Kobo Writing Life Podcast

Hosted by Kobo Writing Life

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Episodes

461

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Nov 2026

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About the show

The Kobo Writing Life Podcast features exciting interviews with bestselling authors, tips on the craft and business of writing, and advice for a successful self-publishing career. Millions of readers are waiting to discover your book - publish today at www.kobo.com/writinglife.

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60 recent

November 10, 2026Episode 40853 min

#408 – Mystery and Thriller Tropes for Authors, with Sara Rosett and Jennifer Hilt

In this episode we talk with Sara Rosett and Jennifer Hilt about their new collaboration, The Trope Thesaurus: Mystery and Thriller . Whether you write cozy mysteries, domestic thrillers or something in between, you'll come away with practical ways to use tropes to build emotional connections with readers. What we discussed: Why tropes are recognizable, relationship-driven and flexible, and how they differ from clichés Layering tropes to create complex characters, understanding why readers come to a trope in the first place and where subversion works best The quest for justice versus who will survive, and how each genre makes a different promise to the reader. How the domestic staff trope plays out in a thriller like The Housemaid and a cozy like The Maid , and why the ticking time bomb belongs in more genres than you'd think Using the amnesia trope to explore memory, identity and relationships How to keep a long series fresh by using long-running plot threads, romantic subplots and identity questions, with examples from Longmire , The Mentalist and Veronica Mars . And much more! I think of tropes as paints that you can mix and blend. I just want people to feel like they can explore and shape these things and not be intimidated. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

November 3, 2026Episode 4725 min

Kobo ReWriting Life - 47 - Lauren Lang & Professional Author Head Shots

Professional photographer Lauren Lang of Jacobin Photography joins us to talk all about author head shots. Lauren, who transitioned from a background in journalism, brings a unique perspective on how to move past the "unnatural" feeling of being in front of a lens to capture an authentic image that truly resonates with readers. In this episode: Your headshot is a storytelling tool! You should use it to evoke an emotional connection with readers before they even open your book. Shift your mindset from viewing a photoshoot as a chore to seeing it as an investment in your future connection with fans. Always use current photos that look like you today, as authenticity is vital for building trust with your audience. Combat camera-shyness by focusing on natural movement and emotion rather than stiff, uncomfortable posing. When hiring a photographer, prioritize finding someone who knows how to draw out your personality and make you feel at ease. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

October 27, 2026Episode 40742 min

#407 - Writing a Multi-POV Family Saga with Erin Singer

In this episode we talk with Erin Singer, author of the debut novel Dangerland! , a funny, sprawling family saga set in a dying golf course community in Las Vegas. Erin shares how a single short story class took her from being a reader to becoming a novelist, what she learned about structuring a multi-POV novel, writing characters you love (even the antagonists) and why setting is so important as a character itself. What we discussed: How to write a novel with multiple points of view and timelines and why "time" turned out to be Erin's best plotting tool Capturing the suburban side of Las Vegas with humour and love and the real life experiences that inspired some scenes in this book. How to balance humour and heartbreak. We discuss why the funniest books often carry the most emotional weight and how to blend both. Erin's focus on mental health and why she stepped away from social media platforms And much more! My old writing teacher would tell us, " The professional is the amateur who doesn't quit." That was one of the things I would repeat to myself in those dark nights of the soul. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

October 20, 2026Episode 4629 min

Kobo ReWriting Life – #46 – Using True Crime Podcasts for Inspiration with Courtney Summers

In this episode, we sit down with New York Times best-selling author Courtney Summers . We talk to Courtney about her novel Sadie and her inspiration for including a podcast in her narrative. Courtney also discusses the true crime podcasts that inspired her, as well as offers some great advice to new writers. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

October 13, 2026Episode 40646 min

#406 – Crafting High Stakes Romantic Suspense with Rachel Grant

Whether she is excavating historic sites or drafting complex, page-turning novels, USA Today bestselling author Rachel Grant knows how to uncover a great story. In this episode of the Kobo Writing Life podcast, we sit down with Rachel to discuss her unique transition from a career in archaeology to a thriving life as an independent author. We dive deep into her writing process, how she balances technical research with intense narrative, and why she remains a steadfast champion of the romantic suspense genre. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

October 6, 2026Episode 4551 min

Kobo ReWriting Life – #45 – How to Write with Tarot with Lisa Kessler

Best-selling and award-winning paranormal romance author Lisa Kessler joins us to discuss her writing process and how she uses tarot cards as a tool to help with writer's block and character development. Lisa also talks to us about why she loves writing in the paranormal genre, her career as a hybrid author, and what changes she has seen in the publishing industry throughout her career. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

September 29, 2026Episode 40535 min

#405 – Returning to the World of The Time Traveller's Wife with Audrey Niffenegger

In this episode, we were joined by best-selling author and visual artist, Audrey Niffenegger, whose novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, was a global hit and went on to be adapted into an HBO television series, a stage musical, and a feature film. Audrey has returned to the world of The Time Traveler's Wife with a sequel, Life Out of Order, which explores the story of Alba, Henry and Clare's time-travelling daughter. We were so excited to have Audrey join us on the show and we know you will be excited to listen, too! We spoke to Audrey about her career as an author and creative, her inspirations, all about Life Out of Order, how she plots her non-linear fiction, and so much more. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

September 22, 2026Episode 4453 min

Kobo ReWriting Life - #44 - Writing Best-selling Crime Fiction with Karin Slaughter

New York Times best - selling author Karin Slaughter joins us on the Kobo Writing Life podcast to discuss her career and what makes a great crime novel. Karin tells us how she plots both her novels and her long-running series, what her research process is like, and talks about the double standards imposed on female crime writers. Karin also tells us about her non-profit, Save the Libraries , and she gives some great advice for aspiring authors. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

September 15, 2026Episode 40449 min

#404 – Writing Dark(er) Romance with Amelia Wilde

In this episode, we spoke with Amelia Wilde, a USA Today bestselling author who loves to write steamy contemporary romance and explore dark(er) romance in her writing. Her romance titles span over a dozen series, including the White Rose Billionaires series, the Bliss Brother series, and more. Amelia has plenty of experience in indie publishing, and we were very excited to have her on the show. We hear all about Amelia's journey to becoming a published author, learn what makes an "Amelia Wilde" book, talk about how she markets her titles, hear more about what makes a successful book release, and so much more! Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .

September 8, 2026Episode 1344 min

Kobo ReWriting Life - #43 - Creating a Sustainable Writing Career with Patricia McLinn

Best - selling author Patricia McLinn joins us on the Kobo Writing Life podcast to discuss the craft of writing and how to create a sustainable career as a writer. Patricia chats to us about her writing process and why discovering the methods that work for you are so important as an author . She also gives us her best advice for creating and maintaining a long-standing successful career. Ready to start your own publishing career? Publish your book today with Kobo Writing Life .