This guide provides a direct, step-by-step process for publishing your erotica and adult fiction on the Kobo Writing Life (KWL) platform.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Have these assets ready to ensure a quick and smooth upload process.
- Manuscript File: A finalized, edited manuscript, preferably in EPUB format.
- Cover Image: A professional cover image in JPG or PNG format.
- Book Description (Blurb): The sales copy for your book.
- Categories & Keywords: A list of the most relevant genres and keywords for your story.
- Price: Decide on the price for your book.
- Account Information: Your payment and tax information to set up your KWL account.
Step-by-Step Publishing Guide
Step 1: Create Your Kobo Writing Life Account
Go to the Kobo Writing Life website and create a new account. Fill out your author, payment, and tax information completely. This is done here: Kobo Writing Life account creation
Step 2: Begin a New eBook
From your KWL dashboard, navigate to the eBooks tab and click the Create new eBook button.
Step 3: Enter Your eBook Details
This section is for your book’s metadata. Be accurate and thorough.
- Title and Subtitle: Enter the full title of your book.
- Series Information: If applicable, add the series name and book number. Kobo will automatically link the books in your series.
- Author Name: Your pen name.
- Synopsis: Paste your book description.
- Categories: Click Edit Categories. Select up to three. For erotica, navigate to Fiction > Erotica and choose the most specific subgenres. You can also select categories under Romance > Erotic.
Step 4: Upload Your Content
- Cover Image: Upload your prepared JPG or PNG cover file.
- Manuscript: Upload your EPUB manuscript file. The system will validate the file for any errors.
Step 5: Set Rights and Pricing
- DRM: Choose whether to apply Digital Rights Management. This is optional.
- Geographic Rights: Select “Apply to all countries” if you own worldwide distribution rights.
- Price: Set your price. To receive a 70% royalty, your book must be priced at or above $2.99 USD (or its equivalent in other currencies).
Step 6: Flag as Adult Content
This is the most important step for publishing erotica.
On the “Set the License and Price” page, find the question: “Does your book contain adult content?”
- You must check “Yes.”
Failing to do this is a violation of Kobo’s terms of service. Correctly flagging your book places it in the adult section of the Kobo store, ensuring it is shown to the correct audience and keeping your account in good standing.
Step 7: Publish Your eBook
Review all the information you have entered. Once you are satisfied that everything is correct, click the Publish button.
Your book will go into a review process which typically takes 24-72 hours. Once approved, it will be available for sale in Kobo stores worldwide. You can monitor its status from your KWL dashboard.
Kobo Writing Life: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I publish erotica and explicit adult fiction on Kobo?
Yes. Kobo Writing Life (KWL) allows the publication of erotica and sexually explicit content, provided it adheres to their content policies and is correctly categorized and flagged as adult content during the publishing process.
How do I properly label my book as “Adult Content”?
This is the most critical step. During the upload process, on the “Set the License and Price” page, you must find the question “Does your book contain adult content?” and check the box for “Yes.” This correctly flags your book for the adult section of the Kobo store.
What specific types of content are NOT allowed, even if flagged as adult?
Kobo has a strict policy against certain types of content to ensure legality and safety. Publishing any of the following will result in your book being removed and your account potentially being terminated. Prohibited content includes:
- Illegal Content: Any depiction of child pornography, child abuse, or child endangerment is illegal and strictly forbidden. Accounts publishing such content will be terminated and reported to law enforcement.
- Non-consensual Sex Acts: Content that depicts or graphically describes rape or other non-consensual sex acts in a way that is gratuitous or encouraging is prohibited.
- Incest: Depictions of incest are not permitted.
- Bestiality: Depictions of sexual acts between humans and animals are not permitted.
- Hate Speech: Content that promotes violence, incites hatred, promotes discrimination, or disparages on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Are there rules for erotica book covers?
Yes. Your cover must be appropriate for a general audience, even if the book’s content is not. Kobo’s policy prohibits covers that are sexually explicit or gratuitously violent. This means:
- No visible genitalia or graphic nudity.
- No depictions of sexual acts.
- Covers can be suggestive, sensual, and steamy, but must not be overtly pornographic.
Think “artful suggestion” over “graphic depiction.” When in doubt, err on the side of caution.
Will flagging my book as “adult” hide it from customers?
It will not hide it, but it will filter it correctly. Adult titles do not appear in general search results for users who are logged out or have mature content filters turned on. However, it will be fully visible to customers who are logged in, are of legal age, and are browsing the erotica/romance categories or searching for it specifically. This ensures your book reaches the target audience that is actively looking for it.
What happens if I don’t check the “adult content” box for my explicit book?
This is a serious violation of Kobo’s Terms of Service. If Kobo discovers an explicit book that has not been correctly flagged, they may remove the book from sale, and in cases of repeated violations, they may suspend or permanently terminate your KWL account.
How do Kobo’s adult content policies compare to Amazon KDP’s?
While policies can change, Kobo is generally considered by indie authors to be more straightforward with its rules for adult content. Kobo’s system is primarily based on the mandatory “adult content” flag and a clear list of prohibited themes. Amazon KDP has more vaguely defined rules about “offensive content” which can sometimes lead to inconsistent enforcement and books being unexpectedly blocked or “dungeoned.”
Can I run price promotions for my erotica titles?
Yes. Adult titles are eligible for submission to Kobo’s curated promotions. You can access these opportunities from the Promotions tab on your KWL dashboard. Acceptance is not guaranteed and depends on the theme of the promotion, but erotica is not automatically excluded from consideration.
Does labeling my book as “erotica” affect my royalty rate?
No. Royalties on Kobo Writing Life are determined solely by your book’s list price, not its content category. To earn the 70% royalty rate, your book must be priced at or above $2.99 USD (or its regional equivalent). This applies to all genres.
What’s the difference between the “Erotica” and “Erotic Romance” categories?
This is a key distinction for managing reader expectations. Erotic Romance requires a central love story as the main plot, usually ending in a Happily Ever After (HEA) or Happy For Now (HFN). In contrast, Erotica focuses primarily on the explicit encounters themselves, and a developing romantic plot is not a requirement. Choosing the correct category is vital for attracting the right audience.
Can I set up a pre-order for my erotica titles on Kobo?
Yes, absolutely. Kobo Writing Life’s pre-order functionality is available for all genres, including erotica. You can set up a pre-order up to 12 months in advance by providing your metadata, cover, and a placeholder manuscript. Just be sure to upload your final manuscript file at least 72 hours before the official release date.
How can readers find my book if it’s in the adult section?
While your book won’t appear in general searches for logged-out users, it is still highly discoverable to your target audience. Readers can find it by:
- Browsing the Erotica categories directly.
- Searching for it specifically when logged into their Kobo account.
- Using the direct URL to your book’s product page, which you can share on your website, in newsletters, and on social media.
What is the best way to keep my account in good standing?
Honesty and diligence are key. The single most important thing you can do is always check the “adult content” box for any book with explicit sexual scenes. Beyond that, use accurate categories and ensure your covers are suggestive rather than pornographic. By respecting Kobo’s clear guidelines, you establish yourself as a professional partner and significantly minimize the risk of any account issues.