Podcasts for Indie Authors

One of the best ways for writers to get a free education is by listening to podcasts. I’ve learned so much about the writing craft, indie publishing and book marketing from listening to podcasts. Here’s a list of six of my favorite shows for indie authors. Happy listening!

Wish I’d Known Then…for Writers: My affinity for a podcast is largely based on whether or not I like the hosts–their voices, their personalities, their vibe. This podcast is hosted by two authors, Jami Albright who writes romantic comedy and Sara Rosett who writes cozy mysteries, and I really enjoy them as hosts. They have great chemistry, and I love the format of the show. They interview other writers and people in the industry, and they generally ask the same questions each time. Their focus is on finding out what people wish they’d known from the start, which is helpful because the rest of us don’t want to make the same mistakes. This is a great podcast for new writers, but I imagine any writer would glean something from it.

Kobo Writing Life: This one is a little more hit or miss for me, but I’ve found some very interesting episodes. They interview people from the trad and indie publishing industries, including authors. Sometimes it’s informative, other times it’s just good fun to hear how authors started out and got to where they are now. Check out their backlist of episodes to see which ones might appeal to you.

Writing Excuses: This was the first podcast I ever listened, and it’s still one of my favorites. You’ll find great craft tips and important discussions on every area of writing. All episodes are 15 minutes long so there’s never any time wasted and no filler talk. The OG cast was Brandon Sanderson, Howard Tayler, and Dan Wells. These guys are not dudes or bros, they’re nerds, and you will love them. A few seasons in, they made the best decision of their podcasting lives and added the magnificent Mary Robinette Kowal as a host. As of now, these four hosts are still on the show, and they have other writers joining them each season. I recommend listening to this podcast from season one because I think you can get something out of those early episodes, and you’ll also get a feel for their personalities. It’s loads of fun.

The Self Publishing Show: This podcast was formerly titled The Self Publishing Formula, and it’s still hosted by James Blatch and Mark Dawson. James and Mark chat in the intro and outro, but James does the interviews. The best part about this podcast is the inspiration you’ll get from listening to the stories of indie authors who have launched (or re-launched) successful careers. I also love the way James and Mark take the piss out of each other (did I say that right?). Mark sells a variety of courses for indie authors, which are quite pricey, but supposedly really terrific. His SPF Facebook group is also extremely helpful, and it’s free to join. I truly feel like he wants to help other authors and tries to be as transparent as possible about his own career. Good stuff.

Spa Girls: Spa stands for self-publishing authors, and the Spa Girls are Cheryl Phipps, Trudi Jaye, Shar Barratt and Wendy Vella. These ladies discuss issues of interest to indie authors, such as Facebook ads, newsletters and book launches. They also cover the craft of writing and issues such as how to get good at dictation and what to do when your motivation wanes. This podcast is particularly helpful if you write romance, and lately they’ve been talking quite a bit about the mystery genre, as well. Personally, I love their New Zealand accents and sense of humor. I secretly wish I could hang out with these women, drinking tea and talking writing, but alas, they live halfway around the world. Also, I don’t actually know them.

The Misfits Guide to Writing Indie Romance: This podcast just started its second season with hosts Adrienne Bell and Eliza Peake. I have to say that I wasn’t sure about this show in the beginning, but I kept listening because I found the hosts to be likable, and sometimes I’m just a lonely writer who wants to hear friendly voices. Then at some point in the first season, these ladies found their groove and the show became a lot more informative and useful. For season two they’re doing deep dives into topics, and that has been great so far. I also purchased Adrienne’s book Plot MD and have found it really helpful in editing my WIP.

The Creative Penn: Joanna Penn has been an indie author for years, and she has a lot of wisdom to share on the subjects of writing and publishing. She starts each episode with the latest news in indie publishing then moves on to an interview, usually with an author. She’s always professional, and I like that she’s unafraid to give her opinion on subjects that are sensitive in the writing world. She also has a helpful website with loads of information. If you plan to indie publish, definitely check out her work.