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I Should Be Writing

Mur Lafferty
Writing
Writing Process
Creativity
ADHD
Mental Health
Imposter Syndrome
Hugo Awards
Fiction Writing
Nanowrimo
Character Development
Creative Process
Publishing Industry
Walk the Web Lightly
Short Fiction
Cozy Fantasy
Magical Realism
Grief
The Ghost Of Us
The Last One
Writing Craft

"I should be writing" is what people say, but they rarely do it. This podcast is designed to help you get past those blocks, whether it's what your teacher told you when you were a kid, to being totally sure you'll never be as good as (FAV AUTHOR) so you might as well quit.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes300Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for I Should Be Writing

Latest Episodes

ISBW 22.15

I want a lot of books.

I buy a lot of books.

I get sent a lot of books.

I can't with all these books. So you get to benefit! I'm discussing five new or upcoming books of several different genres and then doing a giveaway! All you h... more

YouTube

ISBW 22.14

The scammers are getting wilier, and we have to keep up, folks. They want you to pay to join book clubs, they catfish you to make you fire your agent and take theirs, and they are really into helping you promote a book you have forgotten... more

YouTube

ISBW 22.13

Believe it or not, we got a feedback question to answer! We talk about how to get moving when you've stalled out on your writing routine, and a few of my secret anxieties. It boils down to:

Why are you doing this?

Notes:

• Escape ... more

YouTube

ISBW 22.12

Happy Pride!

Recently we welcomed Isabel J. Kim to the show to talk about her debut novel, Sublimation!

We not only talk about her mind-bending Severence-like novel, but her use of point of view, second person, and about her award-wi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Writers on WritingBarbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone

Recent Guests

Isabel J. Kim
Author of SUBLIMATION
Author
Episode: [ISBW] SUBLIMATION with Isabel J. Kim
Jessi Cole Jackson
Author of Ruinous Creatures
Author
Episode: [ISBW] Magic Systems and Ruinous Creatures
Justin C. Key
Author, psychiatrist
Hospital at the End of the World
Episode: [ISBW] Medicine and AI with Dr. Justin C. Key
Olivia Waite
Author of Murder by Memory and Nobody's Baby
Author
Episode: [ISBW] Revisiting Space Murder with Olivia Waite
Tim Minneci
Assistant to the host; writer and podcaster
Episode: [ISBW] The Art of Juggling Writers (as an assistant)
Cadwell Turnbull
Author of Ruin Great and Free; author of The Lesson and related works
Author
Episode: [ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull
Valerie Valdes
Author and former NaNoWriMo municipal liaison; co‑editor of SkatePod
Author, SkatePod
Episode: [ISBW] NaNoWriMo Ghosts with Valerie Valdes
Tim Chawaga
Author of Salvagia
Self-published author/Salvagia author
Episode: [ISBW] Nostalgia and Climate Fic with Tim Chawaga
Chinaza Bado
Nigerian-Canadian author of Birth of a Dynasty
Author, Birth of a Dynasty
Episode: [ISBW] Chinaza Bado and Moving From Romance to Epic Fantasy

Host

Mur Lafferty
Host of insightful writing-focused discussions; experienced author and podcaster.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 447 ratings
  • One of my all-time fave writing podcasts.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Shan_pod
    2 years ago
  • Love this podcast

    Mur keeps it real and gives executable advice and straight talk. Must listen for aspiring authors

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Duvni
    United States2 years ago
  • :)

    Impeccable vibes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jim Egbort
    United States4 years ago
  • Must listen

    This is my go to. Encouraging and real.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    omgwrite
    New Zealand4 years ago
  • Adios

    Have enjoyed this show but as a fan of comedy I can’t listen to someone preach about what humor is acceptable. All humor is acceptable in the realm of comedy… you don’t have to listen if it offends your delicate sensibilities. Stop preaching/virtue signaling. thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    XmasYvonne
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Host's honesty about writing life is refreshing and motivating.
Shows practical, executable advice for aspiring authors.
Sometimes production quality or pacing can feel uneven for some listeners.
Good mix of craft and personal experiences; very helpful for writers.
Excellent resource for staying motivated and improving daily writing habits.

Top Books Podcasts

The Book Review
The Book ReviewThe New York Times
The Book Club
The Book ClubGoalhanger
Myths and Legends
Myths and LegendsJason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod
Selected Shorts
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Fantasy Fangirls
Fantasy FangirlsFantasy Fangirls

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[ISBW] SUBLIMATION with Isabel J. Kim
Q: What are some major influences on your writing process and routine?
Kim shares that she writes full-time, uses a mix of structured word-count blocks and breaks to maintain momentum, and prefers plotting over editing long works, with a focus on keeping the narrative tight and intentional.
[ISBW] SUBLIMATION with Isabel J. Kim
Q: Was SUBLIMATION planned as a novel from the start, or did it grow from a short story?
She explains that SUBLIMATION grew from a short story she wrote that later expanded into a novel, and that the trajectory was motivated by curiosity about exploring the universe more deeply, while keeping the core tension of the premise intact.
[ISBW] SUBLIMATION with Isabel J. Kim
Q: Why second-person for SUBLIMATION, and how did you decide to use multiple points of view in that form?
Kim discusses that second-person was a deliberate choice to convey the uncanny and intimate feel of living inside a split self, while third-person is used for the reintegrated self to provide a cleaner reader perspective; she emphasizes that the device is used only where it serves the narrative purpose.
[ISBW] SUBLIMATION with Isabel J. Kim
Q: Where did you get the idea to start talking about that kid in 'Why Don't We Kill The Kid In The Omelas Hole'?
Kim explains she was inspired by Ursula Le Guin's The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas and wanted to create a modern, literal response to that thought experiment, using a Discord circle to push the concept into a contemporary setting where the morality of a society is examined through a shocking narrative.
[ISBW] Magic Systems and Ruinous Creatures
Q: What does your outlining process look like?
I use a Frankenstein mix of outlines that blends Save the Cat, The Heroine's Journey, and other methods into a four X structure, then break down into beats, chapters, and rework as I write, staying flexible as I discover new aspects of the story.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About I Should Be Writing

What is I Should Be Writing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show targets aspiring and established writers, featuring candid conversations with authors across fantasy, sci‑fi, romance, and literary genres. Episodes weave craft tips, worldbuilding, publishing experiences, and personal storytelling through the host's down‑to‑earth, mentor-like style. Guests span novelists, editors, and industry figures, often sharing practical drafting strategies, rejection resilience, and community‑building insights. Notable is the blend of deep craft discussion with honest, unvarnished reflections on the writer's life, making it a practical, emotionally intelligent resource for listeners balancing creativity, daily life, and career growth.

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Which podcasts are similar to I Should Be Writing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with I Should Be Writing:

1. Writing Excuses
2. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
3. Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
4. Helping Writers Become Authors
5. Writers on Writing

How many episodes of I Should Be Writing are there?

I Should Be Writing launched 21 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on I Should Be Writing?

Recent guests on I Should Be Writing include:

1. Isabel J. Kim
2. Jessi Cole Jackson
3. Justin C. Key
4. Olivia Waite
5. Tim Minneci
6. Cadwell Turnbull
7. Valerie Valdes
8. Tim Chawaga

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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