Writers’ Podcasts

Creatives are besieged with pervasive, societal woes during a chaotic pandemic making it challenging to focus, center anxiousness bordering their creative consciousness. One would believe a lockdown garners more time to concentrate on writing projects, prolific hours of writing, perhaps for some, but not for everyone. One can find means to temper noise muting creativeness. I’ve found crafting a daily routine and incorporating relaxation techniques (exercise, meditation, walks in nature, listening to music, reading a good book) useful. These tools invigorate, de-stress, and refresh your mind with more writing ideas. Surprisingly, during the pandemic, I’ve gravitated to a favorite pastime, listening to writers’ podcasts.

I’ve always loved podcasts and spent many moments listening to my favorites. Slipping out of my mind for an hour to hear other authors’ stories, experiences, and writing techniques, inspire and reaffirm my goals. Below are eleven of my favorites. Whether you’re looking to hone your writing techniques, find inspiration, listen to authors’ experiences, or just relax, then one of these might be for you.

1. The Writer’s Routine – Hosted by Dan Simpson.  Writer’s Routine is an arts and culture podcast for writers. It’s where we chat to some of the world’s most successful authors and find out how they work. In every episode Dan Simpson chats to a writer and takes a sneak peek inside their working day; to get tips, tricks and inspiration for that book kicking around your head. Some are frantic night-owls, others roll out of bed into their desks, and a few lock themselves away for days in the woods – but none have a regular 9 to 5, and in this podcast, we’ll find out how they’ve managed it. In 2018, it won Silver prize in the Best Culture category at the British Podcast Awards. It’s been featured in magazines, gained thousands of listeners across the world, and is recognized as one of the best writing podcasts in the UK.
2. Beautiful Writer’s Podcast – Hosted by Linda Sivertsen. Listen in as author Linda Sivertsen (aka Book Mama) brings together the world’s most beloved authors for monthly chats on writing, publishing, deal-making, spirituality, activism, and the art of romancing creativity. These up-close conversations are a fan favorite; the show’s consistently ranked on the top popular Books/Literature iTunes list since its launch in 2015, and frequently profiled on “Best Podcast” lists/blogs. Join Linda and her celebrity co-hosts for deep, funny, compelling interviews with authors and songwriters who have raised our consciousness (and often, a fortune, for charity) as they reveal how they pulled it off—from breakout success to staying power. Heart-centered encouragement, street-smart advice, and insider success (and failure!) stories for every writer and creative type. Details of biggest mistakes, best shortcuts, behind-the-scenes agent, press, and publishing stories help you gain the courage to get your book, blog, ballad, or biz birthed into the world.
3. Story Grid Podcast – Hosted by Shawn Coyne and Tim Grahl.  Five Editors, Twelve Content Genres, Six Core Questions Join five Story Grid Certified Editors as they put the Story Grid methodology through its paces. Each week, they analyze a film from one of the twelve content genres using the Six Core Questions. The principles of storytelling are the same for page, stage and screen, so no matter which medium you write in, this podcast is for you.
4. Writing Excuses – Hosted by several authors.  Writing Excuses is a fast-paced, educational podcast for writers, by writers. It airs weekly, with new episodes appearing each Sunday evening at around 6pm Eastern Time. Episodes vary in length from fifteen to twenty-five minutes but are usually less than twenty minutes long. The tagline, “Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart” isn’t super accurate, time-wise, but it’s a haiku so we’re keeping it. Our goal is to help our listeners become better writers. Whether they write for fun or for profit, whether they’re new to the domain or old hands, Writing Excuses has something to offer. We love to write, and our listeners do, too.
5. The New Yorker: The Writer’s Voice – Hosted by Deborah Treisman. New Yorker fiction writers read their stories.
6. The Creative Penn Podcast – Hosted by Joanna Penn. The Creative Penn Podcast: Writing, Publishing, Book Marketing, Making A Living With Your Writing Podcast episodes are posted every Monday and include interviews, inspiration and information on writing and creativity, publishing options, book marketing and creative entrepreneurship.
7. The Story Savant – Hosted by Author Liesel K. Hill, a career author, award-winning storyteller, podcaster, and story craft coach. At Story Savant she tells you that there are ways to streamline your writing processes and church out high quality novels quickly and regularly so you can create a stable business out of the calling that lights you up: writing stories. Every week, she brings you tips and systems to up-level and deepen your writing so that readers will return to your work time and time again.
8. Create If Writing – Hosted by Kristen Oliphant.  This is the place for you if you are a writer, blogger, or creative who wants to build an online platform without being smarmy.
9. Kobo Writing Life Podcast – Hosted by Joni Di Placido and Stephanie McGrath. The Kobo Writing Life Podcast brings you insights and inspiration for growing your self-publishing business. We feature interviews with bestselling authors and industry experts, who share practical advice you can use to improve your writing and sell more books. You’ll also get the latest news and updates about Kobo and the KWL platform.
10. The Prolific Writer Podcast -Hosted by Ryan J. Pelton. The Prolific Writer is about writing fast, writing often, and writing well. Follow writer and publisher Ryan Pelton as he discusses processes and strategies for writing hundreds of thousands of words and sharing them with the world. TPW podcast will also interview fellow writers and discuss their tips and tricks on the craft of writing and share advice on latest trends in publishing.
11. The Writership Podcasts– Editing Tips For Fiction Authors -Hosted by  Leslie Watts. On the Writership Podcast, professional book editors Leslie Watts critiques five pages of fiction from writers who are, or soon hope to be, traditionally or independently published. The submissions come from actual authors who understand they may need help seeing the flaws in their stories and are brave enough to share this experience so that you might improve your writing too.

2020 Summer Reading

This summer’s reading has not been my best, but I’ve managed to read a few books here and there and just added several more reads for approaching August. I can’t wait to dive into each.

Catch my June and July 2020 reading reviews on Goodreads.com for books by Paul Tremblay, Luanne G. Smith, Bibiana Krall, and Michele E. Northwood’s listed below.

The Cabin At The End Of The World by Paul Tremblay

Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay

The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith

Volga Black by Bibiana Krall

Fishnets In The Far East: A Dancer’s Diary In Korea by Michele E. Northwood

Current August 2020 Reads

Happy Listening and Reading!

My Book, Twilight Ends: Keepers of The Gate Coming Soon!