Five Podcasts For Writers

We’re all busy people. It’s sometimes hard to squeeze discussions of writing into our daily lives. One way to do this is to listen to a podcast. There are many out there, but I wanted to share a list of the five I’ve enjoyed recently.

Write The Book. A local podcast comes first on my list. It’s hosted by BWW member Shelagh Shapiro. She’s done her homework for every interview and it shows. I know this because I listen to the podcast and because I’ve been interviewed for it.

The Drunken Odyssey. This is a gem. It features discussions of craft, live readings of short fiction and poetry, and essays on books that have changed lives.

The New Yorker Fiction Podcast. This is probably a standard on writing podcast lists, but it’s very important. In each podcast, an author sits down with New Yorker Fiction Editor Deborah Treisman to discuss a short story that he/she likes. Then the author reads the story and continues the discussion. Hearing stories aloud is a brilliant way to internalize the rhyhtm of fiction. After all, wasn’t storytelling originally an oral/aural tradition?

Selected Shorts. Produced by Public Radio International, this one features short stories read aloud by actors. A simple concept and a great service to writers.

KCRW’s Bookworm. Produced in California, this public radio show hosted by Michael Silverblatt is always surprising. Silverblatt blows me away with his insights, and he often surprises the authors with how well he’s digested their novels/poems/memoirs. You will have a hard time finding a better author interview show.

These are just a few of many that appeal to and inspire writers. What are your favorites?