Podcast · Arts & Books

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

by Joanna Penn · English · Arts & Books

Writing Craft and Creative Business

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 5 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 19 min

From Story Seeds To Stories, And Writing An Author’s Note, With Joanna Penn

How do you find and notice story ideas, and how do you turn those into short stories, novels, or as anecdotes for your non-fiction or memoir? Why is an author's note so important in an age of AI , and what might it contain? Joanna Penn shares her thoughts, and her short story, The Black Church, along with its author's note. In the intro, Ebook Preorders on Smashwords ; Two titles per week on Amazon KDP; AI-related Digital Publishing Awards at Frankfurt Book Fair [ Publishing Perspectives ]; AI webinars in November ; JFPenn YouTube ; This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

30 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Writing And Creativity In Midlife With Jordan Rosenfeld
How can you keep writing when midlife brings grief, exhaustion, rage, and a creativity that seems to have dried up? How can you accelerate if midlife brings you more energy? And how can you market your books authentically when your energy and your interests have changed? Jordan Rosenfeld shares what she learned from writing through her own pause. In the intro, how to write short stories [ Novel Marketing Podcast ]; Bestsellers: Excavating the Tools and Techniques of Successful Novels – Kristen Tate. Plus, Hugh Howey: The AI Bubble Explained ; NEO writing software ; Will the AI Bubble Destroy…
23 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Time Freedom: Rethink Your Work And Money With Brian Herriot
How can you design your year around seasons of work and rest instead of waiting for financial freedom? And how do you build the money confidence to take extended time off when you come from a scarcity mindset? Brian Herriot shares his ideas on time freedom after a career as a financial advisor and consultant. In the intro, The end of the spectrum [ Seth Godin, Akimbo ]; List of money books ; Lessons learned from 15 years as a full-time author entrepreneur ; My author timeline since 2005 ; Producing AI-narrated audiobooks with Simon Patrick . Plus, please do my short How to Market a Book…
16 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Reclaiming Your Mind: How To Teach Yourself Anything With J. Daniel Sawyer
How can you teach yourself anything, even when it challenges the way you see the world? And how can you organise what you learn so it turns into books your readers will find? J. Daniel Sawyer shares his self-education toolkit after decades as a largely self-taught author. In the intro, Spotify for Authors has expanded AI-assisted creation of audiobooks [ Spotify ]; Who is Narrating the Future? [ Publishing Perspectives ; 9 ways AI will disrupt authors and publishing from 2019 ]; Author Voice, Creativity, and Building a Career as an Intuitive Author-Entrepreneur [ How Women Write ]; A fallow…
9 Sep 2026 · 46 min
What Machines Can’t Replace: Why AI Makes Us More Human With Anna McPhee
How can you use AI to research, edit and handle admin and marketing tasks while still writing every single word yourself? How can you double down on being human and reach readers on a personal level? Anna McPhee shares her perspective as a software engineer, author and creative technologist. In the intro, How to Write, Publish, and Market Short Stories out now. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community and get articles, discounts, and extra audio and video tutorials on writing craft, author business, and AI tools, at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Anna McPhee is an author,…
2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
How To Redesign Your Author Business For The Environment That Actually Exists, With Tracy Cooper-Posey
How can you redesign your author business for the publishing environment that actually exists, rather than the one you wish you had? And how do you decide which marketing efforts will still bring readers to your books in ten years' time? Tracy Cooper-Posey shares her solar sail theory after more than 25 years as an author. In the intro, reviving your backlist [ The Indy Author ]; AI as a medium [ Tim O'Reilly ]; How to Write, Publish, and Market Short Stories – Joanna Penn. ProWritingAid Storyteller sale : Thursday, 3rd September until September 13th 2026 — 25% off all annual licenses as…
26 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
From Page One To Done: Fast Drafting Your Novel With Jessica Brody
How can the Fast Drafting method help you finally finish your novel? And how do you make progress when you only have 30 minutes a day to write? Jessica Brody shares her tips for finishing first drafts after 20 years as an author. In the intro, Clive Barker's Kickstarter , The Amazon Tax [ Seth Godin ]; Trad publisher announces “human-originated, AI-facilitated” book, The Everything Code [ PanMacmillan ; AI policy ; CHAPTR ]; Holy relics, churches, and memento mori in Bruges and Brussels . This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life , which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in…
19 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Book Marketing, AI Book Discoverability, And Resilience, With Ricardo Fayet
How can you get your books surfaced when readers ask an AI what to read next? What are the hallmarks of authors and businesses that last more than a decade in the indie author industry? Ricardo Fayet gives his marketing tips after more than a decade at Reedsy. In the intro, Expanding Your Book’s IP through Merchandising [ Wish I'd Known Then ]; Guide to writers conferences [ Kindlepreneur ]; Rick Rubin and Stephen Pressfield on resistance and the muse [ Tetragrammaton ]; Pulitzer Prize winners disclose AI usage [ Nieman Lab ]; My new rebuilt fiction site JFPenn.com . Today's show is…
12 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Going Indie, Publishing Innovation, And The Challenges Of Book Marketing With John Bond
How can you tell where the real innovation in publishing is happening right now, and why is it emerging from the indie side first? How do you market your own book when you've spent 35 years marketing everyone else's? John Bond talks about Going Indie and what he's learned about authors who last. In the intro, my thoughts on writing with AI, Charles Dickens and encouragement for the 3-year-old dancing to K-Pop at the wedding, UK copyright law , The end of an era — Hugh Howey ; Notre Dame, Paris ; Today's show is sponsored by Bookfunnel, the essential tool for your author business. Whether…
5 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
From Blog To Community To Book: A Non-Fiction Author’s Journey With Suzanne Smith
How can content marketing in a tight niche build the audience that launches your book? And how do you decide whether to hand your self-published bestseller to a traditional publisher. Suzanne Smith shares what she learned in four years of going from blog to book deal. In the intro, how to stand out as a writer in the age of AI [ Nathan Barry Show ; Interview with Nathan Barry ]; thoughts on asset maintenance; Goodreads giveaway on Bones of the Deep (Aug 5-20, 2026) This episode is sponsored by Publisher Rocket , which will help you get your book in front of more Amazon readers so you can…
29 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
How To Prove The Demand For Your Stories And Get The Attention Of Hollywood With Brooks Elms
How can building an audience in advance help your stories reach the people who make movies? And how can you prove there's demand for your book or screenplay before you've written it? Brooks Elms shares his advice after more than 20 years as a WGA screenwriter. The post How To Prove The Demand For Your Stories And Get The Attention Of Hollywood With Brooks Elms first appeared on The Creative Penn .
22 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Organic Writing And The Power Of The Pivot In Fiction With Steven James
How can organic writing and leaning into the pivot help your stories stand out? And how can you pitch a story as a discovery writer if you genuinely don’t know what’s going to happen next. Steven James gives his writing tips after more than 20 years as an author. In the intro, Better Than Free […] The post Organic Writing And The Power Of The Pivot In Fiction With Steven James first appeared on The Creative Penn .
15 Jul 2026 · 39 min
Why The Podcast Is Moving To Wednesdays, And 7 Tips for Sustainable Creativity
After more than a decade of releasing this show on Mondays, I’m moving it to Wednesdays, and this is the first episode of the new time slot. On the one hand, this might sound like nothing at all, but it’s also a big deal, for you and for me, and in this episode, I explain why I'm making the change, and past guests give some tips on sustainable creativity for the long term. The post Why The Podcast Is Moving To Wednesdays, And 7 Tips for Sustainable Creativity first appeared on The Creative Penn .
13 Jul 2026 · 1 hr
Bundles, Box Sets and Anthologies With Jamie Ferguson
What's the difference between a bundle, a box set, an anthology, and a collection? How can being part of an anthology be creatively interesting and useful for marketing? With Jamie Ferguson The post Bundles, Box Sets and Anthologies With Jamie Ferguson first appeared on The Creative Penn .
6 Jul 2026 · 50 min
Author Voice Mastery, And Rebooting an Author Business With J. Daniel Sawyer
What happens to your creativity when you’re in pain or sick, and can you ever get it back? How can you find and sharpen your author voice? J. Daniel Sawyer talks about voice mastery, writing with chronic pain, and building an eclectic author business. In the intro, leaning into your Strengths and deciding what you […] The post Author Voice Mastery, And Rebooting an Author Business With J. Daniel Sawyer first appeared on The Creative Penn .
29 Jun 2026 · 56 min
Writing The Hard Stuff: Turning Difficult Subjects Into Meaningful Prose With Nicole Walker
How do you write about the most painful experiences of your life without being overwhelmed by them? How can timed writing and a braided story help you untangle your hardest stories? With Nicole Walker. The post Writing The Hard Stuff: Turning Difficult Subjects Into Meaningful Prose With Nicole Walker first appeared on The Creative Penn .
22 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales, And Author Mindset With Mark Leslie Lefebvre
What if the real secret to a lasting writing career isn't talent or luck, but learning to thrive in the mess? Why are in-person events worthwhile even if the maths doesn't add up? How do you protect your creativity when the machines never sleep and the community is at one another's throats? With Mark Leslie Lefebvre The post Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales, And Author Mindset With Mark Leslie Lefebvre first appeared on The Creative Penn .
15 Jun 2026 · 53 min
Writing Cross-Genre, Selling Direct, And Serialising On SubStack With P.D. Alleva
How can horror writing help readers — and writers — work through psychological trauma? Why does cross-genre fiction take longer to find an audience, but pay off in the long run? Is running a direct sales store actually worth the inventory, postage, and learning curve? And how can SubStack work for fiction authors? With psychotherapist and award-winning author P.D. Alleva. The post Writing Cross-Genre, Selling Direct, And Serialising On SubStack With P.D. Alleva first appeared on The Creative Penn .
8 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Don’t Call It Art: Rediscovering Creative Joy With Austin Kleon
Have you ever lost the joy in your creative work — that sense of fun you had when you were starting out, before the admin and the algorithms drained it away? How do mid-career creatives get it back, and what can a four-year-old teach us about play? Austin Kleon talks about productive procrastination, silly rituals, the case for paper reference books in an AI world, and how his newsletter went from a marketing cost to the day job that keeps the lights on. The post Don’t Call It Art: Rediscovering Creative Joy With Austin Kleon first appeared on The Creative Penn .
1 Jun 2026 · 1 hr
Writing Through Grief And Rebooting an Indie Author Business With Jami Albright
How do you write when your heart is broken? How do you go back into the publishing business after years away, knowing it's a very different industry to the one you left? With Jami Albright. The post Writing Through Grief And Rebooting an Indie Author Business With Jami Albright first appeared on The Creative Penn .
25 May 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Accessibility And AI: How New Tools Are Opening Doors For Indie Authors With Jeff Adams
How is AI transforming accessibility for indie authors — and why should you care even if you consider yourself able-bodied? What happens when the tools designed to help people with disabilities end up making everyone's creative business better? Jeff Adams, accessibility expert and romance author, explores how AI is opening doors that were previously closed. The post Accessibility And AI: How New Tools Are Opening Doors For Indie Authors With Jeff Adams first appeared on The Creative Penn .
18 May 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
SuperCreativity And KeyNote Speaking With A Non-Fiction Book With James Taylor
How can you supercharge your creativity in an age when AI is reshaping everything — including how we write, edit, and market our books? What does it look like to use AI as a genuine creative partner rather than a shortcut? And could professional speaking become an income stream that complements your writing career? With James Taylor. The post SuperCreativity And KeyNote Speaking With A Non-Fiction Book With James Taylor first appeared on The Creative Penn .
11 May 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Verb Your Enthusiasm: Transform Your Writing With Stronger Verbs With Sarah Kaufman
How can upgrading your verbs transform flat writing into vivid, page-turning prose? Why do so many writing problems turn out to be verb problems — and how can you fix yours? Sarah Kaufman explores the art of the verb and shares practical tips for making your writing stronger, clearer, and more alive. The post Verb Your Enthusiasm: Transform Your Writing With Stronger Verbs With Sarah Kaufman first appeared on The Creative Penn .
8 May 2026 · 48 min
AI, Creativity, And The Future of Publishing with Nadim Sadek
Is AI really the end of creativity, or the biggest emancipation of creative energy we've ever seen? How can authors thrive in a time of super abundance, when anyone can make anything? What happens when publishers become technology providers, and agents start shopping for books on our behalf? With Nadim Sadek. The post AI, Creativity, And The Future of Publishing with Nadim Sadek first appeared on The Creative Penn .
4 May 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Self-Publishing in German: How to Translate, Distribute, and Market Your Books with Skye MacKinnon
How is the German market different to English speaking markets, and why might it be worth looking into translation? What are the best ways to translate, self-publish and market your books in German? With Skye MacKinnon. The post Self-Publishing in German: How to Translate, Distribute, and Market Your Books with Skye MacKinnon first appeared on The Creative Penn .
27 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Navigating Uncertainty And Fearless Persistence In A Long Term Creative Career With Adam Leipzig
How can you navigate uncertainty in a constantly changing market? Why is persistence the key to a sustainable creative career? Plus why distribution is so important, and the four ways to monetise your creative work. All this and more with Adam Leipzig. The post Navigating Uncertainty And Fearless Persistence In A Long Term Creative Career With Adam Leipzig first appeared on The Creative Penn .
20 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 34 min
Kickstarter Tips for Authors: Rewards, Shipping, Marketing, and Lessons Learned
Kickstarter has become a key part of the author business for those who want to make more money per book, connect directly with readers, and produce beautiful editions they’re proud of. In this episode, I share excerpts from interviews with Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, Russell Nohelty, and Sacha Black, alongside my own […] The post Kickstarter Tips for Authors: Rewards, Shipping, Marketing, and Lessons Learned first appeared on The Creative Penn .
13 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Special Editions, Seasonal Podcasts, and the Art of Low-Key Book Marketing with Sara Rosett
Are you tired of the hustle-harder approach to book marketing? What if a quieter, more creative strategy could work just as well — and feel a whole lot better? How can special editions, physical letters, and library outreach bring readers to your books without the daily grind of ads and social media? Sara Rosett shares […] The post Special Editions, Seasonal Podcasts, and the Art of Low-Key Book Marketing with Sara Rosett first appeared on The Creative Penn .
6 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
Editing a Novel: Self-Editing, And How To Work With A Professional Editor With Joanna Penn
How can you improve your self-editing process? How can you find and work with professional editors and beta readers? How do you know when editing is done and the book is finished? With Joanna Penn In the intro, Poetry craft and business [The Indy Author Podcast]; A Mouthful of Air; How to get your book […] The post Editing a Novel: Self-Editing, And How To Work With A Professional Editor With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn .
30 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Writing At The Wellspring: Tapping The Source Of Your Inner Genius With Matt Cardin
What if the source of your best writing isn’t something you control — but something you learn to collaborate with? How can ancient ideas about the muse, the daimon, and creative genius transform the way you approach your work? And what might happen if you stopped fighting the silence and let it become your greatest […] The post Writing At The Wellspring: Tapping The Source Of Your Inner Genius With Matt Cardin first appeared on The Creative Penn .

About The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

Writing Craft and Creative Business

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers is a English arts & books podcast from Joanna Penn. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Joanna Penn
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 5 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id309426367
Rights: Copyright The Creative Penn

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English arts & books

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.