In today’s world of digital publishing, it’s easier than ever to become an author and reach global audiences. One of the platforms that stand out in the digital book market is Rakuten Kobo. If you're considering publishing your work as an ebook, Kobo presents a fantastic opportunity. It has a large, international audience, a simple publishing process, and generous royalty rates. This guide will walk you through how to publish books on Kobo, from setting up an account to marketing your book effectively.

What is Rakuten Kobo?

Rakuten Kobo is an ebook retailer that originated in Canada and is now owned by the Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten. Kobo offers ebooks, audiobooks, and eReaders, serving millions of readers worldwide. Kobo Writing Life (KWL) is its self-publishing platform, which allows authors to publish their ebooks directly to Kobo's marketplace and a range of partner retailers.

Kobo stands out from its competitors like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) by providing authors access to international markets, especially in regions like Canada, Europe, and Australia. Additionally, Kobo’s partnership with independent booksellers through the American Booksellers Association adds another layer of value for authors who want to support local bookshops.


Why Choose Rakuten Kobo for Publishing?

Before diving into the step-by-step process of publishing on Kobo, let’s explore why Kobo is a good choice for authors:

  1. Global Reach: Kobo has a massive international presence, giving authors the ability to sell their books to readers around the world.
  2. Competitive Royalties: Kobo offers royalty rates of up to 70% for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99. For books outside this price range, authors still receive 45% royalties.
  3. Freedom with DRM: Authors can choose whether or not to use Digital Rights Management (DRM), allowing greater flexibility in how their content is shared or restricted.
  4. Wide Distribution: In addition to selling through the Kobo store, your book may also be distributed through Kobo's affiliate bookstores, including independent retailers and big players like Walmart.
  5. Promotional Tools: Kobo Writing Life provides promotional opportunities and features such as pre-orders, pricing flexibility, and promotions that help increase visibility.
  6. Non-Exclusive Agreement: Unlike Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program, which requires exclusivity, Kobo allows you to publish your book elsewhere simultaneously. This means you can publish on other platforms like Apple Books or Google Play without breaching any agreements.

Now that we understand why Kobo is an appealing option for authors, let’s go through the entire process of publishing your book on Rakuten Kobo.


Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing on Rakuten Kobo


1. Setting Up Your Kobo Writing Life (KWL) Account

To begin, you'll need a Kobo Writing Life account. Signing up is free and only takes a few minutes.

  • Visit the KWL Website: Go to Kobo Writing Life and click on the "Sign Up" button.
  • Provide Your Details: You’ll need to fill in your name, email, and create a password.
  • Complete Your Profile: After signing up, fill out your profile with details such as your country, currency, and any additional contact information.

After you've signed up, you can immediately start the process of uploading and publishing your book.

2. Prepare Your Manuscript

Before uploading, you need to ensure your manuscript is properly formatted. Kobo accepts various formats, but the most popular ones are:

  • EPUB: Kobo’s recommended format for ebooks. It allows for reflowable text, making it easy for readers to adjust font sizes or page layouts.
  • DOCX: Kobo accepts Microsoft Word files, which they convert into EPUB.
  • MOBI: Kobo also accepts MOBI files (typically used for Kindle ebooks), but converting MOBI files to EPUB can sometimes result in formatting issues.
  • PDF: While Kobo accepts PDF files, it’s important to note that PDFs are not reflowable, meaning the layout stays fixed.

Best Practices for Formatting:

  • Ensure your manuscript is well-structured with proper headings and chapter titles.
  • Use a standard font (like Times New Roman or Arial) in 12-point size.
  • Avoid excessive use of images, especially in novels. If you're writing a non-fiction book that requires images, make sure they’re clear and properly sized.
  • Remove unnecessary page breaks, and ensure the document is free of typos and grammatical errors.

3. Design Your Cover

Your book cover is the first thing potential readers will see, so it’s important to make a strong impression. Kobo Writing Life recommends uploading a high-quality cover image with the following specifications:

  • Format: JPEG or PNG
  • Dimensions: 1600 pixels wide by 2560 pixels high for best results
  • Resolution: 300 dpi (dots per inch)

If you’re not a designer, you can use tools like Canva or hire a professional graphic designer. A professional-looking cover can significantly improve your book’s sales potential.

4. Upload Your Manuscript and Cover

Once your manuscript and cover are ready, you can upload them to your Kobo Writing Life account.

  • Login to KWL: Log in to your account and click on “Create New eBook.”
  • Enter Basic Details: Provide details such as your book title, subtitle, series name (if applicable), and edition number.
  • Upload Manuscript: Choose the file format for your manuscript (preferably EPUB) and upload it.
  • Upload Cover: Upload your book cover in JPEG or PNG format.
  • Preview Your Book: Kobo allows you to preview your uploaded manuscript before publishing. Make sure to carefully review it for any formatting errors.

5. Set Pricing and Royalties

One of the key steps in the publishing process is setting the price for your ebook. Kobo provides pricing flexibility, allowing you to choose different prices for different regions.

  • Pricing: You can set your own price, but if you want to earn 70% royalties, your ebook should be priced between $2.99 and $9.99 (USD). For books priced below or above that, the royalty rate is 45%.
  • Royalties: Kobo’s royalty split is based on the regions where your book is sold. For example, if your book is sold in Japan, Kobo’s home market, you’ll receive 70% royalties on any sales there.
  • Price by Country: You have the option to set different prices for different countries and currencies, allowing for targeted pricing strategies based on the market.

6. Set Distribution Options

After setting the price, you’ll be asked about distribution preferences.

  • Global Distribution: Kobo allows for global distribution, meaning your ebook will be available in their stores around the world.
  • Select Partners: Your book can also be distributed to Kobo’s retail partners, such as Walmart in the U.S. and Fnac in France. Make sure to select these options if you want wider distribution.

7. Set Rights and DRM

Kobo lets you choose the rights you retain and whether you want to apply DRM (Digital Rights Management).

  • Territory Rights: Specify the countries where you own the rights to your book. Most self-published authors select “Worldwide.”
  • DRM: Decide if you want to enable DRM. This will prevent readers from sharing your book illegally, but some authors opt out of DRM to make it easier for readers to access their books across devices.

8. Publish or Schedule Your Book

Once all the necessary details are filled in, you have two options:

  • Publish Now: Your book will go live in Kobo’s store within 24-72 hours.
  • Schedule for Later: You can choose to schedule a future release date if you're building a marketing plan around a specific launch.

9. Promote Your Book

Publishing is only half the battle; now comes marketing your book to readers. Kobo provides several built-in tools and strategies to help you promote your book.

  • Pre-Orders: You can set up pre-orders for your book before it officially launches, which can help build anticipation and increase your sales rankings.
  • Discounts & Promotions: Kobo Writing Life lets you set temporary discounts or participate in promotional campaigns. Kobo often runs promotions on its website that you can apply for through your KWL dashboard.
  • Social Media: Promote your book on your own social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. Use relevant hashtags and interact with your audience to create a buzz around your book.
  • Book Reviewers: Reach out to book reviewers, bloggers, and bookstagrammers who can help get the word out about your book. Positive reviews are crucial for building credibility and driving sales.
  • Email Marketing: Building an email list of readers and fans is one of the most effective ways to market your book. You can announce promotions, new releases, and other news directly to people who are already interested in your work.

10. Track Sales and Adjust

Once your book is live, you can start tracking your sales through the Kobo Writing Life Dashboard. This dashboard gives you a detailed breakdown of how your book is performing in various regions and markets. Based on the data, you can adjust your marketing strategy, pricing, or promotional efforts.


Best Practices for Success on Rakuten Kobo

To maximize your success on Kobo, here are a few additional tips:

  1. Quality is Key: Invest in professional editing, formatting, and cover design. A polished product will stand out in a crowded market.
  2. Engage Readers: Cultivate a strong relationship with your readers. Engage with them on social media, respond to reviews, and provide them with content they love.
  3. Leverage Kobo’s Promotions: Kobo Writing Life offers a range of promotions, from featured listings to discount campaigns. Apply for as many as you can to increase your book’s visibility.
  4. Optimize Metadata: Use relevant keywords and ensure your book is placed in the right categories. This will make it easier for readers to find your book.
  5. Don’t Ignore International Markets: Kobo has a strong presence in non-English speaking regions. Consider translating your book into other languages to reach a global audience.