The Best Podcasts for Writers

As podcasts continue to grow in popularity, it’s no secret that there truly is a podcast for everyone. It’s also a hive of information for writers, editors, and book lovers. As with books, however, it’s best to start with a few podcast recommendations. So, whether you’re looking to brush up on your grammar skills, hone your first draft, stay in touch on what readers want, or to feel inspired after a creative dry spell, your next podcast favorite just might be in the list below.

Educational

Whether you want to increase your vocabulary, brush up on your grammar, or understanding more about editing, these podcasts are for you.

• Merriam Webster’s Word of the Day—Each podcast episode is two minutes or less, but you’ll be introduced to a new word each day.
• Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing—Do you always forget what a dangling participle is or aren’t quite sure when to use hyphens? Each episode details a specific grammar topic, and in thirty-five minutes or less, you’ll feel like a grammar champ!
• The Writership Podcast Editing Tips for Fiction Authors—A professional editor hosts this podcast and she dives into every topic imaginable when it comes to writing fiction.

On Writing…

• Roy Writing Tools—Roy Peter Clark from the Poynter Institute, a school for journalism, hosts this podcast. Episodes cover everything from starting sentences with subjects and verbs to owning the tools of your craft. In seven minutes or less, you’ll have a better understanding of how to grow in your own writing.

• The Story Grid—This podcast’s main desire to help listeners become better writers. This amazing podcast covers everything from crafting a great villain to the five commandments of storytelling, and more. Basically, if you have ever had a specific question about writing, there is probably a Story Grid podcast episode to answer it. (Note: Some episodes are marked explicit for language.)
• The Creative Penn—This podcast covers topics that extend beyond writing, and go more into self-publishing, book marketing, and how to make a living writing. With more than 200 episodes to choose from, you’ll never run out of listening material.

On Reading…

• The Book Review—This podcast is run by the New York Times discusses all things books and what’s going on in the publishing world at the moment. The host and various New York Times’ editors also interview notable authors and discuss the top books of each week.
• What Should I Read Next?—Ever finish a book and wonder what you should read next? That’s how What Should I Read Next? got started. This podcast is great for writers because it provides insight into books readers love, the books they don’t like, and what they’re reading next. That information can come in handy when deciding what to write about in your own book.

…And More

• TED Talks Daily—Feeling uninspired or looking for a brand-new story idea? TED Talks cover every subject imaginable and can be an unexpected source of inspiration for fiction writers.

• The Goal Digger—This podcast is for every writer who dreams of turning their love for writing into a business, covering everything from growing an Instagram following to creating email lists, and more.

• Stuff You Should Know—This is another great podcast when you’re digging around for story inspiration. They cover how anything and everything in the world actually works. Ever wonder how trampolines work? There’s an episode about it? Writing Science Fiction and need to know more about galaxies? There’s an episode on those, too!
• The Authorpreneur Podcast—Not only do they cover writing topics like finishing your first draft, but I really love it for the marketing advice it provides authors. Listen to the episodes that discuss developing your author platform, hiring an editor, and more.

Have you jumped on the podcast train? If so, we would love to hear your favorite ones!