Publishing with Kobo Writing Life: An In-Depth Review

The rise of self-publishing has given authors more freedom than ever before to share their stories, and Kobo Writing Life (KWL) is one of the platforms leading that charge on the global stage. Launched in 2012 by Rakuten Kobo, KWL was created to give independent authors direct access to Kobo’s international eBook store and its wide network of retail and library partners. Today, it has become a go-to option for writers looking to expand their readership beyond Amazon and reach audiences in over 150 countries.

This review takes a closer look at Kobo Writing Life, examining its services, processes, and overall effectiveness. We’ll highlight both the strengths and the potential drawbacks of publishing with KWL, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your publishing journey.

Known for its straightforward setup, competitive royalties, and strong international presence, KWL appeals especially to authors who want to “go wide” and reach readers outside the U.S. At the same time, it has limitations, such as being eBook-only and offering fewer built-in marketing tools than Amazon, that may not suit every publishing strategy.

✅ Pros of Kobo Writing Life

Free to Publish: Like other major platforms, Kobo Writing Life (KWL) is completely free to use. There are no setup charges, hidden fees, or package costs, making it accessible for authors at any stage.

Competitive Royalties Without Delivery Fees: KWL pays up to 70% royalties on eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and 45% outside that range. Unlike Amazon KDP, Kobo doesn’t charge file delivery fees, so authors keep more of their revenue.

Strong International Reach: Kobo is a dominant eBook retailer in Canada and has a strong presence in Europe, Asia, and Australia, giving authors access to readers in over 150 countries. This makes KWL especially valuable for authors aiming to build an international audience.

Direct Store Access: Publishing through KWL means authors are listed directly on the Kobo eBook store, a platform trusted by millions of readers worldwide. This direct relationship gives authors more control over pricing, promotions, and metadata.

Library Distribution via OverDrive: KWL integrates with OverDrive, one of the world’s largest digital library services. This allows authors to sell eBooks to libraries, an often-overlooked but powerful channel for expanding readership.

⛔ Cons of Kobo Writing Life

Ebooks Only: KWL does not support print-on-demand. Authors who want to publish paperbacks or hardcovers need to use another service such as IngramSpark or BookBaby.

Smaller Market Share in the U.S.: While Kobo is strong internationally, its presence in the U.S. market is relatively small compared to Amazon. For authors focused primarily on U.S. sales, this can mean lower visibility and fewer sales.

No Editing or Design Services: KWL does not provide built-in editing, proofreading, or cover design. Authors must handle these services independently, which may add complexity for those looking for an all-in-one solution.

Limited Marketing Tools: Kobo offers curated promotions and discount campaigns, but these are competitive and limited in scope compared to Amazon’s advertising ecosystem. Authors cannot rely solely on KWL for discoverability.

Basic Dashboard Analytics: While the KWL dashboard is functional, it is less robust than some competitors like Draft2Digital. Reporting is adequate but not as detailed for authors who want deep insights into sales performance.

Quick Overview of Kobo Writing Life’s Services

Before we fully review KWL’s services. Here is a summary of what they offer. 

• Manuscript Preparation: Kobo Writing Life is an eBook-only platform. Authors upload an EPUB file directly (unlike Draft2Digital, there’s no built-in file conversion from Word/RTF). The process is straightforward and designed to get books into Kobo’s store quickly.
  
• Pricing and Currency Control: One of KWL’s strengths is its flexible pricing system. Authors can set prices in multiple currencies, ensuring better positioning in international markets. Kobo also supports free pricing, discounts, and custom regional pricing to match local trends.
  
• Royalty Structure: Authors earn 70% royalties on eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and 45% outside that range. Importantly, Kobo does not charge delivery fees, meaning more consistent earnings compared to Amazon KDP.
  
• Promotional Opportunities: Kobo offers curated promotions such as price-drop campaigns, themed sales, and featured listings on the Kobo store. Authors can apply through the dashboard, though acceptance is competitive and not guaranteed.
  
• Library Distribution: Through Kobo’s partnership with OverDrive, authors can make their books available to libraries worldwide. This adds another discovery channel and helps reach readers who prefer borrowing to buying.
  
• Global Reach: Kobo distributes to readers in more than 150 countries, with particular strength in Canada, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. For authors aiming to build an audience outside the U.S., KWL provides significant international exposure.

Pricing and Revenue Model

Kobo Writing Life follows a no-cost publishing model, making it simple for authors to start publishing without financial barriers. Authors only share revenue with Kobo when their books sell.

Upfront Cost: $0. There are no setup fees, subscription costs, or hidden charges. Authors can upload their eBooks for free and set pricing in multiple currencies.

Royalty Structure

• 70% Royalties: For eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 USD (or equivalent in local currency).
  
• 45% Royalties: For eBooks priced outside this range.
  
• No Delivery Fees: Unlike Amazon KDP, Kobo does not deduct additional delivery costs, meaning authors retain more consistent earnings across territories.

Currency and Pricing Flexibility
Authors can set different prices in specific markets (e.g., pricing lower in India or higher in Canada), giving them flexibility to align with regional purchasing power and sales strategies.

Payouts
Royalties are paid monthly, with multiple payment options including PayPal, electronic funds transfer (EFT), or wire transfer. The minimum payout is $50 for direct deposits and $10 for PayPal, making it accessible for both new and established authors.

Comparison to Competitors

• More generous than Amazon KDP: KWL’s lack of delivery fees often results in higher take-home royalties for authors with image-heavy books.
  
• Similar to Apple Books: Both offer 70% across most eBook sales.
  
• Less comprehensive than Draft2Digital: While D2D offers consolidated payments across many retailers, Kobo only covers its own store and OverDrive.

Publishing Timeline

Publishing through Kobo Writing Life is known for being fast and efficient. Once an author uploads their EPUB file, sets pricing, and finalizes details, the book usually appears in the Kobo eBook store within 24–72 hours. This makes KWL one of the quicker direct-to-retailer options, especially for authors eager to launch on a specific date.

For library distribution via OverDrive, the process can take a bit longer. Authors typically see their books appear in library catalogs within one to two weeks, depending on processing times and metadata approvals. While not instantaneous, this is still competitive compared to other platforms that handle library distribution.

The dashboard setup is straightforward, allowing authors to track their progress from upload to publication. Kobo also provides email confirmations once a book goes live, reducing uncertainty during the waiting period.

Overall, Kobo Writing Life offers a reliable and predictable publishing timeline. While some retailers may take slightly longer to display listings, most authors find their eBooks available for purchase on Kobo in just a few days, making it a strong option for time-sensitive releases.

Kobo Writing Life’s Store and Tools
Publishing through Kobo Writing Life gives authors direct access to Kobo’s global eBook store, which serves millions of readers in over 150 countries. While Kobo may not be as dominant in the U.S. market as Amazon, it holds a strong position in Canada, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions, making it especially valuable for authors aiming to expand internationally.

Promotional Opportunities
KWL offers curated promotions that allow authors to apply for special visibility within the Kobo store. These include:

• Price-drop campaigns: Temporary discounts promoted across Kobo’s storefront.
  
• Themed collections: Genre- or region-specific promotions where books are grouped for readers.
  
• Featured placement: Opportunities to be highlighted in Kobo’s “Deals” sections.

Acceptance into these promotions is competitive, but authors who secure spots often see a noticeable boost in sales.

Authors can create coupon codes to share with readers, offering discounts or free downloads. This flexibility makes it easier to run targeted marketing campaigns through newsletters, social media, or events.

KWL offers authors qnalytics and reporting. The KWL dashboard includes sales tracking by country, currency, and timeframe, which helps authors understand where their books are selling. While functional, the analytics are not as deep as Amazon KDP or Draft2Digital, meaning authors get less granular insight into buyer behavior.

Being listed directly on Kobo’s store provides a level of control and visibility that’s difficult to replicate through aggregators. Combined with its library distribution via OverDrive, KWL gives authors access to a broad mix of retail and institutional readers.

Key Info: Overall, Kobo Writing Life’s tools may be simpler than Amazon’s ecosystem, but they provide meaningful opportunities for authors who want to reach global audiences and experiment with promotions without paying extra fees.

Distribution

Distribution is where Kobo Writing Life truly stands out. While its presence in the U.S. market is limited compared to Amazon, Kobo has built a strong international footprint that gives authors access to readers they might not reach otherwise.

Kobo eBook Store
Publishing through KWL means your book is listed directly in the Kobo store, which is especially dominant in Canada and competitive in regions such as Europe, Australia, and Asia-Pacific. For authors aiming to sell beyond the U.S., Kobo provides access to markets where Amazon has less influence.

Library Distribution
Through its partnership with OverDrive, one of the largest digital library platforms in the world, Kobo Writing Life allows authors to make their eBooks available to libraries across multiple countries. This is a powerful channel for discoverability, as many readers discover indie authors through library borrowing.

Global Reach
Kobo distributes to readers in more than 150 countries, giving authors exposure across international storefronts. This reach is a major advantage for authors who want to “go wide” and build an audience outside the U.S.

Flexibility and Pricing Control
Authors can set regional pricing for different markets, making it easier to appeal to readers in countries where price sensitivity is a factor. This level of control is especially useful for authors who want to adapt pricing strategies globally.

Important Note: Unlike Draft2Digital or Smashwords, Kobo Writing Life does not aggregate to multiple retailers; it is a direct-to-retailer platform. That means authors who want to maximize reach usually pair KWL with other platforms or aggregators (such as Draft2Digital for non-Kobo outlets).

Royalties

Kobo Writing Life offers a clear and competitive royalty model, with no hidden fees or complex deductions. For many authors, it is one of the most straightforward ways to publish internationally.

Royalty Rates

• 70% royalties on eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 USD (or local currency equivalent).
  
• 45% royalties on eBooks priced outside this range.
  
• Unlike Amazon KDP, Kobo charges no delivery fees, which means authors keep more of their revenue—especially for books with images or large file sizes.

Global Pricing
Authors can set prices in multiple currencies and adjust them regionally. This flexibility allows for competitive pricing in international markets, such as lowering prices in India or setting higher prices in countries with stronger Kobo adoption, like Canada.

Library Sales
Through OverDrive, authors also earn royalties on library purchases and lending. While sales volume may be smaller than retail channels, libraries often introduce books to readers who later purchase them.

Payments

• Monthly payouts are made via PayPal, EFT (electronic funds transfer), or wire transfer.
  
• Minimum thresholds: $10 for PayPal and $50 for direct deposits or wire transfers.
  
• Payments typically arrive within 45 days of the end of the sales month.

Comparison to Competitors

• More consistent than Amazon KDP for large-file eBooks, since Kobo doesn’t deduct delivery fees.
  
• Comparable to Apple Books, which also offers a flat 70% royalty across most price points.
  
• Less versatile than Draft2Digital, since D2D consolidates earnings across multiple stores, while Kobo payments only cover sales within Kobo’s network.

Overall, Kobo Writing Life provides reliable, transparent, and competitive royalties, especially appealing for authors targeting international readers and libraries.

Customer Experience and Reviews

Kobo Writing Life has developed a reputation as a reliable and author-friendly platform, particularly among writers aiming to grow their audience outside the U.S. Many indie authors highlight its simplicity, international reach, and transparent royalty structure as key strengths.

The KWL dashboard is straightforward and easy to navigate. Uploading an EPUB, setting prices, and publishing across multiple countries can be done in just a few steps. Authors appreciate the ability to set regional pricing, which makes it easier to manage a global audience.

Kobo’s support team is generally well-regarded, and authors note that the company is responsive and approachable compared to larger competitors like Amazon. Some authors also appreciate Kobo’s visible presence at indie author conferences, which reinforces its community-oriented reputation.

KWL is especially popular with Canadian and European authors, where Kobo holds a strong market position. Many authors recommend using KWL alongside Amazon KDP, as the two platforms complement each other, KDP for U.S. reach and KWL for international exposure.

The most common drawbacks mentioned by authors include:

• Lower sales volume in the U.S., where Kobo has little market share.
  
• Fewer promotional opportunities, since acceptance into Kobo’s curated promos is competitive.
  
• Basic analytics, which provide sales data but lack the depth of platforms like Draft2Digital or Amazon KDP.

Overall Sentiment: Most indie authors agree that Kobo Writing Life is a valuable addition to a wide-distribution strategy, especially for tapping into Canada and other global markets. While it may not deliver Amazon-level sales numbers, its fair royalties, lack of delivery fees, and library distribution make it a trusted platform for reaching international readers.

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Is Kobo Writing Life For You?

Kobo Writing Life is a strong choice for authors who want to expand internationally and benefit from a transparent royalty system without worrying about delivery fees. Its integration with OverDrive makes it especially appealing for authors who value library distribution, and its ease of use means even first-time self-publishers can publish quickly.

However, KWL is not a complete solution. It is limited to eBooks only, lacks built-in editing or design services, and doesn’t provide the deep promotional ecosystem that Amazon KDP offers. For authors who rely heavily on U.S. sales or need print editions, Kobo alone won’t be enough.

When Kobo Writing Life is a good fit:

• Authors seeking international reach beyond Amazon’s ecosystem.
  
• Writers who want consistent royalties without delivery fee deductions.
  
• Authors who value library sales and global discoverability.
  
• Those who prefer a no-cost, low-barrier platform to start publishing.
  

When you may want to look elsewhere:

• If you want print editions → IngramSpark or BookBaby may be better.
  
• If you need all-in-one publishing packages (editing, cover design, marketing) → Reedsy or BookBaby are stronger options.
  
• If your focus is on U.S. sales and advanced ad tools → Amazon KDP remains the dominant choice.
  
• If you want consolidated wide distribution → Draft2Digital may be more efficient.

Bottom Line: Kobo Writing Life is best for authors who want to go wide internationally, particularly in Canada, Europe, and library markets. It works best as part of a hybrid strategy, publishing directly with KDP for Amazon and using KWL to capture global and library audiences.

FAQ: Publishing with Kobo Writing Life

Q: Is Kobo Writing Life free to use?

Yes. There are no setup costs. Kobo only takes a percentage of royalties from sales.

Q: How much can I earn?

• 70% royalties on eBooks priced $2.99–$9.99.
  
• 45% royalties on books priced outside this range. No delivery fees are deducted.
  

Q: Does Kobo Writing Life distribute to Amazon?

No. Authors must use Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) to publish on Amazon.

Q: Can I publish print books with KWL?

No. Kobo Writing Life is strictly an eBook platform.

Q: How fast do books go live?

Most eBooks appear in the Kobo Store within 24–72 hours. Library distribution through OverDrive may take 1–2 weeks.

Q: What promotional tools are available?

Authors can apply for Kobo promotions (discounts, themed sales, featured listings) and create coupon codes, but opportunities are competitive.

Q: Is Kobo Writing Life better than Draft2Digital or Smashwords?

It depends. KWL is best for direct access to Kobo’s store and global library sales. Draft2Digital or Smashwords may be better if you want a single platform to distribute to multiple retailers, including Kobo.