Best Podcasts for Authors (and Writers) in 2025

This post was last updated in September 2025.

When was the last time you woke up, bolted out of bed, and ran straight to the computer, fueled by the overwhelming desire to simply write?

In an ideal world, author inspiration would flow so quickly and easily that each day would look like this. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Any author knows that finding inspiration is often a hard-won battle. With all those pesky little distractions of everyday life getting in the way, it can be hard to consistently muster the desire to write.

Luckily, there are people in the world who recognize this. These people have built podcasts dedicated to the very art of fueling author’s inspiration. Listening to podcasts that benefit your writing is an additional healthy habit that can recharge your creative battery.

We’ve selected the top writing podcasts that can benefit your author journey whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned pro. Check out our must-listens below, followed by the important takeaways of each one:

1. The Written Word Podcast
2. The Creative Penn Podcast
3. Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
4. I Should Be Writing
5. Writing Excuses
6. The Sell More Books Show
7. Self-Publishing with ALLi
8. Wish I’d Known Then… For Writers
9. Writers, Ink
10. The Writer Files

The Written Word Podcast

Best for: Self-published, indie, or aspiring authors looking to grow their career.

Designed for authors who want to sell more books, build a loyal readership, and navigate the ever-changing publishing world, The Written Word Podcast goes beyond writing tips to explore what it really takes to succeed. Each episode blends insights on the craft of writing with practical marketing and publishing strategies so whether you consider yourself a writer, an author, or a little of both, you’ll find smart, supportive advice that meets you where you are.

Episode frequency

New episodes drop every two weeks on Tuesdays.

Why listen

Hosted by the team behind Written Word Media (yep, that’s us!), this podcast delivers real-world strategies for growing your writing career. Episodes dive into the business and craft of being an author, from boosting book sales to building your audience. Expect candid conversations, expert insights, and actionable advice designed to help you thrive in today’s publishing landscape—whether you’re launching your first book or managing a full backlist.

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The Creative Penn Podcast

Best for: New and seasoned authors looking to learn about the writing industry.

In the name of saving marketing dollars, some authors serve as their own editors. Heck, some authors are their own editors, publishers, cover designers… and so on. You know how it goes in the world of indie publishing.

The Creative Penn Podcast was founded with this in mind. Joanna Penn – author, marketer, and entrepreneur extraordinaire – brought her talents to the world of podcasting back in 2009 with her first podcast episode. Since then, she’s released 500+ episodes that range from how to edit your book to audiobook narration tips.

Newbies and seasoned authors alike will delight in Penn’s years of publishing knowledge and actionable tips. Not only does she have her expertise to pull into episodes, but she frequently features well-known authors and literary figures on the podcast. Our favorite aspect of The Creative Penn Podcast is that it not only fuels inspiration, but it can help build a foundational knowledge that many new indie authors need to succeed.

Episode frequency

Podcast episodes go out each Monday on Penn’s website, and can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and more platforms.

Why listen

This podcast will inspire you by providing a holistic picture of the publishing world, building your industry knowledge from the ground up.

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Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Best for: Authors looking for helpful grammar and writing tips

Grammar’s hard. We’ll be the first to admit it. From “I before E, except after C” to the ever-controversial Oxford comma, it can be a real challenge to keep all the grammatical ducks in a row. Good thing that Mignon Fogarty, founder of the Quick and Dirty Tips network, created the Grammar Girl podcast.

This podcast is one we would recommend bringing into your weekly, or even daily, rotation. Fogarty’s episodes are brief (typically under 15 minutes) and range from explaining how to punctuate questions to the how to’s of good storytelling. We particularly enjoy Fogarty’s ability to bring historical details into her podcast to show how the English language has developed.

Episode frequency

You can find Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Podcasts and episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Her latest episodes also appear on the Quick and Dirty Tips website.

Why listen

Turn to this podcast to develop a greater appreciation of the English language. Bring your inner grammar nerd out!

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I Should Be Writing

Best for: Aspiring writers

Inspiration is the name of the game with the I Should Be Writing podcast. Author Mur Lafferty has been producing episodes since 2005, telling her fiction-writing listeners about the highs and lows of a writing career while also interviewing professional writers. Lafferty has a second podcast called Ditch Diggers that discusses the nitty-gritty of the writing business. Think of Ditch Diggers as being less art-focused, more business-centered.

One of our favorite episodes of I Should Be Writing is called “Fire Up the Idea Machine!” Lafferty talks about her personal struggles with avoiding electronic devices, and how going so far as physically locking her tablet up has led to better writing.

In other episodes, she talks about building habits as an author. As you know, we’ve mentioned that developing writing habits is just one step towards author success.

Episode frequency

Listen to I Should Be Writing on Google Podcasts, TuneIn, the “ISBW” website, and more. Episodes drop a few times per month.

Why listen

If there’s a podcast capable of lighting a fire under you, it’s this one. As a fellow author, Lafferty knows what new writers need to hear.

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Writing Excuses

Best for: Authors looking to simply improve their craft through quick tips

“Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart.”

Yep, that’s the motto behind the Writing Excuses podcast. If you couldn’t tell, the podcasts hosts have a great sense of humor, don’t take themselves too seriously, and believe in providing bitesize episodes that pack a punch. The entire goal of Writing Excuses is to help writers – any writer – get better at their craft. Select seasons of this podcast are broken down into themes.

If you come to Writing Excuses for the impressive hosts (ranging from award-winning authors to creative writing professors), you’ll want to stay for the easy-to-navigate website that provides high-level overviews of what each episode is about. Scroll through and quickly decide if episode 15.15 about dialogue or 15.20 about mental wellness is right for you.

Episode frequency

Episodes drop every Sunday.

Why listen

Our recommendation? Begin your day with these fun, brief episodes while you brush your teeth or have breakfast to start creating daily habits.

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The Sell More Books Show

Best for: Any author looking to sell more books!

Hosted by Bryan Cohen and H. Claire Taylor, the Sell More Books Show focuses on exactly what you would expect: helping authors sell more books.

Episodes are generally around an hour long, and the hosts cover a number of different topics and headlines each episode. From best practices when launching a new release, to the latest news with Amazon, Cohen and Taylor keep listeners up to date with the latest book marketing trends and best practices.

One reason we like the Sell More Books show is the hosts’ experience and wisdom when it comes to book marketing. They keep an upbeat and positive attitude around book marketing (not always an easy task), and they are quick to offer words of calm when they think a new trend won’t last.

Episode frequency

Episodes drop every Wednesday.

Why listen

This podcast is a great addition for any author who does their own marketing. The episodes are easy to listen to and still packed with information.

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Self-Publishing with ALLi

Best for: Self-published authors looking for publishing news and business advice.

Self-Publishing with ALLi is presented by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) with each episode focusing on a key area like publishing for profit, creating better books, and expanding your readership. In addition to these topic-based episodes, the podcast includes a monthly live Q&A and a weekly Self-Publishing News segment, which delivers insightful analysis on the industry’s most important developments.

Episode frequency

Episodes drop twice weekly.

Why listen

It’s like having a self-publishing mentor in your earbuds! This podcast offers expert guidance on both the business and creative sides of indie publishing. With dedicated segments covering everything from profit strategies to craft improvement and reader outreach, you’ll stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve in an ever-changing industry.

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Wish I’d Known Then… For Writers

Best for: Self-published authors looking for writing, publishing and marketing tips.

Wish I’d Known Then… For Writers is a podcast all about the lessons self-published authors have learned on their path to success. Hosted by Jami Albright and Sara Rosett, the show features warm, insightful interviews with fellow authors making each episode feel like a conversation with old friends (the kind who ask really smart questions). New episodes drop weekly and dive deep into topics like the craft of writing, book promotion, industry trends, running an author business, and the personal challenges that come with the author journey.

Episode frequency

Episodes drop weekly.

Why listen

This podcast gives you the kind of honest, behind-the-scenes insights most authors wish they had before hitting “publish.” With candid conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and what they’d do differently, Jami and Sara help demystify the writing and publishing process. You’ll walk away from each episode with practical advice, emotional validation, and the reassuring sense that you’re not alone on this author journey.

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Writers, Ink

Best for: Authors looking for insider tips on the writing craft and process from bestselling authors and publishing experts.

Writers, Ink is your “backstage pass to the world’s most prolific authors.” Hosted by a rotating panel of writers including J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, and Kevin Tumlinson, this weekly podcast blends publishing news and personal updates with in-depth interviews featuring authors, publishers, and industry pros. The hosts have a talent for drawing out behind-the-scenes insights on both the craft and business of writing. Each episode wraps with thoughtful takeaways, making it easy to walk away with something useful whether you’re writing your first book or your fiftieth.

Episode frequency

Episodes drop weekly.

Why listen

Writers, Ink gives you direct access to the minds of successful authors and publishing insiders. The hosts ask the kinds of questions working writers really want answers to, and their mix of news, humor, and career advice makes this podcast equal parts informative and entertaining.

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The Writer Files

Best for: Authors looking for insights on productivity, craft, and the neuroscience of writing.

The Writer Files, hosted by Kelton Reid, explores the intersection of productivity, creativity, and neuroscience in the writing life. Each episode features a conversation with a guest author about their writing habits and what drives their success. From Nobel Prize winners and bestselling novelists to journalists, cartoonists, and neuroscientists, the show offers insights from a wide range of voices making it a rich, eclectic source of inspiration for writers and content creators alike.

Episode frequency

Episodes drop weekly.

Why listen

The Writer Files goes beyond “how do you write?” and asks, why do you write the way you do? With a mix of science, storytelling, and creativity, it offers a fascinating look at what fuels successful writers. Whether you’re looking to refine your routine, spark new ideas, or just feel a little more connected to the creative process, this podcast delivers thoughtful, motivating conversations that will have you rethinking how and why you write.

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❓ FAQs

💬 What are the best podcasts for authors in 2025?

The best podcasts for authors in 2025 include The Written Word Podcast, The Creative Penn Podcast, The Self Publishing Show, and Writers, Ink, especially if you’re looking to grow your writing skills and your publishing knowledge. These shows feature expert guests, insider strategies, and plenty of inspiration for indie and traditionally published authors alike.

💬 Are there differences between podcasts for writers vs. authors?

Often, yes. Podcasts for writers typically focus on the craft of storytelling—character, plot, structure, etc. Podcasts for authors tend to go further, diving into publishing models, book marketing, and building a long-term writing career. Many podcasts now cover both, especially those tailored to the self-publishing community.

💬 Can podcasts help with book marketing?

Absolutely. Some podcasts offer direct tips on Amazon Ads, email lists, and launch strategies. Others help you learn from experienced authors who share what worked—and what didn’t—when promoting their own books. Even listening to how authors position themselves can spark ideas for your next promo stack.

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While there are numerous writing podcasts for author inspiration in the world, these are our favorites because they rely on tried-and-true experience. We update this list each year so check back for the latest recommendations!

If there’s a writing podcast you love, let us know in the comments!