The Best Podcasts for Authors: The Ultimate Guide
For a newer version of this article, see The Best Podcasts for Authors.
Podcast recommendations for authors
Here you’ll find a list of some of the best podcasts for authors.
These podcasts offer you great tips on writing and publishing, conversations and author interviews, roundups of author conferences, helpful information on author platform building, book marketing, and publicity, and offer inspiration and mindset hacks, too.
There’s a little something for everyone on this list!
Whether you’re on your first book or your eighth book, whether you call yourself a self-published author, an indie author, or a traditionally published author (or want to), these podcasts are for you!
If you’re looking for video or full transcripts of these podcasts, visit the podcast’s website, search YouTube or Facebook, find the transcripts on Amazon podcasts, or do an online search.
Some of these are available in video format, too.
Yes, I have listened to episodes from each of these podcasts!
Scroll down for a listing of author podcasts that are well worth a listen.
Now, here’s your ultimate guide to the best podcasts for authors. The list is in no particular order. Enjoy!
Wish I’d Known Then
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Join authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett as they interview indie authors about how they found success as well as what they've learned from their mistakes.
Listen if: you’d like to listen in on two friends talking about how to succeed as indie authors, sharing their experiences, and generously giving their advice, and hosting guests who’ll take your skills and knowledge to the next level.
Format: conversational with interviews by hosts
New episodes: weekly, on Tuesdays
Episode length: 60–75 minutes
Best episodes:
Sept. 17, 2025 / Changing Genres with Fiona Maren: Episode 285
Aug. 13, 2025 / Pinterest for Authors with Melissa Bourbon: Episode 280
Apr. 2, 2025 / How to Find and Work with Book Editors and Coaches with Jen Graybeal: Episode 265
Nov. 20, 2024 / How to Craft Perfect Endings: Six Ways to Conclude Your Novel: Episode 246
Self-Publishing with Dale
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast is devoted to teaching you relevant and up-to-date information in the world of self-publishing. Subscribe today. The show’s YouTube channel sorts the episodes into topics including Self-Publishing Online, Self-Publishing Audiobooks, Self-Publishing on Amazon, Book Marketing & Promotional Strategies, and more.
Listen if you’re looking for quick, focused insights on various topics relating to self-publishing—especially author tools and self-publishing platforms.
Format: solo/monologue with occasional interviews—episodes alternate between weekly industry news updates and self-publishing tips.
New episodes: weekly, on Mondays
Episode length: 20–25 minutes
Best episodes:
Aug. 21, 2025 / The Ugly Truth About Publishing Nobody Tells Authors
June 24, 2025 / Mastering Amazon Ads: A Beginner’s Guide for Indie Authors
May 22, 2025 / The Ultimate Indie Author Sales Strategy: What I’d Do If I Had to Start Over
March 10, 2025 / Mastering Keywords & Categories: Your Secret Weapon for Sales
Feb. 4, 2025 / Get 5-Star Book Reviews Faster with These Expert Tips
Dec. 17, 2024 / The Ultimate Guide to Going Wide: How to Sell Your Books Beyond Amazon
Minorities in Publishing
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The brain child of publishing professional Jenn Baker, MiP is a podcast discussing diversity (or lack thereof) in the book publishing industry with other professionals working in-house as well as authors and those in the literary scene.
Listen if: you’d like to learn more about everything related to diversity in the publishing industry, especially the complexities and nuances resulting from the lack of diversity in it and the ways in which people are challenging the status quo.
Format: interviews by solo host
New episodes: monthly
Episode length: 30–60 minutes
Best episodes:
Sept. 4, 2024 / Episode 135: Interview with Book Influencer Lupita Aquino
Apr. 24, 2024 / Episode 131: Interview with Newberry-Honor Author Alicia D. Williams
July 6, 2022 / Episode 119: Interview with Zakiya Jamal
Aug 18, 2021 / Episode 112: Interview with Anton Treuer
Self Publishing Insiders
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Brought to you from the indie author experts at Draft2Digital! Each week, Self Publishing Insiders features an interview with a new guest, covering self-publishing topics from writing and craft to marketing and promoting your books, and anything that can help you build and grow your author career. Learn about new tools, new software, new markets—and of course, all the inside information that D2D can provide! This show features interviews taken from our live D2D Spotlight, available on YouTube and Facebook. Join us, and get your questions answered during the live broadcast, when you visit D2DLive.com!
Listen if you’re an author looking for an edge in self-publishing, you want to ask a question during a live event, or if self-publishing with Draft2Digital is (or might be) for you.
Format: interviews by host(s)—Mark Leslie Lefebvre and/or Jim Acevedo
New episodes: weekly, on Thursdays (full transcripts are available)
Episode length: 45–60 minutes
Best episodes:
June 26, 2025 / Ask Our Promotions Team Anything
Feb. 6, 2025 / How to Succeed as an Author Speaker
Nov. 21, 2024 / The Importance of Editors
Sept. 19, 2024 / Best Practices of Successful Indie Authors
Writers, Ink
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What does it take to succeed as a writer? Join host J.D. Barker and a panel of industry experts as they pull back the curtain and offer rare insights from the household names found on bookshelves worldwide.
Listen if you’re interested in hearing from and learning from successful novelists.
Format: discussions between hosts and interviews
New episodes: weekly, on Mondays (show occasionally goes on hiatus)
Episode length: 45–60 minutes
Best episodes:
Sept. 9, 2025 / Should You Be on Substack?
Dec. 31, 2024 / The Business of Being a Writer with Hot Sheet Author Jane Friedman
Dec. 17, 2024 / The Importance of Building a Brand with Marissa Eigenbrood
Apr. 20, 2020 / Beating Resistance with Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne
Write Now with Sarah Werner
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
A podcast for all writers (aspiring to professional) looking to find a healthy work/life/writing balance. Get the encouragement, honest advice, and inspiration you need to pursue your passion and write every day.
Listen if: you’re looking for variety and inspiration and if the show description appeals to you, because it delivers on what it promises.
Format: solo/monologue and interviews
New episodes: weekly, on Mondays (show occasionally goes on hiatus)
Episode length: 25–45 minutes
Best episodes:
Apr. 28, 2025: Writing When You’re Not Okay – WN 167
Dec. 4, 2024: Should I Self-Publish? – WN 162
July 22, 2019: Finishing What You Start – WNP 072
Mar. 25, 2019: Putting Yourself Out There – WNP 068
Feb. 19, 2018: Coffee Break 063: Monica Leonelle
Kobo Writing Life Podcast
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube (audio)
The Kobo Writing Life Podcast features exciting interviews with bestselling authors, tips on the craft and business of writing, and advice for successfully self-publishing.
Listen if you’re interested in hearing self-published authors discuss their work and their author journey and learning about Kobo’s self-publishing platform.
Format: interviews by co-hosts
New episodes: weekly, usually on Tuesdays
Episode length: 30–60 minutes
Best episodes:
Sept. 2, 2025 / #377 - Developing Your Debut Romance Novel with Noreen Nanja
Dec. 24, 2024 / #359 - The Importance of Indie Publishing with Rakuten Kobo CEO Michael Tamblyn
June 11, 2024 / #345 - Maximizing Your Book Marketing with Mal Cooper
June 21, 2022 / #294: How to Become a Bestseller on Kobo
Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Ann provides practical tips and motivation for writers at all stages, keeping most episodes short and focused so writers only need a few minutes to collect ideas, inspiration, resources and recommendations they can apply right away to their work. For additional insight, she incorporates interviews from authors and publishing professionals. . . . Tune in for solutions addressing anything from self-editing and goal-setting solutions to administrative and scheduling challenges.
Listen if: you’re looking for a wide range of solutions to help your write better and you want that advice in a short episode.
Format: solo/monologue with occasional interviews
New episodes: every few weeks
Episode length: 6–15 minutes (solo), 45–60 minutes (interviews)
Best episodes:
Nov. 22, 2024 / 4 Mistakes I See Nonfiction Authors Make (And How to Fix Them)
Mar. 15, 2023 / From Idea to Contract: The Inspiring Story of a First-Time Author, with Meredith Hite Estevez
Jan. 31, 2020 / Ep 220: How to Get Your Nonfiction Book Traditionally Published
Jan. 17, 2020 / Ep 219: Build Your Platform: To Be More Findable, Find Your People
Feb. 5, 2019 / Ep 184: [Interview] Jennifer Dukes Lee – Author, Acquisitions Editor
The Wordslinger Podcast
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
From award-winning and bestselling author Kevin Tumlinson, this weekly podcast explores the stories that shape us into who we are, and shape the world into what it can become. It’s all about the story here.
Listen if: you’re looking for a down-to-earth host with a laid back style gives tips and life wisdom for self-published authors.
Format: solo/monologue with occasional interviews
New episodes: weekly (usually), on Fridays (aired from 2013 to Aug. 7, 2020, then rebooted Mar. 18, 2024)
Episode length: 30–50 minutes
Best episodes (since 2024):
Apr. 10, 2025 / Unlocking the Future of Audiobooks: AI Narration and Multicast with Spoken
Mar. 27, 2025 / Embrace the Perspective Economy: Navigating Success in the Artisan Age
May 31, 2024 / Kickstarter, Direct, and a New Age of Book Marketing with Joanna Penn
Podcasts that are no longer actively posting new content but that are well worth a listen:
Self Publishing School
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Learn how to write a book that grows your business. Every week, [Chandler Bolt] interview[s] your favorite authors—the most successful authors on the planet—to see how they write & launch their books and to learn how they use books to grow their business.
Listen if: you want to hear big-name nonfiction authors talk about how they did it, you’re interested in self-publishing, or you want to know how a book can help you sell other products and services.
Format: interviews by solo host
New episodes: weekly, on Thursdays
Episode length: 40–60 minutes
Best episodes:
Dec. 11, 2024 (SPS 289) / Memoir Masterclass: Writing a Compelling Memoir That Grows Your Brand & Business with Brooke Siem
Aug. 7, 2024 (SPS 271) / Lessons Learned from Traditional Publishing & Editing with Kelly Notaras
May 6, 2020 (SPS 052): Traditional vs. Self Publishing: . . . with Ruth Soukup (And How I Sold 500,000 Copies Of My Self Published Book)
Feb. 13, 2018 (SPS 042): Writing Words That Sell Your Books with Ray Edwards
Aug. 15, 2017 (SPS 016): My Exact Process for Writing 16 Books with Joanna Penn
Beautiful Writers Podcast
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
isten in as author Linda Sivertsen (aka Book Mama) brings together the world’s most beloved bestselling authors to chat about writing, publishing, deal-making, spirituality, activism, and the art of romancing creativity. You may have heard it streaming on American Airlines
Listen if: you’re looking for encouragement, advice, and insider success and failure stories from big-name authors, with behind-the-scenes publishing stories that will inform and inspire you.
Format: interviews by host, often with guest host(s)
New episodes: monthly (aired from Oct. 15, 2015 to Oct. 31, 2021)
Episode length: 60–90 minutes
Best episodes:
Jan. 22, 2021: Elizabeth Gilbert & Marie Forleo: Behind the Bestsellers
Sept. 28, 2018: Steven Pressfield & Tim Grahl: Slaying Creative Dragons
Aug. 29, 2016: Terry McMillan: Novels, Memoirs, & Films--Oh My!
Jan. 20, 2016: Seth Godin: Tribes, Blogs and Book Biz
Oct. 1, 2015: Gretchen Rubin: Creativity-Saving Habits
Six Figure Authors
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Six Figure Authors is the show that helps you take your writing career to the next level. Lindsay Buroker, Jo Lallo, and Andrea Pearson are sharing their own insights, as authors who’ve been publishing since the beginning of the e-reader revolution, and they’re also interviewing industry experts and other successful authors to help you figure out what’s working right now.
Listen if: you want to learn the ropes and learn more about marketing from full-time, successful self-published authors who are generous and specific with their advice and insights.
Format: conversational; interviews and round-ups by co-hosts
New episodes: weekly, on Thursdays (last episode aired in October 2023)
Episode length: 60–90 minutes
Best episodes:
Jan. 14, 2021 / SFA 073: What to Do if You’re Not Making a Profit from Your Books
Mar. 19, 2020 / SFA 030: Dealing with Burnout, Self-Doubt, and Comparisonitis
Oct. 31, 2019 / SFA 010: Increasing Productivity Through Outlining, Efficient Editing, and Dictation
Oct. 10, 2019 / SFA 006: Author Marketing, Craft, and Productivity
The Book Marketing Show with Dave Chesson
Are you ready to increase your book sales, and hit the bestseller list consistently? Welcome to the Book Marketing Show, where in this weekly podcast Dave Chesson will not only show you some of the best book sales tactics but also bring on top-notch guests to show how each tactic taught here was a game changer for their books and how it can be for yours as well.
Listen if: you want to learn about book marketing from the experts, and you’re interested in hearing about specific topics in each episode.
Format: interviews by solo host
New episodes: weekly, on Tuesdays (show aired from Oct. 17, 2017 to Feb. 19, 2019)
Episode length: 15–35 minutes
Best episodes:
July 31, 2018 / 40: How Does Amazon Handle Reviews?
July 24, 2018 / 39: Book Press Releases and Do They Work?
Nov. 28, 2017 / 8: How to Get Book Reviews Without an Email List, Website, or Fans
The Publishing Profits Podcast
Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Tom Corson-Knowles interviews the publishing industry's best authors, publishers, editors, literary agents, marketers, and attorneys to share inspiration, education and best practices. Our mission is to help authors and publishers succeed in the new era of publishing.
Listen if: you’re looking to learn how to sell more books and build your income as an author.
Format: interviews by solo host
New episodes: weekly, on Thursdays (show aired from Dec. 18, 2013 to Mar. 9, 2018)
Episode length: 20–45 minutes
Best episodes:
Feb. 22, 2018 / 177: Streamline and Clarify Your Writing to Make It More Powerful with Josh Bernof
Jul 7, 2017 / 144: What Traditional and Indie Publishers Can Teach Each Other with Jane Friedman
Dec. 18, 2013 / 1: How to Write a Bestselling Book with Robin Colucci
The Career Author Podcast
Becoming a full-time writer can be overwhelming. Join J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon as they help you improve your craft and find your audience, so you too can become a career author.
Listen if: you’ve recently become a full-time author (or are planning to), or you like to hear about a wide range of topics affecting authors.
Format: conversational (co-hosted)
New episodes: weekly, on Thursdays (show aired from Jan. 4, 2018 to Oct. 28, 2020)
Episode length: 45–60 minutes
Best episodes:
May 7, 2020 (#125): The Editing Process
Nov. 7, 2019 (#98): Making a Living from Your Writing
Dec. 6, 2018 (#35): The Editor’s Six Core Questions
Listen if: you’re looking for clear, clean, and practical advice from an encouraging expert with vast expertise on social media and advertising.
Format: solo/monologue
New episodes: every few weeks (show aired from Sept. 11, 2017 to May 22, 2021)
Episode length: varies
Best episodes:
Oct. 23, 2020 / 193 – Should You Publish Wide or Exclusive?
Aug. 22, 2019 / 172 – Marketing for Authors Who Hate Marketing
Apr. 12, 2019 / 158 – How to Get Reviews for Your Book
Mar. 28, 2019 / 156 – How to Use Beta and ARC Readers for Your Book
Portfolio Life by Jeff Goins
Jeff Goins shares thoughts & ideas that will help you to pursue work that matters, make a difference with your art & discover your true voice!
Listen if: you need inspiration with some occasional tough love and need to reflect on your purpose as a writer.
Format: solo/monologue
New episodes: every one to four weeks (aired until February 4, 2021)
Episode length: varies
Best episodes:
May 18, 2020: When I Became Me: Understanding the Life of an Artist as Story
Jan. 27, 2020: What Creativity Can Do That Nothing Else Can
Book Faces Live
Interviews with the faces behind your books. Authors, editors, narrators, and book professionals discuss a life telling stories [with Nathan Van Coops].
Listen if: you’re looking for easily digestible insights on the author business, writing tips from authors, and a kind and supportive host who offers insight from personal experience.
Format: solo/monologue and interviews
New episodes: weekly, on Wednesdays (show aired from Aug. 15, 2018 to May 28, 2020 and from Nov. 5, 2020 to Jan. 26, 2021)
Episode length: 30–60 minutes
Best episodes:
May 17, 2019: Beta Reader Kay Clark discusses proofreading for authors!
Apr. 26, 2019: Better your book descriptions and copywriting with the author of Mastering Amazon Descriptions, Brian Meeks
Nov. 9, 2018: What Authors Need to Know! Historical Romance author Elizabeth West talks about planning your year as an author and much more
Book Launch Show
Follow along as book launch expert Tim Grahl teaches you the fundamentals of launching a bestselling book. Based on his work with hundreds of authors and launching dozens of top New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other bestselling books, he will share the insights and step-by-step tactics you can use to launch your own successful book.
Listen if: you want to learn more about author marketing and platform building or you want to hear how a book marketing coach works with a client.
Format: solo/monologue prior to Nov. 2018; after Nov. 20, 2018, conversational (host coaches a client)
New episodes: weekly, on Tuesdays (show aired from Dec. 12, 2016 to July 9, 2019)
Episode length: 15–35 minutes
Best episodes:
July 9, 2019: Working With a Marketing Coach
Dec. 22, 2016: Getting Fans and Influencers to Help
For US nonfiction authors looking for tips and strategies to write, publish, and sell your book(s) better: