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The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

Joanna Penn

What Machines Can’t Replace: Why AI Makes Us More Human With Anna McPhee

How To Redesign Your Author Business For The Environment That Actually Exists, With Tracy Cooper-Posey

From Page One To Done: Fast Drafting Your Novel With Jessica Brody

Book Marketing, AI Book Discoverability, And Resilience, With Ricardo Fayet

Going Indie, Publishing Innovation, And The Challenges Of Book Marketing With John Bond

From Blog To Community To Book: A Non-Fiction Author’s Journey With Suzanne Smith

How To Prove The Demand For Your Stories And Get The Attention Of Hollywood With Brooks Elms

Organic Writing And The Power Of The Pivot In Fiction With Steven James

Why The Podcast Is Moving To Wednesdays, And 7 Tips for Sustainable Creativity

Bundles, Box Sets and Anthologies With Jamie Ferguson

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.

Author Voice Mastery, And Rebooting an Author Business With J. Daniel Sawyer

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.

Writing The Hard Stuff: Turning Difficult Subjects Into Meaningful Prose With Nicole Walker

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.

Creative Satisfaction, In Person Print Book Sales,  And Author Mindset With Mark Leslie Lefebvre

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.

Writing Cross-Genre, Selling Direct, And Serialising On SubStack With P.D. Alleva

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.

Don’t Call It Art: Rediscovering Creative Joy With Austin Kleon

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.

Writing Through Grief And Rebooting an Indie Author Business With Jami Albright

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.

Accessibility And AI: How New Tools Are Opening Doors For Indie Authors With Jeff Adams

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.

SuperCreativity And KeyNote Speaking With A Non-Fiction Book With James Taylor

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.

Verb Your Enthusiasm: Transform Your Writing With Stronger Verbs With Sarah Kaufman

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.

AI, Creativity, And The Future of Publishing with Nadim Sadek

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.

Self-Publishing in German: How to Translate, Distribute, and Market Your Books with Skye MacKinnon

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.

Navigating Uncertainty And Fearless Persistence In A Long Term Creative Career With Adam Leipzig

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.

Kickstarter Tips for Authors: Rewards, Shipping, Marketing, and Lessons Learned

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.

Special Editions, Seasonal Podcasts, and the Art of Low-Key Book Marketing with Sara Rosett

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.

Editing a Novel: Self-Editing, And How To Work With A Professional Editor With Joanna Penn

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.

Writing At The Wellspring: Tapping The Source Of Your Inner Genius With Matt Cardin

What does it take to write strong sentences? How do you keep writing when the world feels dark? How do you push past self-doubt, build a sustainable writing practice, and trust that your voice is enough? Anne Lamott and Neal Allen share decades of hard-won wisdom from their new book, Good Writing. In the intro, […]
The post Strong Verbs And Hard Truths. Good Writing With Anne Lamott and Neal Allen first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Strong Verbs And Hard Truths. Good Writing With Anne Lamott and Neal Allen

What makes a character so compelling that readers will forgive almost anything about the plot? How do you move beyond vague flaws and generic descriptions to create people who feel pulled from real life? In this solo episode, I share 15 actionable tips for writing deep characters, curated from past interviews on the podcast.
The post Writing Characters: 15 Actionable Tips For Writing Deep Character first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Characters: 15 Actionable Tips For Writing Deep Character

How do you capture something as enormous and personal as the feeling of "home" in a book? How can you navigate the chaotic discovery period in writing something new? With Roz Morris.
The post Writing Emotion, Discovery Writing, And Slow Sustainable Book Marketing With Roz Morris first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Emotion, Discovery Writing, And Slow Sustainable Book Marketing With Roz Morris

How do you build a creative life that spans music, writing, film, and spiritual practice?  Alicia Jo Rabins talks about weaving multiple creative strands into a sustainable career and why the best advice for any creator might simply be: just make the thing.
The post Creative Confidence, Portfolio Careers, And Making Without Permission with Alicia Jo Rabins first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Creative Confidence, Portfolio Careers, And Making Without Permission with Alicia Jo Rabins

How can trauma become a catalyst for creative transformation? What lessons can indie authors learn from the music industry's turbulent journey through technological disruption? With Jack Williamson.
The post Post-Traumatic Growth, Creative Marketing, And Dealing With Change with Jack Williamson first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Post-Traumatic Growth, Creative Marketing, And Dealing With Change with Jack Williamson

How do you stay audacious in a world that's noisier and more saturated than ever? How might the idea of creative rhythm change the way you write? Lara Bianca Pilcher gives her tips from a multi-passionate creative career.
The post Audacious Artistry: Reclaiming Your Creative Identity And Thriving In A Saturated World With Lara Bianca Pilcher first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Audacious Artistry: Reclaiming Your Creative Identity And Thriving In A Saturated World With Lara Bianca Pilcher

How do you juggle multiple book projects, a university teaching role, Kickstarter campaigns, and rock albums—all without burning out? What does it take to build a writing career that spans decades, through industry upheavals and personal setbacks? Kevin J. Anderson shares hard-won lessons from his 40+ year career writing over 190 books.
The post Managing Multiple Projects And The Art of the Long-Term Author Career with Kevin J. Anderson first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Managing Multiple Projects And The Art of the Long-Term Author Career with Kevin J. Anderson

How can indie authors raise their game through academic-style rigour? How might AI tools fit into a thoughtful research process without replacing the joy of discovery? Melissa Addey explores the intersection of scholarly discipline, creative writing, and the practical realities of building an author career. In the intro, mystery and thriller tropes [Wish I’d Known […]
The post Research Like An Academic, Write Like an Indie With Melissa Addey first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Research Like An Academic, Write Like an Indie With Melissa Addey

Could live selling be the next big opportunity for indie authors? Adam Beswick shares how organic marketing, live streaming, and direct sales are transforming his author career—and how other writers can do the same.
The post Selling Books Live On Social Media With Adam Beswick first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Selling Books Live On Social Media With Adam Beswick

What if the most transformative thing you can do for your writing craft and author business is to face what you fear? How can you can find gold in your Shadow in the year ahead? In this episode, I share chapters from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words. In the intro, curated […]
The post Writing The Shadow: The Creative Wound, Publishing, And Money, With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing The Shadow: The Creative Wound, Publishing, And Money, With Joanna Penn

I go through my creative and author business goals for 2026, from leaning into the transformation economy, to what books I intend to write, the podcast, Patreon, and more.
The post My 2026 Creative And Business Goals With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

My 2026 Creative And Business Goals With Joanna Penn

What does it really take to build a multi-six-figure author business with no advertising? Is running your own warehouse really necessary for direct sales success — or is there a simpler path using print-on-demand that works just as well?
In this conversation, Sacha Black and I compare our very different approaches to selling direct, from print on demand to pallets of books, and explore why the right model depends entirely on who you are and what your goals are for your author business.
The post Two Different Approaches To Selling Books Direct With Sacha Black And Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Two Different Approaches To Selling Books Direct With Sacha Black And Joanna Penn

Why do some romance authors build decades-long careers while others vanish after one breakout book? What really separates a throwaway pen name and rapid release strategy from a legacy brand and a body of work you’re proud of? How can you diversify with trad, indie, non-fiction, and Kickstarter without burning out—or selling out your creative freedom? With Jennifer Probst
The post Writing Free: Romance Author Jennifer Probst On A Long-Term Author Career first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Free: Romance Author Jennifer Probst On A Long-Term Author Career

How can you write science-based fiction without info-dumping your research? How can you use AI tools in a creative way, while still focusing on a human-first approach? Why is adapting to the fast pace of change so difficult and how can we make the most of this time? Jamie Metzl talks about Superconvergence and more.
The post Writing The Future, And Being More Human In An Age of AI With Jamie Metzl first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing The Future, And Being More Human In An Age of AI With Jamie Metzl

In early November 2025, I attended and spoke at Author Nation in Las Vegas. It was a fantastic conference for authors at all levels, and in this episode, I share my lessons learned and tips from reflecting on the event.
The post Lessons Learned From Author Nation 2025 With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Lessons Learned From Author Nation 2025 With Joanna Penn

Why do so many memoir manuscripts fail to engage readers, even when the writer has lived through extraordinary experiences? What's the hidden code that separates a chronological account of events from a compelling memoir that readers can't put down? How do you know when you're ready to write about trauma, and where's the ethical line between truth and storytelling? With Wendy Dale
The post Why Structure Matters More Than You Think. Writing Memoir With Wendy Dale first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Why Structure Matters More Than You Think. Writing Memoir With Wendy Dale

What happens when your creative dreams collide with the demands of caregiving? How do you keep writing when you're caring for someone full-time? Can you still be a creative person when traditional productivity advice simply doesn't work? With Donn King.
The post Creating While Caring With Donn King first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Creating While Caring With Donn King

Why does the publishing industry feel more chaotic than ever, and what can writers do about it? How do you know if you're truly burned out or just creatively empty? When should successful authors start saying no instead of yes to every opportunity? Becca Syme shares her hard-won wisdom about navigating burnout, embracing unpredictability, and knowing what to quit (and what not to quit) in your writing career.
The post Loki Is In Charge. How Authors Can Thrive In A Time Of Transition With Becca Syme first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Loki Is In Charge. How Authors Can Thrive In A Time Of Transition With Becca Syme

How can authors write about climate change without preaching? What happens when your publisher goes under just before your book launch? How do theatre skills translate to better dialogue, readings, and author events? With author and theater director Laura Baggaley. In the intro, Indie presses are in existential crisis [The Bookseller]; what to do when […]
The post Performance Tips For Authors, And Writing Climate Fiction With Laura Baggaley first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Performance Tips For Authors, And Writing Climate Fiction With Laura Baggaley

How do you stand out as an author when thousands of books are published every day? What’s the difference between having a logo and having a real brand that sells books? Is it possible to maintain your authentic voice while appealing to genre readers who seem more loyal to categories than authors? With Steve Brock […]
The post Brand Something Beautiful: How Authors Can Stand Out In A Crowded Market with Steve Brock first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Brand Something Beautiful: How Authors Can Stand Out In A Crowded Market with Steve Brock

How do you know when it’s time to wrap up one phase of your life and move on to the next? What’s the secret to staying connected as a writer when you’re working alone? And if you have multiple passions and endless ideas, how do you actually finish things instead of constantly starting new projects? […]
The post How to Pivot Careers, Co-Write Books, And Stay Connected As A Remote Creative With Pilar Orti first appeared on The Creative Penn.

How to Pivot Careers, Co-Write Books, And Stay Connected As A Remote Creative With Pilar Orti

Have you optimized the seven essential elements of your Amazon book page before you even consider marketing? Are you making the most of A+ content, and advertising with Amazon? Amazon Ads expert Geoff Affleck gives his tips. In the intro, potential TikTok US changes [BBC]; Special editions [Written Word Media]; Self-Publishing with Dale Kickstarter books; […]
The post Amazon Advertising For Books With Geoff Affleck first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Amazon Advertising For Books With Geoff Affleck

Are you truly procrastinating, or are you protecting yourself from uncomfortable emotions? What if the real reason you’re not finishing your book has nothing to do with laziness or lack of motivation? Colleen Story explores the types of procrastination that keep writers stuck and how you can move past them into success. In the intro, […]
The post Overcoming Procrastination With Colleen M. Story first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Overcoming Procrastination With Colleen M. Story

What are the challenges of writing and publishing books for children? How can you publish high-quality books and still make a profit? How can you market books to children effectively in a scalable manner? Darcy Pattison gives her tips. In the intro, Novel Writing November; Business models and ethics for authors [Self-Publishing with ALLi]; AI-Assisted […]
The post Writing, Self-Publishing And Marketing Books For Children With Darcy Pattison first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing, Self-Publishing And Marketing Books For Children With Darcy Pattison

What if the key to finding your authentic voice as a writer lies in exploring someone else’s fictional world first? How can multi-passionate creators manage multiple brands without losing their sanity? KimBoo York reveals how fanfiction can be a powerful training ground for original fiction, and why being your “weird self” is more valuable than […]
The post Writing Fan Fiction, And Multi-Passionate Creativity With KimBoo York first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Fan Fiction, And Multi-Passionate Creativity With KimBoo York

How do you know when an idea should become a poem or a short story instead of a longer work? How can indie authors publish and market poetry and short fiction in today’s market? Joanna Penn and Orna Ross explore the creative processes, and the business behind writing short-form work, and discuss why being authentically […]
The post Writing And Publishing Short Stories And Poetry With J.F. Penn And Orna Ross first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing And Publishing Short Stories And Poetry With J.F. Penn And Orna Ross

What if you could turn a monthly writing challenge into a successful book collaboration—all while recording the entire creative process as a podcast? What if hand-selling locally sells more books than online marketing? Clay Vermulm talks about his creative and business processes. In the intro, Spotify’s new ‘Follow Along’ Feature for some audiobooks [Publishing Perspectives]; […]
The post Writing Short Stories, Publishing Collaboration, And Podcasting, With Clay Vermulm first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Short Stories, Publishing Collaboration, And Podcasting, With Clay Vermulm

What happens when you fall in love with a book that deserves a wider audience but has never been translated into English? How do you navigate international copyright law, multiple publishers, and estate permissions when you have no translation experience? Dani James shares her journey from discovering a powerful Flemish memoir in her childhood home […]
The post The Art And Business Of Literary Translation With Dani James first appeared on The Creative Penn.

The Art And Business Of Literary Translation With Dani James

What marketing principles remain true regardless of the tools you use? What are the different ways you can market your book, whatever your genre? In this episode, I share two chapters from my audiobook, Successful Self-Publishing, Fourth Edition. In the intro, Pricing strategies on The Biz Book Broadcast; What to do Three Years Before your […]
The post Book Marketing Tips For Fiction And Non-Fiction Authors With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Book Marketing Tips For Fiction And Non-Fiction Authors With Joanna Penn

Are you curious about the lives of your ancestors? What secrets might be hiding in your family tree, and where would you even begin to look for them? How do you turn dusty records and vague family stories into a compelling book for others to read? T.L. Whalan shares how she researched and wrote a […]
The post Researching And Writing Family History Or Genealogy With TL Whalan first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Researching And Writing Family History Or Genealogy With TL Whalan

How do you turn a big-budget TV show idea into an audio drama you can produce yourself? What does it take to create a 10-hour, 30-actor historical drama? And how can guerrilla marketing in airport bookstores help find your audience? Alison Haselden shares her experience of writing and directing Wicked Dames. In the intro, David […]
The post Writing And Directing Audio Drama And The Constant Creator Mindset With Alison Haselden first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing And Directing Audio Drama And The Constant Creator Mindset With Alison Haselden

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly release new books and battle algorithms? Do you wonder if there’s a more sustainable, low-stress path to a successful author career? Is it possible to focus on art, build a loyal fanbase, and escape the publishing rat race? In this episode, Johnny B. Truant discusses the […]
The post The Artisan Author With Johnny B Truant first appeared on The Creative Penn.

The Artisan Author With Johnny B Truant

Are you struggling to get reviews for your book? Wondering how to navigate the different types of reviews, from customer feedback to professional blurbs? Joe Walters from IndependentBookReview.com gives his tips. In the intro, how important is ‘truth’ in memoir? The Observer on Raynor Winn’s The Salt Path; Raynor’s statement; Memoir controversies [The Guardian]; Tips […]
The post How To Get More Book Reviews With Joe Walters first appeared on The Creative Penn.

How To Get More Book Reviews With Joe Walters

Have you ever dreamed of turning a passion for storytelling into a profitable, long-term career? How do you build multiple successful author brands without burning out? What marketing strategies actually work in today’s fast-changing industry? Ines Johnson shares her journey and the secrets to her success. In the intro, 5 phases of an author business […]
The post Crafting Stories, Finding Readers And Selling Direct With Ines Johnson first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Crafting Stories, Finding Readers And Selling Direct With Ines Johnson

How is the rise of AI changing the world of audiobooks for authors and narrators? Can a synthetic voice ever capture the nuance of human performance, and what does it mean to write for the ear, not just the eye? Jules Horne talks about the seismic shifts in the audiobook industry and how you can […]
The post Writing For Audio First With Jules Horne first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing For Audio First With Jules Horne

Are you looking for new ways to connect with readers and market your books? Have you considered using podcasts but aren’t sure where to start, or if they’re even effective anymore? How can you turn a simple podcast interview into a powerful tool for building your author career? Matty Dalrymple talks about how to leverage […]
The post How To Pitch Podcasts And Be A Great Podcast Guest With Matty Dalrymple first appeared on The Creative Penn.

How To Pitch Podcasts And Be A Great Podcast Guest With Matty Dalrymple

How can you find your voice through writing in different genres and mediums over the years? How can you shift your mindset around book marketing, whatever your age? Betsy Lerner shares her experience of writing and books over decades in the publishing industry. In the intro, Going Local: Authors on the payoffs and pitfalls of […]
The post Finding Your Voice, Writing Across Genre And Loving Book Marketing With Betsy Lerner first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Finding Your Voice, Writing Across Genre And Loving Book Marketing With Betsy Lerner

How will generative AI change search and book discoverability in the years ahead? How can you make sure your books and your author website can be found in AI tools like ChatGPT? Thomas Umstattd Jr. joins me to discuss Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) and how it will replace traditional SEO marketing. I first covered this […]
The post Book Discoverability In An Age Of AI. GEO For Authors With Thomas Umstattd Jr. first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Book Discoverability In An Age Of AI. GEO For Authors With Thomas Umstattd Jr.

How can you ‘cast a wider net’ and reach more readers with your books? How can you embrace the best of publishing options for your work? JD Barker explains how his publishing business works. In the intro, How Authors Measure Success [Self-Publishing Advice]; Creating through Grief [Go Creative]; Death Valley; Successful Self-Publishing, Fourth Edition; Gothic Cathedrals; […]
The post Casting A Wider Net: Author Brand And The Writing Business With JD Barker first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Casting A Wider Net: Author Brand And The Writing Business With JD Barker

How can creativity be expressed in both writing and music? How can you improve your creativity by being more mindful of your physical body? How can you manage anxiety when speaking or performing? Jennifer Roig-Francoli gives her thoughts in this interview. In the intro, Taylor Swift buys back the rights to her first six albums […]
The post Music, Writing, And The Mind-Body Connection With Jennifer Roig-Francoli first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Music, Writing, And The Mind-Body Connection With Jennifer Roig-Francoli

Why is creative control and owning your intellectual property so important for a long-term author career? How can AI tools help you be more creative and amplify your curiosity? Dave Morris talks about his forty-year publishing career and why he’s still pushing the boundaries of what he can create. In the intro, Writing Storybundle; Finding […]
The post Crafting Story Worlds, Creative Control, And Leveraging AI Tools With Dave Morris first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Crafting Story Worlds, Creative Control, And Leveraging AI Tools With Dave Morris

How can you embrace the process of change in life and author business, especially in an era of AI? How can you take control of what’s possible and be more comfortable with uncertainty? How can you develop a career portfolio that future proofs you in changing times? April Rinne shares her insights into how we […]
The post Embracing Change: How To Flux with April Rinne first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Embracing Change: How To Flux with April Rinne

What can prose writers learn from poets about language, line breaks, and punctuation? How can we help people engage with our work in different ways? Abi Pollokoff talks about her advice from poetry. In the intro, how to reframe success as a writer [Ink in Your Veins]; How I Write Podcast with Dean Koontz; Direct […]
The post Language, Line Breaks, And Punctuation. Poetry With Abi Pollokoff first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Language, Line Breaks, And Punctuation. Poetry With Abi Pollokoff

How can you explore the edges of your creativity to find your next becoming? How can you turn the evolution of your life into art? Pia Leichter talks about her creative courage, different ways to rest, and intuitive book marketing in this interview. In the intro, Lessons from Six Years Writing Full-time [Sacha Black]; Reflections […]
The post Make Life Your Biggest Art Project: Pia Leichter On Writing, Creative Courage, And Changing Your Narrative first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Make Life Your Biggest Art Project: Pia Leichter On Writing, Creative Courage, And Changing Your Narrative

How can you implement ‘See, Do, Repeat’ in your writing and author business? How can you embrace optimism as a creative entrepreneur and move past fear of judgment to publish your book? Dr Rebecca White shares her journey and tips. In the intro, Short form audio opportunities and tips [Self Publishing Advice]; Wiley’s guidelines for […]
The post See, Do, Repeat: The Practice of Creative Entrepreneurship With Dr Rebecca White first appeared on The Creative Penn.

See, Do, Repeat: The Practice of Creative Entrepreneurship With Dr Rebecca White

How can you shift your writing and publishing process to focus on YouTube and podcasting as a primary audiobook focus? How can you use AI tools to help you create, publish, and translate your books? Derek Slaton goes into his indie author process. Inspired by Derek, you can now find my audiobooks on YouTube: Books […]
The post Expanding Audiobook Revenue Through YouTube And Podcasting With Derek Slaton first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Expanding Audiobook Revenue Through YouTube And Podcasting With Derek Slaton

What are the different ways you can distribute and monetise your ebooks and audiobooks through Kobo Writing Life? How can you market them more effectively and reach more readers? With Tara Cremin. In the intro, the potential impact of tariffs and what to do about it [Self Publishing Advice]; Pep talk for authors during chaotic […]
The post Ebook Sales, Subscriptions, Audiobooks And Book Marketing With Tara Cremin From Kobo Writing Life first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Ebook Sales, Subscriptions, Audiobooks And Book Marketing With Tara Cremin From Kobo Writing Life

What’s the difference between telling a story on screen and on the page? How does indie film production overlap with indie publishing—and what can writers learn from the world of filmmaking? Why might a producer choose creative freedom over big studio deals, and what does that mean when it comes to book marketing? Gretchen McGowan […]
The post Writing Memoir From A Life In Film With Gretchen McGowan first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Memoir From A Life In Film With Gretchen McGowan

What are some ways you can market a book during a launch period using audio, video, and text? What does my JFPenn voice clone sound like narrating the first two chapters of my thriller, Death Valley? J.F. Penn is the Award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, crime, horror, […]
The post Death Valley Audiobook Chapters And Book Marketing Tips With J.F Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Death Valley Audiobook Chapters And Book Marketing Tips With J.F Penn

What’s the difference between writing a book and writing a screenplay? What are the different business models? If you’ve written a screenplay, how can you get it read? TD Donnelly talks about the challenges and rewards of screenwriting, as well as his first thriller novel. In the intro, ProWritingAid spring sales 25% off; Key takeaways […]
The post From Hollywood To Novels: TD Donnelly On Screenwriting, Adaptation, and Storytelling That Lasts first appeared on The Creative Penn.

From Hollywood To Novels: TD Donnelly On Screenwriting, Adaptation, and Storytelling That Lasts

How can we avoid the mistake of comparing our first drafts with the finished books we love? How can we improve our manuscripts? Kristopher Jansma gives his tips. In the intro, Finding your deepest reason to write [Ink In Your Veins]; London Book Fair, AI audio and ‘vibe coding’ [Self Publishing with ALLi]; Pirated database […]
The post How Ordinary Drafts Become Extraordinary Books. Revisionaries With Kristopher Jansma first appeared on The Creative Penn.

How Ordinary Drafts Become Extraordinary Books. Revisionaries With Kristopher Jansma

How can you release more creativity into your writing — and your life? What are some practices to foster creativity in a time of change and overwhelm? Jacob Nordby gives his tips. In the intro, tips for spring cleaning as indie authors; Death Valley – A Thriller Kickstarter; Death Valley book trailer; Footprints Podcast – […]
The post Intuition, Journaling, And Overcoming Fear. The Creative Cure With Jacob Nordby first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Intuition, Journaling, And Overcoming Fear. The Creative Cure With Jacob Nordby

What are the tropes and reader expectations for action adventure thrillers? Why publish into KU and what are some of the ways to market there? How can travel enrich your writing? Luke Richardson gives his tips. In the intro, ProWritingAid launches their Manuscript Analysis tool; Navigating legal risk in memoir [The Indy Author]; Social media […]
The post Writing Action Adventure And Traveling For Book Research With Luke Richardson first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Action Adventure And Traveling For Book Research With Luke Richardson

How can you use Kickstarter to help bring your creative vision into reality? What are some of the biggest mistakes authors make? What are some tips to ensure your campaign is a success? Oriana Leckert shares her expertise. In the intro, AI-narrated audiobooks from ElevenLabs will now be accepted on Spotify through FindawayVoices; A Midwinter […]
The post Kickstarter For Authors With Oriana Leckert first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Kickstarter For Authors With Oriana Leckert

How do you keep the happiness and joy in your writing practice, along with managing the business side of being an author? Marissa Meyer gives her tips. In the intro, How authors can price their books for profit [Self-Publishing with ALLi]; How to recover from author burnout [Self-Publishing Advice]; my Brooke and Daniel crime series […]
The post The Happy Writer With Marissa Meyer first appeared on The Creative Penn.

The Happy Writer With Marissa Meyer

Why is ‘story’ more important than ‘writing’? How can you write characters that engage the reader? And how can you sell more books by connecting authentically? Douglas Vigliotti shares his tips. In the intro, Bookshop.org will start selling ebooks [TechCrunch]; LinkedIn for Book Promotion [ALLi]; The Money Making Expert, branding and marketing [DOAC]; 24 Assets – […]
The post Aristotle for Novelists, And A Strategy For Selling More Books With Douglas Vigliotti first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Aristotle for Novelists, And A Strategy For Selling More Books With Douglas Vigliotti

How does generative AI relate to fair use when it comes to copyright? What are the possibilities for AI licensing? Alicia Wright shares her thoughts on generative AI for authors. In the intro, Publishing leaders share 9 Bold Predictions for 2025 [BookBub]; OpenAI launches Operator [The Verge]; Bertelsmann (who own Penguin Random House) intends to […]
The post Fair Use, Copyright, And Licensing. AI And The Author Business With Alicia Wright first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Fair Use, Copyright, And Licensing. AI And The Author Business With Alicia Wright

How can you build a long-term author career with multiple streams of income? How can you use technology for the grunt work and not the fun part of writing? Kevin J Anderson gives his tips. In the intro, has TikTok gone dark? [AP]; BookVault is expanding printing to Australia; GPSR, the EU’s new General Product […]
The post Building A Long Term Author Business, Dictation, Kickstarter, and Short Story Collections With Kevin J Anderson first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Building A Long Term Author Business, Dictation, Kickstarter, and Short Story Collections With Kevin J Anderson

How can you balance creativity with business in order to have a profitable, long-term author career? What were the successes and challenges of the Author Nation conference? Joe Solari shares his perspective. In the intro, the money episode [Ink In Your Veins]; WISE for multi-currency banking; creative planning tips for 2025 [Self~Publishing Advice]; Surprising Trends […]
The post Balancing Creativity With Building A Business, And Author Nation With Joe Solari first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Balancing Creativity With Building A Business, And Author Nation With Joe Solari

Are you curious about the hidden structures that turn ordinary manuscripts into irresistible page-turning stories? Wondering how to shape your characters, scenes, and chapters so readers can’t put your book down? Kristen Tate shares her tips. In the intro, key book publishing paths [Jane Friedman]; sub-rights and why it’s important to understand how many ways […]
The post Writing Tips: Craft, Structure, and Voice With Kristen Tate first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Tips: Craft, Structure, and Voice With Kristen Tate

Happy New Year 2025! I love January and the opportunity to start afresh. I know it’s arbitrary in some ways, but I measure my life by what I create, and I also measure it in years. At the beginning of each year, I publish an article (and podcast episode) here, which helps keep me accountable. If you’d […]
The post My 2025 Creative And Business Goals With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

My 2025 Creative And Business Goals With Joanna Penn

Another year ends, and once more, it’s time to reflect on our creative goals. I hope you can take the time to review your goals and you’re welcome to leave a comment below about how the year went. Did you achieve everything you wanted to? Let me know in the comments. It’s always interesting looking […]
The post Review Of My 2024 Creative And Business Goals With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Review Of My 2024 Creative And Business Goals With Joanna Penn

How can you create when there’s an overwhelming list of things to do and too many competing priorities? How can you balance self-care with achieving your creative goals. In this episode, I’ll share some tips from previous podcast guests to help you step back, reassess your priorities, and hopefully help you let go of at […]
The post Creative Clarity: Focus, Self-Care, And A Little Bit Of Tough Love first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Creative Clarity: Focus, Self-Care, And A Little Bit Of Tough Love

How can you write a book proposal that will make a publisher want to buy your book? How can you write a successful non-fiction book that both interests you and attracts a lot of readers? How can you improve your communication in person and online? Charles Duhigg gives his thoughts. In the intro, HarperCollins CEO […]
The post Book Proposals, Writing Non-Fiction, And Supercommunicators With Charles Duhigg first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Book Proposals, Writing Non-Fiction, And Supercommunicators With Charles Duhigg

How can you build a scalable business around non-fiction books? How can you turn a book into multiple streams of income? How can you delegate in order to scale? Michael Bungay Stanier shares his thoughts. In the intro, Bookfunnel’s Universal Book Links, and How to Write Non-Fiction Second Edition; ALCS survey results of writers on […]
The post Building A Business Ecosystem Around Non-Fiction Books With Michael Bungay Stanier first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Building A Business Ecosystem Around Non-Fiction Books With Michael Bungay Stanier

How can we write from the perspective of others while still respecting different cultures? How can a children’s book author make money from bulk sales? How is self-publishing in South Africa different? With Ashling McCarthy. In the intro, Spotify for Authors and Katie Cross on self-narration and email marketing; How do I know when to […]
The post Writing The Other And Self-Publishing in South Africa With Ashling McCarthy first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing The Other And Self-Publishing in South Africa With Ashling McCarthy

How can you manage the competing priorities of an author career? How can you deal with the demons we all have to wrestle with along the way? Tiffany Yates Martin talks about the role of intuition in decision-making, the challenges of feedback and rejection, and the importance of reclaiming creativity during difficult times. In the […]
The post The Intuitive Author With Tiffany Yates Martin first appeared on The Creative Penn.

The Intuitive Author With Tiffany Yates Martin

How can you write memoir with deep sensory detail? How does terroir in wine equate to the writer’s voice? How can you manage your online presence while still protecting yourself from the haters? Multi-award-winning wine writer Natalie MacLean shares her tips. In the intro, initial thoughts on Author Nation 2024, photos from Death Valley @jfpennauthor, […]
The post Writing Memoir And Dealing With Haters With Natalie Maclean first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Memoir And Dealing With Haters With Natalie Maclean

What is dark tourism and why are many of us interested in places associated with death and tragedy? How can you write and self-publish a premium print guidebook while managing complicated design elements, image permissions, and more? With Leon Mcanally. In the intro, level up with author assistants [Written Word Media]; and Blood Vintage signing […]
The post Dark Tourism And Self-Publishing Premium Print Books With Images With Leon Mcanally first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Dark Tourism And Self-Publishing Premium Print Books With Images With Leon Mcanally

How do you approach writing a second edition of a non-fiction book? How does self-publishing compare to working with a traditional publisher? Can you build a viable business without active social media use? Gin Stephens shares her tips. In the intro, the end of Kindle Vella [Amazon]; Lessons from week one of the book launch […]
The post Self-Publishing A Second Edition Of A Non-Fiction Book With Gin Stephens first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Self-Publishing A Second Edition Of A Non-Fiction Book With Gin Stephens

What are some of the key elements in writing horror? How can you be successful writing and self-publishing in the genre? With Boris Bacic. In the intro, ISBNs made easy [Self-publishing Advice]; Written Word Media’s 2024 author survey; Taylor Swift self-publishing [Morning Brew]; Thoughts on audiobooks [Seth Godin]; This is Strategy: Make Better Plans – […]
The post Writing Horror With Boris Bacic first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Writing Horror With Boris Bacic

How do you successfully scale an author business? How do you delegate to your team as well as continue to research and write the books you love? With award-winning crime author, Rachel McLean. In the intro, new Kindle devices [Amazon]; new European markets for Spotify audiobooks [Spotify]; customisable audio with Google NotebookLM; Amazon Ads launches […]
The post Scaling An Author Business With Rachel McLean first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Scaling An Author Business With Rachel McLean

The Creative Penn Podcast just hit 10 million downloads as reported by my audio host, Blubrry! The podcast is also the main content on my YouTube channel @thecreativepenn, which has had over 3.9 million views, so the total could be closer to 14m. I’m pretty happy with that, so thanks for listening! Here are some […]
The post 7 Lessons Learned From Over 10 Million Downloads Of The Creative Penn Podcast first appeared on The Creative Penn.

7 Lessons Learned From Over 10 Million Downloads Of The Creative Penn Podcast

Can you be successful as an author across different genres and different pen names? How do traditional publishing and going indie compare? How can you diversify into multiple streams of income as an author? With Emily E.K. Murdoch. In the intro, Planning for retirement [Self-Publishing Advice]; my list of money books; Red flags in serialised (and […]
The post Writing Historical Fiction And Non-Fiction With Emily E K Murdoch first appeared on The Creative Penn.