Newsletter Archive Page 1 of 2

From our archives: the May 2025 Kobo Writing Life newsletter, featuring advice on crafting lively characters, finding good writing books, and more.

Hello, writers! We’re not saying timing is everything, but sometimes you gotta meet the moment—whether it’s jumping on a trend, pursuing a business prospect, or taking on a heist. (To write, that is. We cannot stress more clearly that we do not recommend you do a heist.) So...

Hello writers! Here at KWL HQ in Toronto, Canada, the dog days are, emphatically, not at all over. Something about the late-season heat, the need to maximize the last few beach days, and the looming back-to-school vibe shift has us in a thrill-seeking state of mind. In...

Hello writers! Maybe it’s because we’re writing this on the eve of the Paris Olympics—and, therefore, the start of our quadrennial tradition of binge-watching incredible feats of physical and mental fortitude and heartwarming acts of camaraderie from the snack-strewn comfort of our couch—but we’re feeling a certain...

Hello writers! Maybe it’s the Leap Day talking, but Wayne Gretzky (and/or Michael Scott) had it right: Sometimes you just gotta shoot your shot. Or take the plunge. Or swing your pickleball paddle. Whatever sports metaphor you choose (and more on that below), great things can happen...

Hello writers! Happy January! Whether you’re spending it in a deep-freeze or on a beach, we hope your 2024 is off to a sublime start. We’ve stacked this issue of The KWL Quill with new-year, new-start energy: We’ve got advice on how to reset your author brand...

Hello writers! With 2024* on the horizon, we’re feeling equal parts reflective and excited. A new year offers a good opportunity to look back—so in this issue of The KWL Quill, we’ve got a piece on the fun and function of modern retellings of classic stories. It’s...

Hello writers! We’re on a mission, this month, to spark a bit of joy. As we approach a time of year that many find busy, chaotic, and stressful, we’re hoping this newsletter will inject a bit of comfort and cheer to your inbox. We have advice on...

Happy spooky season, writers! Whether your Hallowe’en vibe is “horror and heebie-jeebies” or more “Hocus Pocus and Hershey’s,” we hope you’re finding all the inspiration you need. We are, of course, here to help, with advice on writing twists, intel on the latest trends in paranormal romance...