If you’re anything like me, if you’re awake, you’re probably doing 101 jobs. Reading, writing, marketing, or listening to audiobooks or podcasts to help you do one or a combination of those things better.
Or maybe that’s just me …
There are many podcasts out there about the business and craft of writing. You probably can’t get to all of them, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.
The podcasts on this list will teach you everything you need to know about writing, publishing, and marketing your work.
It’s like taking a Masterclass from some of the best in the industry, completely free.
These are my top 10 favourite podcasts for indie authors.
#1: The Creative Penn
Joanna Penn’s podcast, The Creative Penn, has been around since before podcasting was cool. She’s been an author, marketer, and entrepreneur in the indie author world for many years. She is eerily prescient when it comes to anticipating changes in the industry.
If you’re looking for a one-stop source of interviews, industry info, and updates from an indie author who practices what she preaches in real-time, check out The Creative Penn. Recent episodes tackle AI, world-building, and researching your book as thoroughly as a librarian.
Great for: Weekly real-time updates from a working author, author interviews, and industry insight#2: Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Even grammar know-it-alls will find much to love in the Grammar Girl podcast. Whether you’re looking for a chance to geek out on em-dashes or debate the merits of the Oxford comma, Mignon Fogarty’s got you covered.
Episodes are quick and to the point—usually 15 minutes or less—and cover a lot of ground. Recent episodes include tips on using present tense in stories about the past and the top 10 grammatical errors writers make. Mignon covers the nuts and bolts of good grammar, of course, but also the basics of good storytelling.
Great for: Getting a grasp on English grammar for both native and non-native speakers
#3: The Red Hot Chilli Writers
British Asian authors Vaseem Khan and Abir Mukherjee should be writing. But instead, they’re creating a funny, self-deprecating podcast and sharing valuable writing and publishing tips.
Joined each episode by special guests, Vaseem and Abir take a wry look at the world of books, writing, and the creative arts. Tackling everything from bestsellers to pop culture and Big Fat Asian Weddings.
Listen to some stellar interviews, such as with Dean Koontz, Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, and Mike Gayle, to name a few. With the odd dose of cross-cultural confusion, they dare to explore the parts other podcasts cannot reach.
Great for: Authors who want down-to-earth advice with a spark of humour.
4: In Writing with Hattie Crisell
Each episode sees British journalist Hattie Crisell go deep with a writer over 60 minutes.
She’s an excellent interviewer who does her research, so she asks great questions and builds rapport with each guest. There are gems and new ways of thinking about writing in every episode.
I loved novelist Maggie O’Farrell talking about why she has two desks—each for a different project. Lucy Prebble on how the Succession writing room works. Charlie Booker and James Acaster are just being their brilliant comedic selves.
Great for: Writers who want a peek into the lives of fellow wordsmiths and bestselling authors.
#5: The Editing Podcast
Hosts Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle discuss all things editing.
Episodes cover editing software, grammar, short-form edits, long-form edits, punctuation, and cost. The podcast is geared toward both writers and editors.
Each host contributes a different scope of expertise, including business/technical editing and fiction editing. The Editing Podcast also hosts guest authors and editors. Episodes range from 10 minutes to an hour; listeners will find tips and tricks to tighten their work.
Great for: Writers looking to polish their self-editing skills.
#6: Write Now with Sarah Werner
If you’re feeling lonely on your writing journey, this is the place to go.
Most of these short (around 15-minute) podcasts are monologues about the writing life, filled with wisdom and vulnerability and discussing the kind of blocks and insecurities that will be familiar to most writers.
There are occasional guest interviews, and these are wonderful too. But mainly, it’s Sarah Werner, talking with warmth, humour and searing honesty about her struggles and those of the writers she knows and works with.
Whatever your challenge, she’ll have an episode that can help.
Great for: Boosting your mindset and sense of community while on your writing journey.
#7: Self-publishing Podcast with the Spa Girls
The SPA Girls are Trudi Jaye, Cheryl Phipps, Wendy Vella and Shar Barratt: four New Zealand authors with over 100 books published.
They’ve been self-publishing since 2013, and Wendy Vella alone has sold over 2 million copies of her historical and contemporary romances.
The SPA Girls Podcast (SPA = Self Publishing Authors) is one of the industry’s leading global publishing podcasts, with over five years of weekly top-rating episodes.
Each week the SPA Girls bring listeners a new episode covering self-publishing, writing craft, marketing advice, advertising strategies and expert guest interviews.
Great for: Writers who are beginning their author journey and want to learn about the writing business directly from those doing it.
#8: Pen to Published Podcast
A podcast for authors and self-publishers hosted by the two Alexas. Alexa Whitten is an author, typesetter and independent book publisher. Alexa Tewkesbury is also an author, editor and proofreader. They talk you through self-publishing, from the initial book idea to the ultimate published product.
Every episode is informative, covering fiction, children’s, and business books. Each series (five available to date) includes an author interview and special guests.
Great for: Anyone looking to self-publish a book and need expert tips on the nitty-gritty.
#9: The Honest Authors’ Podcast
Bestselling authors Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon discuss the truth about being an author, plus expert insider interviews.
Every episode has incredible insights, gems of wisdom and new ways of thinking about writing while being easy to listen to with honest confessions.
Great for: Aspiring authors who want to know what it is to be a writer without rose-tinted glasses.
#10: Writer Dojo
The WriterDojo is different from most other writing advice podcasts out there. Steve Diamond is a Horror, Fantasy, and Science Fiction author, and Larry Correia is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five novels.
Steve and Larry cut through all the awful advice and help writers tell stories people want to read with humour and a wealth of experience. However, readers will find plenty of fascinating titbits as well. They may come away with new insights into what goes into creating the stories they love and a new appreciation for writing of all sorts.
Great for: Advice on how (and how not) to earn money from writing a book.
Listen to episodes from each of my recommended podcasts!
Of course, when you begin listening to podcasts on writing, publishing, and running your own business, you’ll discover many more.
Do you already listen to podcasts? Did I miss your favourite podcast?
Drop me a comment and share some of your favourite listens.
You can find more helpful tips and resources in The BG Library!
