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Artwork for The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing

The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing

Courtney Kocak
Publishing Industry
Memoir Writing
Submission
Born To Be Public
Dedeker Winston
Book Publishing
Brutalities, A Love Story
Sex Work
Hybrid Publishing
Amazon
Rejection
Pregnancy
Self-Publishing
Before & After the Book Deal
She Writes Press
Agents
Polyamory
Multiamory
Skyhorse Press
Roman & Littlefield

The Bleeders is a podcast (and support group!) about book writing and publishing. Transparent conversations with authors, agents, and people in the publishing industry about how to write and sell books. The title is a nod to the famous (potentially misattributed) Hemingway quote: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Sign up for The Bleeders companion Sub... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes84Founded4 years ago
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Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing

Latest Episodes

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: thebleeders.substack.com/welcome

Today’s guest is publishing expert, author, and newsletter pio... more

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: thebleeders.substack.com/welcome

Today’s guest is Antonia Crane, author, academic, and one of m... more

YouTube

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: thebleeders.substack.com/welcome

Today’s guest is Brooke Warner, publisher of She Writes Press,... more

YouTube

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: thebleeders.substack.com/welcome

Today the tables are turned—host Courtney Kocak sits down with... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Antonia Crane
Author of Spent, memoirist; interviewee on The Bleeders
Author
Episode: The Long Road to Girl Gone Wild: From First Essay to Publication & Promotion with Antonia Crane
Brooke Warner
Author; Publisher, She Writes Press
She Writes Press
Episode: The Evolution of Publishing: Traditional, Hybrid & Self-Publishing in 2026 with Brooke Warner
Courtney Kocak
Author of Girl Gone Wild; memoir subject
Trio House Press
Episode: Girl Gone Wild: The Story Behind My Memoir—Interviewed by Lili Gourley
Courtney Maum
Author and writing advocate discussed in-depth in the episode
Author/Writer
Episode: Before & After the Book Deal: The Truth About Publishing Success with Courtney Maum
Ali Kriegsman
Author of The Raise, entrepreneur, and former editor-in-chief behind Bulletin
The Raise / Bulletin
Episode: Building a Book Like a Startup: Ali Kriegsman’s Playbook for Self-Publishing Success
Margo Steines
Author of Brutalities, A Love Story
Author
Episode: “Brutalities” Author Margo Steines on Being a Teen Dominatrix, Pregnancy After ED & More
Elle Nash
Author of Deliver Me and other works
Unnamed Press
Episode: What to Expect When You're on Submission: Elle Nash
Dedeker Winston
Author of The Smart Girl's Guide to Polyamory and co-author of Multiamory Essential Tools for Modern Relationships
Author, Multiamory (co-host/podcast)
Episode: What to Expect When You're on Submission: Dedeker Winston
Hannah Howard
Author of Feast and Plenty; memoirist
Author ( Feast, Plenty )
Episode: What to Expect When You're on Submission: Hannah Howard

Host

Courtney Kocak
Host of The Bleeders, leading author and publishing-focused interviewer.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Can’t believe this is free

    Shocked this isn’t paywalled because this is advice I’d pay good money for! Hearing about each writer’s process, publishing journey, shortcomings, wins etc is SO inspiring and really activated me to write more. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chelssizzle
    United States4 months ago
  • How did I just find this podcast??

    I finally read Courtney’s bio and found this incredible podcast! I listened to her interview with Sarah Fay, who’s a rockstar, and was blown away. Can’t wait to listen to all the episodes, as well as try out her other podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AmyJoBen
    United States5 months ago
  • Love her speaking voice and topics

    Listened to my first episode today based off a video I saw on YouTube. Absolutely loved the episode and I’m not even a writer! Only downside was that the episode was a short version of what’s available on YouTube. I personally prefer podcasts while driving as I can’t watch a YouTube video. Hopefully future episode are full length

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BUCKSHOTS.NET
    United States2 years ago
  • Informative & Fun

    So many different ways and methods of the writing process. A great podcast for finding out what style works for particular personalities.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kyrin (Mere Mortals Podcast)
    Australia3 years ago
  • The Perfect Amount of Shared Pain!

    I haven’t publicly shared this with anyone yet but I decided to write my Lizzie Borden book based on my Substack hypothesis and podcast series so keep it to yourself, lol. 🌹 This is the perfect amount of shared pain that I need to keep myself from feeling so alone during the process. 💜

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gossamer 011
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise candid, actionable insights into memoirs and the submission process.
Show is appreciated for blending storytelling with concrete marketing and publishing lessons.
Indicative of a tightly focused, practical approach for writers seeking real-world publishing advice.
Audience values honest discussions about gatekeepers, contracts, and indie publishing options.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#248
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#92
Sweden/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#246
Sweden/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Building a Book Like a Startup: Ali Kriegsman’s Playbook for Self-Publishing Success
Q: What piece of writing advice do you wish you could give your former self?
She advises to stop over-editing in early drafts and to allow imperfect first passes to exist, emphasizing momentum over perfection while maintaining future progress.
Building a Book Like a Startup: Ali Kriegsman’s Playbook for Self-Publishing Success
Q: What's your dream writing routine?
Her ideal routine features morning writing blocks, a Pilates session, coffee, and long uninterrupted sessions, though her real life often starts later; she cherishes a structured yet flexible daily rhythm.
Building a Book Like a Startup: Ali Kriegsman’s Playbook for Self-Publishing Success
Q: What's your all-time favorite book?
She cites Priest Daddy by Patricia Lockwood, praising its character realism and textured storytelling, while highlighting the author's ability to craft resonant, vivid family dynamics.
Building a Book Like a Startup: Ali Kriegsman’s Playbook for Self-Publishing Success
Q: When did you first identify as a writer?
Ali explains she felt she became a writer from a young age, around six years old, influenced by her father who was also a writer, and describes her evolving identity as she built her publishing career.
The Long Road to Girl Gone Wild: From First Essay to Publication & Promotion with Antonia Crane
Q: How did the structure of Girl Gone Wild come together over time?
Antonia explains that the book began with a loose set of essays and, through iterative drafting and collaboration with mentors, developed into a structured, episodic yet interconnected memoir that reads as a present-to-past journey rather than a strictly linear narrative.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show offers frank, craft-focused conversations with authors, editors, and publishing insiders, often centering memoirs, essays, and the evolving landscape of book promotion. Episodes frequently explore writing processes, submission realities, author platforms, independent publishing, and the tension between artistic integrity and market demands. A standout aspect is the mix of personal storytelling with practical publishing guidance, including contract notes, marketing tactics, and pathway gaps for nontraditional routes. Listeners can expect blunt honesty, transferable tips for manuscript development and promotion, and a welcoming, community-oriented vibe that also functions as a support network for writers.

Notable strengths include a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Memoir Nation
2. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
3. Let’s Talk Memoir
4. Otherppl with Brad Listi
5. The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 84 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Antonia Crane
2. Brooke Warner
3. Courtney Kocak
4. Courtney Maum
5. Ali Kriegsman
6. Margo Steines
7. Elle Nash
8. Dedeker Winston

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