Author * adventurer * rosé enthusiast * expat in the south of France

Bienvenue! Im not saying that to be fancy, Im saying it because while Im from the West Coast, Im now living in the south of France with my husband and two dogs. Im here partially for the sea and the light, and mostly because life is too short not to go for your dreams and a good glass of rosé. So cheers! And welcome to Karbohemia, land of books, retreats, writing classes, and more than a few blogs featuring baguettes. Im an award-winning author, friendly skeptic, avid reader, sea-swimmer, excellent speaker of high school French. I do what I like, and I like what feels good.

Bio Image of Karen Karbo, Author

Author * adventurer * rosé enthusiast * expat in the south of France

Bienvenu! Im not saying that to be fancy, Im saying it because while Im from the West Coast, Im now an expat living in the south of France. Im here partially for the sea and the light, and mostly because life is too short not to go for your dreams and a good glass of rosé. So cheers! And welcome to Karbohemia, land of books, retreats, writing classes, and more than a few blogs featuring baguettes. Im an award-winning author, friendly skeptic, Great Pyrenees lover and have a new book coming out with a lot of cursing in it. I do what I like, and I like what feels good.

"Reading Karen Karbo is like listening to a dear friend talk."

Los Angeles Times

"…the self-help book to end all self-help books."

Booklist

"I love this book so much… it is spit-your-coffee-out funny, spot-on in its truthfulness and witty observations, and as empowering as anything I’ve ever read."

Jennifer Pastiloffauthor of On Being Human: A Memoir of Waking Up, Living Real, and Listening Hard

“What if radicalizing self-worth means we already know who we are and that we’re ready to do something about it… Karbo is the only beauty or bath bomb we need right now. I’m in.”

Lidia Yuknavitchauthor of The Misfit’s Manifesto and Verge

“Free yourselves! This book is a hilarious and refreshing look at the absurd things we do in the name of self-improvement…”

Caroline Doonerauthor of The F*ck It Diet

Skinny tea? Radical productivity? Crying over laugh lines? Yeah, No. Not Happening.

Theres no one more dangerous than a woman who doesnt care what anyone thinks of her. In this wickedly smart and entertaining book, award-winning author Karen Karbo explores how self-improveryevolved from the provenance of men to women. Yeah, No. Not Happening is a manifesto that will help women restore their sanity and reclaim their self-worth. If youre ready to reject “self-improvement” and learn to appreciate and flaunt your complex, and flawed, human self, this is the book for you. And probably every other woman you know.

Buy Now


Listen to Karen read the audiobook


Chase delight. Come to your senses – in France.

Have you ever wished you could lose yourself in a place so beautiful that you ended up finding yourself – and your writing – again? That’s what Come to Your Senses is all about. This retreat, hosted by Karen Karbo, guest writers, and a magical chef, is a chance for you to unplug from daily life and bathe in the beauties of Collioure, the small, coastal village in southern France that inspired the work of Matisse. From the colors to the cuisine, the light to the sea, inspiration is everywhere – along with guidance, writing time, daily swims and plenty of rosé. If you’re looking to reconnect with yourself, deepen your work, and surrender in the South of France, we’d love to have you. (No yoga pants required.)

Come to Collioure

Chase delight. Come to your senses – in France.

Have you ever wished you could lose yourself in a place so beautiful that you ended up finding yourself – and your writing – again? That’s what Come to Your Senses is all about. This retreat, hosted by Karen Karbo, guest writers, and a magical chef, is a chance for you to unplug from daily life and bathe in the beauties of Collioure, the small, coastal village in southern France that inspired the work of Matisse. From the colors to the cuisine, the light to the sea, inspiration is everywhere – along with guidance, writing time, daily swims and plenty of rosé. If you’re looking to reconnect with yourself, deepen your work, and surrender in the South of France, we’d love to have you. (No yoga pants required.)

Come to Collioure

Abstract sunburst

Let’s adventure! A Broad Abroad.

Our Morphology Made Us Do It

| Blog, Featured, Our House in France | One Comment
In my renovation fantasy, we would continue to live in the exquisite and exquisitely small apartment in the centre ville until the refaire of the Ugly House was completed—light fixtures…

Welcoming these kick ass writers to Come to Your Senses in September 2023

| Come to Your Senses, Featured, Life in France, Register Now, The Latest, Uncategorized, Writing Life | No Comments
Our September Come to Your Senses retreats here in Collioure are now behind us. Our writers arrived without a hitch (thank God) -- rested relaxed, opened their minds and senses,…

Announcing our June 2023 guest authors

| Blog, Featured, Register Now, The Latest, Writing Life | No Comments
Looking forward to a life-changing experience? One that transforms your writing as well as your sense of yourself as a writer? That’s fun and relaxing, but also meaningful and soul-stirring?…