Hello!
I was thinking, the other day, about the rise of podcast consumption during the pandemic in my own social circles — and of its parallels to the ways in which we as writers seek out community from our little corners of the world. Text-based communication is, of course, still my main jam, but sometimes it’s nice to hear another human voice. (Side note: Whatsapp voice notes, emphatic yes.)
Anyway, I collated a list of podcasts relevant to the writing life, to be listened to while driving / gymming / doing housework / whatever you please.
They are listed in this order (you can click on each one to jump to that section): Craft, Industry, Conversations About Fiction, Conversations About Poetry, Listen to Fiction, Screenwriting.
This list is obviously non-exhaustive — feel free to recommend additional podcasts using my contact form here, otherwise, click to continue reading after the jump!
Craft Podcasts
The 7AM Novelist with Michelle Hoover (+ list of her recommended craft books)
“Introducing the 7am Novelist Webinar and Podcast, first draft edition, a free seven-week, seven-days-of-the-week (+1 day) morning wake up call for beginning writers or more advanced writers who are beginning new projects—and everyone in between.”
Hosted my award winning novelist and writing teacher Michelle Hoover.
A free webinar and podcast series to inspire and guide writers.
New Hampshire & NPR’s 10 Minute Writers Workshop (Apple | Spotify) (No longer active, but archive available)
A peek into how great writers conjure and craft their work. From creative rituals to guilty distractions, writers reveal what it really takes to get pen to paper.
Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Mignon Fogarty is the founder of the Quick and Dirty Tips network and creator of Grammar Girl, which has been named one of Writer’s Digest’s 101 best websites for writers multiple times. She is also an inductee in the Podcasting Hall of Fame.
The Creative Writer’s Toolbelt
The Creative Writers Toolbelt gives practical accessible advice and encouragement to Creative writers.
Each episode explores an aspect of creative writing technique, with examples, allowing you to apply what you learn immediately to your writing. We also throw in the occasional interview with writers and other artists, exploring their wisdom on subjects like story, style, character and the writing process
“Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart”
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.
Story Grid Writing Podcast (Apple)
Helping you become a better writer. Join Shawn Coyne, author of Story Grid and a top editor for 30+ years, and Tim Grahl, struggling writer, as they discuss the ins and outs of what makes a story great.
The Mythology & Fiction Explained podcast is a weekly show that aims to cover all sorts of Mythological tales and crazy fiction.
Industry
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
“A podcast for emerging writers, who are looking to improve their work with an aim to having it published, or for anyone who would like a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry.”
Hosted by author Bianca Marais. Cohosted by literary agents Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency.
Writing lessons; interviews with authors, agents, editors; read and critique of query letters; opening pages in the Books with Hooks segment.
Write Minded: Weekly Inspiration for Writers
A weekly podcast for writers craving a unique blend of inspiration and real talk about the ups and downs of the writing life. Hosted by Brooke Warner of She Writes and Grant Faulkner of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), each theme-focused episode of Write-minded features an interview with a writer, author, or publishing industry professional.
The Book Marketing Show (Self-Publishing) (Apple)
Learn what’s working in book marketing for other authors so you can sell more books.
Helping Writers become Authors Podcast
Helping Writers Become Authors provides writers help in summoning inspiration, crafting solid characters, outlining and structuring novels, and polishing prose. Learn how to write a book and edit it into a story agents will buy and readers will love. (Music intro by Kevin MacLeod.)
Conversations about Fiction
Between the Covers by David Naimon, Tin House
Between the Covers, a literary radio show and podcast hosted by David Naimon, is brought to you by Tin House. These long-form in-depth conversations have been singled out by the Guardian, Book Riot, the Financial Times, and BuzzFeed as one of the most notable book podcasts for writers and readers around.
Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast
The six-part podcast, presented by author of the Forgotten Women series and Editor at Vice, Zing Tsjeng, kicks off with live content recorded from thought provoking discussions at the Baileys Book Bar events, including ‘Women Writers Revisited’ and ‘Unsung Heroines of History’
This 10-episode podcast spinoff will feature lively conversations with noted authors about their work, discussions about influential novels, and issues related to books and literature. It’s Lit! [Unabridged] delivers the conversations you want to have during your book club, but without having to actually sign up for one.
The series will highlight the work of BIPOC writers.
A monthly reading and conversation with the New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman.
Every week on What Should I Read Next, we talk all things books and reading, and do a little literary matchmaking with one guest.
Expanding on the community she built in 2015, Well-Read Black Girl is the literary kickback you never knew you needed. Each week, Glory sits in deep, honest and close conversation with authors like Tarana Burke, Min Jin Lee, Anita Hill, Gabrielle Union, Elizabeth Acevedo and more. You’ll also meet WRBG Book Club members, literacy advocates, and Black booksellers to hear what they’re reading and what it means to be well-read.
Shakespeare and Company: Writers, Books, and Paris (Spotify | Apple)
Conversations with internationally acclaimed authors, recorded live from our bookshop in the heart of Paris. Hosted by S&Co Literary Director, Adam Biles.
London Review of Books: At The Bookstore
Listen to the latest events recorded live at the London Review Bookshop.
The Los Angeles Review of Books Radio Hour is a weekly show featuring interviews, readings and discussions about all things literary. Hosted by LARB Editor-at-Large Kate Wolf, Managing Editor Medaya Ocher, and Gender and Sexuality Editor, Eric Newman
Conversations about Poetry
Readings and conversation with The New Yorker’s poetry editor, Kevin Young.
London Review of Books Close Reading (Poetry) (Spotify | Apple)
Seamus Perry and Mark Ford discuss the lives and works of 20th-century poets through the lens of pieces written about them in the LRB, and Irina Dumitrescu and Mary Wellesley consider the lives and voices of women in medieval literature.
Listen to Fiction
New Yorker’s The Writer’s Voice
New Yorker Fiction Writers read their stories from the Magazine
Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.
Listen to Sarah Coomes narrate the 1847 classic, Jane Eyre
Special feature: The Tales of Beatrix Potter: The Complete Vivien Leigh Recordings
For the kid in you 🙂
Of course I had to add this one — my origin story!
Screenwriting
“A podcast about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.”
Hosted by screenwriters John August and Craig MazinEpisodes are available for free up to 20 weeks after their initial airing. Back episode archives and bonus episodes are available to premium subscribers at scriptnotes.net. Transcripts of all back episodes are available for free, and are usually posted within one week of the episode’s initial airing.
Welcome to THE BABY WRITERS PODCAST! Join professional screenwriter Julia Yorks as she chats with TV and feature writers who broke into the entertainment industry within the past few years. Some may call them “baby writers,” but we call them the next generation of Hollywood scribes.
Once again…
If you’ve felt particularly helped by any podcast and want to share, feel free to recommend additional podcasts using my contact form here!
Jemimah