300 episodes

Information, inspiration and interviews on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing.

If you need help with writing your book, or you want to learn how to navigate the new world of publishing and book marketing, then join Joanna Penn and her guests every Monday. Also covers the business of being a writer and how to make money with your books.

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers Joanna Penn

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 578 Ratings

Information, inspiration and interviews on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing.

If you need help with writing your book, or you want to learn how to navigate the new world of publishing and book marketing, then join Joanna Penn and her guests every Monday. Also covers the business of being a writer and how to make money with your books.

    Insights On The Enneagram And Sustain Your Author Career With Claire Taylor

    Insights On The Enneagram And Sustain Your Author Career With Claire Taylor

    How can you use insights from the Enneagram to help you with a sustainable author career? How can you get past your blocks and move towards success, whatever that means for you? Claire Taylor provides her insights.







    In the intro, will TikTok be banned in the USA, and how will this impact authors and publishing? [TechCrunch; Kathleen Schmidt]; Hugh Howey on the Tim Ferriss show; I, Cyborg: Using Co-Intelligence [Ethan Mollick]; Using AI in award-winning writing [Smithsonian Mag; Editor and Publisher];







    Plus, I'm now an award-winning author for Pilgrimage! [Pics on Instagram, Buy the book from me, or on other stores]; Spear of Destiny, Unstuck with Rachael Herron; I'm interviewed on the Casual Author Podcast, and Cops and Writers.













    Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, self-publishing with support, where you can get free formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Just go to www.draft2digital to get started.













    Claire Taylor writes comedy fiction, science fiction, paranormal cozy mystery, and serial killer crime, with more than 40 books under various pen names. She also teaches authors through courses, consulting, and her books for writers, which include Reclaim Your Author Career, and her new book, Sustain Your Author Career.







    You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below.

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Dealing With Change And How To Build Resilience As An Author With Becca Syme

    Dealing With Change And How To Build Resilience As An Author With Becca Syme

    There are more options for publishing and reaching readers than ever before, and the indie author business models are splintering and diverging, so how do we know which path to follow?







    How do we deal with the changes due to generative AI, and how do we manage the grief and anxiety about these shifts? Becca Syme gives her perspective.







    In the intro, Kobo Plus launches in Ireland and South Africa [KWL]; Authors Equity [Publishing Perspectives]; Selling direct insights [Kindlepreneur]; Claude 3 [Anthropic]; Spear of Destiny.













    This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. 















    Becca Syme is an author, coach, and creator of The Better-Faster Academy. She is a USA Today bestselling author of small-town romance and cozy mystery, and also writes the ‘Dear Writer' series of non-fiction books.







    You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







    Show Notes









    * Saturation causing a shift in the indie author business model







    * The importance of having certainty in your own process







    * An ego shift when selling direct







    * Deciding on a business path amid uncertainty







    * Choosing your ‘hard'







    * Adapting the vision of your future in an ever-changing industry







    * Finding readers in an evolving publishing industry









    You can find Becca at BetterFasterAcademy.com.







    Transcript of Interview with Becca Syme







    Joanna: Becca Syme is an author, coach, and creator of The Better-Faster Academy. She is a USA Today bestselling author of small-town romance and cozy mystery, and also writes the ‘Dear Writer' series of non-fiction books. So welcome back to the show, Becca.







    Becca: Thank you for having me, again. I love being here.







    Joanna: Now, you've been on the show a few times. So we're just going to jump into the topics today, as we've got so much to talk about now.







    I've really wanted to talk to you about some of the things I'm seeing in the community right now. You're so wise,

    • 1 hr
    How To Create Beautiful Print Books And Sell Direct With Alex Smith From Bookvault

    How To Create Beautiful Print Books And Sell Direct With Alex Smith From Bookvault

    How can you create more beautiful print books — and make more money with your products by selling direct? Alex Smith explains how BookVault can help with various options as well as helpful resources.







    In the intro, audiobooks and AI [Frankfurt Bookmesse]; Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Virtual Worlds by Joanna Penn; Google's woke AI Gemini [The Verge]; AI solving humanity's hardest problems [NY Times]; Demis Hassabis on Hard Fork [NY Times]; Finding my voice in the AI wars [Talena Winters].







    Plus, Author Blueprint (2024) is now in print (or get the ebook here); Spear of Destiny prelaunch page.













    Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just grammar and typo checking. With its detailed reports on how to improve your writing and integration with Scrivener, ProWritingAid will help you improve your book before you send it to an editor, agent or publisher. Check it out for free or get 25% off the premium edition at www.ProWritingAid.com/joanna













    Alex Smith is the technical lead of Bookvault.app, the independent printer that I use for the books I sell direct on Shopify, as well as for my Kickstarters.







    You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







    Show Notes









    * Services that Bookvault offers authors in order to make beautiful books and make more money selling direct







    * Common issues to avoid when uploading files







    * Special edition books—ribbons, sprayed edges, foiling options, and more







    * Options for photo books or art books







    * Working with Bookvault to create and fulfill a Kickstarter campaign







    * How to get more help if you need it







    * How the payment and fulfillment process works







    * Connecting Bookvault to your direct online store









    Find out more about Alex Smith and Bookvault at a href="https://b...

    • 1 hr 9 min
    Tips On Writing Memoir With J.F. Penn

    Tips On Writing Memoir With J.F. Penn

    How can you write a memoir that is emotionally honest and revealing enough for readers to care, and cope with the inevitable fear of judgment that evokes? How can you write about real places and people in memoir?







    Why is editing a memoir so challenging and what should you keep in mind around publishing and marketing choices? J.F. Penn gives her tips after writing her midlife solo travel memoir, Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways.







    Thanks to everyone who backed my Kickstarter for Pilgrimage, and to my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn, who help fund the extra time it takes to produce these solo episodes.















    J.F. Penn is the Award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, crime, and travel memoir. Jo lives in Bath, England with her husband and two British short-hair cats, and enjoys a nice G&T.







    You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







    Show Notes









    * What kind of book do you want to write?







    * The particular challenge of memoir







    * Vulnerability and emotional honesty







    * Capture your experience through writing and photos







    * Writing about real people and places







    * Character arc







    * Truth (capital T) vs truth (small t)







    * Specific sensory detail







    * The first draft and killing your darlings







    * Publishing choices and formats







    * Marketing. Finding an audience for a different type of book









    You can buy Pilgrimage in all the usual formats from my store, JFPennBooks.com as well as the special hardback and paperback with photos from the trips. It’s also on all the usual stores in all the usual formats, or order from your library or local bookstore. 







    Jo Frances Penn with Pilgrimage





    If you want to read about the day-by-day pilgrimages, and see photos from the routes — The Pilgrims Way and the St Cuthbert’s Way in the UK, and the Camino de Santiago Portuguese Coastal — go tohttps://www.booksandtravel.page/pilgrimage-resources/ for all the links to my trips, gear list, questions to think about, and interviews.







    You can find my lessons learned from the campaign and more tips for Kickstarter at https://www.thecreativepenn.com/selldirectresources/ 







    If you want more interviews on writing memoir and book recommendations, go to https://www.thecreativepenn.com/writing-memoir/ 







    Introduction

    • 1 hr 5 min
    The Hard Joy Of Writing With Sharon Fagan McDermott and M.C. Benner Dixon

    The Hard Joy Of Writing With Sharon Fagan McDermott and M.C. Benner Dixon

    How can we focus on the joy of the writing process itself, rather than the outcome? How can we embrace the positive side of being jealous of the success of other writers? How can we deepen our writing with metaphor and sense of place? Co-authors of writing book, Millions of Suns, Sharon and Christine share their tips.







    In the intro, Findaway Terms of Service; Why Kickstarter is the Most Creative Way to Launch Your Book [Self-Publishing Advice]; Sell direct resources; Why writing books is a career like no other [Roz Morris]; You are not what you used to be [Johnny B. Truant]; OpenAI's text to video tool, Sora; Google's Gemini model; the Vesuvius Challenge;







    Plus, my updated Author Blueprint; Spear of Destiny; and Pilgrimage is an award finalist for the Selfies [BookBrunch];













    This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. 













    Sharon Fagan McDermott is an award-winning poet, musician, and a teacher of literature. M. C. Benner Dixon is an-award winning author, freelance editor, and writing coach. Together, they are the co-authors of Millions of Suns: On Writing and Life.







    You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







    Show Notes









    * Finding play and joy in the work of writing







    * How to find joy when writing alone







    * Using metaphor to elevate your writing







    * Bringing place alive on the page







    * Reframing jealousy in a positive way







    * The benefits and struggles of co-writing









    You can find Sharon at a href="https://www.

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Writing And Producing A Micro-Budget Film With Jeffrey Crane Graham

    Writing And Producing A Micro-Budget Film With Jeffrey Crane Graham

    How can you pick yourself, rather than wait for someone else to pick you? How can you take control of your independent career and bring your creative vision to life? Jeffrey Crane Graham talks about his experience as an indie filmmaker, with lots of tips for indie authors.







    In the intro, 6 Types of Submission Comments BookBub Editors Love to See [BookBub]; Author platform is not a requirement to sell your novel or children’s book [Jane Friedman]; Your Author Business Plan and/or Business for Authors 50% off with discount coupon PLAN on CreativePennBooks.com; Spear of Destiny; Ruby Roe rainbow foil hardcover Kickstarter; Updated Author Blueprint coming soon; I'm interviewed on writing memoir [QWERTY Podcast].













    Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, self-publishing with support, where you can get free formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Just go to www.draft2digital to get started.













    Jeffrey Crane Graham is a writer, director, and podcast producer. He wrote and directed the multi-award-winning film Always, Lola, and has also written comedy shorts. He produces and co-hosts The Screenwriting Life podcast.







    You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







    Show Notes









    * Choosing yourself, rather than waiting for someone to pick you







    * The process of creating a micro-budget feature







    * Writing screenplays that are “practically shootable”







    * Tips for authors who want to get their books on screen







    * Marketing a film in a crowded market







    * How the film festival circuit works for indie filmmakers







    * Possible uses of AI in the filmmaking process that are not the act of creation









    You can find Jeffrey at JeffGrahamDigital.com. You can find Always Lola at AlwaysLolaFilm.com.







    Transcript of Interview with Jeffrey Crane Graham







    Joanna: Jeffrey Crane Graham is a writer, director, and podcast producer.

    • 1 hr 5 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
578 Ratings

578 Ratings

tjnoss ,

Value

Joanna Penn always exceeds my expectations when it comes to giving me value for my time and money spent for her products.

HighDesertGuy ,

How Did This Vanity Project Get So Popular?

There are many episode titles that sound like you'll garner a wonderful education listening to this podcast. Well, maybe. First you have to go through no less than 25 minutes and as long as 30 minutes of nonsense. She talks about what she's doing personally, what conferences she's going to, and so on. This may be of interest to those who know her but none of it will help improve your writing. Just when you think she's about to get to the subject, she reads listener reviews and talks about the pictures they sent her. Then the show begins...oh wait, no! We now must hear her overlong advertisements. When her guest does finally show up you may get a 5 - 10 minute discussion about the subject she promised but then they're off on more tangents. I thought for sure the first episode I listened to was an anomoly, but no. That's her show.

You may get good information from The Creative Penn, I'm sure there's much to learn in her over 300 episodes but if you want to spend an hour each week improving your craft there are far better options than wasting your time on this.

Cheryel H. ,

Awesome podcast!

Joanna Penn is THE podcast for independent authors. Every episode is filled with information covering trends and tips and inspiration. Always upbeat and interesting, Joanna is a shining light in the sometimes confusing and scary world of the entrepreneur author. Thank you, Joanna!

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