Because everyone learns in a different way, audio and video should be a part of your writer’s diet. You may get your next best idea while driving down the interstate on your way to the dentist.
Every author knows to “show not tell” and watching over someone’s shoulder while they walk you through the uploading process at KDP may turn an anxiety-filled task into a fun learning experience. Sometimes, seeing is believing.
Podcasts
Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, by Mignon Fogarty
Grammar Girl is produced weekly from the United States and, at less than ten minutes to half an hour, delivers quick relief from those random burning questions. Is it ‘flaunt’ or ‘flout’? Why do X and O stand for hugs and kisses? From punctuation to style to spelling, you never know what’s coming next.
I Should Be Writing, by Mur Lafferty
Mur serves her podcasts from North Carolina. This one runs fifteen minutes or less and discusses the bumps in the road faced by all writers. Another podcast, Ditch Diggers, co-hosted with Matt Wallace, is real talk (read: adult language) about getting your work done and the bills paid and runs a half to a full hour
The Indy Author Podcast, by Matty Dalrymple
Any author who wants to approach the writing craft and the publishing voyage in a professional way, whether they’re independently published or traditionally published, must approach the endeavor with an indy frame of mind. Speak with experts in the writing craft and publishing voyage who can provide the support we need on our author journeys. New episodes launch weekly.
Writing Class Radio, Allison Langer and Andrea Askowitz
An invitation into a writing classroom where you can grow as a writer through storytelling, these ladies come to you from the United States and pack each episode with discussions on true, personal stories they love. Equal parts “heart” and “art”: the truth in a story and the craft of writing, writing class is where we tell our truth.
IBPA Podcast, Independent Book Publishers Association
IBPA wants to make you a smarter publisher by giving you access to powerful ideas, strategies, and tools for success through a monthly podcast. Podcast guests are independent publishers, author publishers, and hybrid publishers, as well as distributors, printers, typographers, reviewers, booksellers, marketers, visionaries, and opinion leaders from all sectors of the book publishing industry.
Writing Excuses, by multiple hosts
This podcast comes out each Sunday from the United States and runs between 15-25 minutes per episode because, in their words, “you’re in a hurry and we’re not that smart!” A fast-paced tutorial for writers by writers, topics range from publishing to world-building so you can become a better fiction writer.
Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, by Ann Kroeker
Content from a writing coach, Ann’s podcast brings you solid resources and the inspiration to become more curious, experimental, creative, and productive in your craft. At three episodes per month, produced from the United States, you get bite-sized boosts in fifteen minutes or less.
Helping Writers Become Authors, by Kim M Weiland
Kim’s podcast is produced from Nebraska and contains practical advice for writers. Each episode runs twenty minutes or so and addresses topics like characters, POVs, scenes, structure, discipline, and common writer mistakes.
The Creative Penn, by Joanna Penn
Full of interviews, information, and inspiration, Joanna delivers her knowledge from the UK each Monday. Her hour-long podcasts are packed with “How To” episodes, from pitching your book to writing fight scenes, and her intriguing guests help out.
The Prolific Writer, by Ryan Pelton
Write often, write fast, and write well. A podcast that helps you get it written. This weekly dose of practicality talks about processes and strategies for writing, publishing, and marketing your books by interviewing the most prolific writers in the industry. Learn tips, tricks, and trends in the publishing world.
The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity and Neuroscience, by Kelton Reid
From Colorado, Kelton studies the habits, habitats, and brains of a wide spectrum of renowned writers to learn their secrets of productivity and creativity. In each weekly episode, you will spend a half to full hour discovering a myriad of ways to avoid writer’s block and keep the ink flowing.
The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity and Neuroscience, by Kelton Reid
From Colorado, Kelton studies the habits, habitats, and brains of a wide spectrum of renowned writers to learn their secrets of productivity and creativity. In each weekly episode, you will spend a half to full hour discovering a myriad of ways to avoid writer’s block and keep the ink flowing.
Create If Writing, by Kirsten Oliphant
Kirsten is a mom of five podcasting from Texas. With two episodes a month that run about half an hour each, she brings you inspirational interviews, practical “how-to”s, and killer platform building “without being smarmy”. Her podcasts help writers, bloggers, and creatives grow online.
YouTube/Video
David Gaughran
The Irishman personally responsible for every wild leap of faith I’ve made so far in Indie publishing. He’s fun, he’s funny, he’s smart. Browse him up.
The Book Doctors, Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry
This wacky married couple is dedicated to helping writers get their books published. Successfully. Known for their “Pitchapalooza” event and frequent guests at writerly events, they are a fun way to get expert advice on the author endeavor.
Alexa Donne
Short sassy boot camp videos that cover a range of topics. Tell me how you feel after this particular episode because Alexa burst EVERY SINGLE bubble I had. In a great way. She’s just downright fun to watch, but don’t let it stop you from picking up your pen and writing when she’s done.
Author Level Up, by Michael La Ronn
A science fiction & fantasy author while working a full-time job, raising a family, and attending law school classes in the evenings. He publishes writing videos every week to help fiction writers improve their writing craft so they can write world class stories.
Abbie Emmons
One smart cookie, one book out and more on the way, Abbie is a sunshiny cup of encouraging explanations for all the things.
Master Classes… really!
Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Joyce Carol Oates. Be still my heart. Pricey but personal, private and at your own pace. If you’d like to hear it from the top, they are here to teach it to you.
Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula is pricey, intense, current, and covers all the brass tacks.
TED Talks are a source of informed inspiration from leaders in the industry.