Hello, authors in all phases of your writing journey. As a new associate literary agent at The Purcell Agency, I hope to help every author who queries me, or who stumbles across my website, to come away with something valuable. This resource list is one.

If you’ve read anything about me, and fine if you haven’t, you know I spent nearly twenty years as an elementary and youth librarian while penning several books.

I landed a traditional self-help, picture book, and young adult deal with my publisher Wild Ink Publishing, all within the large-ish time frame of 17 years. My hope is I can help you score yours in WAY less time.

In the last few years, I’ve worked daily to level up my craft game. So as an author, developmental editor for Wild Ink, and associate agent for The Purcell Agency I aim to guide all authors to success.

But here’s the deal, the CLOSER your manuscript is “ready” the more likely you get that yes.

I’m going to list my top podcast resources that have helped me level-up my author, editor and agent game. If you listen to these podcasts, and your manuscript that fits my MSWL comes across my desk, I’ll know it!

My Lucky Thirteen Writing Podcasts

I am a podcast super fan because you can listen while you do other things! I’m going to drop in an episode of each to get you started!

DIY MFA

DIY MFA – Gabriela Pereira and her team give you just this—the tools to feel like you’ve earned an MFA through their podcast episodes and courses. DIY MFA is taking a hiatus, but all of their backlist will remain live.

Fiction Writing Made Easy

Fiction Writing Made Easy – Join Savannah Gilbo each week for a brand new episode with simple, actionable, and step-by-step strategies that you can implement in your writing right away. Whether you’re a brand new writer, or a seasoned author looking to improve your craft, this podcast is for you! I also love her first-chapter analyses.

Grammar Girl

Grammar Girl – I geek out over learning language epistemology. As a writer, you should, too! Mignon Fogarty is the founder of the Quick and Dirty Tips network and creator of Grammar Girl, which has been named one of Writer’s Digest’s 101 best websites for writers multiple times. She is also an inductee into the Podcasting Hall of Fame.

Helping Writers Become Authors

Helping Writers Become Authors K.M. Wieland breaks down story at a micro-level. Her in-depth craft episodes are easily digestible because she tackles one topic at a time. Her website is also a plethora of resources for authors.

Hungry Authors

Hungry Authors – Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry host Hungry Authors. They believe Hungry Authors want to and will be published. They take feedback ​well and don’t shy away from hard work. You will find their butts in ​chairs and fingers on keyboards. They believe in their ideas and ​know they will impact others.

Manuscript Academy

Manuscript Academy – The Manuscript Academy Podcast is free for everyone, and features interviews with top agents, editors and authors on the craft, business, and community of publishing hosted by Julie Kingsley and Jessica Sinsheimer.

The Rebel Author

The Rebel Author -Rebel author Sacha Black talks all things writing and occasionally bad words with motivational speakers from all aspects of the industry.

The Secret Library

The Secret Library – Book-loving writing and book coach Caroline Donahue has interviewed over 200 writers, editors, agents, and publishers to see what it takes to write a book.

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing: Bianca knows she’ll be on my list and with good reason. Bianca, Cece, and Carly, accept author queries and first five pages and provide feedback. I can’t emphasize how important this part of your submission packet is. I’d encourage all soon-to-be querying authors to listen to their entire backlist before querying. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Story Nerd

Story Nerd – Each week, certified Story Grid editors Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill break down story theory so writers can spend more time writing and less time studying.

Thriller 101

Thriller 101 – Hosted by author David Gwyn, Thriller 101 is a website, podcast, and newsletter designed to help writers of thrillers, mysteries, and crime fiction improve their writing and find their voice.

Write-Minded

Write Minded – Founder of SheWrites Brooke Warner and founder of NaNoWriMo Grant Faulkner host this weekly podcast for writers craving a unique blend of inspiration and real talk about the ups and downs of the writing life. 

Writing Excuses

Writing Excuses: Hosted by Maurice Broaddus, Aliette de Bodard, Amal El-Mohtar, Valynne E. Maetani, Mary Robinette Kawal, Brandon Sanderson, Howard Tayler, and Dan Wells this 15 minute podcast packs a HUGE craft-education punch.

So there you have it! My top list of my Lucky Thirteen Writing Podcasts! I hope you find one that inspires you to keep writing, revising, querying, and reading!

Next on the blog—my top favorite writing YouTube channels!

You got this!

-Amy