5 Brilliant Podcasts for Writers

I’m a bit of a late bloomer when it comes to listening to podcasts but since discovering them, around 18 months ago, I’ve become a firm fan. Family and friends have grown used to me pressing home the joys of stumbling over a great new show.

But why do I love podcasts so much?

Because whatever my mood or writing problem, there’s a podcast which can help. Whether I’m searching for practical writing advice or marketing tips, interesting features, some much needed encouragement or simply wish to learn what’s ‘happening’ in the literary world right now, there’s a podcast that fits.

Don’t have time to listen to podcasts? Think again…

•        Why not enjoy a new podcast when preparing dinner? It turns cooking into a pleasure rather than a chore - learning about the publishing industry whilst throwing together a bolognaise sauce.

•         A podcast of a decent length helps quash the tedium of ironing. The Bestseller Experiment is one my favourites. I’ve popped more details and a link below.

•         When heading off on a long journey, whether driving or going by train or plane, why not stock up on some interesting shows?
  

•         Exercising – walking in the mountains, running in the park, hitting the treadmill in the gym, all are made easier when listening to a podcast.

I hope that as well as being informative, the podcasts I’ve chosen to share are also entertaining and fun. So here goes…

PODCASTS ON BOOKS AND WRITING

The Bestseller Experiment – length approximately 1 hour

In this weekly podcast, writer Mark Stay and trainee author Mark Desvaux, challenge themselves to write, edit, publish and market a self-published, bestselling eBook in just a year - and these guys are having a blast along the way.

Through interviews with publishing experts and bestselling authors, they discover the secrets of writing a bestselling novel.

Each one of the Bestseller Experiment podcasts offers gems of writing wisdom. If you’d like to sample a flavour of the show then I recommend episode 29 - Kate Harrison discussing writing both fiction and non-fiction, episode 24 - Liz Fenwick and the Crows of Doubt, along with episodes 03, 17 & 25 by the amazing multi-million selling indie author Shannon Mayer, and the latest instalment (at time of blogging), which features David Shelley, CEO of Little, Brown and Orion Books, who provides an insight into the future of publishing.

Also, if you sign up to receive a free weekly dose of the Bestseller Experiment, and I highly recommend you do, you’ll receive a free how to write a bestseller e-book, The Vault of Gold, which contains all the best hints and tips from the show. And did I mention it’s FREE!

http://bestsellerexperiment.com/podcasts/

The Creative Penn – length approximately 1 hour

The Creative Penn is the show that first got me hooked on podcasts. A definite must listen weekly treat for me! Shows are posted on Mondays by author and professional speaker, Joanna Penn, who is a positive powerhouse of creativity, describing herself as an author entrepreneur. The Creative Penn is an uplifting mix of author/publishing insider interviews, book marketing news, inspiration and information on writing and creativity, as well as reporting on new technologies in the fast-moving publishing world.

With a back catalogue of over 300 episodes to enjoy, I recommend you dive in and sample what The Creative Penn has to offer.

Also, when signing up to The Creative Penn podcast, be sure to download your FREE copy of the Author 2.0 Blueprint, which provides tips on how to write, publish and market your book.

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/

 The Worried Writer – length approximately 45 mins

The Worried Writer is produced by best selling novelist, Sarah Painter, whose blurb for the show includes the tag line - Creative Writing for the Timid. Painter unearths useful tips and strategies for coping with fear, self-doubt and procrastination, through informative interviews with experienced authors, including Rachael Lucas, Catherine Ryan Howard, Miranda Dickinson, Annie Lyons and more. Painter’s focus is very much on how to get the job of writing done. She begins each podcast by answering a listener’s writing query, before moving on to interview her guest.

As well as producing the Worried Writer podcast, Painter has also recently published her self- help book for writers - Stop Worrying; Start Writing – one I already have on my TBR pile!

http://www.worriedwriter.com/podcasts/?lcp_page1=1#lcp_instance_1

Grammar Girl – Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing – length approximately 10-15 minutes

Grammar Girl is my go-to podcast when driving to the supermarket, or collecting teens from school. At 10-15 minutes, each episode is the perfect length for grabbing a grammarly (is that even a word?) workout.

If your memories of grammar lessons are dry and boring then never fear, Grammar Girl - otherwise known as Mignon Fogarty, who creates and hosts the show - specialises in providing quick and dirty grammar tips in a quirky and memorable way.

I already loved Grammar Girl’s posts on Facebook and Twitter, but listening to her podcast makes learning even easier. Grammar Girl provides tips for American English but I haven’t found this to be a problem as she also points out when British English might differ. A short and helpful podcast definitely worth a try.

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/top-10-grammar-girl-podcast-episodes

BBC Radio 4 Books and Authors – length approximately 30 minutes

BBC Radio4’s Books and Authors podcast contains episodes of both Open Book and A Good Read. In Open Book, the journalist, Mariella Frostrup talks to authors about their work and in A Good Read, writer and broadcaster, Harriett Gilbert invites guests to discuss their favourite books. The Books and Authors podcast is my literary fix. It helps keep me up-to-date with what’s interesting in the publishing industry and stretches my reading as my TBR pile always grows after listening to one of these podcasts!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nrsfl/episodes/downloads

Please share your favourite podcasts too

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick round up and if you’ve yet to discover the delight of listening to podcasts, then I hope this post might inspire you to try one or two. And if you are already an enthusiastic podcast follower,  please join in by sharing your favourites below. 

Happy podcast listening,

Rae