Best Writing Podcasts (2024)

1
AI: Friend or foe? A conversation with Martha Brockenbrough 22:29

2d ago22:29

22:29

1002. This week, Mignon talks with author Martha Brockenbrough about the good and bad sides of using artificial intelligence for writing and education, including ethical concerns about using AI-generated content, strategies for teaching writing in the age of AI, and the potential effects on teachers' jobs. Martha's new book, "Future Tense": https:/…

1
#347 – Writing Award-winning Fiction with Nora Decter 44:58

4d ago44:58

44:58

In this episode, we are joined by Nora Decter, writing instructor and author of How Far We Go and How Fast, her debut YA novel that won the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in 2019. Nora’s latest book, What’s Not Mine, is described as an "absorbing, darkly funny story of family, addiction, and survival." We spoke to Nora about her writing career,…

1
The unspoken rules of adjectives. The rise of 'yeah-nah.' Sundies 17:43

4d ago17:43

17:43

1001. This week, we explore the often-overlooked rules for ordering adjectives in English and when to use commas between them. Then, spurred by a recent shout-out at a Taylor Swift concert in Australia, we look at the rise of the phrase "yeah-nah" (and its American cousin "yeah-no"). | Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.c…

1
WRITER 611: Lia Hills, author of The Desert Knows Her Name, on how she wrote her first draft in two weeks using a voice software! 56:43

5d ago56:43

56:43

Meet award-winning poet, novelist, and translator Lia Hills. Lia reveals her innovative approach of narrating her novel, The Desert Knows Her Name, using voice recognition software while on location in the desert. She completed her first draft in TWO WEEKS! You’ll discover Lia’s methodology, challenges, and the profound connection between place and…

1
[ISBW] Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands 40:47

5d ago40:47

40:47

S20 Ep18: In Which Mur Explores Tarot and Historical Fiction with Susan Wands "Action is always better than no action. You can always fix what you've done. You can't fix not getting started."- Susan Wands Transcript (This post went live for supporters on June 27, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon …

1
S16:E22: Launch Day! Two New Books for Writers (+Win a Freewrite Alpha!) 11:01

5d ago11:01

11:01

Discover the keys to effective plot structure with two new books for writers from K.M. Weiland. Build a strong foundation for your stories!By K.M. Weiland

1
Pinking Shears - 8 July 2024 53:45

5d ago53:45

53:45

When you’re distracted by trying to get the perfect photo at a wedding or fiddling with your camera during a solar eclipse, you’re missing out on some of the experience itself. There’s a term for this: It’s called overshadowing. Plus one of Lionel Hampton’s old bandmates recalls hearing him greet fellow musicians with “How you doing, gates?” It may…

1
Grammar Girl at 1000: Words, wisdom, and a dash of whimsy 25:35

9d ago25:35

25:35

1000. In this special 1000th episode, I take the hot seat to answer your questions. Hear what made the first year of the podcast so wild, what I wish I had done differently, what mistakes I still make, how I still find fresh topics after all these years, and the title of my secret dream show (hint: it involves penguins!). It's a celebration of lang…

1
The birth of American English. How to recognize a phrasal verb. Cucka-nucka. 19:06

11d ago19:06

19:06

999. This week, we look at what shaped early American English, from Native American words to Noah Webster's spelling reforms. Then, we explore phrasal verbs, looking at their grammatical peculiarities and some tips to distinguish them from other types of verbs. The "American English" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguisti…

1
WRITER 610: Meet Kyra Geddes, author of 'The Story Thief' 58:02

12d ago58:02

58:02

Meet Kyra Geddes, author of The Story Thief. Kyra discusses her journey from idea to publication, the importance of research, and the challenges of editing her manuscript. The episode concludes with writing tips and a book giveaway: The Wrong Man by Tim Ayliffe. 00:00 Introduction 01:33 Nat Newman’s writing tips 09:10 Book giveaway: The Wrong Man b…

1
[ISBW] Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas 31:32

12d ago31:32

31:32

S20 Ep17: In Which Mur Reflects on Creativity and Ambition "It's really easy. It's so relaxing to not be creative."- Mur Transcript This week, Mur shares her journey through book edits, the struggles of low energy, and the comforting realization that creation is often less comforting than consumption. Mur explores the myriad of creative opportuniti…

1
S16:E21: Everything You Need to Know About the Lie the Character Believes 24:48

12d ago24:48

24:48

Discover the secrets of the Lie the Character Believes. Explore the impact of this crucial storytelling element.By K.M. Weiland

1
Baby Blues (Rebroadcast) - 1 July 2024 53:45

12d ago53:45

53:45

A hundred years ago, suffragists lobbied to win women the right to vote. Linguistically speaking, though, suffrage isn’t about “suffering.” It’s from a Latin word that involves voting. Plus: military cadences often include Jody calls, rhyming verses about the mythical guy who steals your sweetheart while you’re off serving the country. But just who…

1
WRITER 609: Hachette’s Vanessa Radnidge on why you should enter the Richell Prize. 19:23

16d ago19:23

19:23

In this special time-sensitive episode of 'So You Want to be a Writer,' Valerie Khoo discusses the prestigious Richell Prize with Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Narrative Nonfiction and Literary at Hachette. The episode dives into the details and benefits of entering this unique prize, which offers a $10,000 reward and a year-long mentorship with a Hach…

1
Buying your hometown newspaper, with Samantha & Greg Enslen 46:13

16d ago46:13

46:13

998. This week, I talked with Samantha and Greg Enslen, who recently purchased their hometown newspaper, the "Tippecanoe Gazette" in Tipp City, Ohio. Sam and Greg shared how they are making it work, from updating antiquated systems to expanding news coverage and readership. We also discussed balancing print and digital content, the challenges of ad…

1
#346 – Spicy Romantasy, Podcasting, and Pen Names with Sacha Black 46:40

18d ago46:40

46:40

In this episode, we spoke to indie author, writing craft expert, podcaster, and all-around talented rebel author Sacha Black! Sacha is the author of several writing craft books, host of The Rebel Author Podcast, and writer of adult sapphic fantasy fiction under the pen name Ruby Roe. Sacha is also a regular speaker at author conferences around the …

1
'Which' versus 'that.' Words for walking. Bottleadammit. 16:18

18d ago16:18

16:18

997. This week, I help you learn (and remember!) the difference between "which" and "that" with practical tips and examples about cupcakes. Then, we take a linguistic stroll through walking-related terms, including "perambulate," "sashay," and "traipse." The "words for walking" segment was written by Michaela Dunn, a Wyoming-based editor and publis…

1
WRITER 608: Meet Michael Brissenden who chats about his novel 'Smoke’ 56:11

19d ago56:11

56:11

Meet Michael Brissenden who chats about his latest novel Smoke. He discusses his research process, where he gets his ideas, how he uses a whiteboard in his writing process and transition from journalism to fiction writing. 0:00 Introduction and welcome 00:23 Success story: Sarah Speedie 03:40 Nat Newman's writing tips 05:58 Finding beta readers 12:…

1
[ISBW] Short Story Submissions and Surviving Rejections 28:18

19d ago28:18

28:18

S20 Ep16: In Which Mur Tackles Short Fiction Submissions "You're not gonna be Wiswell or Chambers. You're gonna be you."- Mur In this episode, Mur delves into the intricacies of submitting short fiction, sharing invaluable tips and personal experiences. From the importance of understanding market guidelines to the emotional resilience required to h…

1
S16:E20: Juggling Life and Writing: 9 Tips for Maintaining Creative Focus 17:13

19d ago17:13

17:13

Learn effective strategies for juggling life and writing, including ways to maintain creative focus amid distractions.By K.M. Weiland

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Sleeve Island - 24 June 2024 53:45

19d ago53:45

53:45

Language from inside a monastery. A Benedictine monk in the Episcopal Church shares terms from his world: For example, corporate prayer refers to praying as a group. And did you know there’s a term of art for those annoying add-on costs when you buy tickets online? It’s called drip pricing. Plus: Why do we hear the word Perfect! when we’ve answered…

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The Hidden Stories of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart 39:41

23d ago39:41

39:41

996. This week, you'll learn about the rich linguistic history of African American English with Dr. Sonja Lanehart, an advisor to the Oxford Dictionary of African American English. We talked about what goes into making an entirely new dictionary and about some of the first entries, including "kitchen," "Aunt Hagar's Children," and "do rag." Find Dr…

1
The art of punctuation and the charm of 'kerfuffle.' Nicing. 18:18

25d ago18:18

18:18

995. This week, we look at when to use parentheses, dashes, and commas and how the choice can change the tone of your writing. Then, we dive into the history of words for describing a big fuss — "kerfuffle," "hullabaloo," "hoopla," and more. The "big fuss" segment was written by Samantha Enslen, who runs Dragonfly Editorial. You can find her at Dra…

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WRITER 607: Author Pamela Freeman and illustrator Liz Anelli on how they collaborated to create 'Seed to Sky: Life in the Daintree' 1:01:38

26d ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Meet author Pamela Freeman and illustrator Liz Anelli. They discuss their collaborative process in creating the picture book Seed to Sky: Life in the Daintree. They talk about the research, writing, and illustration process, how they balance text and visuals, and the importance of accuracy in children’s non-fiction. 00:00 Introduction and welcome 0…

1
S16:E19: Scene Structure and Transitions in Big Scenes 22:58

26d ago22:58

22:58

Learn how to seamlessly transition out of big set pieces in your story. Discover practical tips for scene structure and transitions.By K.M. Weiland

1
Walkie Talkie (Rebroadcast) - 17 June 2024 53:45

26d ago53:45

53:45

One of the most powerful words you’ll ever hear — and one of the most poignant — isn’t in dictionaries yet. But it probably will be one day. The word is endling, and it means “the last surviving member of a species.” The surprising story behind this word includes a doctor in a Georgia convalescent center, a museum exhibit in Australia, the Tasmania…

1
Exploring the Language of 'Dune': An Interview with Kevin J. Anderson and Scott Brick 44:42

1M ago44:42

44:42

994. This week, I sat down with the prolific "Dune" author Kevin J. Anderson and the famed "Dune" narrator Scott Brick to explore the language challenges in the "Dune" series. Learn how Kevin and Scott navigated Frank Herbert's original vocabulary, stayed true to the cultural influences of the names and terms, and created an extensive pronunciation…

1
#345 – Maximizing Your Book Marketing with Mal Cooper 45:06

1M ago45:06

45:06

In this episode, we are joined by Malorie Cooper, author and co-founder of The Writing Wives, where Malorie and her wife Jill offer author coaching and author marketing services! Mal writes science fiction titles under M.D. Cooper and non-fiction titles under Mal Cooper, with a focus on Facebook advertising and helping indie authors market their bo…

1
The power of sign language in 'Dune.' The words we use for dad. Chee 16:42

1M ago16:42

16:42

993. This week, we cover the strategic use of sign language by the Bene Gesserit in the 'Dune' movies, including its importance in covert communication. Then, we look at the many words for 'father' and their historical and linguistic significance, from early baby talk to more formal terms for adults. Dune sign language supercut video: https://youtu…

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WRITER 606: B.M. Carroll on her latest novel 'One Of Us Is Missing' 48:52

1M ago48:52

48:52

Valerie interviews B.M. Carroll, whose latest thriller, One of Us Is Missing, revolves around a family dealing with a mysterious disappearance of one family member during a concert. The conversation also touches on B.M. Carroll's writing process, character development, and the importance of feedback and rewriting. 00:00 Introduction and shoutout to…

1
Tiger Tail (Rebroadcast) - 10 June 2024 53:45

1M ago53:45

53:45

You may have a favorite word in English, but what about your favorite in another language? The Spanish term ojalá is especially handy for expressing hopefulness and derives from Arabic for “God willing.” In Trinidad, if you want to ask friends to hang out with you, invite them to go liming. Nobody’s sure about this word’s origin, although it may in…

1
The crossword craze — now and then — with Ben Zimmer 27:11

1M ago27:11

27:11

992. What began as a simple word game in 1913 sparked a nationwide craze just a decade later, causing a moral panic and changing American publishing forever. This week, Ben Zimmer, a prolific crossword constructor and language commentator, takes us through the crossword puzzle's surprising early history and enduring legacy. He also explores the mod…

1
From 'dog' to 'hot dog.' The 'audience of one' trick. More on the long S. Footbridge. 20:29

1M ago20:29

20:29

991. This week, we trace the origin and meaning of the word "dog," from its mysterious beginning to its current use in phrases like "hot dog" and "hair of the dog." Then we go through the "audience of one" concept, which involves tailoring content to a single, imagined recipient; and we look at how this approach can make your writing more understan…

1
WRITER 605: Amy Hutton on her novels 'Love From Scratch' and 'Sit, Stay Love'. 59:05

1M ago59:05

59:05

Amy Hutton, author of Love From Scratch and Sit, Stay, Love. Amy discusses her journey from TV producer to successful romance novelist, the importance of social media presence for authors, and practical tips for aspiring writers. Host Valerie Khoo also chats to author Nat Newman who shares her experience with the Meisner acting technique, and provi…

1
S16:E18: 5 Strategies for Writing the Parts You Don't Like 19:01

1M ago19:01

19:01

Discover effective strategies for writing the parts you don't like and maintaining creative flow through elements that trigger resistance.By K.M. Weiland

1
Clever Clogs (Rebroadcast) - 3 June 2024 53:45

1M ago53:45

53:45

Ribbon fall. Gallery forest. You won’t find terms like these in most dictionaries, but they and hundreds like them are discussed by famous writers in the book Home Ground: A Guide to the American Landscape. The book is an intriguing collection of specialized vocabulary that invites us to look more closely at the natural world — and delight in its l…

1
Why is this a question? with Paul Anthony Jones 29:40

1M ago29:40

29:40

990. Have you ever wondered why English doesn't have gender like Spanish and French? Which languages are the hardest to learn (and why)? And why a Q is always followed by a U? We have the answers to those questions and more this week from Paul Anthony Jones, author of "Why is this a question?" | Find Paul Anthony Jones at https://www.paulanthonyjon…

1
#344 – Committing to Your Writing Practice with Jessie Kwak 42:53

2M ago42:53

42:53

In this episode, we are joined by author, conference organizer, and ghostwriter Jessie Kwak to discuss all things writing and publishing! Jessie is the author of over fifteen books, including series like The Nanshe Chronicles and The Bulari Saga, as well as standalone thrillers such as From Earth and Bone. Jessie’s expansive career has encompassed …

1
What is a Word? Target moments. 18:41

2M ago18:41

18:41

989. What is a word? Does "that's" count as one word or two? In this excerpt from Paul Anthony Jones' new book "Why Is This a Question," we look at how things like plurals, compound words, and contractions make defining the word "word" a tricky exercise. | Find Paul Anthony Jones at https://www.paulanthonyjones.com/ | Edited transcript with links: …

1
WRITER 604: Valerie talks to copywriting guru Bernadette Schwerdt on how she co-wrote entrepreneur Radek Sali’s memoir, 'How to Build a Billion Dollar Business'. 51:40

2M ago51:40

51:40

Explore the world of co-writing and collaboration with Radek Sali and Bernadette Schwerdt. They explore the collaborative effort behind writing Radek’s book, How to Build a Billion Dollar Business, discussing challenges, the process of co-writing, the importance of capturing emotional depth in storytelling, and the profound impact of building a pur…

1
John McNally 18:08

2M ago18:08

18:08

Interview with John McNally, author of the crime novel THE PINNED BUTTERFLY, published under the pen name Johnny Mack. You can support the podcast today by buying me a coffee, or you can subscribe to the podcast via Apple iTunes for ad-free episodes. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/reading-and-writing-podcast/donations Advertising I…

1
Bug in Your Ear (Rebroadcast) - 27 May 2024 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

Is there something inherent in English that makes it the linguistic equivalent of the Borg, dominating and consuming other languages in its path? No, not at all. The answer lies with politics and conquest rather than language itself. Plus: a new baby may be lovingly placed in a giraffe and spend time in the Panda room, but where is that? And: it’s …

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How a special dictionary kept soldiers connected during WWII, with Peter Sokolowski 26:50

2M ago26:50

26:50

988. Peter Sokolowski, an editor at Merriam-Webster, goes through the fascinating history of the Armed Services Editions, a series of books published during World War II for distribution among the troops. We look at the special problems of wartime publishing, the collaborative efforts among publishers, and the lasting influence of these books on th…

1
Why some sentences have double subjects. The story behind the old F-like letter S. Schwen schwen on dill. 16:49

2M ago16:49

16:49

987. This week, we look at why people sometimes double their subjects, writing sentences such as "John, he bought a car," and when it's OK (and not OK) to do so. Plus, we talk about the medial S, a strange F-like letter that makes an S-sound and shows up in old documents. We look at how it came to be, its role in English typography, and what made i…

1
WRITER 603: Picture book author Megan Daley on how to nurture your children to become readers. 46:31

2M ago46:31

46:31

Meet Megan Daley, author of The Beehive. Megan talks about her passion for children’s literature, her role as a teacher librarian, and her picture book The Beehive. She also discusses her book Raising Readers, which emphasises the importance of instilling a love of reading in children from a young age and offers practical advice for parents. 00:00 …

1
S16:E17: Troubleshooting Your Story's Ending 16:38

2M ago16:38

16:38

Learn how to troubleshoot your story's ending and craft a compelling climax. Tips on character arcs and themes for a satisfying conclusion.By K.M. Weiland

1
The Black Dog (Rebroadcast) - 20 May 2024 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

Books were rare treasures in the Middle Ages, painstakingly copied out by hand. So how to protect them from theft? Scribes sometimes added a curse to the first page of those books that was supposed to keep thieves away — and some were as vicious as they were creative! Also: if you spot a typo in a published book, should you contact the publisher? M…

1
[ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant 34:15

2M ago34:15

34:15

S20 Ep15: In Which Mur Muses on AI and the Writer's Journey "I'm exaggerating a little bit, but if you look at the last 20 years, that's pretty much how I work."- Mur Transcript In this podcast we dive into the depths of editing my novel, Infinite Archive, and how I'm navigating the murky waters of murder mystery tweaks. We also explore the increas…

1
Efficiency hacks for writers and editors with Erin Brenner 31:53

2M ago31:53

31:53

986. Erin Brenner, author of "The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors," shares time-saving tips including the best practices for using Word, creating macros, and using automation tools like Zapier. You'll also learn about starting and growing a freelance business, including how to figure out what to charge, how to make ends meet at the beginning, a…

1
#343 – From Romance Reader to Romance Author with Bal Khabra 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

In this episode, we are joined by Vancouver-based Bal Khabra, debut author of hockey romance novel Collide! Bal started out as an avid reader of romance and reviewer of romance titles, and after reading over 150 romance novels in one year, decided she was ready to write one! That novel, Collide, was picked up and published by Penguin Random House a…

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