Here at Writing NSW, we love listening to podcasts, especially when they are on writing! Have you been feeling a little uninspired, or just want to know more about your favourite authors? See the list below for our roundup of entertaining and insightful Australian writing podcasts.
If you have suggestions of great Australian writing podcasts that you think the Writing NSW community would enjoy, email us.
Stories Behind the Story
Better Reading’s Cheryl Akle is talking regularly with Australian and international authors and these are available to listen to at your leisure. You can listen to your favourite authors at work, on the drive home, in your headphones, or at home with a glass of wine. With a stellar line-up of interviews and with more podcasts coming to you every week, what more could you want?
You can listen to the Better Reading podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
Better Words
Better Words is a fortnightly book and culture podcast for readers who want to know the stories behind the pages. Self-proclaimed book nerds Caitlin Toohey and Michelle Gately bring in-depth conversations about writing and publishing from the inside. Featured guests include Emma Grey, Pip Drydale, and more.
You can listen to the Better Words podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Biographers in Conversation
Biographer Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies chats with biographers across the world about the multiplicity of choices they make while researching, writing and publishing life stories.
In each episode she explores elements of narrative strategy such as structure, use of fiction techniques, facts and truth, beginnings and endings and to what extent the writer interpreted the evidence rather than providing clues and leaving it to readers to do the interpreting themselves.
She also asks writers how they researched their books; how they balanced a subject’s public, personal and inner lives; and ethical issues such as privacy and revealing secrets.
You can listen to the Biographers in Conversation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio or YouTube Podcasts.
James and Ashley Stay at Home
Their episodes features interviews with a variety of Australian authors of fiction and non-fiction, such as Lee Kofman and Anna Downes.
You can listen to James and Ashley Stay at Home on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or via the website or any podcast app.
My Biggest Book
Some of the world’s biggest authors reminisce about their all-time biggest books – the novels that changed their lives.
You can listen to My Biggest Book on ABC Listen.
Read This
Read This is a show about the books we love and the stories behind them, hosted by Michael Williams. Every Thursday, you’ll hear insightful conversations with the smartest, funniest readers and writers we know and in-depth interviews with the best Australian and international authors talking about their lives and their work. You’ll never be left wondering what to read next.
You can listen to Read This on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.
Secrets From The Green Room
Each episode, co-hosts Irma Gold and Karen Viggers chat with a writer about their experience of the writing and publishing process in honest green room-style, uncovering some of the plain and simple truths, as well as some of the secrets — whether they be mundane or salubrious — and having a lot of fun in the process.
Episodes feature conversations with Charlotte Wood, Craig Silvey, Sofie Laguna, Tony Birch, Diana Reid, James Bradley and many more.
You can listen to the Better Words podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, or via the website here.
Secret Life of Books
Every week these virtuoso critics and close friends take an iconic book and reveal the hidden story behind the story: who made it, their clandestine motives, the undeclared stakes, the scandalous backstory and above all the secret, mysterious meanings of books we thought we knew.
This is a podcast for readers and book groups, students and teachers of literature, but it’s also for fans of history and biography, and anyone who’s excited by dazzling, deeply knowledgeable minds working hard and having the time of their lives.
You can listen to the Secret Life of Books podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or via the website here.
Talking Aussie Books
If you’re keen to support the Australian publishing scene, then this podcast is perfect for you! Focussing entirely on fiction titles written by Australian authors, you’ll be surprised at the depth of talent right on our doorstep!
You can listen to the Talking Aussie Books podcast on Apple Podcasts or Soundcloud, or via the website here.
The Book Deal
Motivation and inspiration for emerging writers, helping them pave their own pathway to publishing success.
The Publisher and The Writer
Jane Curry went into publishing straight from Manchester University and has deep experience in both traditional and digital publishing. Jane has headed up major trade companies, wholesalers, and was also MD of Macquarie Dictionary. For the past 20 years has run her own company, Ventura Press.
Seana Smith studied at Oxford University and then worked for ten years in television as a researcher and producer at Channel 9 in Australia and with the BBC in the UK. Seana has published five books, the latest being her memoir Going Under.
In The Publisher and The Writer podcast, Jane Curry and Seana Smith give a thorough rundown of both traditional publishing and self-publishing. This is an insider’s guide with information that only experience can provide.
Words and Nerds
Words & Nerds Podcast chats to authors exploring the social and political influences of the writing, the writing process and how literature has the power to change the world.
You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Soundcloud.
Writer’s Book Club
Writer’s Book Club is just like a book club… with a writerly twist. If you have ever listened to an author interview and wished you could jump inside the podcast and ask them specific writing craft questions about their novels, the Writer’s Book Club podcast lets you do just that. Writer’s Book Club, hosted by writer Michelle Barraclough, is just like a regular book club but each month takes a deep dive into a specific novel from a writing craft perspective.
You can watch episodes of the Writer’s Book Club podcast via YouTube, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or via the website here.
Writers off the Page
Children’s author and journalist Chenée Marrapodi hosts Writers off the Page podcast, where she sits down with authors, illustrators and creative minds to find out their tips, tricks and secrets to making it in the world of writing and publishing. Episodes are released weekly.
You can listen to the Writers off the Page podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, or via the website here.
Writes4Women
Writes4Women is all about celebrating women’s voices and supporting women’s rights. It’s about writing the voice, reading the voice and being the voice. It’s where women are invited to take up as much space as they want and we do!
Every week co-hosts author, Pamela Cook and podcaster, Kel Butler interview an outstanding female, trans or non-binary author about their books, process and life.
You can listen to the Writes4Women podcast on Apple Podcasts or via the website here.
Yellow Shelf
Yellow Shelf features short interviews with book authors & podcast hosts to help you connect & choose.
Yellow Shelf asks 3 questions of our guests …
1. What do we need to know about your book / podcast
2. What inspired you to write / create
3. Best way to connect
You can listen to the Yellow Shelf podcast on Buzzspout or Youtube.
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