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The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

Joanna Penn 300 Episodes Jun 29, 2026

The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers, hosted by Joanna Penn, covers writing craft and the creative business of publishing. It offers insights on writing techniques, self-publishing, and marketing for authors. The show aims to help writers build successful careers in the digital age.

Episodes

Writing The Hard Stuff: Turning Difficult Subjects Into Meaningful Prose With Nicole Walker Jun 29, 2026 56:21 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. In the intro, Self-Publishing Pop Up Books [Self-Publishing with ALLi]; New in KU [BookBub]; The solar sail theory of indie publishing [ProductiveIndieFictionWriter]; Bones of the Deep; Selfie Aw
Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales, And Author Mindset With Mark Leslie Lefebvre Jun 22, 2026 1:04:53 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 In the intro, Has AI Already Killed Non-Fiction [Tim Ferriss]; 9 ways that AI w
Writing Cross-Genre, Selling Direct, And Serialising On SubStack With P.D. Alleva Jun 15, 2026 52:45 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. In the intro, thoughts
Don’t Call It Art: Rediscovering Creative Joy With Austin Kleon Jun 8, 2026 1:10:25 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
Writing Through Grief And Rebooting an Indie Author Business With Jami Albright Jun 1, 2026 59:53 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. In the intro, InAudio is now distributing audiobooks to BookShop.org; The Feedback Loop that Makes Better Writers [Author Nation Podcast]; Bones of the Deep on Goodreads. This episode is sponsored by&
Accessibility And AI: How New Tools Are Opening Doors For Indie Authors With Jeff Adams May 25, 2026 1:02:44 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. In the intro, Spotify Audiobook Innov
SuperCreativity And KeyNote Speaking With A Non-Fiction Book With James Taylor May 18, 2026 1:07:21 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. In the intro, Audible's new royalty model; New royalty model
Verb Your Enthusiasm: Transform Your Writing With Stronger Verbs With Sarah Kaufman May 11, 2026 1:03:07 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. In the intro, writing as a caregiver and grief [Stark Reflections; The Creative Penn episode];
AI, Creativity, And The Future of Publishing with Nadim Sadek May 8, 2026 47:38 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. In the intro, my AI-Assisted Artisan Author webinars. This show is supported b
Self-Publishing in German: How to Translate, Distribute, and Market Your Books with Skye MacKinnon May 4, 2026 1:08:31 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. In the intro, thoughts on feeling empty after a book, and the benefits of SubStack for authors [Stark Reflections; Wish I'd Known Then]; AI-Assisted Artisan Author webinars 16 a
Navigating Uncertainty And Fearless Persistence In A Long Term Creative Career With Adam Leipzig Apr 27, 2026 1:09:09 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. In the intro, my reflections on running an author-publisher business after a fantastic e-commerce workshop run by Blubolt, and why you will alwa
Kickstarter Tips for Authors: Rewards, Shipping, Marketing, and Lessons Learned Apr 20, 2026 1:33:59 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 hard-won lessons from six campaigns that have now made

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