7 Great Podcasts for Writers

(This article was originally published as part of The Podcast Curator newsletter in Autumn 2019.)

Hi folks!

And we’re back! This summer was just too busy for me to put in the time and energy required by The Podcast Curator. I put out Season Two of my own podcast, Take the Mass Pike, and began Season One of my web serial New Winslow. But now I’m back with a theme that fits both my mindset over the summer and the upcoming semester looming before many of us. This month’s theme is Podcasts for Writers.

These seven podcast recommendations all have something to offer writers. For some, it might be direct, actionable advice. Others might be great examples for writers to emulate in their own work. No matter which you prefer, there will be something on the list for you!

Voices of Color

Voices of Color is a writing discussion podcast. Every week, the hosts discuss a different aspect of writing, such as character development, dialogue, or story pacing. Unlike many discussion podcasts, Voices of Color episodes wrap up in under an hour. This makes it perfect for giving you a boost of motivation on your commute or while taking a break from writing. One of the benefits here is that the five hosts write in a wide variety of genres and mediums. So they bring thoughtful, applicable advice to the table, drawing on their own backgrounds and works to make their discussion relevant to a wide range of listeners.

The Interview

The Interview is an eight-part audio drama created by the Ugandan production company Crown Booth. Three candidates are brought in for a mysterious job interview and things immediately go to hell. Each episode runs only eight to eleven minutes and manages to pack So. Much. Tension into that tiny run time. Writers looking for inspiration to amp up the tension in their own fiction should listen, enjoy, and take careful notes.

Tiny Leaps, Big Changes

While Tiny Leaps, Big Changes isn’t specifically a writing podcast, it has definitely had a major impact on my own writing. Host Gregg Clunis makes personal development and goal-setting feel much more possible in every aspect of life, including creativity. Each weekly episode focuses on exploring small, practical steps that listeners can use to improve their lives from where they are right now. After sifting through hours of self-improvement and productivity podcasts that don’t apply at all to someone in my position, it is so refreshing to listen to someone whose advice doesn’t require heaps of money of full-time childcare in order to succeed.

Writing Excuses

Writing Excuses is a short, weekly podcast created for writers by writers. It’s been around for fifteen years and, while every season contains useful information, the five most recent seasons are the main reason I’m recommending it. Each one has a season-long theme, with the most recent season’s being “Character.” The episodes are succinct, interesting, and really provide solid information that writers can immediately apply to their own work.

Fan Wars

Fan Wars is an audio fiction romantic comedy and not only is it fun and heartfelt, it’s also a masterclass in relationship development. Jackie and Steven both love Star Wars and hate each other. But that doesn’t stop them from regularly interacting online. Creator Shenee Howard shows the natural progression of their relationship through the framing device of phone calls with a smoothness that pulls you right into each conversation. Everyone is flawed, everyone is human, and these very human connections are made in a way many fiction authors struggle to achieve. Plus, I’ve laughed out loud or yelled at the characters alone in my kitchen multiple times.

The Ordinary Epic

The Ordinary Epic is an audio drama about a group of friends and their tabletop roleplay sessions. Two stories intertwine throughout each episode: the personal and professional struggles of the players and the fantastical quest of their RPG characters. they stories blend seamlessly, sneaking up on the listener and getting them invested in both parts before they know what is happening. The Ordinary Epic is a new show that just wrapped up its first season, so now is the perfect time to jump on board.

Write Now

If you subscribe to this newsletter, you likely know Sarah Rhea Werner’s fantastic sci-fi podcast, Girl in Space. Write Now is her other podcast and it’s all about helping writers succeed in both their writing and balancing it with health and wellness. My first introduction to this series was her interview with the legendary Alan Alda. It’s since become one of my go-to podcasts when I need a boost in my own writing confidence. Werner is so thoughtful and honest about her own struggles and successes, which makes this podcast approachable in a way that few other instructional/self-improvement podcasts are.

So that’s it for this month. I’ll be back next month as the summer comes to a close. Happy listening (and writing)!

-Amanda

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