Morning commutes, family obligations, and to-do lists longer than your arm—sometimes finding the time to be inspired as a creative is easier said than done. But with a little clever planning, and these nine writing podcasts downloaded on to your phone or laptop, you can listen to inspiration and advice from bestselling authors in the industry without taking time out of your busy schedule.
The Creative Penn Podcast: Writing, Publishing, Book Marketing, Making A Living With Your Writing
This podcast is part of The Creative Penn, a website run by Joanna Penn, who is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers. Her website has been voted in the Top 100 sites for writers by Writer's Digest and new podcast episodes are posted every Monday on the site.
The Creative Penn Podcast features interviews, inspiration and information on writing and creativity, publishing options, book marketing and creative entrepreneurship.
You can subscribe on RSS, iTunes, Android, Stitcher, Spotify or YouTube, or simply access the podcast through the website.
Some of the most recent episodes include titles such as:
- Managing a Diverse Creative Career with Tim Chizmar
- Attraction Marketing and Tips for Creative Business with Andre Chaperon
- Mobile Payments, Reaching Chinese Readers, and AI for Voice with Makoto Tokudome
- 9 Ways That Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Disrupt Authors and the Publishing Industry in the Next 10 Years
Writing Excuses
The Writing Excuses Podcast contains episodes that vary in length between fifteen and twenty-five minutes and the tagline is a fun haiku that says Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart.
These fast-paced episodes are produced by writers, for writers, with new episodes airing every Sunday around 6pm EST. They are produced with the goal of helping listeners become better writers by a team of industry experts who simply love to write. Even better, Season 10 is designed to be a masterclass in the process of creating a story, and walks listeners step-by-step through how to do it successfully.
Some of the most recent episodes from Season 12 include titles such as:
- Variations on First Person
- How to Nail Character Voice in First Person
- Hybrid Viewpoints
- Literary Fiction
AskALLi Self-Publishing Weekly Broadcast
AskALLi Self-Publishing Weekly Broadcast features advice, best practices, and tips about self-publishing provided by the Alliance of Independent Authors. Although there are a few podcasts already published on their website, beginning in August 2019, the AskALLi Self-publishing Weekly Broadcast will offer a new advice broadcast weekly. For video, check out the Facebook Live video posted every Monday, or if you'd rather hear the audio version, the same broadcast is published as an audio podcast on the following Wednesday. They also feature a weekly audio interview of an Inspirational Indie Authors on Sundays.
The weekly broadcast is hosted by Orna Ross, along with bestselling author Adam Croft, PublishDrive's Dalma Szentpály, and ALLi Communications Manager Boni Wagner-Stafford.
Some of the most recent episodes include titles such as:
- How to Be a Productive Writer and Publisher
- Find Your Writing Rhythm and Balance Across Days and Weeks
- What Copyright Means for the Independent Author
- Self-Publishing Advice Conference Highlights: How to Create the Villain Your Hero Deserves, with Sacha Black
The Manuscript Academy Podcast
If you're looking for a free podcast full of valuable information for writers, The Manuscript Academy Podcast has you covered. It features interviews with agents and editors, how-to tips, and a wealth of information for writers looking to publish across various genres. You can find the podcast, which is published weekly, on the iTunes Store by searching for "Manuscript Academy" and on Soundcloud at the above link.
The Manuscript Academy Podcast is organized and produced by literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer and media professional Julie Kingsley. The two offer online-based conferences to provide writers with networking opportunities and manuscript support.
Some of the most recent titles include:
- Research, Historical Novels, and Helen Gurley Brown with Park Avenue Summer Author Renee Rosen
- Graphic Novels with Stephanie Guerdan at Harper
- Live Pitches, Thrillers, And A Large Emotional and Aesthetic Range
- A Real Live Consultation with Agent Danielle Chiotti
The Bestseller Experiment Podcast
Could you write a bestseller in 52 weeks? That's the experiment that Mark Stay and Mark Desvaux undertake as they attempt to learn about, write and publish a bestseller in that timeframe. Throughout their podcast, produced weekly, they interview important authors, agents, editors and social media experts—all with the goal of writing a bestselling novel. Some authors on their interview list include Michael Connelly, Joanne Harris, Bryan Cranston, Ian Rankin, John Connolly, Scott Lynch, Michelle Paver, Maria Semple, and Shannon Mayer, among others.
The Bestseller Experiment Podcast can be streamed through their website (see the above link), or downloaded automatically on iTunes or Podcast Addict.
Some of the most recent titles include:
- Catherine Kirwan – Darkest Debut
- An Indie Author Journey With Mike Morris
- Mike Shackle – Never Give Up, Never Surrender
- Writing Alt. History with JDK Wyneken
Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast
Helping Writers Become Authors is the brainchild of award-winning and internationally published author K.M. Weiland. In addition to the podcast, she mentors authors through her blog, vlog, and writing how-to books. Listeners can subscribe to the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast in iTunes, or access the episodes directly by following the above link.
Some of the most recent episodes include:
- How to Make Your Plot a Powerful Thematic Metaphor
- Taking Your Writing to the Next Level: Whole-Life Art
- Critique: 4 Ways to Write Gripping Internal Narrative
- 5 Ways to Earn Your Audience's Loyalty
Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing Podcast
If you've looked online for tips to improve your writing, you've likely come across Grammar Girl's writing. It is the alternate ego of Mignon Fogarty, founder of the Quick and Dirty Tips network and creator of Grammar Girl, which has been named one of Writer's Digest's 101 best websites for writers. She is also an inductee in the Podcasting Hall of Fame. In 2017, her podcast won an award for the Best Education Podcast and is an excellent resource for writers across all levels. She provides advice on grammar, punctuation, style, and more on her ad-free podcast episodes. You can also access exclusive bonus episodes, only on Stitcher Premium. Use code GRAMMAR for one free month at stitcherpremium.com/grammar.
Some of the most recent episodes include:
- Sometimes It's Not a Bad Idea to Dumb Down Your Language
- 'Blue Collar,' 'Bluestocking,' and 'the Blue Hair Brigade.' 'Oral' Versus 'Verbal'
- Present Tense When Writing About Fiction. The Poop Emoji and Eggcorns
- Why There Are 9 Different Ways to Pronounce the Letter T
The Creative Writer's Toolbelt Podcast
The purpose of The Creative Writer's Toolbelt Podcast is to offer creative writers help with various creative writing techniques. Episodes are published sporadically (sometimes bi-monthly, sometimes once a month) and include author interviews, along with tips and advice from writers, editors, academics in writing, and writing coaches.
Some of the most recent episodes include:
- When characters go rogue
- The smell of saffron; the shadow of war". Writing and publishing out of a non-Western background with Dr Pamela Fernandes
- Your guide for the journey. The work of the sensitivity reader with Patrice Williams Marks
- 'You are valuable just as you are. And so is your writing.' A conversation with Jen Louden
Beautiful Writers Podcast
The Beautiful Writers Podcast is hosted by author Linda Sivertsen (aka Book Mama) and features some of the world's most beloved bestselling authors for monthly chats on writing, publishing, deal-making, spirituality, activism, and the art of romancing creativity.
You'll find this podcast listed as one of The Motley Fool's "10 Best Podcasts for Women" and at the top of the "literature" spot on iTunes. It also features behind-the-scenes advice from agents who guide writers step-by-step through the process of finding representation for their work.
Some of the most recent episodes include:
- Catherine Oxenberg: Rambo Princess Diaries
- Meg Wolitzer: Blockbuster Novelist
- Abby Wambach: Wisdom from the Wolfpack
- Tosca Lee: Writing the Perfect Thriller
