Kobo in Conversation

About Kobo in Conversation

From Rakuten Kobo, the digital bookseller and maker of eReaders beloved by readers around the world, Kobo in Conversation brings you in-depth conversations with authors about how and why they write, the books and authors they admire, and so much more. Plus, occasional takes on what's going on in the business of books. And year-end roundups of reading recommendations from the Kobo staff.

Publisher

Michael Tamblyn and Nathan Maharaj

Category

arts · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Dec 2018

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

200 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Carol Off on why Canada is a good idea

   Nathan Maharaj spoke with journalist Carol Off. She was the long-running cohost of CBC Radio's award-winning program, As it Happens. She is also the author of The Lion, The Fox, and the Eagle, The Ghosts of Medak Pocket, and 2024's At a Loss For Words: Conversations in the Age of Rage. Her new book is True Patriot Love: Reporting from the Frontlines of Canadian Sovereignty. Carol Off on why Canada is a good idea

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   How Marc Bendavid found permission to write his award-winning novel

   Nathan Maharaj spoke with Marc Bendavid, winner of the 2026 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for Literary Fiction for his novel The Sapling. It's a love story, but unlike any love story you've ever read. Klara Bloem is an art teacher, and Marc—yes, there is autobiography woven through this work of fiction—he's a thoughtful boy who's drawn to Klara's encouraging, lively presence. They forge a friendship that lasts years and endures upheavals in each of their lives. How Marc Bendavid found permission to write his award-winning novel

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Audrey Niffenegger on the Kobo Writing Life podcast

   This bonus episode comes courtesy of our friends at the Kobo Writing Life Podcast. Co-hosts Vanessa Salemi and Laura Granger interviewed Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife and the long-awaited sequel: Life Out of Order. That's a book that came up a couple weeks ago in another bonus episode we had with Deandra Lalonde, all about the biggest books coming out this fall 2026 season. If you're a writer looking for tips on developing your craft and growing your self-publishing business, check out the Kobo Writing Life Podcast and get started with Kobo Writing Life.

Who has been a guest on Kobo in Conversation

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Shari Lapena
• Nadia Odunayo
• Anita Rau Badami
• David Baerwald
• Julia McKay

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

11 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

87

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Kobo in Conversation

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Kobo in Conversation