Writers’ podcasts are a great way to boost writing skills without outlaying a lot of money. Cheap is good, as anyone who’s been in the game for a while knows. Learning to write for profit can be a long and expensive pursuit.

Writers interested in completing graduate studies in Creative Writing better have deep pockets. A two-year MFA in the US costs between $27K and $73K. An Australian equivalent runs around $45K. No matter where in the world you study, you won’t get a guarantee of a return on your investment.

Even the cheaper options like master classes, seminars, and writers’ conferences add up. Throw in professional memberships and writers’ organisations, and we’re talking about a substantial, ongoing writing bill.

So when free opportunities come along, I get excited. Podcasts are my favourite inexpensive skill builder. Here are six of my favourite writers’ podcasts to sharpen my craft, stoke my imagination, and fire my passion.

Five Worthy Writers’ Podcasts

Helping Writers Become Authors

Author K M Weiland mentors writers around the world with her website, vlog, podcasts, and books on writing craft. (I’m keen to read her writer’s analysis of Jane Eyre). She covers a variety of topics from business to craft.

Dead Robots Society

Justin Macumber created this podcast to inspire and equip aspiring writers. Dead Robots Society has an interesting mix of author interviews and writing craft segments.

Scriptnotes Podcast

John August and Craig Mazin focus on screenwriting, but I find their topics are useful for any kind of writer.

TED Talks for Writers

We all know and love TED talks, but were you aware that they have some talks that speak specifically to aspiring writers, creatives, and literary types? Author Mac Barnett’s talk Why A Good Book is Like a Secret Door is funny, erudite, and inspiring. If you write for kids, do yourself a favour: click the link right now and thank me later.

Aerogramme Writers’ Studio compiled a complete list of TED Talks for Writers, which includes Elizabeth Gilbert talking on Your Elusive Genius  and Amy Tan uncovering Where Does Creativity Hide?  and filmmaker Andrew Stanton explaining The Clues of a Great Story.

This American Life 

While not specifically about writing, this famous public radio show is a wonderful example of the power and universality of story. Week after week, This American Life presents several stories based around a theme. Some are quirky; some are sad; some are hilarious. All of them make you think. It’s like super-food for your imagination and über-inspiration for your inner muse.

The show’s iconic producer, Ira Glass, is one of my heroes, mainly due to this four-part video about storytelling. Be sure to check it out.

Over to You

Got a favourite writers’ podcast the world needs to know about? Please leave a comment and a link so we can check it out!

Creative Commons Image by Steve Rhodes