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The Failing Writers Podcast

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

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 monthlyEpisodes165Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSelf-ImprovementArtsBooks

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Artwork for The Failing Writers Podcast

Latest Episodes

Should you quit your job to write?

Seems like an obvious answer to an obvious question.

(No! No is the correct answer!)

But hang on.

It's the dream isn't it?

Writing full time.

Quitting the day job and having time and energy to write the great ... more

Welcome to our cheeky little bonus episode! The poetry competition has landed. 

What started off as a crazy little idea from Jon, has turned into a crazy BIG idea. 

We’ve got prizes (quite a few actually - huge thanks in particular to write... more

It's been a while since we had a little poetry splurge. So to rectify that terrible neglect of our duty, Tom and I had a lovely natter with Hollie McNish. We meandered through where her love of poetry began, how it helps her assimilate ideas, writing... more

Writing competitions. Clearly they’re not all made the same.

Some are free, some are costly, some are actually impossible for mere mortals to enter due to their criteria.

The prizes vary too. From small cash prizes, to publishing deals.

Today, we’... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kathryn Aldridge-Morris
Recent judge for the Bath Flash Fiction Contest
Bath Flash Farkshund Contest
Episode: S6 Ep7: How to win writing competitions
Miranda Moore
YA author, debut published through contest win
Self or publisher with Open Submission/Watch for agent
Episode: S6 Ep7: How to win writing competitions
Joseph Eckert
Author of The Traveler
Episode: S6 Ep6: Science Fiction - with Joseph Eckert
Ashley Storrie
Stand-up comedian, fan fiction writer, sitcom writer and star of BBC's Dinosaur
BBC/Dinosaur
Episode: S6 Ep5: Ashley Storrie on Comedy, Fan Culture & Autism
Philippa Perry
Psychotherapist and author of Shrink Solves Murder; writes fiction
Episode: S6 Ep4: Philippa Perry - From fact to fiction
Jon Rand
Writer and performer, half of the couple behind the play
Independent theatre/Fringe production
Episode: S6 Ep3: How To Write & Perform A Play
Katie Rand
Writer and performer, half of the couple behind the play
Independent theatre/Fringe production
Episode: S6 Ep3: How To Write & Perform A Play
Gareth Rubin
Writer and journalist known for Tetbesh books and Sherlock Holmes adaptations
Writer/Journalist
Episode: S6 Ep2: Gareth Rubin - books about books about books
Doug Johnstone
Scottish crime writer and author of the Skelfs and Enceladon series
Author
Episode: S5 Ep24: Doug Johnstone

Hosts

Tom
Co-host and long-running contributor, often leading discussions and interviews.
John
Co-host with strong observational humor, partner in banter and guest interactions.
Jon
Frequent co-host contributing serious and humorous takes on writing life and publishing.

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 States3 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
    Canada7 months 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 States9 months 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.

Guests bring practical industry insights and inspiring writing journeys.
The hosts are relatable, honest about writing struggles, and the show blends craft with humor.
Ban­ter and music add warmth while keeping episodes informative.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#118
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#92
Switzerland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#186
India/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#187
Switzerland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#230
India/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S6 Ep6: Science Fiction - with Joseph Eckert
Q: What can readers expect from the book's ending and its broader themes about humanity?
The guests stress that the ending should be expansive and satisfy the enormous premise, tying together themes of time, family, and humanity's cycles of progress and regression, with the book offering a hopeful yet sober meditation on existential scales rather than concluding with simple resolution.
S6 Ep6: Science Fiction - with Joseph Eckert
Q: Why did you choose first-person narration, and how did you handle the writing process given it wasn't your full-time job?
The author explains he chose first-person to heighten emotional immediacy and to place readers directly in Scott's experience, while acknowledging the challenge of showing internal emotions in first person. He writes around a day job and emphasizes writing in available time, focusing on consistency and emotional clarity rather than heavy edits early on.
S6 Ep6: Science Fiction - with Joseph Eckert
Q: How did the publication journey unfold, including agents and potential film options?
Eckert describes a long publication arc: several agents, a decision to split the manuscript that didn't pay off, and eventually Hollywood interest that yielded an option with MGM and later Skydance, plus a competitive script path that brought two versions of the movie to him for input, ultimately aligning the film treatment more closely with the novel.
S6 Ep6: Science Fiction - with Joseph Eckert
Q: Where did the overall concept come from, and how did it evolve over time?
The concept originated from an exponential growth idea Eckert had since childhood, imagining an everyman who ends up traveling through time. He kept refining the mechanism—limiting time travel to forward jumps with doubling intervals—while expanding the world and the father-son dynamic, which grew more meaningful as his own life changed over 15 years.
S5 Ep19: Talking self publishing with a very special guest
Q: What tips would you give aspiring self-published authors?
A practical tip shared is to record and listen to the audiobook version of your manuscript to catch continuity issues, repeated phrasing, and structural problems that are hard to spot by reading silently.

Audience Metrics

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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-forward show built around the writing life, copy-editing struggles, and publishing journeys. Across episodes, hosts interview a mix of authors, publishers, editors, and industry insiders, with a strong emphasis on practical craft, indie publishing, writing communities, and marketing for authors. The format blends personal storytelling, craft tips, and industry insights, often peppered with humor, music, and light banter. A standout trait is consistently turning failures into actionable lessons, and spotlighting under-the-radar publishing paths and creator resilience, which can be particularly helpful for aspiring writers navigating a tough market.

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How many listeners does The Failing Writers Podcast get?

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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. The Rest Is Entertainment
3. Sara & Cariad's Weirdos Book Club
4. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
5. THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

How many episodes of The Failing Writers Podcast are there?

The Failing Writers Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 165 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 The Failing Writers Podcast?

Recent guests on The Failing Writers Podcast include:

1. Kathryn Aldridge-Morris
2. Miranda Moore
3. Joseph Eckert
4. Ashley Storrie
5. Philippa Perry
6. Jon Rand
7. Katie Rand
8. Gareth Rubin

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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