The Pen to Published Podcast

A podcast for authors and self-publishers. Hosts Alexa Whitten, author, typesetter and independent book publisher, and Alexa Tewkesbury, author, editor and proofreader, talk you through the entire self-publishing process, from initial book idea to ultimate published product.

Narrative techniques and why they're like a juicy layered cake - part 1 04/17/2025

Narrative techniques and why they're like a juicy layered cake - part 1 Whether you call them narrative techniques or literary devices, this is a big, big subject. There are so many of these devices, and understanding what they are and how to use them is crucial to your fiction writing. In the penultimate episode of series 7, Alexas 1 and 2 run through a handful of better-known techniques that will help elevate your writing and immerse your readers. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/36206250

Character arcs and how to make your characters memorable 04/10/2025

Character arcs and how to make your characters memorable In this episode, the two Alexas talk more about writing craft and delve into character arcs: the journey authors take their characters on through their novel. Successes and failures are all a part of that journey, and they help readers to engage and identify with protagonists. Ultimately, strong character arcs will make a reader care about those characters, and want to keep reading. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/36081085

Getting your dialogue right 04/03/2025

Getting your dialogue right There's an art to writing brilliant dialogue in a novel - dialogue that truly brings your characters and your story to life. In episode 5, the two Alexas help you understand the craft of creating snappy dialogue that zips along with flare. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/35987465

Writing a satisfying ending 03/27/2025

Writing a satisfying ending You've started your book with a bang. You've got the middle bit under control. But what about the ending? How will you finish your story in a way that satisfies the reader? Whether you're aiming for a happy, sad, neat or even ambiguous final act, the two Alexas have advice for writing an ending that works. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/35884345

Tackling your book's messy middle 03/21/2025

Tackling your book's messy middle The hardest and most challenging section of your book to write is likely to be the middle. It's the longest section within the three-act structure and it has to work for the reader in multiple ways. This week, Alexa 1 and Alexa 2 share advice to help you tackle that messy middle bit. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/35808255

How to start your book well 03/13/2025

How to start your book well You've got the idea for your book. You've made some kind of a story plan. You're at the computer or clutching your pen ready to start writing ... But how do you begin a book in the most captivating way? In this second episode of the new series, the two Alexas talk about the three-act structure of a book and what an author needs to think about in the crucial first act to engage readers so they want to read on. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/35669305

Are stories everywhere? 03/06/2025

Are stories everywhere? In the first of a brand-new series, the two Alexas chat about the maxim that 'stories are everywhere'. Are they really? Can inspiration be found in just about anything? The answer is YES! But, of course, a single idea doesn't make a whole story. So what's the next step in exploring the possibility of turning an idea into a book? /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/35557355

Coming up in Series 7 and 8! 03/04/2025

Coming up in Series 7 and 8! The Pen to Published Podcast is back for 2025 with lots of juiciness for your writerly ears. Here's the line-up for series 7 and 8. So much goodness to help you on your writing journey! /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/35479195

The Pen to Published Podcast 12/01/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 6 EPISODE 8: JUICY BITS FOR WRITERS ROUND-UP In this final episode of series 6, Alexas 1 and 2 offer a round-up of the juicy nuggets covered by all the wonderful guests they've chatted to. For invaluable tips on the mechanics of writing, creating a brand, blog tours, marketing a self-published book and understanding contract terminology in traditional publishing, this episode points you to the guests to listen to. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/28881608

The Pen to Published Podcast 11/13/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 6 EPISODE 7: INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN'S AUTHOR PAULA FOWLER In the penultimate episode of series 6, children's author, Paula Fowler, talks to the Alexas about how a stage 4 cancer diagnosis took her from working in a bank to writing a series of children's books based on characters created by her father-in-law. Paula's desire is to leave a legacy for her family and, through her stories, this legacy can be spread even wider. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/28619263

The Pen to Published Podcast 11/07/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 6 EPISODE 5: INTERVIEW WITH LOUISE HARNBY, FICTION EDITOR, AUTHOR AND PROLIFIC CONTENT CREATOR In a bumper episode, the two Alexas chat to the amazing editor and author, Louise Harnby. With her in-depth knowledge of writing craft and her experience within her own editorial business, Louise packs this episode with invaluable tips for fiction authors on how to produce first-class writing. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/28532738

The Pen to Published Podcast 10/31/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 6 EPISODE 5: INTERVIEW WITH REBECCA COLE, AUTHOR AND SENSORY SEWER Rebecca Cole is late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD. As a lifelong sewer, she has worked on the production team for Channel 4's Unique Boutique and was assistant sewing producer on series 8 the BBC's Great British Sewing Bee. In this episode, Rebecca talks to the two Alexas about her passion for an inclusive and accessible world, and how this passion inspired her to write All Access Sewing, a book to help make the craft of sewing - and clothes themselves - accessible to everyone. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/28477541

The Pen to Published Podcast 10/24/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 6 EPISODE 4: INTERVIEW WITH ANN BALL, AWARD-WINNING THERAPIST, TEACHER AND AUTHOR Guest author, Ann Ball, talks to the two Alexas about her experiences with self-publishing, funding opportunities for authors, what prompted her to write her popular book, How To Set Up Women's Circles, and how the book is helping her in her complementary therapy business. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/28406633

The Pen to Published Podcast 10/16/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 6 EPISODE 3: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST SUE KITTOW Are you interested in setting up a blog tour to help publicise your book? In this episode, Alexas 1 and 2 talk to author and journalist, Sue Kittow, about her writing and how she organised a blog tour for her book to help raise its profile. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/28334114

The Pen to Published Podcast 10/10/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 6 EPISODE 2: INTERVIEW WITH PUBLISHING CONSULTANT, EDITOR AND CONTRACTS NEGOTIATOR, JANEY BURTON This episode gets into the nitty-gritty of the publishing world. Guest, the highly knowledgeable Janey Burton, has her brains well and truly picked by the two Alexas on the various types of publishing houses, terms to look out for in publishing contracts, whether or not to negotiate royalties, and the value (or not) of non-disclosure agreements between authors and editors. It's a packed one! /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/28268075

The Pen to Published Podcast 10/03/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 6 EPISODE 1: INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR LAURA MACLENNAN The two Alexas return with a brand-new series of their podcast for authors. This series comprises interviews with authors and other industry professionals. In episode 1, they chat to the wonderful Laura Maclennan about the ideas behind her rhyming children's books, creating other income streams from published work - and good old imposter syndrome. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/28180400

Bonus Petit Pod 5 07/27/2023

Bonus Petit Pod 5 MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN ADULT FICTION In another bonus Petit Pod, the two Alexas discuss whether maps and other illustrations are a good idea in adult fiction or whether they should be kept for children's books. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/27580794

Bonus Petit Pod 4 07/18/2023

Bonus Petit Pod 4 BEWARE OF OVERUSE IN YOUR WRITING When we're in the full flow of writing, it's easy to get carried away and include too many of certain elements. In this bonus Petit Pod, the two Alexas explain why, although exclamation marks, italics, adverbs and adjectives all have their place, being sparing with them creates tighter, more enjoyable prose. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/27497451

Bonus Petit Pod 3 03/10/2023

Bonus Petit Pod 3 HELPFUL TIPS FOR SELF-EDITING In this third bonus Petit Pod, the two Alexas chat through things to think about when working on the second, third etc drafts of your book, and how to tackle self-editing. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/26188197

The Pen to Published Podcast 03/01/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 5 EPISODE 8: MARKETING YOURSELF AND YOUR BOOK - WITH AUTHOR/EDITOR RACHEL ROWLANDS In her second wonderful appearance on The Pen to Published Podcast, author, editor and publishing expert, Rachel Rowlands chats to the two Alexas about her own self-publishing journey and how to make the most of social media for book marketing. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/26090904

Bonus Petit Pod 2 02/24/2023

Bonus Petit Pod 2 DOS AND DON'TS FOR CHILDREN'S BOOK ILLUSTRATORS In another bonus Petit Pod, Alexa Whitten offers tips to help children's book illustrators get to grips with the job. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/26035893

The Pen to Published Podcast 02/21/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 5 EPISODE 7: HOW TO SELL YOUR BOOK If you've self-published, making sales isn't just about getting your book and yourself as the author seen, it's about showing up in the right places. This episode offers ideas for where to list and sell your book so you can start to get a return on your investment. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/25996224

The Pen to Published Podcast 02/14/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 5 EPISODE 6: SELLING YOUR BOOK - GETTING THE PRICE RIGHT No matter what it is, pricing your own product is never easy. But when you're making this decision about your book, there are some important things to bear in mind. Here, the two Alexas discuss how to find a price point that works for you and your readers. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/25923972

Bonus Petit Pod 1 02/09/2023

Bonus Petit Pod 1 PUNCTUATING SPEECH AND USING SPEECH TAGS In this bonus Petit Pod (a mini episode of The Pen to Published Podcast), the two Alexas give some guidelines on how to punctuate speech, and the correct use of speech tags. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/25881234

The Pen to Published Podcast 02/07/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 5 EPISODE 5: OTHER FORMATS FOR DISTRIBUTING YOUR BOOK Publishing these days isn't all about print. Technology means there are other ways to get your book in front of your readers. In this episode, the Alexas discuss alternative formats and what they involve, including ebooks, audio books and even podcasts. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/25854795

The Pen to Published Podcast 01/31/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 5 EPISODE 4: PRINTING OPTIONS FOR YOUR BOOK Once your book has been edited, typeset and proofread, the next step is to get it produced into a physical form - which is an exciting stage of becoming an author. In this episode, Alexas 1 and 2 discuss what you need to consider - for example, soft back or hardback; book binding; paper type. Decisions, decisions! /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/25782729

The Pen to Published Podcast 01/24/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 5 EPISODE 3: SO YOU'VE FINISHED YOUR BOOK... WHAT'S NEXT? If you've finished writing your book, it's been edited and proofread and is now ready to go out into the world - congratulations! But what next? Here, the two Alexas chat through next steps, from finding appropriate agents to submit your manuscript to, to preparing the all-important submission letter. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/25709637

The Pen to Published Podcast 01/17/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 5 EPISODE 2: ISBNs AND WHAT THEY MEAN FOR YOUR BOOK The ISBN in a book is a thing of magic. Today, the two Alexas delve into what ISBNs are, what they mean for your publication, where to get them, and your legal obligations. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/25631040

The Pen to Published Podcast 01/10/2023

The Pen to Published Podcast SERIES 5 EPISODE 1: WHAT PUBLISHING MEANS And the two Alexas are back with a brand-new series of their podcast for authors. This episode focuses on what it actually means to publish a book, and how publishing traditionally compares with self-publishing. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/25557786

The Pen to Published Podcast 10/24/2022

The Pen to Published Podcast EPISODE 8: TRADITIONAL VERSUS SELF-PUBLISHING - WITH GUEST RACHEL ROWLANDS For the final episode of series 4, Alexa 1 and Alexa 2 chat to author and editor, Rachel Rowlands, who offers a wealth of valuable information on traditional publishing and self-publishing. If you're wondering about the best way forward for you and your book, you'll find what you need to know here to help you weigh up the pros and cons of each publication route. /episode/index/show/pen2published-pod/id/24778677

The Pen to Published Podcast

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