FAVORITE PODCASTS

As writers, we usually turn to books to learn more, including the craft of writing. But there’s also another choice: audio, whether it’s podcasts, online interviews, and more. Here are some of my favorites:

Writing Excuses, www.writingexcuses.com, which has a tagline of “Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart.” Although it has the name of “Writing Excuses,” it covers everything writing-related, from characterization to setting to sensory writing.

The Story Grid, https://storygrid.simplecast.fm/. This is currently one of my favorite podcasts. For the past seven months, developmental editor Tim Grahl and author Shawn Coyne have been shaping Coyne’s work in progress. Hear them talk about scenes, story structure, and characters.

The Creative Penn, http://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/, are podcasts by author Joanna Penn, who interviews other authors and publishing experts. There’s especially good information for those hoping to self-publish.

StoryWonk, http://storywonk.com/podcasts/, discusses books, TV shows and movies. As their description says: “We analyse, critique, and celebrate pop culture, the art and craft of writing, the worlds, characters and relationships that fascinate us, and much more besides. Listening to a StoryWonk podcast is like having two smart friends over for dinner, and talking about the stories you love!”

Magic Lessons, http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/magic-lessons/, with Elizabeth Gilbert are podcasts of a little over an hour featuring well-known and not-so-well-known authors—but all of them interesting.

Self Publishing Formula, http://www.selfpublishingformula.com/category/podcast/, has several podcasts for indie writers.

The Writer Files, http://rainmaker.fm/series/writer/, hosted by Kelton Reid, interviews authors in short podcasts of under 20 minutes.

Book Launch Show, https://booklaunchshow.simplecast.fm/, by Tim Grahl teaches you “the fundamentals of launching a bestselling book.”

Indie Author Fringe Conference
The Indie Author Fringe has daylong online events, courtesy of the Alliance of Independent Authors. Three are scheduled for 2017: in March, June, and October. There are also archives for the 2016 event. These are hourlong podcasts and interviews, all topics of interest to indie authors. http://selfpublishingadvice.org/what-is-indie-author-fringe/

Ted and Tedx Talks
Elizabeth Gilbert: Two talks at http://www.ted.com/speakers/elizabeth_gilbert, including one of my favorites, “Your Elusive Creative Genius.”

Amy Tan’s “Where Does Creativity Hide?” http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_tan_on_creativity

Jessica Lourey’s “Use Fiction to Rewrite Your Life” at https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI

John Dufresne on “How to Write a Story” at https://youtu.be/urJDbQl5W0I  

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