Universe with Anthony Dobranski
Science fiction and fantasy author Anthony Dobranski is on the podcast this week to discuss the tarot deck he created as a tie-in to his book,…
UK VAT on eBooks axed – and what it means for you
As you might have seen in our latest newsletter, we at Kobo have been supporting the UK’s publishers association in its lobby to #AxetheReadingTax and equalise…
KWL Live Takeover with Director of the Alliance of Independent Authors, Orna Ross
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Live Q&A on May 20th 2020. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our takeover host, Orna Ross, will be…
The Return of Edward Cullen, Apple Books on PC, and the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize Shortlist: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday, everyone! This week saw a big book announcement and some huge news for indie authors; it was also a week that included Star Wars…
KWL – 195 – Alternative Storytelling Platforms with Kilby Blades
Romance author and marketing executive Kilby Blades joins us on the podcast this week to talk about the new, ever evolving storytelling platforms authors can access…
Fundraising, New Simone De Beauvoir, and Celebrity Bookshelves: This Week in Book News
I can’t believe May is already here! It seems like April just flew by. Although I think we can all agree that during social isolation, time…
KWL – 194 – The Road to Publication with Debut Author Abbigail N. Rosewood
Author Abbigail N. Rosewood joins us on the podcast this week to discuss her debut novel, If I Had Two Lives, and the real-life inspiration behind the…
How to Stay Creative in Challenging Times
By Orna Ross Are you using lockdown to tackle that project you’ve always wanted to complete? Or struggling to find motivation and inspiration in these crazy…
Public Speaking for Writers
By Sally Jenkins, author of Public Speaking for Absolute Beginners Editor’s Note: We know that most in person events have been put on hold for…
Earth Day Reading, an Amazon Donation, and Celebrities Read Dr. Seuss: This Week in Book News
Another week of social distancing has come and gone. This week included the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and since we can’t celebrate by planting trees…
World Book Day
Happy World Book Day! If you’re on our blog, there’s a very good chance that books have changed your life in one way or another. Whether…
Five Things You May Not Know About KWL
We always want to make sure all of our authors are up to date with everything that KWL has to offer. Here are five things you…
Indie Bookstores, A Game Show Memoir, and Social Distancing Haikus: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday, everybody! This week has just flown by. I guess that’s the advantage of holiday Mondays, right? Kobo hit a huge milestone this weekend –…
What I Wish I’d Known When I Began Self-Publishing
By D.F. Hart I began this journey in March of 2019, and literally had no clue what I was doing through my first three book releases.…
KWL – 192 – Sharing Your Authentic Voice with Jasmin Kaur
Writer, illustrator, and poet Jasmin Kaur joins us on the podcast this week. Jasmin’s work has been celebrated globally, and has been shared by celebrities and…
A Long Weekend Means an Early Roundup! This Week in Book News
Happy Friday Thursday! We here at KWL are lucky enough to be heading into a four day weekend, and while an extra long weekend without being…
KWL – 191 – Audiobooks, Podcasts, and the Future of Publishing with Joanna Penn
Bestselling author, podcaster, and motivational speaker Joanna Penn joined us for a KWL Facebook Live event recently, where she discussed all things audio from recording her…
Powell’s Rehires, More Harry Potter, and Some Celebrity Reading Livestreams: This Week in Book News.
Another week of social distancing and it’s starting to feel a bit more normal. As normal as staying in my small, Toronto apartment full time can…
18 Questions to Ask when Refreshing your Author Website
By Nate Hoffelder With all public events canceled for the duration, your website is ten times more important than it was last month. You can no…
KWL – 190 – Finding the Motivation to Become a Published Author with Glenn Dyer
Historical fiction author Glenn Dyer was in his sixties and freshly retired when he published his first novel, The Torch of Betrayal. Now planning the release…
Twelve Books by Trans and Nonbinary Authors to read on Trans Day of Visibility (and any other day)
Today is Trans Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate trans and nonbinary people around the globe and to honour the courage it takes to live…
Authors Helping Authors, Virtual Book Festivals, and Some Things to Keep You Busy During Social Distancing
Another week of adjusting to our new normal is in the books, and I hope everyone is still doing okay. Here at KWL we’ve settled into…
Stay at Home. Wash Hands. And Write (If You Can).
By Grant Faulkner, for Writer’s Digest I have to admit that I’ve had moments over the years when I’ve questioned writing—or, rather, the level of dedication…
KWL – 189 – Touring as an Author vs. Touring as a Musician with Eamon McGrath
Canadian musician and author Eamon McGrath joins us on the podcast this week to discuss the differences and similarities between being a musician and being an…
Adjusting to Social Distancing and Finding Silver Linings: This Week in Book News
Hi KWL Community, This week has been a tough one, and we hope you’re doing okay. As we all adjust to social distancing and what that…
Social Distancing Tips from a Professional
By Deandra Lalonde Originally posted on Chateau Chemo. A note from the KWL team: We hope everyone is staying safe during this time of unknowns and…
KWL – Ep 188 – Writing Advice and Finishing Your First Draft with Andrew David MacDonald
Debut author Andrew David MacDonald joins us on the podcast this week. Fresh off the release of his first novel, When We Were Vikings, Andrew talks…
KWL Facebook Takeover with Joanna Penn
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Facebook Live Q&A on March 27th 2020. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our takeover host, Joanna Penn, will…
Jill Shalvis, author of Almost Just Friends: “The call that changed my life”
This content originally appeared on Walmart.com Everyone has a “How I Started My Career” story. Which is different from their “My First Job” story. Cuz my…
More Coronavirus Cancellations, Inspiring Teen Writers, and a Love Letter to an Appliance: This Week in Book News
I think I speak for everyone when I say this week has been A Lot. Living in the era of the never-ending news cycle can be…
KWL – Ep 187 – Kobo In Conversation with Saeed Jones
Award winning poet Saeed Jones was in the Kobo office recently to discuss his new memoir, How We Fight For Our Lives. In conversation with maxine…
Are you a Writer of the Future?
Are you a new sci-fi or fantasy author that’s looking for some well earned recognition? Then you may want to consider entering the Writers of the…
LBF is Cancelled, Simon and Schuster is for Sale, A Walkout at HBG: This Week in Book News
It has been a big week for book news as the effects of the Coronavirus continue to hit the publishing industry. There were also some big…
KWL – Ep 186 – The Importance of a Pen Name with Tawdra Kandle
Tawdra Kandle, a USA Today bestselling romance author, writes across multiple genres using just as many pen names. She tells us why she decided to utilize…
Q&A with J. Robert Kennedy
J. Robert Kennedy is a bestselling author with over fifty titles under his belt and over one million copies sold. He was kind enough to take…
Comic Book Rumors, Children’s Book Scams, and some Wonderful Book-themed Essays: This Week in Book News
Happy Friday, y’all! I hope you don’t mind, but instead of sharing strictly news this week I’ve also included some book-related articles I absolutely loved; you…
KWL – Ep 185 – Getting Creative with your Book Marketing with T S Paul
Bestselling Science Fiction and Paranormal author TS Paul joins us to discuss how he went from a reluctant writer to an author who puts out over…
New year, new you, new book
This content was originally published on Kobo.com As the Senior Manager of Author Experience at Kobo, Tara Cremin is constantly working with authors. Over the years, she’s…
The Impact of Climate Change on Publishing, A Margaret Atwood Ballet, and I Read Canadian: This Week in Book News
I don’t know about you guys, but this week has just flown by! I guess that’s the joy of four-day work-weeks, huh? (Sincere apologies to those…
KWL – Bonus Episode: The Future of Publishing with the Kobo Writing Life Team
As 2020 is a leap year and contains an extra day, we figured why not record an extra podcast! Our international KWL team members were in…
KWL – Ep 184 – Writing Retreats and Finding Your Writing Community with Darcy Burke
USA Today bestselling author Darcy Burke sits down with Steph and Tara to discuss the importance of having a writing group, what writing retreats are really…
KWL Facebook Takeover with BookBub’s Carlyn Robertson
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Facebook Live Q&A on February 27th 2020. From 2:00 PM-3:00 PM EST, our takeover host, BookBub’s Carlyn…
New Memoirs, Valentine’s Day, and 594 Ways to Read Jane Eyre: What’s Happening in the Literary World this Week.
Happy Valentines Day! I know today isn’t everyone’s favourite holiday (myself included), but you can’t deny how great curling up with a good book while devouring…
KWL – Ep 183 – Writing Great Romance with Jennifer Probst
New York Times Bestselling romance author Jennifer Probst discusses her experience in publishing and how she found her success in an evolving industry. Jennifer tells us…
The KWL 2020 Reading Bingo Challenge
Hello KWLers and welcome to the KWL 2020 Reading Challenge! Is it a little bit late? Maybe. But in our defense, it has been really busy…
Prizes, Controversy, and Book-Inspired Fashion: What’s Happening in the Literary World
Happy Friday! After a brief hiatus, we’ve decided to reboot our Literary Round Up feature, compiling all of the important book-related news in one convenient location.…
KWL – 182 – Misconceptions about Motorcycle Romance with Autumn Jones Lake
USA Today bestselling author, Autumn Jones Lake explains the misconceptions associated with motorcycle romance, how she plots her Lost Kings MC series (15 books and counting!)…
KWL – Ep 181 – Building Your Readership through Email Marketing with Holly Mortimer
Holly Mortimer, both an author and email marketing specialist, discusses strategies authors can implement to sell more books. Holly describes the common mistakes authors make when…
KWL – Ep 179 – How to Plot a Mystery with Sara Rosett
Sara Rosett, USA Today bestselling author, gives her tips for plotting mystery novels, discusses the psychology of why readers choose cozy mysteries, and explains the challenges…
KWL – Ep 178 – The Pirate Author Code with David Mark Brown
David Mark Brown speaks to Kobo Writing Life about Fiction Vortex and StoryVerse™, which allows authors to collaborate and make narrative content in shared worlds. Listen…
KWL Ep 180 – A New Approach to Author Branding with Vanessa Vale
Vanessa Vale, USA Today bestselling author of sexy romance novels, discusses publishing in a niche genre and how she strives for brand recognition through her author…
Sell More on Kobo with Promotions
NOTE: This piece originally appeared on StoryShopUni. Looking to sell more titles on Kobo? Then you should be taking advantage of Kobo Writing Life’s Promotions Tool!…
KWL – Ep 177 – Writing Crime Fiction with Robert Craven
Crime fiction writer Robert Craven chats to us about how he writes strong female characters, his formula for writing and pitching a book, and provides insight into the conference scene in the UK and Ireland
The Best Indie Cover Contest Final Poll!
Thank you to everyone who submitted and voted! We are delighted to present the 10 finalists below in our best overall cover poll.
KWL Ep. 176 Exploring Steampunk with Victoria L. Szulc
Multi-media artist and author Victoria L. Szulc chats to us about using steampunk as a creative theme and how she is able to create her own…
KWL Ep 175 The Queen of YA: Holly Black
With 30 books published for children and teens, New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, discusses the evolution of the young adult genre from when she…
Quiz Time: Which Indie Romance Series Do You Belong In?
Based on your romance reading preferences, we’ll recommend a bestselling romance series you’re meant to be in. You may just find your next binge-worthy read!
The Best Indie Book Cover of 2019!
It’s here! Huge thanks to everyone who entered the contest. It was tough to narrow it down, but we have selected ten finalists in each category!…
KWL Ep 174 Original Content with Audiobook Expert Michelle Kaatz
In this episode, we pulled Kobo’s very own Michelle Kaatz from her desk to tell you all about Kobo Originals and give her sizzling hot takes…
2019 Holiday Content Processing
This is a friendly reminder that as the holiday season approaches, the schedule for our regular content processing services will be adjusted.* December 19 is the…
Market Research Doesn’t Have to Hurt
Noah Steele, indie author of gay romance, shares his insights on market research. It’s not as scary as you might think!
KWL – Ep 173 – Launching a Stand-Out Series Wide with Michael Anderle
Michael Anderle, best-selling indie author, gives us the scoop on the launch of his first “wide” series, Opus X. He tells us his author origin story, and…
KWL Ep 172 – Storytelling for Change with Juan Pablo Villalobos
This week on the podcast, award-winning Mexican author and academic Juan Pablo Villalobos spoke to us about his latest title, The Other Side. This project explores…
KWL Ep 171 – Making Your Backlist Work for You with Zoe York
Zoe York talks to us about how she began her career writing “the stories of her heart”, and then went on to turn those stories into…
KoboWriMo 2019: Day 15
We’re at the halfway point for NaNoWriMo! This mini-marathon of writing has been intense, and we’re definitely feeling the burn. Check in on what the Kobo team has been up to.
Must Read Nonfiction: KWL Team Recommendations
The Kobo Writing Life team loves Nonfiction November! Check out the books we think everyone should read.
Ep #170 From Wedding Planner to Writer with Violet Howe
Violet Howe talks to us about her writing career and how feeling strongly about her story and characters led her to indie publishing. Violet discusses how writing two different series in the same town allows her to explore two genres. Violet also talks to us about how her past work experiences have influenced her writing but also how they have helped with other aspects of her writing business.
Six Tips on How to Write Sizzling First Love Scenes
Prize-winning author, former BBC journalist, bookseller and magazine editor Helena Halme shares her wisdom on creating gripping, sexy, and heartfelt first romantic encounters.
Different Approaches to Completing NaNoWriMo 2019
We’re almost at the halfway point for NaNo! I wanted to take a step back and reflect on my progress and what I’ve learned in the first few weeks of the challenge.
The Broken Union of Narrative Voice and Story (and how to bring them back together)
Narrative voice and story content are intricately bound together, and the two must be compatible for your novel to work. Recognize the four most common issues with narrative voice and how to overcome them.
KoboWriMo 2019: Day 7 Update
We’re a quarter of the way through our NaNo journey! Members of the Kobo team share what they’re working on and how NaNo is going so far.
Ep 169: Lessons from the ER: How Melissa Yi Balances Writing and Medicine
Melissa Yi, an emergency room physician and author, chats to us about how she balances being a writer and part-time doctor. She discusses how her work experiences have made their way into her Hope Sze Medical Mystery Series and she shares some of her favourite emergency room stories. Plus an exclusive sample of her audiobook, Code Blues!
Ten Emergency Medicine Myths From Reddit, Vetted by an ER Doctor
By Melissa Yi Hi, I’m Dr. Melissa Yi, emergency physician and the author of GRAVEYARD SHIFT, which debuted November 1st. Have you ever wondered if the…
NaNoWriMo 2019: Beginning of the Trail
Our NaNoWriMo journey has begun! Check out Joanna Penn’s 5 tips to help you write a novel in one month. Plus an exclusive offer on The Writer’s Toolbox 2019 and The Successful Author Mindset.
KWL Facebook Takeover with OverDrive’s Adam Sockel and Jill Grunenwald
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Facebook Live Q&A on November 21st 2019. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our takeover hosts Jill…
KWL Ep#168 – The Author and Narrator Relationship with Rachel Grant and Greg Tremblay
Author Rachel Grant and her narrator Greg Tremblay shed some light on the process of creating an audiobook. Rachel discusses the working relationship she has with Greg and how his narration has influenced her future work. Greg shares his experience as a narrator, and the process for creating audiobooks. Start self-publishing today with KWL.
The Book Scoop: October Edition and Horror Writing Playlist
Catch up on popular new releases across genres this October. Plus news on major book award winners and a spine-tingling horror writing playlist!
Checklist for NaNoWriMo 2019
National Novel Writing Month is only days away! Make sure you’re prepared for what’s coming, so you can start this challenge strong.
Indie Horror Quiz
Tell us what your horror tastes are and we’ll recommend a top-rated title on Kobo! Halloween vibes, anyone?
War, Resistance, and Exile: Anne Allen on Writing The Guernsey Novels
Award-winning author Anne Allen discusses the fascinating history of the British island of Guernsey. The island’s turbulent past and its connection to the legendary Victor Hugo served as a backdrop of inspiration for The Guernsey Novels.
#167 Relatability in Romance with Samantha Young
New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young talks to us about the life-changing success of her self-published novel On Dublin Street. Samantha examines the benefits of being a hybrid author, stepping out of her comfort zone with her forthcoming novel Outmatched and why relatable characters are the hallmark of all her novels. Plus an exclusive offer on Samantha’s audiobook, Into the Deep.
KWL Author Feature: Writing Dialogue With Flair
Every month, the KWL newsletter features a discussion prompt and gives authors the opportunity to contribute to the blog. See what experienced authors have to say about crafting dialogue.
How to Prep for NaNoWriMo 2019
NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month: a frenzy of writing with the goal of producing a 50,000-word novel during the thirty days of November. Find out more about this global writing challenge!
#166 How to Craft a New Writing Persona with Piper Rayne
Writing duo, Piper Rayne, gives us insights on what it is like being a writing duo and they discuss the writing and revision process that works best for them. No two writing duos are alike! They discuss the prep work and strategy behind releasing a successful new persona and give their tips for new co-authors starting out. Plus an exclusive offer on Book #1 of The Baileys!
Commonly Miscategorized Genres and Subgenres: Why These Mistakes Matter
Incorrectly categorizing your books can keep them away from your target readership. Worse still, this could lead to bad reviews, when readers do not get what they expect. Are your novels in the right category?
KWL Facebook Takeover with Tyra Burton
The Kobo Writing Life team is excited to announce our latest Facebook Live Q&A on October 17th 2019. From 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EST, our takeover host, Tyra Burton, will…
5 Advantages of Writing in Multiple Perspectives
Have you ever considered telling a story in different points of view? Five key ways multiple narratives can benefit your novel, adding depth and meaning to your story.
#165 Storytelling with Waubgeshig Rice
Waubgeshig Rice, an author and journalist originally from Wasauksing First Nation, talks about his latest novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, a take on a post-apocalypse story told from an indigenous perspective. He also describes his path to writing and offers advice for young aspiring writers.
The Age of Audiobooks: Rising Popularity and Expert Perspectives
KWL recently launched an audiobook upload service for its authors! Whether you are considering creating an audiobook or just want to stay up to date with…
Reedsy Discovery: A New Marketing Platform For Your Frontlist
Ricardo Fayet, CMO and Founder of Reedsy, talks about Reedsy Discovery’s unique approach to book marketing.
Author Origin Stories That Are Sure to Inspire You
Some of the most renowned authors have surprisingly humble beginnings. Their stories of overcoming poverty and childhood struggles, persevering through rejection after rejection, and writing out of necessity to support their families are truly remarkable. You will appreciate these legendary authors more knowing how far they’ve come.
#164 – Learning the Habits of your Readers with Emma Chase
Emma Chase, NYT bestselling author, discusses the importance of learning the habits of your readers and setting reader expectations before the release of a new book. She discusses how she built up her newsletter audience and gives us hints about what to expect next from her Royally series.
The Book Scoop: September Edition and bonus Sci-Fi Writing Playlist
September’s top book releases and news from the book world, plus a personally curated Sci-Fi writing playlist!