Podcasts are a great way to learn about the craft. They’re packed with insights and personal experiences and you can enjoy them while taking a walk or when engaged in an activity that doesn’t require you to think.
Over the past decade, I’ve listened to many podcasts and made a list of those that consistently drew my attention. Which podcast you listen to depends on the stage in your writer’s journey. Though many speak to beginners, it’s fairly easy to find podcasts aimed at experienced writers or those at a specific point in their writing journey (e.g. preparing to pitch to an agent).
Below is a selection of podcasts I find useful, interesting, inspiring or all of the above. Note that some of them aren’t about writing, but showcase excellent writing one can learn from.
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
This podcast is great for new writers who want to get published traditionally.
Bestselling author, Bianca Marais chats with authors, agents, editors and other industry professionals to give a glimpse behind the publishing scene. She runs the podcast with two literary agents, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency, who read and comment on query letters and opening pages. And yes, they also answer questions, which is a great way to clear out any confusion or myths around writing and publishing.
I love the relaxed manner in which the host and her co-hosts tackle hot topics and the honesty with which they approach the submitted materials. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing is a brilliant source of information and inspiration, so give it a try.
The Creative Penn Podcast for Authors
Joanna Penn is no stranger to the writing scene: most indie writers would have at least heard of her. Her podcast, The Creative Penn, casts a wide net around topics, spanning from the writing craft to publishing, editing, crowd-funding, marketing, artificial intelligence and more. Joanna’s podcast is an excellent source of information for beginners and advanced writers alike. Her experience in publishing fiction and non-fiction gives her a wealth of topics to cover. Besides that, she follows the trends in publishing and artificial intelligence. She presents a balanced view on the topic.
Self-Publishing Advice Podcast
This podcast is made by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and covers topics and questions that benefit authors from all walks of life. Think news about publishing, legal changes related to copyright and writing and current legal and moral battles that creators are fighting. It also features inspiring stories of author successes, advice on publishing and marketing, insights about book distribution and useful tips on the craft of writing.
If you’re serious about writing and you have a curious mind that loves to learn, this podcast has a lot to give. Besides, whether you’re an indie or a traditional author, you’ll want to be aware of industry trends and current challenges.
This podcast showcases a cherry-picked selection of short stories across genres and cultures. Each story is a hand-picked gem, selected and read out by the American actor and director, LeVar Burton. Most of them are genre stories, spanning from speculative fiction to horror, science fiction and fantasy. Besides stories by big names like N.K. Jemisin, Stephen King and Shirley Jackson, there are many stories by less known and emerging authors, myself included.
For the record, I loved this podcast long before they reached out to me with a request to license one of my stories.
If you’re a podcast lover, then you’re likely no stranger to Serial by Sarah Koenig, because it’s the podcast that sparked the revival of this form. Its now iconic first season from 2014 approached the case of the murder of Hae Min Lee, with an investigative mind and superb storytelling. In an incredibly engrossing experience, this podcast not only uncovered irregularities and holes in the crime investigation, but caused a ripple effect which led people to question the conviction of Adnan Syed. So, pretty much a big deal.
Serial has since recorded several seasons, each focusing on a different topic, keeping the distinct storytelling style that grabs you at the throat and keeps you engaged. It’s a masterclass in storytelling.
Granted, this isn’t a typical writing podcast, but hear me out. It features a whole range of experts that dip into human consciousness, uncover interesting patterns in our behaviour and ask big questions many people are thinking about.
Because writing fiction has a lot to do with characters, their psychology and change, this podcast is a wonderful source of information about our inner workings and things we’re not aware of. On top of that, it’s an excellent source of knowledge about the world and our own biases. I really cannot recommend this podcast enough.
What other podcasts for writers do you enjoy?