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The Failing Writers Podcast

The Failing Writers Podcast
Writing
English Education
Comedy
Publishing
Flash Fiction
Scrivener
Children's Literature
Creative Writing
Flash Fiction Competition
Science Fiction
Creativity
Memoir Writing
Anything 4 U
Poetry
Character Development
Publishing Industry
Scammers
Emotional Well-Being
Imposter Syndrome
Take Off Your Pants

Becoming a better writer, writing a novel, being a successful author - whatever your writing goal is, we’re here for you! Join two struggling writers learning everything there is to know about writing. They talk to best-selling authors, screenwriters and poets - people who actually know what they’re talking about. The award-winning Failing Writers Podcast is the best writing podcast around. Why? I... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes174Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsEducationSelf-Improvement

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Failing Writers Podcast

Latest Episodes

What if you could turn your passion into prose? Your hobby into a hardback? Your obsession into an opus? That's what our guests in this episode have done! What started off as a hobby turned into an opportunity.

Our first guest, Rob Potts, started tr... more

Competitions, as previously discussed on this pod, are an amazing way of giving you an opportunity to both really think about your novel and your pitch... but also potentially to bag yourself a chance to get in front of some big, powerful, important,... more

Our £500 flash fiction competition sponsored by the lovely folk at SCRIVENER is in full swing and requires your urgent involvement!

If you fancy having a go at a 300 word, birthday-themed story, listen to episode 15 of this series, for the lowdown. ... more

First things first. Our Big Flash Fiction Competition is Awaaaaaay!

And a special big ole THANK YOU to Scrivener for sponsoring it!

If you fancy 20% off their wonderful and frankly invaluable writing app, git yourself to www.literatureandla... more

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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Writer's Routine
Writer's RoutineDan Simpson
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Writing ExcusesMary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler
How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
How To Fail With Elizabeth DayElizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment

Recent Guests

Robert Llewellyn
Actor, presenter and writer known for playing Kryten on Red Dwarf
Episode: S6 Ep17: Robert Llewellyn: creating stories & Kryten stories
Benjamin Myers
Novelist and former music journalist, winner of the Walter Scott Prize and Goldsmiths Prize
Episode: S6 Ep16: Benjamin Myers: Write what you want to know
Ben Chase
Writer whose short story “Parent-Teacher Night” is featured
Episode: S6 Ep16: Benjamin Myers: Write what you want to know
David Gaffney
Star judge, flash fiction writer
Writer
Episode: S6 Ep15: WIN £500 FOR YOUR FLASH STORY!
Fergus Craig
Author of I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home; known for Martin Fishback and Roger Le Carre series
Author, Parody/Cozy Crime writer
Episode: S6 Ep13: Fergus Craig - future Booker prize winner (TBC)
Sara Grant
Author of The Ultimate Guide to Editing Your Novel
Self-published/ Bloomsbury publisher
Episode: S6 Ep12: The Ultimate Guide To Editing - with Sara Grant
Lucy Brazier
Writer and author featured with a reading segment
Independent author
Episode: S6 Ep12: The Ultimate Guide To Editing - with Sara Grant
Claire Fuller
Award-winning author, special guest
Author (Hunger and Thirst, Unsettled Ground)
Episode: S6 Ep11: The Failing Writers Podcast - LIVE - with special guest, Claire Fuller!
Stuart Reid
Children's author who left a hotel-management life in Dubai to write in Scotland
Author, Publisher
Episode: S6 ep10: Quit your job and become a full-time author

Hosts

Tom
Co-host of The Failing Writers Podcast; primary host with a humorous, practical take on writing and publishing.
John
Co-host of The Failing Writers Podcast; known for engaging interview style and craft-focused discussion.
Tommy
Host on The Failing Writers Podcast; contributes across topics from craft to industry insights.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 100 ratings
  • An honest and hilarious take on the struggles, failures and rare victories of trying to be a writer.

    I only recently discovered this podcast amongst the myriad other writing podcast, and after listening to the newest couple episodes, I went back and started at episode 1. The guys openly share their excuses, folly’s and rare victories, and will keep you laughing throughout. they even express their doubts as the realities of life, work and family impede their efforts to meet their goals, which I find incredibly relatable. They also bring in outstanding guests to speak on their own failures an... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Austin_1055
    United States6 months ago
  • Perfect procrastination partners

    I decided the to start listening from the beginning. As I follow their journey, I am laugh out loud charmed and enchanted and inspired.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HeidiDeMontreal
    Canadaa year ago
  • Loads of fun!

    This podcast is a great blend of entertainment and education. I feel like I always learn something new and get a good laugh.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jessi Hartnett
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best Writing Podcast

    You will not be disappointed if you listen to The Failing Writers Podcast. In fact you will be very happy that you did .

    This podcast cast is full of talent and humour and is very entertaining, encouraging and inspiring.

    Thank you to Jon, Tom, Dave and everyone else involved in the creation of this brilliant podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ugly old hag
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Back after a brief hiatus, and that was the Failing Writers’ fault. But wait sec… Hear me out.

    I’ve been listening to The Failing Writers for a couple of years now. I started while driving across the United States, headed back to Texas to begin a new journey as a writer post-service in the Marine Corps. I discovered TFWs and they’ve been like friends and mentors and comrades in literary arms since.

    So much so, that they helped inspire me to write my first novel. I spent the last six months hammering out the first draft, and really kept my head down during that time. A lot of reading and... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CourtsFamily
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show for honesty about writing struggles and relatable humor.
Guests are described as insightful and varied, offering practical takeaways.
The banter and camaraderie feel authentic and entertaining, not overly polished.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#120
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#166
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#179
Ireland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S6 Ep16: Benjamin Myers: Write what you want to know
Q: How did you get from wanting to be a writer to publication?
Myers traces his path from an early love of words and storytelling through punk music and music journalism, years without an agent, repeated rejection, and eventually building The Gallows Pole with an independent publisher. He says persistence and enjoyment kept him writing.
S6 Ep16: Benjamin Myers: Write what you want to know
Q: If you had to describe a link between your books, what would you say connects them? What are you trying to do?
Myers says an anti-authority thread runs through his work, and he aims to challenge harmful attitudes through stories rather than heavy-handed arguments. Place and landscape are often the starting points for his books.
S6 Ep17: Robert Llewellyn: creating stories & Kryten stories
Q: How do you feel about the proliferation of AI?
Llewellyn is anxious about AI's risks, including misinformation, deepfakes and energy-hungry data centres, but says it could also benefit medical research. He has not adopted AI tools himself.
S6 Ep17: Robert Llewellyn: creating stories & Kryten stories
Q: Are you a very disciplined writer when you do have time to write?
Llewellyn says he writes rather than procrastinating when he has time, and turns off internet access to avoid distractions.
S6 Ep15: WIN £500 FOR YOUR FLASH STORY!
Q: Who is the judge and how do they enter?
David Gaffney is the judge, and he enters in a surreal way, famously arriving as an elephant and emerging from a flea, which the hosts explain as part of the show's quirky tradition.

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 The Failing Writers Podcast

What is The Failing Writers Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A candid, humor-infused show where two writers chronicle their creative struggles while interviewing a wide range of guests from fiction, journalism, and stage. Episodes blend practical writing craft—editing, competitions, publishing, career pivots—with personal storytelling, live readings, and behind-the-scenes festival or venue vibes. The tone stays light and self-deprecating, yet audience-friendly, often pulling actionable tips from guests who have navigated publishing, screenwriting, and literary contests. Noteworthy is the consistent mix of craft deep-dives and community-building moments, plus occasional live event formats and creative format experiments that keep discussions fresh for aspiring and established writers alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Failing Writers Podcast?

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How many listeners does The Failing Writers Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Failing Writers Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The Failing Writers Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Failing Writers Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Failing Writers Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Failing Writers Podcast:

1. Writer's Routine
2. Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
3. Writing Excuses
4. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
5. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

How many episodes of The Failing Writers Podcast are there?

The Failing Writers Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 174 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 The Failing Writers Podcast?

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 The Failing Writers Podcast?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Failing Writers Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Failing Writers Podcast?

Recent guests on The Failing Writers Podcast include:

1. Robert Llewellyn
2. Benjamin Myers
3. Ben Chase
4. David Gaffney
5. Fergus Craig
6. Sara Grant
7. Lucy Brazier
8. Claire Fuller

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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