#151: My Favourite Writing Podcasts
Podcasts are a treasure. If you can think of a topic, somebody is probably making a podcast about it. Needless to say, there are many podcasts about writing.
I put on a podcast when I’m out for a jog, and when I’m doing the dishes. I’ve learned so much from podcasts over the years. I love listening to podcasts.
Podcasts are somewhere between a lecture and conversation with a friend. Over time, after you’ve listened to the same show for a while, you start to feel like you know the host, although you probably never met. It’s uncanny.
Audiobooks are great too. But podcasts are a little more casual. With an audiobook, I feel obliged to pay close attention so I don’t miss anything. I don’t feel the same pressure when listening to podcasts.
Today, I’d like to shout out five of my favourite writing podcasts. These are the tried and tested ones that I’ve been listening to for months and years (in no particular order).
The Career Author Podcast
I’ve listened to The Career Author since episode one. The show is hosted by J Thorn and Zach Bohannon and covers a wide range of topics related to running your author business – from production to marketing strategies and even things like accounting.
J and Zach co-write dystopian fiction and run events for authors.
The Creative Penn is a staple of the indie author podcasting scene hosted by Joanna Penn. The first episode aired all the way back in 2009, and although Joanna has considered quitting in the past, the show continues into the 2020s.
Stay up-to-date on publishing news and get advice from hundreds of guests including Steven Pressfield and Austin Kleon.
Writing Excuses is geared more towards traditionally published writers — mostly because the hosts of the show – Mary Robinette Kowal, Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler – come from that background.
The episodes are short and sweet, focused on craft and genre writing. The archives go back 15 full seasons – lots to learn.
Originally known as The Petal to the Metal, The Writer’s Well is hosted by J Thorn and Rachael Herron. They ask each other a surprise, writing-related question and talk about their answers.
Expect a laid-back conversation and plenty of good advice.
OOAC is a genre-based podcast focusing primarily on science fiction stories in any form – books, films, TV shows. The hosts are Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders — both best-selling authors. Even though this podcast doesn’t specifically give writing advice, it’s great to hear some of the big names of the genre think about stories.
Expect in-depth discussions and lots of sci-fi book and movie recommendations.
BONUS: Akimbo by Seth Godin
Akimbo isn’t a writing podcast, but it’s so good that I can’t leave it out. Seth Godin is a famous marketer but also a best-selling author and prolific blogger. Because of that, many episodes are relevant to writing.
I’ve listened to all the episodes of Akimbo, and I think you should too!
And that’s it. Since launching Writing Analytics, I’ve been listening to a number of business podcasts also, but we’ll leave those for another time.
My email subscribers receive a notification when I publish these posts along with a few things I found interesting or helpful on the literary internet every week. Click the link below to join the club.
(I won’t spam you or pass your email to a third party. You can unsubscribe at any time.)
#150: The Business of Making Art, July 2020
#149: All That Matters Is What You Leave on the Page, July 2020
#148: Keeping a Victory Log, June 2020
#147: Finishing things is a skill, June 2020
#146: Black Lives Matter, June 2020
jacobvanloon
