We get it—finding useful information on publishing sometimes feels like searching for a coffee cup in a cluttered desk drawer. The good news is, there’s a podcast somewhere that’s answering your exact questions about writing, marketing, or the business side of things.
Stick around, and you’ll get our picks for podcasts that’ll help you make sense of publishing, whether you’re just starting your first book, figuring out marketing strategies, or keeping tabs on the latest industry news.
Let’s jump in.
Key Takeaways
- Listen to “The Creative Penn Podcast” for solid indie publishing tips, “Publishers Weekly Insider” for insider trends, and “Booked Up Podcast” for what’s working in traditional and indie publishing now.
- Get clear business advice from podcasts like “The Publishing Profits Podcast” and “The Sell More Books Show,” both helpful if you want practical strategies without complicated jargon.
- If you’re focused on author craft, “Writing Excuses,” “Helping Writers Become Authors,” and “The Shit No One Tells You About Writing” provide easy-to-follow tips for improving your stories.
- Boost your book marketing skills with “Book Marketing Tips and Author Success” and “Novel Marketing Podcast,” delivering simple steps to raise visibility and sales.
- Keep informed on publishing news with shows like “The Hot Sheet Podcast” and “Publishers Lunch Deluxe,” great for spotting trends and opportunities.
- For specialized interests, podcasts like “Comics Experience” or “The Children’s Book Podcast” offer focused content exactly tailored to niche publishing areas.
Top Publishing Industry Podcasts to Follow in 2025
With around 584.1 million podcast listeners worldwide and more than half of Americans tuning in monthly, podcasts have become a go-to source for insights across industries—and publishing is no exception. Whether you’re a seasoned publisher or considering your first ebook, here are some standout podcasts that’ll keep you plugged into the heartbeat of the publishing world in 2025:
- The Creative Penn Podcast: Hosted by Joanna Penn, this podcast shares practical advice on writing, publishing, and marketing—great if you’re interested in indie publishing or author entrepreneurship.
- Publishers Weekly Insider: Curated by experts from the respected publication Publishers Weekly, offering timely interviews, publishing business insights, and trend analyses from leading industry voices.
- Booked Up Podcast: Ideal for keeping tabs on the evolving market, this show covers topics from traditional publishing strategies to indie author success stories, helping you understand exactly what’s working right now.
Podcasts provide engaging, low-barrier ways to deepen your understanding of publishing. To get the most out of them, choose ones that match your storytelling goals, publishing style, and objectives as an author or publishing professional.
Best Podcasts for Understanding the Publishing Business
Understanding the publishing business isn’t easy—but luckily, some podcasts break down complex publishing business topics into enjoyable conversations anyone can follow. They’re like sitting down to coffee with a friend who’s handy with business insights.
For instance, “The Publishing Profits Podcast” takes listeners through real-world examples from publishers who share their successes and struggles, explaining exactly what to do (and what to avoid). Episodes cover business frameworks, contract basics, book pricing decisions, and more, all presented in straightforward language.
Another solid choice is “The Sell More Books Show,” which gives concrete weekly tips on book sales strategies and publishing developments. With easily digestible episodes, it helps listeners build strategies they can immediately apply—no MBA required.
One quick tip to maximize your listening: jot down actionable takeaways from each episode in a notes app on your phone, so you can easily implement what you’ve learned. Before long, you’ll have your own personal library of valuable publishing business advice.
Recommended Podcasts for Writers and Authors
If you’re a writer looking for practical guidance and inspiration from other authors, several podcasts hit the mark perfectly. Over 30 million new podcast episodes are posted every year, but these are the gems authors consistently return to:
- Writing Excuses: Hosted by successful authors like Brandon Sanderson and Mary Robinette Kowal, this podcast offers actionable writing tips crafted precisely for busy listeners—episodes are only 15 minutes!
- Helping Writers Become Authors: K.M. Weiland presents friendly, relatable advice that helps turn story ideas into finished books, focusing on plotting and compelling character development.
- The Shit No One Tells You About Writing: Honest guidance from industry experts who share candid advice on landing agents, improving story beginnings, and getting published—essential listening for authors eyeing traditional publishing or looking to publish a book without an agent.
If stuck for inspiration, try pairing these podcasts with some seasonal writing prompts—check out these creative winter writing prompts or explore some historical fiction ideas. Combining podcast advice with immediate application boosts your skills and productivity, keeping your motivation fresh and the writing flowing.
Publishing Podcasts About Book Marketing and Promotion
If you’ve written a great book but nobody knows it exists, then optimizing your marketing and promotional chops is essential. Podcasts dedicated to book marketing and promotion can help you nail strategies proven to increase sales and visibility in 2025. After all, podcast advertising itself is estimated to hit $4.46 billion globally by 2025, indicating just how effective podcast marketing can be (source).
Check out “Book Marketing Tips and Author Success,” which focuses on simple, actionable strategies to boost your book’s visibility, whether you’re selling ebooks, audiobooks, or print editions. Each episode covers one tip or approach—perfect if you want practical advice without fluff.
“Novel Marketing Podcast” goes even deeper by breaking down core marketing concepts into clear steps. It covers topics like Amazon algorithms, effective author newsletters, social media for authors, and how to set up compelling author websites. This one’s especially handy if you’re new to marketing.
While you’re at it, you can pair these podcasts with a helpful article on how to increase book sales on Amazon. Applying marketing steps they present can genuinely boost your results if you track and regularly adapt your strategies.
Publishing Industry Podcasts for News and Trends
Staying informed about industry news and trends is critical if you want to make smart publishing decisions. Publishing, like any industry, constantly evolves—that’s why podcasts dedicated to industry news exist.
In 2025, about 73% of Americans have already jumped on the podcast bandwagon, making podcasts a widely accepted format for consuming news (source). “The Hot Sheet Podcast” by Jane Friedman offers timely, insightful info directly relevant to publishers and writers. Episodes address trending topics like market shifts, publishing tech changes, and emerging popular categories.
You might also like “Publishers Lunch Deluxe,” an excellent round-up-style show which surveys recent deals, industry changes, and style movements. Managed in a casual yet concise format, it’s user-friendly even if you’re somewhat new to the publishing world.
Keep a notepad handy during these podcasts—they often highlight emerging opportunities like trending genres that’ll help you pivot your publishing strategy before the competition catches up.
Niche Podcasts Covering Specific Publishing Topics
With millions of active podcasts globally—3.5–4.4 million according to recent data—odds are there’s a niche podcast for just about any publishing interest you might have (source). Finding your niche helps you get highly tailored content worth every minute.
Interested in graphic novels? “Comics Experience: Make Comics Podcast” covers all things graphic novel publishing—from scripting to visual storytelling and collaborating with artists. Each episode breaks down a step, issue, or insider tip that creators actually use.
If children’s books are your focus, “The Children’s Book Podcast” features interviews with big names in kid lit who discuss their books, inspiration, and publishing details. It’s great not just for authors but also illustrators looking for insight.
You can explore different niche topics even further by checking out resources like how to publish a graphic novel if that’s your area. Combining podcast learning with solid, related resources speeds your understanding and implementation.
Choosing the Right Publishing Podcast for Your Goals
Wondering how to pick the right publishing podcast out of the literal millions available? The real key is matching it to your specific goals. Think carefully about what you need most — practical tips, industry commentary, inspiration, or niche advice?
If you’re looking for a general overview, episodes that provide a wide range of publishing strategies, like “Writing Excuses,” might be best. But if your aim is to land a publishing deal, you’ll want podcasts that focus explicitly on traditional publishing advice like “The Shit No One Tells You About Writing.”
Similarly, if you’re independently publishing books, it’s smart to focus on those shows that consistently offer clear marketing and indie publishing ideas rather than industry-focused traditional publishing news.
A quick tip when shopping around for podcasts: check their show notes or websites to see if they offer transcripts or summaries. Reading these beforehand can help you quickly decide if they’re worth your listening time.
Lastly, remember you don’t need to commit immediately. Choose 1-2 episodes and see if you find them useful and enjoyable before subscribing or roundhouse-kicking them (virtually!) to the curb. Your listening hours are valuable; make the most of them by sticking with the podcasts that truly resonate.
FAQs
Select podcasts aligned with your specific interests and professional objectives. For example, opt for marketing-focused content if your goal is promoting your book, or industry-news podcasts for understanding recent trends that might impact your plans and strategies.
Look for podcasts that provide regular updates, insightful interviews with industry experts, and news summaries. Podcasts focusing on publishing trends help authors stay informed about major shifts and opportunities impacting their career paths and market strategies.
Yes, several publishing podcasts concentrate exclusively on marketing strategies, sales tactics, and author promotions. These podcasts typically discuss practical methods like social media campaigns, email marketing strategies, and effective interactions with bookstores or media.
Absolutely, podcasts dedicated to authors typically cover essential writing tips, craft improvements, and success stories from published authors. These episodes often deliver practical guidance on improving writing quality, productivity, and managing author careers effectively.
