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I Should Be Writing

Mur Lafferty
Writing
Creativity
Writing Process
Hugo Awards
Imposter Syndrome
Creative Process
Taxes
Writing Craft
Grief
Writing Career
Budgeting
Character Development
The Other Valley
ADHD
Joco Cruise
Fiction Writing
Publishing Advances
Retirement Planning
Medea
Philosophy

"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
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for I Should Be Writing

Latest Episodes

"Take your time, there's no rush. The audience will be here whenever your story is ready."

ISBW 22.5

In this episode we welcome author Olivia Waite to discuss her latest books, including Murder by Memory and Nobody's Baby. We touch on one of my f... more

YouTube

"It might be too much, but it looks really fun."

ISBW 22.4

I've had a strong opinion about writing contests for years, but things have apparently evolved. I was reading about writing contests and found two that were quite interesting.

A bit of ... more

YouTube

"If [I] start thinking about the details, [I] will either go down the wrong pathand not record or [I'll] talk [my]self out of it."

ISBW 22.3

I finally finished the archives, and learned quite a bit about myself, not all good things. We also touch... more

YouTube

"Not every opportunity is equal, and you don't have to chase everything." ~Tim Minneci

ISBW 22.2

What do you need to have when you're wrangling several pro writers? What can a writer expect from an assistant? Meet Tim Minneci, writer, podcaster, ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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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

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
James Patrick Kelly
Writer, mentor, and 20-year friend of the host
Independent writer, Worldcon attendee
Episode: [ISBW] Happy 20th ISBW! With James Patrick Kelly at Worldcon
Dan Kois
Author and journalist, Slate contributor
Slate
Episode: [ISBW] Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights

Host

Mur Lafferty
Host of I Should Be Writing

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 448 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 States3 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.

A common refrain is that the show is a reliable source of inspiration for aspiring authors and a trusted part of a writer's routine.
Guest appearances are often noted as valuable for introducing new perspectives and actionable tips for writers.
Listeners consistently praise the host for practical, executable writing advice and candid honesty about the writing life.
Many appreciate the motivational and relatable storytelling, especially around daily writing routines and mental health challenges.
Some listeners wish for tighter production quality and less personal rambling, with critiques focusing on pacing and audio polish.
Positive feedback frequently highlights the host's empathy and honesty as standout qualities.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#230
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#151
Philippines/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[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.
[ISBW] Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE
Q: So, when you balance science fiction, horror, and romance, how do you focus on the different genre aspects?
I start with the defining horror element—creating fear or dread—and ensure it's present, then layer in sci-fi worldbuilding and a romance/emotional core so the story feels driven by people as much as gadgets or settings.
[ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull
Q: Tell us about A Ruin Great and Free.
Cadwell describes it as the third book in a trilogy that blends Buffy the Vampire Slayer-like fantasy with The Wire-inspired community politics, focusing on monsters who emerge from shadows and how a diverse community navigates their co-existence, backed by solidarity economics and multi-POV storytelling.

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 centers on helping aspiring and established writers move past blocks and self-doubt to develop a consistent writing practice. Across episodes, the host and guests discuss practical craft tips, emotional resilience, and the realities of publishing, often balancing writing with daily life. Notable aspects include candid storytelling about personal struggles, a willingness to cover broader topics like mental health and the publishing industry, and guests who bring both practical advice and creative inspiration. Listeners can expect a mix of actionable guidance, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes reflections from a seasoned writer-host, with occasional critique of current industry trends and media portrayals of writing life.

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How many listeners does I Should Be Writing get?

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How many subscribers and views does I Should Be Writing have?

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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. Ditch Diggers
2. Fresh Air
3. It's Been a Minute
4. A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
5. The Ezra Klein Show

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for I Should Be Writing?

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What guests have appeared on I Should Be Writing?

Recent guests on I Should Be Writing include:

1. Olivia Waite
2. Tim Minneci
3. Cadwell Turnbull
4. Valerie Valdes
5. Tim Chawaga
6. Chinaza Bado
7. Sarah Gailey
8. James Patrick Kelly

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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