15 Excellent Podcasts for Authors
Podcasts have exploded in number over the past several years, and those aimed at helping authors write, market and publish their books abound. These podcasts act like masterclasses at your fingertips, and are windows into the publishing industry. Craft books are an invaluable resource for writers, but if you need a break from reading, author podcasts are a great way to receive a wealth of information from other self-published authors.
One of the advantages of podcasts is the quantity of them. Whether you’re looking for a writing podcast, or book podcast, or both, it’s not hard to find a podcast about your preferred topic that has recent episodes available. In addition, most podcasts are available to listeners at no cost.
Here’s a starter kit on some of the best podcasts for authors, divided by their focus. Some are more craft focused, tackling issues like characterization, pacing, and writer’s block. Others talk more about the business aspects of being an author, like producing audiobooks, advertising via TikTok, and generating hype for your latest book before it’s released. A few offer a little bit of everything.
The Writing Process
Helping Writers Become Authors
Launched: 2009 Length: 20 minutes Frequency: 3-4 a month Where: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Hosts: K. M. Weiland
_About:_ With deep-dives into a slice of the writing process, this podcast covers everything from character development to story structure. With over 470 episodes, these short and informative sessions have an answer or an opinion on almost every aspect of turning beginners into published authors.
_What they say:_ Helping Writers Become Authors provides writers help in summoning inspiration, crafting solid characters, outlining and structuring novels, and polishing prose. Learn how to write a book and edit it into a story agents will buy and readers will love.
Launched: 2015 Length: 30 minutes Frequency: Varies Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Hosts: Sarah Werner
_About:_ With her relatable tone and engaging way to present content, each episode of this podcast feels like talking with a therapist on a specific topic. Audience participation is encouraged, and comments from listeners are incorporated into the show.
_What they say:_ A podcast for all writers (aspiring to professional) looking to find a healthy work/life/writing balance. Get the encouragement, honest advice, and inspiration you need to pursue your passion and write every day. Recurring themes include books, coffee, rainy days, truth, beauty, lasers, dinosaurs, and all of your other favorite things.
Launched: 2014 Length: 10 minutes Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Hosts: Ann Kroeker
_About:_ “Curious, Creative, and Productive.” This podcast is great for writers who need a quick pick me up or are short on time. Podcast host Ann Kroeker is a writing coach, and discusses how to structure your book, how to self edit, and more.
_What they say:_ With Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, you’ll gain clarity and overcome hurdles to become a better writer, pursue publishing, and reach your writing goals. Ann provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages, keeping most episodes short and focused, so writers only need a few minutes to collect ideas, inspiration, resources and recommendations they can apply right away to their work. For additional insight, she incorporates interviews from authors and publishing professionals like Allison Fallon, Ron Friedman, Shawn Smucker, Jennifer Dukes Lee, and Patrice Gopo. Tune in for solutions addressing anything from self-editing and goal-setting solutions to administrative and scheduling challenges. Subscribe for ongoing input for your writing life that’s efficient and encouraging. More at annkroeker.com.
The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity and Neuroscience
Launched: 2015 Length: 30 minutes Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Hosts: Kelton Reid and Milena Gonzalez
_About:_ Taking a different approach, this podcast aims to focus on the habits of successful writers. By interviewing best-selling authors, listeners learn what sparks their creative juices and how they get down to the business of writing.
_What they say:_ Kelton Reid studies the habits, habitats, and brains of a wide spectrum of renowned writers to learn their secrets of productivity and creativity. Tune in each week to learn how great writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid block. Explore our archives at writerfiles.fm to find interviews with notable guests that include bestselling authors John Scalzi (Old Mans War), Greg Iles (Natchez Burning), Jay McInerney (Bright Lights, Big City), Kevin Kelly (founder of WIRED magazine), Emma Donoghue (Oscar Nominee for Room), Maria Konnikova (The Confidence Game), Andy Weir (The Martian), Dan Buettner (The Blue Zones), Austin Kleon (Steal Like an Artist), Daniel Pink (When), and serial guest hosts: neuroscientist Michael Grybko, journalist Adam Skolnick, and short story writer Robert Bruce.
Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Launched: 2007 Length: Varies Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Hosts: Mignon Fogarty
_About:_ As an inductee into the Podcasting Hall of Fame, you know Mignon Fogarty is doing something right. Fogarty uses humor to make the somewhat dry aspects of the English language fun and interesting, while providing historical and cultural context to the lessons.
_What they say:_ Five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing and feed your love of the English language. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.
Publishing and Marketing
Launched: 2016 Length: 1 hour Frequency: Weekly Tagline: Your weekly dose of inspiration and education Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Hosts: James Blatch and Cecilia Mecca
_About:_ If you’ve never heard of Mark Dawson, google him right now. We’ll wait. Solely focused on self-publishing, this industry-leading podcast never shies away from the truth. Each week an industry professional or two is featured. This podcast provides actionable tips aspiring writers and successful authors alike can implement to improve their publishing and marketing strategies.
_What they say:_ The Self Publishing Show provides weekly inspiration and education to writers at all stages of their careers. We feature interviews with million-selling indie authors, breakout stars from traditional publishing, industry insiders and tech geniuses who show you how to put the incredible tools at our disposal to their best use. There are also frequent Masterclass episodes from me where I deep-dive into a particular topic, from building a mailing list to the very latest in social media advertising techniques, and everything else in between. Our aim is always the same: provide a ton of value in exchange for an hour of your time.
Launched: 2014 Length: 1 hour Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Hosts: Bryan Cohen and H. Claire Taylor
_About:_ Bryan Cohen is everywhere, so there’s no wonder he has his own podcast. A champion of book marketing, he and his podcast partner discuss what’s new in the world of book marketing and provide up-to-date tips and tricks to help get the word out about your books.
_What they say:_ The Sell More Books Show is a weekly podcast focusing on helping new and experienced authors stay up-to-date with the latest self-publishing and indie news, tools and book selling/marketing strategies. Please subscribe to the show on iTunes or join our email update list for notifications when a new show is produced.
Launched: 2017 Length: 1 hour Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, iHeart Hosts: Dave Chesson
About: Note: This podcast has been inactive since approximately 2019, but the back catalog remains available. Like the title says, this podcast zeros in on book marketing sales tactics. Promising a deep dive into a specific aspect of selling books, without all the “fluff” you might find elsewhere.
_What they say:_ Are you ready to increase your book sales, and hit the bestseller list consistently? Welcome to the Book Marketing Show, where in this weekly podcast Dave Chesson will not only show you some of the best book sales tactics but also bring on top-notch guests to show how each tactic taught here was a game changer for their books and how it can be for yours as well. Having created one of the largest websites on book marketing, Kindlepreneur.com, he’s also been a book-marketing consultant for top NYT Bestselling authors in both Fiction and Non-fiction as well as helping big name publishing companies increase their sales. He’s been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and a multitude of book related websites across the net. So, tune in as you learn for free about the art to book marketing and how others are using these tactics to improve their sales and how you can too!
The Manuscript Academy Podcast
Launched: 2016 Length: Varies Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud Hosts: Jessica Sinsheimer and Julie Kingsley
_About:_ Hosted by literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer, and media professional Julie Kingsley, this podcast gives you a peek inside the working world of publishing. Get the inside scoop on the latest happenings in book production, marketing, etc. and listen to behind-the-scenes scenarios.
_What they say:_ The Manuscript Academy brings you conversations with agents, editors, and writers who can help you on your publishing journey.
Launched: 2013 Length: 15-30 minutes Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Hosts: Thomas Umstattd Jr.
_About:_ With the claim of “longest-running book marketing podcast in the world”, the podcast proclaims a wealth of common sense marketing strategies. Thomas Umstattd breaks down concepts with plain language and anecdotes, dividing content into easily accessible sections for his audience.
_What they say:_ Author Media presents Novel Marketing the longest-running book marketing podcast in the world. This is the show for writers who want to build their platform, sell more books, and change the world with writing worth talking about. Whether you self publish or are with a traditional house, this podcast will make book promotion fun and easy. Thomas Umstattd Jr. interviews, publishers, indie authors and bestselling traditional authors about how to get published and sell more books.
A Bit of Everything
Launched: 2009 Length: 1 hour Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Hosts: Joanna Penn
_About:_ Another podcast that offers a soup to nuts perspective on writing a book, Joanna Penn is best-selling author and award-winning podcaster who owns her own press. With a business background before her career change to writing (and selling almost one million books), her knowledge of the book publishing world is vast and wide.
_What they say:_ Information, inspiration and interviews on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing. If you need help with writing your book, or you want to learn how to navigate the new world of publishing and book marketing, then join Joanna Penn and her guests every Monday. Also covers the business of being a writer and how to make money with your books.
Launched: 2008 Length: 15 minutes Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts Hosts: Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, and DongWon Song.
_About:_ What might have started as a group of fantasy and science fiction writers sitting down to chat has turned into a wealth of information across genres and mediums. Episodes contain conversations about the creative process, creative writing, querying, publishing, marketing, and more. With 18 seasons, this award-winning podcast has a wealth of information, and always finds a way to offer a different perspective on the writing landscape.
_What they say:_ Writing Excuses is a fast-paced, educational podcast for writers, by writers. It airs weekly, with new episodes appearing each Sunday evening at around 6pm Eastern Time. Episodes vary in length from fifteen to twenty-five minutes, but are usually less than twenty minutes long. The tagline, “Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart” isn’t super accurate, time-wise, but it’s a haiku so we’re keeping it. Our goal is to help our listeners become better writers. Whether they write for fun or for profit, whether they’re new to the domain or old hands, Writing Excuses has something to offer. We love to write, and our listeners do, too.
Launched: 2020 Length: 45 minutes Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Hosts: Matty Dalrymple
_About:_ Established independent author and business professional Matty Dalrymple interviews industry experts. There’s a wealth of information here for new writers working on their first book and beginning to educate themselves on the publishing industry. Experienced authors will also benefit from the in-depth author interviews on many different topics.
_What they say:_ Welcome to The Indy Author Podcast, where we explore the writing craft, the publishing voyage, and how we can navigate our way to the readers who will love our work. I’m Matty Dalrymple, and I independently publish my Lizzy Ballard Thrillers and my Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts through my imprint, William Kingsfield Publishers.
Launched: 2020 Length: 45 minutes Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Hosts: J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson
_About:_ Referring to themselves as “Your backstage pass to the world’s most prolific authors” Writers, Ink offers a mix of conversation and actionable strategies. This podcast interviews New York Times bestselling authors like Nicholas Sparks and Ruth Ware.
_What they say:_ What does it take to succeed as a writer? The hosts pull back the curtain and gain rare insight from the household names found on bookshelves worldwide.
Launched: 2014 Length: 20 Minutes Frequency: Weekly Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Hosts: Julie Duffy
_About:_ A bit like NaNoWriMo, this podcast claims to help you “learn how much you’re capable of writing in a month.” Julie Duffy offers bite-sized episodes, which include writing prompts and creativity challenges to push your writing forward.
_What they say:_ Writers write. Professional writers write a lot. The StoryADay May challenge exists to help you learn how much you’re capable of writing in a month. The Write Every Day, Not “Some Day” podcast helps you figure out how to keep that commitment up for the rest of your life. Each 10-15 minute episode tackles a particular topic and gives you a writing assignment to complete before the next episode.
Could others learn from your journey?
As an author yourself, you probably have a story to tell, some expertise to share, or a unique perspective on the writing world. Maybe you’re interested in creating a new podcast of your own. Hop on over to Podcasting For Authors for tips to take you from brainstorming your concept to recording your first session.
Learning From the Best
An author’s life can sometimes be a solitary one, and inspiration may be elusive from time to time. There are a multitude of podcasts that can introduce you to a new writing process or marketing strategy. Spending a little time once a week (or a few times a month) listening to experts share their wealth of knowledge and expertise can help you improve your craft, save money and sell more books.
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