[This post was originally published on 02/11/2016. It was updated on 3/20/18]
What better way to stay close to your craft than by listening to a podcast about writing and publishing while you’re on the move. Here are the best podcasts for writers, as vetted by the Written Word Media Team. Yes, this means we listened to them all to make sure they were deserving of your valuable time 😉
The Creative Penn
Hosted by Joanna Penn
Description
This informative podcast is chop full of interviews, inspiration, information on writing and creativity, publishing options, book marketing, and stories of creative entrepreneurship.
Why Authors Will Love It
Joanna is a successful author herself. She is smart, super interested in technology and innovation around publishing and provides an insightful and helpful perspective on self-publishing. Her guests are heavy-hitters in the industry: Russell Blake, Mark Coker, Jane Friedman, to name a few. A must-listen for writers on all ends of the spectrum.
Length
60 minutes
Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula
Hosted by Mark Dawson and Jame Blatch
Description
Need some inspiration? Check out Mark Dawson’s weekly podcast offering interviews with million-selling indie authors, tech geniuses, and industry pros to give listeners the best insights on a variety of topics in the self-publishing world. Don’t miss frequent Masterclass episodes where Mark expands on specific topics such as social media advertising, mailing lists and getting reviews.
Why Authors Will Love It
Get actionable tips on how to start earning revenue from book sales and understanding income reports from different campaigns. Sign up to be a patron of the show to receive VIP listener status and exclusive bonuses.
Length
60 minutes
Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast
Hosted by Chris Syme
Description
Based on award-winning marketer Chris Syme’s 20+ years in marketing and bestselling indie author Becca Syme’s self-publishing journey, the show features successful self-published authors and book marketing experts weekly.
Why Authors Will Love It
Each podcast is action-packed with practical tips for marketing and selling your book. Chris takes a no-holds-barred approach to explaing what authors at different stages in the publishing journey should and should not be doing to achieve success.
Length
30-45 minutes
Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing
Hosted by Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Description
With more choices and options than ever before in self-publishing, it can be difficult to decide what path is best for your books. Host Mark Leslie Lefebvre offers authors knowledgeable advice to help them forge their path in the publishing world and presents interviews from pros in both the traditional publishing and indie-publishing communities.
Why Authors Will Love It
Enjoy conversations centered around creativity, writing, and publishing with leading industry experts. This podcast will help you to make more informed decisions about your promotional plans and keep you up to date on the ever-changing landscape of self-publishing. Host Mark Leslie Lefebvre offers his own insights from over 25 years of industry experience as well as his own personal experience running KDP promotions.
Length
The Sell More Books Show
Hosted by Jim Kukral and Bryan Cohen
Description
Want to Sell More Books? The self-publishing landscape is constantly growing and changing, it can be hard for independent authors to keep up! The Sell More Books Show is focused on helping authors of all experience levels stay up-to-date with the latest trends, news, and tools in the publishing world.
Why Authors Will Love It
Get insider tips on advanced bookselling strategies. With a backlist of over 200 episodes, authors will find detailed information on KDP royalties, social media sharing, industry ethics, gaining reviews and so much more. Listeners will also enjoy giveaways and weekly show notes.
Length
50-70 minutes
Kobo Writer’s Life Podcast
Hosted by Christine Munro
Description
A podcast about the craft of writing, the business of writing, digital publishing, self-publishing and traditional publishing!
Why Authors Will Love It
With over 50 episodes to choose from, Kobo Writing Life’s podcasts are timeless in their appeal and information. Christine interviews bestselling indie authors (Barbara Freethy, Michael Connelly, Marie Force) and industry professionals that help you understand the services and communities that exist for indie authors (Wattpad, IBPA, NaNoWrimo).
Length
Smart Author Podcast
Hosted by Mark Coker
Description
Writers of all experience levels will value tips in the basics of eBook publishing to more advanced topics in book marketing. The Smart Author Podcast is presented by the founder of Smashwords, Mark Coker and offers a step by step guide for authors to get their books noticed and desired by readers.
Why Authors Will Love It
This podcast helps self-published authors of all experience levels promote their eBook like a pro by offering industry tips, trends, and best practices. Get the most out of the series by listening to this podcast from Episode 1 forward, and check out detailed show notes and transcripts at smashwords.com/podcast.
Length
20-60 minutes
The Story Studio
Hosted by Sean Platt, David Wright, Johnny B. Truant
Description
Creatives wear many different hats day-to-day and Sterling and Stone offers inspiration for every facet of your writing journey. Authors will find fresh and entertaining episodes focused on meaningful storytelling, self-publishing, and making a living from your art. Hosted by innovative writers that have a passion for helping authors navigate creating and selling their work.
Why Authors Will Love It
Authors will love Sterling & Stone podcasts because there is an episode on every topic imaginable. One of our favorite podcasts in this series is The Story Studio where authors can learn to improve story structure and rediscover their passion for storytelling.
Length
30-60 minutes
Self Publishing School
Hosted by Chandler Bolt
Description
A great podcast for motivated authors that want to write a book, launch it, and grow a 6-figure income. Learn what it takes to successfully launch a book with interviews from successful authors like Gary Vaynerchuk, Pat Flynn, Grant Cardone, Lisa Nichols and Russell Brunson. Packed full of effective and non-traditional self-publishing tips.
Why Authors Will Love It
Get insider tips and hear conversations from pros about their experience starting out in the publishing world. You can also take advantage of the free webinar on how to publish your book in 90-days.
Length
45-60 minutes
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Grammar Girl
Hosted by Mignon Fogarty
Description
Grammar Girl is an entertaining and short podcast that dives into the meaning behind words. Host Mignon Fogarty has a love for learning and offers memory tricks to reinforce word choice guidelines and help you follow confounding grammar rules.
Why Authors Will Love It
Mignon breaks down basic and advanced grammar tips, punctuation rules and word origins that you can instantly apply to in your writing. Also, learn to avoid embarrassing grammar and punctuation errors that spell check tools won’t save you from. Episodes can be enjoyed by writers and novice wordsmiths alike, so you can enjoy this podcast with friends and family!
Length
10-15 minutes
iTunesDo you have a favorite we left off? Please share your favorite podcasts for writers in the comments.
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Chloe is a Professional Book Nerd. She loves big words, big books, big dogs, and big adventures.
Nice list! I have tweeted….We would love you to have a listen to WriteClubThePodcast.com sometime! Or find us on itunes, stitcher or radiopublic. Thanks!
We’ll check it out, thanks Nicola!
J Thorn and Zach Bohanon recently launched “The Career Author Podcast.” It’s very good and informative, and in my weekly rotation of podcasts to listen to.
I would love for you to check out Book Publishing Made Simple! We’re still pretty new (16 episodes in at this point) and available on itunes, Stitcher and Spotify!
Self Publishing Journeys, hosted by Paul Teague is full of tips and advice for indie authors, and has excellent interviews with other writers.
Don’t miss K.M. Weiland’s “Helping Writers Become Authors.” It’s an excellent podcast for fiction writers.
Great list – I knew most of these but not all, so thanks for the heads-up! If you’re on the look-out for nonfiction podcasts, and specifically business books, for a future list, do consider The Extraordinary Business Book Club: http://extraordinarybusinessbooks.com/podcast-episodes/. I chat to authors of business books (and the occasional publisher, marketeer, futurist or someone with something interesting to say about how books work today!) and get them to lift the lid on how they wrote and how the book works with their business.
It looks like Authority Self Publishing has pod faded. Nothing new posted in well over a year.
Hey Gail, thanks for the heads up!
Hello, WWM! Thanks for this great list. FYI, the Grammar Girl link takes us to a different podcast, one that hasn’t been updated for a few years. Thanks again!
Thanks Jenn, we’ve got that updated.