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I Should Be Writing

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

"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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded21 years ago
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Latest Episodes

ISBW 22.11

(There will be a giveaway of Ruinous Creatures! I'm taking entries until May 21! Email me with GIVEAWAY in the subject line! You do not need to be a paying supporter to enter.)

Recently we welcomed Jessi Cole Jackson to the show to tal... more

YouTube

"If you injure somebody, that injury tells a story, and you have to decide whether that story fits the rest of your story."

22.10 In this episode, I go into "realism" with regards to injuries and health. Are injuries for pain? For an instant of sho... more

YouTube

"Every character is the star of their own story."

ISBW 22.9

In this episode we talk about how different writers view characterization, from the ones who struggle to the ones who say the characters live in their heads. How do you manage all these ... more

YouTube

"I think the thing people have the most problem with is, 'This was very good, but it didn't excite me.'"

ISBW 22.8

Mur is back solo, talking about Rejectomancy and how to interpret the rejections you get, and more importantly, how to move forward... 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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Recent Guests

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 of Witch You Wood, pen name Lia Amador
Valdes/Amador
Episode: [ISBW] Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing 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
Sarah Gailey
Author of Spread Me, known for erotic horror work
Nightfire imprint at Tor Books
Episode: [ISBW] The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey

Host

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

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 446 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
Myths and Legends
Myths and LegendsJason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod
The Book Club
The Book ClubGoalhanger
Selected Shorts
Selected ShortsSymphony Space
PASSAGES: On Morrison
PASSAGES: On MorrisonNamwali Serpell, Random House

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[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.
[ISBW] Magic Systems and Ruinous Creatures
Q: What advice would you give to new writers?
Probably to write the thing that scares you the most, because that often unlocks the deepest emotional resonance and growth as a writer.
[ISBW] The Haunted Mask: Exploring Volatile Memory with Seth Haddon
Q: What inspired you to switch from fantasy to science fiction for Volatile Memory?
He wanted to break from fantasy, using it as a palate cleanser after an unproductive project, and he was drawn to exploring transhumanism and the future of humanity through sci-fi.
[ISBW] Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights
Q: How did Hampton Heights originate and what real-life experiences influenced it?
Kois describes drawing on his Milwaukee childhood and experiences as a paperboy, imagining a neighborhood with its own secrets and monsters, blending personal memory with fictional mythology.
[ISBW] Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE
Q: What is your approach to beginnings and how do you know when to move forward or revise?
Begin with a rough draft to get the story moving, then use end-focused revision to determine what information and context actually serves the reader, keeping momentum rather than stalling on perfecting the opening chapters.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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. Writer's Routine
3. Writers on Writing
4. Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
5. The Shit No One Tells You About 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.

How do I contact I Should Be Writing?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on I Should Be Writing?

Recent guests on I Should Be Writing include:

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

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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