Podcast

Essential Listening For Self-Published Writers

If you're new to self-publishing, you'll be pleased to hear that there are some brilliant resources available to help you get up to speed with what's happening in the industry.

I've assembled a core list of podcasts that I listen to every week, and I'd now count them as part of my essential listening.

These are not in any particular order, and they can all be found in iTunes and Stitcher as well as all the regular podcast directories.

The Creative Penn Podcast

What does it cover? This is a mixed format podcast in that it always contains a weekly update of self-publishing news, the presenter also lets you know what she's up to in her writing career, and then you get an industry-related interview which lasts about 30 minutes or so.

About the presenter: Joanna Penn is a fiction and non-fiction author.

She positions herself as an author-entrepreneur, which ensures that you get lots of great tips with a focus on the business side of being a self-published author.

I've consumed most of Joanna's non-fiction books now, her blog at https://www.thecreativepenn.com/ is excellent, and she's very active within the ALLi community (The Alliance of Independent Authors).

Such is my high regard for Joanna's content; I have even travelled down to London (from Carlisle) to attend one of her full-day workshops.

Why listen? I'd say that Joanna is probably the most authoritative source in the UK on self-publishing – if I've missed anybody else who shares as much useful information, please let me know in the comments below.

I particularly like the way that she drills down into the details of how she generates her self-publishing based income.

Stitcher link: https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/46301/details

The Creative Penn Podcast

Begin Self-Publishing Podcast

What does it cover? This podcast is slightly more technical in nature compared with others on this page.

It digs beneath the surface of software and services, but it is focused on all times on indie authors.

About the presenter: Tim Lewis is the host of the show and it's quite clear that he comes from a technical background.

However, he does not ‘over-geek' the show at all, it's totally accessible and packed with useful information.

Why listen? I think that this podcast provides something quite different from all the rest on this page.

Whilst firmly focused on the needs and concerns of the indie author, Tim takes a more technical view of things, but his explanations are clear, pertinent and very informative.

I'd recommend listening alongside the other shows on this page, each one offers something really different.

Begin Self-Publishing Podcast

Stitcher link: https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/68947/details

The Self Publishing Podcast

What does it cover? I'm a huge fan of this podcast, and the guys who produce it are prolific creators of self-published fiction and non-fiction.

As well as listening to the podcast, I highly recommend checking out their excellent audio Write. Publish. Repeat.: The No-Luck Guide to Self-Publishing Success.

This has to be one of the best guides to self-publishing that's available.

Please don't be put off by the podcast on first listen, it might all sound a bit informal, but these guys walk the walk and talk the talk.

Their level of productivity is phenomenal, and they're building an impressive self-publishing empire.

You'll get all sorts of practical tips and lots of conversations about the sales and marketing side of the business.

It's very funny too, so what's not to like?

About the presenters: The presenters are Johnny B. Truant, Sean Platt and David W. Wright.

They're all writers, but their innovative approach to the creative process is amazing, these guys know how to produce and shift product.

Why listen? As well as being extremely funny, this podcast is packed with great information.

You're listening to three very experienced hands in these broadcasts, so look for the plentiful nuggets in among all the laughs.

Tip: I recommend listening to their StoryShop project at https://sterlingandstone.net/series/storyshop/, it's more like a teaching audio than a podcast and is packed with practical information.

I also love listening to The Walking Dave and Worst. Show. Ever. podcasts, but I suggest that you graduate to those once you've got to know and like the guys on the main writing podcast.

Stitcher link: https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/26365/details

The Self-Publishing Podcast

The Sell More Books Show

What does it cover? This is a ‘news and views' show, and it will keep you bang up to date with all the latest developments in self-publishing.

One of the strengths of this broadcast is in the rapport and chat between the hosts.

It's a fairly rigid format, with the top five news stories each week, but you get the occasional guest too.

It's a tight half-hour listen, so it's the perfect length for a morning workout 🙂

About the presenters:  Jim Kukral and Bryan Cohen jointly present this podcast.

Jim Kukral has a lot of internet marketing experience, as well as being an author.

Bryan Cohen has written a lot of books – fiction and non-fiction – and has much experience in writing copy.

Why listen? I wouldn't be without this show and you get a huge dose of  Jim Kukral's common sense and experience in each edition.

Combined with the other two podcasts, you'll be well up to speed with everything in self-publishing if you listen to this show.

Stitcher link: https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/48277/details

The Sell More Books Show

The Authority Self-Publishing Podcast

What does it cover? This podcast started life as the Self-Publishing Questions podcast.

It has now evolved, adding two new presenters and gaining a longer format.

The Seld Publishing Questions podcast has formed an excellent archive; it's well worth checking out here.

It works well because it's so short – you can get quick, snappy answers to many of the common problems connected with self-publishing.

The Authority Self-Publishing Podcast carries on where Self-Publishing Questions left off, regarding quality and usefulness.

It's a much longer format, and I like the addition of two new presenters, it adds more experience and alternating viewpoints to the mix.

About the presenters: Steve Scott has had tremendous success as a self-publisher, he's produced many web-related and personal development guides.

He also has an internet marketing background, so also knows his stuff when it comes to web-based marketing too.

Barrie Davenport and Ron Clendenin are the two new additions to the format; they have a different background to Steve, and I find that they both add something useful to the mix.

Why listen? This podcast is incredibly useful and packed with great, practical and actionable tips.

Because Steve Scott is marketing at scale and runs a serious self-publishing business, it helps to gain the benefit of his business building and marketing experience.

The presenters work well together; I like this new format, and it's become part of my essential weekly listening.

Stitcher link: https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/58568/details

Authority Self Publishing podcast

The Worried Writer Podcast

What does it cover? This podcast follows the conventional ‘interview a guest' format, with presenter Sarah Painter starting each episode with personal news and interesting update.

The interviews get plenty of time to breathe, and Sarah has picked some great guests, so I have found the content to be useful, entertaining and informative.

I really like Sarah's presentation style, it's very easy to listen to and she provides a very good mix of knowledge, experience and tips with just the right amount of ‘author angst'.

About the presenter:  Sarah Painter is a UK-based ‘author of contemporary fiction with a touch of magic'.

Now, the genre of those books isn't my sort of thing at all – neither are they aimed at a reader like me of course – but that does not detract one jot from the usefulness of the podcast, so if you prefer to read action thrillers with lots of gore, it won't be a problem on the podcast, don't worry 🙂

Why listen? This is a relatively new podcast compared to the others on the list, but it has quickly established its style and format.

I've worked my way through every episode now, and I feel that the podcast offers something unique and different to what the others in the list are trying to achieve.

It has a greater focus on traditional publishing but it is very open and receptive to what's going on in indie circles too.

Stitcher link: https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/64515/details

The Worried Writer Podcast

Create If Writing Podcast

What does it cover? Although this podcast is aimed at both writers and bloggers, it's actually packed with great tips and advice on working effectively online. The podcast specialises in not marketing in a sleazy way and I've picked up several online tools that I'd never heard of before listening.

About the presenter: Kirsten Oliphant writes non-fiction books (which you can find on Amazon) and two blogs. She has a relaxed and knowledgeable presentation style, making the show a pleasant and informative listen.

Why listen? I like podcasts which offer something different from the others and when I listen to this show, I'm hearing tips and advice that I can't access elsewhere else and I'm hearing guests that I'm not already aware of. I also like it that Kirsten is not at the top of the online ‘food chain' which means that the advice she shares is pertinent to people at my kind of level and the recommendations are always budget sensitive.

Stitcher link: https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/64754/details

Create If Writing

So You Want To Be A Writer Podcast

What does it cover? This podcast is a ‘show' in the truest sense of the word. It has several features – news, a special guest, a ‘word of the week' and competitions – and it's quite long ie over 1 hour.

About the presenters: The magic in this show is in the personalities and experience of the authors, Valerie Khoo and Allison Tait, both successful journalists and authors. They're funny too, the banter is good, so it's always a very enjoyable listen.

Why listen? As a UK listener, I'm listening to Australian guests who I don't get to hear anywhere else. The exchanges between Allison and Valerie really make this show a lot of fun to listen to.

Stitcher link: https://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/51422/details

So You Want To Be A Writer

Don't Forget …

My own podcast can be found at: https://self-publishing-journeys.com/

Self Publishing Journeys podcast

 

How To Build Your Author Platform

Buy it on Amazon here

Buy it on Createspace here

More podcasts

There are many more self-publishing podcasts, and I listen to some of them, but these are my weekly ‘must listens', the shows that give me the most value.

If you think I missed one out – or if there's a great show that you'd like to share here – please add it in the comments below.

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