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Kobo Writing Life Podcast


The Kobo Writing Life Podcast brings you insights and inspiration for growing your self-publishing business. We feature 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

Dec 4, 2017

Rachel Amphlett, bestselling crime and thriller writer from Brisbane, Australia, was at Kobo HQ earlier this fall as part of an international author tour. Rachel spoke to Mark Lefebvre about:

  • Rachel’s re-introduction to writing after a long lapse and the underlying concept for a story that just wouldn’t let go
  • The wonderfully inspirational Christmas gift from Rachel’s husband Nick and his keen words of advice on how to deal with that story (which became the novel WHITE GOLD)
  • The Italian publisher who approached her wanting to purchase Italian language rights to that first published novel
  • The mindset shift that requires discipline on a daily basis in order to hit the daily word count first thing before all the other business and marketing tasks take hold
  • The necessary step of turning off the wifi and putting her phone in another room when it is time to be serious and get down to writing
  • The Gantt chart Rachel uses to outline and stick to her twelve month pre-planned publishing schedule
  • Her latest book, the November 2017 release HELL TO PAY and how it wraps up an underlying sub-plot that had been developing over the previous three novels in the series
  • How emails and feedback from readers around the world have helped Rachel to “up” her game when writing the books in her two series
  • The decision Rachel has made to use British English versus American English for different books depending on where they are set
  • How Rachel’s Canadian audience on Kobo was established well before any of her other international audiences started to grow
  • How being in Kobo Plus in the Netherlands and Belgium have helped Rachel sell more books in those territories than ever before
  • Her advice for beginning writers, which include “don’t give up” and “do your homework”
  • Nick’s advice for the spouses of writers