Kobo Writing Life Podcast
Insights and inspiration for growing your self-publishing business. Featuring interviews with bestselling authors and industry experts, who share practical advice you can use to improve your writing and sell more books. Hosted by the Kobo Writing Life team, you'll also get the latest news and updates about Kobo and the KWL platform. Self-publish today at www.kobo.com/writinglife
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#326 – Facing Your First Draft with Mary Adkins
09/19/2023
#326 – Facing Your First Draft with Mary Adkins
In this episode, we are joined by author and book coach Mary Adkins, founder of , a program for authors looking to write their best possible book. Mary spent six years writing and re-writing her first book before landing a book deal with HarperCollins, and as such, perfected her writing program! Now, she works to share this helpful information with other authors looking to reach their full potential. We had a great conversation with Mary and loved the many writing tips she had to offer. Be sure to check out what she can do for you over at ! We learn how Mary operates her book coaching business, how she can be a “wedding planner,” cheerleader, and helpful industry guide to authors, and what her own writing career looks like. She also offers some great advice on how to give yourself permission to write that novel, as well as (gasp) writing by hand, and much more! Learn more about Mary via .
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#325 – What Authors Can Learn from Movies with John Gaspard
09/05/2023
#325 – What Authors Can Learn from Movies with John Gaspard
In this episode, we spoke with John Gaspard, author of , an indispensable guide to implementing tips and tricks learned from film directors and film in general into your fiction writing. John is also the author of several mystery novels across two series, as well as multiple standalone novels and non-fiction titles. He also hosts two podcasts and has directed six low-budget feature films! We chatted with John about his new non-fiction title, his filmmaking experience, the times he spent interviewing well-known film directors, crafting a compelling mystery, what writers can learn from filmmakers, and so much more. Be sure to check out the "sequel" to The Popcorn Principles; John’s latest, is out now! Learn more about John by visiting .
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#324 – Publicity for Indie Authors with Halima Khatun
08/22/2023
#324 – Publicity for Indie Authors with Halima Khatun
In this episode, we spoke with Halima Khatun, PR consultant, former broadcast journalist, and author of the new non-fiction title , a book full of useful information for independent writers looking to improve their publicity and media coverage output! Halima is also the author of several highly praised rom-coms, including her award-winning debut novel, . Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, Metro, Business Advice and StartupNation, and we can't wait to see what she writes next. Halima shared some amazing advice regarding editing, book blurbs, writing (and lengthening) a series, writing a rom-com (and its sequels), and, of course, garnering publicity for your work! If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about publicity and PR for indie authors, this is the episode for you. Learn more about Halima via her , and follow her on and .
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#323 – Important Tools for Indie Authors with Mark Dawson
08/08/2023
#323 – Important Tools for Indie Authors with Mark Dawson
In today’s episode, we are joined by renowned indie publishing business expert, educator and author, Mark Dawson – who also happens to be a fellow podcast producer and host! Mark Dawson is the author of over twenty books across multiple series, has sold millions of copies of his titles, and is also the founder of the and host of the . Mark hardly needs an introduction – his presence in the world of self-publishing goes above and beyond, and it was great to have him join us for this episode. We spoke to Mark about his Facebook ad process, his advertising course, his newsletter and how he optimizes its reach, and what he has coming up next – including the a live conference! We had a really wonderful time and an interesting conversation with Mark – don’t forget to check out for more resources and the for a great community. Be sure to also check out - digital tickets are available now! You can learn more about Mark by visiting his , listening to the , or following him on and .
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#322 – Successes and Strengths in Self-publishing with Jasinda and Jack Wilder
07/25/2023
#322 – Successes and Strengths in Self-publishing with Jasinda and Jack Wilder
In this episode, we spoke to the writing team of Jasinda and Jack Wilder (who we had the chance to meet at 2022), wife and husband and parents to six kids, who write their own books as well work collaboratively. Between the two of them, they have written dozens of books, many of them best-sellers, across a multitude of genres and sub-genres. Be sure to check out their latest releases, , the latest instalment in the Dirty Beasts series, , a new adult contemporary romance, and , a vampire romance (hinted at in this very episode!). We heard about how they balance parenthood with working as indie authors, how they utilize their newsletter to reach readers, how they use their pen name for multiple genres, and get into how the indie publishing industry has changed over the course of their ongoing career and more! Follow Jasinda Wilder on , , , and , and learn more about Jasinda and Jack on their .
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#321 – Writing For Your Narrator with J. R. Ward
07/11/2023
#321 – Writing For Your Narrator with J. R. Ward
In this episode, we are joined by Jessica Ward, also known as . is the author of the acclaimed series, . Over 15 million copies of her novels are in print around the world and she has been published in over 25 countries globally! Her latest release as Jessica Ward is , a coming-of-age novel described as Heathers meets The Secret History. We were so excited to read this book and to hear more from the phenomenal author behind this new title and dozens of others. We have a great conversation about Jessica’s writing process, the evolution of her career, her new release, writing an unreliable narrator, having multiple pen names, the inspiration for , and much, much more! For more info, check out and follow her on , , , and .
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#320 – Writing Twists and Turns in Thrillers with Catherine McKenzie
06/27/2023
#320 – Writing Twists and Turns in Thrillers with Catherine McKenzie
In this episode, we spoke with Catherine McKenzie, USA Today best-selling author of “riveting domestic suspense,” I’ll Never Tell, “one of 2022’s best and most-anticipated thrillers,” Please Join Us, and more! After publishing more than a dozen titles since 2010, Catherine’s latest, , is out today! We asked Catherine about her journey to becoming a writer, her previous career in law, why she believes so many lawyers are also published authors, how she plots out her psychological thrillers, what drew her to the genre in the first place, and more! Catherine also gave some great advice for those interested in wrapping their heads around the twists and turns of thrillers. Content note: this episode features brief discussions about real-world missing persons cases, murder, and suicide, and may be upsetting to some listeners. Please listen with awareness of this subject matter. Visit or follow her on , , and .
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#319 – Mythology, Fantasy, and LGBTQ+ Representation with Arizona Tape
06/13/2023
#319 – Mythology, Fantasy, and LGBTQ+ Representation with Arizona Tape
In this episode, we heard from , author of dozens of books across multiple series, and collaborative writer on many more! We learned about Arizona’s journey to becoming a full-time writer, heard more about her solo and her collaborative writing processes, asked after her favourite manga and anime series, and got some great advice for emerging writers. We also chatted about LGBTQ+ representation, readers seeing themselves represented in Arizona’s books, and why Arizona wanted to write books that her younger self was never able to find. We had a wonderful conversation with Arizona and can’t wait to see what she writes next! Be sure to visit Arizona's , sign up for her , and follow her on , , , and
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#318 – Plotting a Compelling Thriller with Ruth Ware
05/30/2023
#318 – Plotting a Compelling Thriller with Ruth Ware
In this episode, we spoke to bestselling author Ruth Ware about her upcoming release, , available on June 20th, 2023. Ruth’s novels have been translated into over 40 languages as well as optioned for film and TV, and she has garnered numerous bestsellers internationally. is a tech-based, fast-paced thriller wherein the protagonist finds that there is nowhere to hide, and enemies are everywhere. We are very excited for everyone to read Ruth’s latest! We discussed Ruth’s journey to becoming a full-time writer, how she develops the plots for her thrillers, what her writing process looks like, the difference between a “twist” and a “reveal” in storytelling, and much more. Learn more about Ruth and her work on her , and find her on , and .
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#317 – Writing Collaborative Romance with Christina Lauren
05/16/2023
#317 – Writing Collaborative Romance with Christina Lauren
In this week’s episode, we spoke with New York Times, USA Today and #1 internationally bestselling author, Christina Lauren – which is the pen name of two authors, Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings! We are here to highlight their latest release – , available now – and to learn more about their amazing writing career. Christina and Lauren tell us about how they got started writing together, how they collaborate for reach book, how their collaborative style developed, the importance of fandom, and more. We also got a great list of recommended romance reads, and received some great advice for those writers looking to collaborate with others! You can learn more on , and be sure to follow Christina Lauren on , , and .
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#316 – True Crime Writing with Kerrie Droban
05/02/2023
#316 – True Crime Writing with Kerrie Droban
In this episode, we are joined by award-winning true crime writer to discuss her latest release, , and to hear more about her amazing writing career! Kerrie’s experience as a criminal and family attorney has heavily influenced her career in writing true crime narratives, and she is an expert in criminal pathology and motorcycle gangs who has written many books on both subjects. We heard about Kerrie’s journey from poetry to law to true crime writing, how reading (and even writing) true crime can aid in your fiction writing, how she ended up entering law school, how her creative interests aided her law career (and how her law career aided her writing), advice for aspiring true crime writers, and more. To learn more, visit and be sure to follow her on , , and . Content note: Our discussion touches on real crimes and some of the disturbing content involved in said crimes. Please listen with awareness of this subject matter.
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#315 – Second Chapter Authors with Maren Cooper
04/18/2023
#315 – Second Chapter Authors with Maren Cooper
In this episode, we talk to author , writer of literary and contemporary women’s fiction. We spoke to Maren about how she went from working in healthcare to having a writing career, her sources of inspiration, her story as a “second chapter” author, and her latest (and second) novel, , a coming-of-age story about a family struggling to come together again. Maren was very detailed and frank in her discussion of becoming an author, the importance of a writing community, and more; she had a lot of great advice to offer our listeners! Her next novel will be out this November, so be sure to check out her to stay updated on her releases. You can also find Maren on , , , and .
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#314 – How to Write Historical Romance with Grace Callaway
04/04/2023
#314 – How to Write Historical Romance with Grace Callaway
In this episode, we sat down with Grace Callaway, USA Today and international best-selling author of historical romances (that are often on the steamier side, with lots of mystery and adventure)! Grace’s latest, , is the fourth in her series, , which is, in Grace’s own words, “a Victorian-era Charlie's Angels”! We were so excited to speak to Grace about (and its gorgeous cover), her other books, her journey to writing, advice on research for historical romances, and more! Be sure to visit to learn more about her and her books. You can also find her on , and .
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#313 – 2 Books at 20 Years Old with Citra Tenore
03/21/2023
#313 – 2 Books at 20 Years Old with Citra Tenore
In this episode, we are joined by , an author who wrote her first book at 11 and published it at 12! We chat about how and why she wrote her second, the start of a sci-fi epic, at 19. We heard about how Citra got into writing, her initial dislike of reading and love of film, how she wrote her first book, why she found that sci-fi was her genre of choice for her second book, and where she finds her inspiration. She also offered some great advice for young writers, as well as advice for any parents of young writers out there looking to nurture that interest. We had a great conversation with Citra overall and look forward to seeing what she writes next! You can find out more about Citra on her , and be sure to grab a copy of , the first in her sprawling sci-fi series.
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#312 – Becoming a Best-selling Thriller Author with Amy Stuart
03/07/2023
#312 – Becoming a Best-selling Thriller Author with Amy Stuart
In this episode, we spoke to Amy Stuart, author of , out today – get your copy now! is a thriller that takes place over the course of one day as one woman’s plans for a party go terribly wrong, and has been aptly described as “Mrs. Dalloway with a suspense engine of Lisa Jewell!” We were very excited with this title, and are sure you will be, too. Amy discusses her new release, her path to writing, her experience being a teacher, getting an MFA, and working as a writing instructor, details the interesting framework of her murder mystery-thriller novel, gets into the cast of characters, and regales us with some amazing writing advice! Learn more about Amy via her , and be sure to follow her on , and .
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#311 – Looking at Legal Issues as an Indie Author with Maria Riegger
02/21/2023
#311 – Looking at Legal Issues as an Indie Author with Maria Riegger
In this episode, we spoke to Maria Riegger, attorney, self-help writer, and author of fiction and non-fiction titles such as the best-selling , a book that provides information on starting your self-publishing business, legal liability considerations, advice on how to protect your copyrights, how to safely use copyrighted material, and more. We learned a lot from Maria and found this discussion of the legal aspects of being an indie author very interesting and informative! Content note: Nothing discussed in this episode of the podcast should be use as legal advice. This episode is meant to be informative, educational, and entertaining – if you have questions related to copyright law and other legal issues surrounding your books, independent publishing, and publishing in general, please contact a legal representative in your area for more information. Learn more about Maria on her , and be sure to follow her on and !
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#310 – Writing Romance, Working with Kobo Originals, and More with Jackie Lau
02/07/2023
#310 – Writing Romance, Working with Kobo Originals, and More with Jackie Lau
In this episode, we spoke to Jackie Lau, author of , , and many more titles, and we're celebrating the release of her second novel with Kobo Originals, ! We spoke to Jackie about her new release, her writing process, her favourite romance tropes, her experience working with Kobo Originals, using Toronto as a setting, what it’s like to be a hybrid author and the differences between traditional and indie publishing, and so much more! Our discussion was informative and interesting, and as Rachel can attest, you don’t want to miss out on Jackie’s gourmet donut recommendations. Take notes, Torontonians! Visit here, or follow her on , , and
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#309 – Writing a Legal Thriller with Alexandra Shapiro
01/24/2023
#309 – Writing a Legal Thriller with Alexandra Shapiro
In this episode, we chatted with Alexandra Shapiro, criminal defense lawyer and debut author as of 2021. We asked Alexandra about working with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, how her career as a lawyer helped her creative writing, why so many lawyers are also amazing authors, legal thriller and sci-fi crossovers, and much more. We had a great conversation with Alexandra – if you are interested in writing a legal thriller, learning more about how to write legal dramas effectively and accurately, or in need of some great writing advice and encouragement in general, don’t miss this episode. Alexanda’s legal thriller, , is available now! For more information on Alexandra’s debut novel, visit her or follow Alexandra on and .
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#308 – New Year, New Indie Publishing Trends with the KWL Team
01/10/2023
#308 – New Year, New Indie Publishing Trends with the KWL Team
Happy New Year, writers! In this episode, the team gets together to discuss our indie publishing predictions, forecasts, hopes and dreams for 2023! Hear from Tara (director of KWL), Laura (author engagement manager), Rachel (promotions specialist), and Terrence (content coordinator for KWL) as they discuss everything from AI-narrated audiobooks and the Kobo Plus expansion to the influence of TikTok and trends in cover design! Whether you agree with our predications or think we are wildly off-base, we hope you enjoy listening to what we thought of the trends we saw in 2022 and what we expect (and hope) to see in 2023. And be sure follow Kobo Writing Life on , , and for indie publishing tips, advice, and inspiration.
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#307 – How to Boost Your Backlist Sales
12/20/2022
#307 – How to Boost Your Backlist Sales
In this episode, we’re showcasing a live event that we held earlier this year on the page and on our channel. Kobo Writing Life director Tara and author relations manager Joni got together to talk about everything you need to know to boost your backlist sales. For more advice on boosting your backlist, check out these previous posts and podcast episode: And be sure to follow Kobo Writing Life on , , and for more!
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#306 – Debut Novels and Dark Fantasy with Meg Smitherman
12/06/2022
#306 – Debut Novels and Dark Fantasy with Meg Smitherman
In this episode, we spoke with Meg Smitherman, debut indie author of , the first book in a new adult, dark fantasy romance duology. Meg chatted with us about her new novel, fanfiction, finding a writing community on TikTok, her experience getting an MFA in London, England, finally writing in the ideal genre for her, and much more. Meg also offers amazing writing advice and writing updates via her TikTok – ! is available now on Kobo and wherever eBooks are sold. You can find out more about Meg on , , , or her .
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#305 - The Voice of a Ghostwriter with Daniel Paisner
11/22/2022
#305 - The Voice of a Ghostwriter with Daniel Paisner
In this week’s episode, we spoke to , ghostwriter of seventeen NYT bestselling books among many, many others. Daniel is also a podcaster and author of his own novels, the latest of which came out this year. His long-spanning career includes writing with and for Gilbert Gottfried, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Aoki, Anthony Quinn, Serena Williams, and more. We dove into Daniel’s experience ghostwriting, what makes a good collaboration and collaborator, ghostwriting advice, why and when he decided to write his own works, and more. Our conversation was extremely interesting and informative, and we got to hear about his own podcast, , a show where each episode features a conversation between Daniel and another ghostwriter. Daniel’s latest book, , is available now on . You can find out more about Daniel and his work on his , or by visiting him on , , and .
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#304 – Writing a Spicy Series with Jade West
11/08/2022
#304 – Writing a Spicy Series with Jade West
In this episode, we talk to best-selling romance and erotica author, Jade West, about writing very spicy and often hardcore books, the elusive and surprising inner workings of the TikTok algorithm, and having your books go viral. We hope you enjoy this enlightening conversation on marketing erotica, authenticity in writing, self-publishing as a writer of spicy books, and how to write a good sex scene, and more! Jade’s latest audiobook, , is available on Kobo. The rest of her audiobooks can be found ! And be sure to follow Jade on , , , and . Find more information about our podcast . If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit .
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#303 – The Art of Story with Lisa M. Lilly
10/25/2022
#303 – The Art of Story with Lisa M. Lilly
In this episode, we spoke to , author, lawyer, and fellow podcaster! Lisa M. Lilly hosts , a podcast wherein Buffy the Vampire Slayer is discussed and analyzed for its storytelling techniques and how those techniques can help writers improve their craft. We talked to Lisa about her podcast, how she prepares for the show, her writing process, and her work regarding , a site focused on advice for those pursuing writing careers and more. Being huge fans of Buffy AND well-crafted stories here at KWL, we hope you enjoy this enthusiastic episode. We had so much fun talking to Lisa and hope this has inspired at least a few of you to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Follow Lisa on , , and , and visit her online . Find more information about our podcast . If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit .
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#302 – From Audiobooks to Authorship with Karen Grey
10/11/2022
#302 – From Audiobooks to Authorship with Karen Grey
In this episode, we spoke with , an award-winning audiobook narrator who recently began writing and publishing her own works under the pen name of . We chatted about Karen’s career as an audiobook narrator, her transition into publishing as an indie author, and much more. We hope you enjoy this great conversation on the dos and don’ts of narrating audiobooks, tips on marketing, a look behind the scenes of audiobook recording, and much love for and enthusiasm about audiobooks overall! And be sure to follow Karen on , , , and . Find more information about our podcast . If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit .
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#301 – Navigating Emotional Narratives with Carol Van Den Hende
09/27/2022
#301 – Navigating Emotional Narratives with Carol Van Den Hende
In this episode, we heard from award-winning author and professional speaker , whose second book, , was published this year. is the prequel to her acclaimed debut, , and a continuation of a trilogy. We spoke to Carol about her path to writing, releasing a debut novel during the pandemic, crafting compelling characters, the importance of research, writing emotional narratives that affect her readers, tips on public speaking, and more. Follow Carol on , , and Find more information about our podcast . If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit .
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#300 – The Journey of an eBook with the KWL Team
09/13/2022
#300 – The Journey of an eBook with the KWL Team
In this episode, the KWL team celebrates 300 episodes of the Kobo Writing Life podcast! With 300 episodes and 9 years of podcasting under our belts, we wanted to release this special episode featuring members of the KWL teams and Kobo teams that make publishing your eBooks and audiobooks possible. We learn more about their roles, what they read, and how they help in the journey of your publications! Find more information about our podcast . If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit .
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#299 – Writing Your Way Across Mediums with Alex de Campi
08/30/2022
#299 – Writing Your Way Across Mediums with Alex de Campi
In this episode, we are joined by Alex de Campi, author of prose novels, graphic novels, screenplays, and more, as well as director of music videos. We chatted about Alex’s debut prose novel, The Scottish Boy, her writing style, got some great advice for writing fight scenes and sex scenes, and learned more about her researching and world-building process regarding her historical fiction writing – and heard, overall, a fantastic and frank recounting of her experiences in the traditional publishing industry. Find more information about our podcast, including links to our guests' books . If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit .
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#298 – Word-of-Mouth Marketing with Alison G. Bailey
08/16/2022
#298 – Word-of-Mouth Marketing with Alison G. Bailey
In this episode, we are joined by Alison G. Bailey, award-winning author of contemporary romance and new adult novels that are full of emotional narratives with a focus on love, laughter, and romance. Alison’s latest novel, , is the latest instalment in her , released earlier this year. We chatted with Alison about her writing career, her life in Charleston, how she got started right at the beginning of the indie publishing boom over a decade ago, her success via word-of-mouth marketing, her background and experience writing for the stage, and much more. Find more information about our podcast, including links to our guests' books . If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit .
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#297 – The Business of Writing Romance with Nana Malone
08/02/2022
#297 – The Business of Writing Romance with Nana Malone
In this episode, we are joined by Nana Malone, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of sexy, feel-good romance novels and creator of the #BrownNippleChallenge. We learned more about Nana’s experience writing not one, but two novels for Kobo Originals, her writing process regarding dictation, modelling for her own covers, the importance of Black women and women of colour on the covers of romance novels, the #Brown Nipple Challenge, judging a literary contest, and more! Find more information about our podcast, including links to our guests' books . If you're ready to start your publishing journey, visit .
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