Rephonic
Artwork for Writing Excuses
Pacing
Nanowrimo
Editing
Speculative Fiction
Length
Character Development
Writing Techniques
Writing Process
Editing Process
Voice
Endings
Short Fiction
Writing Success
Revision Techniques
Second Person POV
Experimental Storytelling
Storytelling
Epistolary Novel
The Covenant Of Water
Motivation For Long Form Projects

Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes970Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CareersBusinessFiction

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Artwork for Writing Excuses

Latest Episodes

Season 21 kicks off with a new theme, a fresh tagline, and a renewed focus on what Writing Excuses has always been about: tools, not rules. The hosts unpack why prescriptive writing advice so often falls short, and how understanding why tools gives y... more

As our 20th season comes to a close, we reflect on the end of 2025 and a major transition for the show, as Dan Wells steps away from Writing Excuses as a full-time core host. Dan shares the thoughtful, hard-won reasoning behind his decision, while th... more

A workflow that made daily writing (and comics) possible—Howard Tayler takes us through two decades of the delightfully eccentric process behind Schlock Mercenary: text boxes in landscape Word, laser-printed pages he inked by hand, and a system that ... more

2 quick reminders: Scholarship applications for our 2026 cruise are open now until December 31st, 2025. You can learn more and apply here. AND early bird pricing for this cruise (going to Alaska in September 2026) ends on February 15th! Get your tick... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Dr. Tara Lepore
Paleontologist and recent PhD graduate
Episode: 20.43: An Interview with Dr. Tara Lepore on Paleontology
Erin Roberts
Game writer and freelancer discussing her writing process.
Episode: 20.42: Erin Roberts’ Personal Writing Process
Charlie Jane Anders
Author of All the Birds in the Sky and Lessons in Magic and Disaster
Episode: 20.38: An Interview with Charlie Jane Anders
Charles Duhigg
Journalist for The New Yorker and author of 'Supercommunicators' and 'The Power of Habit'
The New Yorker
Episode: 20.24: An Interview with Charles Duhigg
Christopher Schwarz
Furniture maker, writer, and publisher
Lost Art Press
Episode: 20.17: An Interview with Christopher Schwarz
Chuck Tingle
Author known for self-publishing erotica and recently publishing horror novels
Nightfire, part of Tor, part of Macmillan
Episode: 20.10: Interview with Chuck Tingle: Breaking the Rules
Mark Oshiro
Young adult and middle-grade author
Episode: 20.02: Q&A Aboard the Writing Excuses Cruise, with Mark Oshiro and Kate McKean
Kate McKean
Literary agent at the Howard Morhaime Literary Agency
Howard Morhaime Literary Agency
Episode: 20.02: Q&A Aboard the Writing Excuses Cruise, with Mark Oshiro and Kate McKean
P. Djèlí Clark
Science fiction author and academic historian
Episode: 19.40: An Interview on Tension with P. Djèlí Clark

Hosts

Mary Robinette Kowal
Host and facilitator of discussions, offering insights on writing and creativity.
DongWon Song
Co-host and participant in writing discussions, providing a unique perspective on narrative techniques.
Erin Roberts
Co-host and contributor, known for her insights into personal writing processes and community engagement.
Howard Taylor
Co-host and contributor, offering a voice of experience in narrative structure and writing craft.
Dan Wells
Co-host and contributor to discussions, providing insights and humor in the writing craft conversations.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • 7 minutes of commercials before episode even begins

    7 minutes of commercials before episode even begins. This show is all ads and has gotten less helpful over time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Heroic Victory
    United Statesa month ago
  • Too many ads

    Great advice but for a 20 minute episode, 10+ minutes are ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    FezziwigII
    United States2 months ago
  • An accidental find

    What a great find after scrolling through podcasts. Wonderful guests in purposeful conversation; I’ve learned so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lockedin2020
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • the older episodes of writing excuses are excellent, and the newer still hold some insight

    Audible
    5
    Michael Cavanaugh
    United States7 months ago
  • classic

    the older episodes of writing excuses are excellent, and the newer still hold some insight

    Audible
    5
    Michael Cavanaugh
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many listeners appreciate the practical writing advice and valuable insights provided by the hosts. The format is praised for its concise delivery, making it accessible for busy writers. Some reviews highlight a noticeable shift in content quality and the increased amount of advertisements, suggesting a shift in the show's dynamics which has led to mixed feelings among long-time fans. Despite criticisms, there are strong endorsements for the educational value offered, particularly for those involved in speculative fiction.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#72
United States/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#71
United Kingdom/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#111
Canada/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#102
Australia/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#118
Germany/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#206
France/Fiction

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

20.51: Howard Tayler’s Personal Writing Process
Q: How did you develop your writing process?
I adapted the process of another cartoonist, Bill Amend, realizing that I could use technology to better fit my creativity and needs.
20.51: Howard Tayler’s Personal Writing Process
Q: As you became a better artist, did you think about changing your process? What made you stick to it?
I considered changing my process several times but always felt that it would make me less productive and affect my income, so I decided to keep it as it was.
20.43: An Interview with Dr. Tara Lepore on Paleontology
Q: What does make something paleontology?
Paleontology is primarily the study of all life on Earth and includes various forms of life from different eras as well as their evolution.
20.43: An Interview with Dr. Tara Lepore on Paleontology
Q: What are some of the stories about our world, about the beings and creatures on it, that paleontology is able to tell in a way that no other field can?
Paleontology offers insights into deep time and the evolution of life, providing a powerful narrative about Earth's history.
20.41: DongWon Song’s Personal Writing Process
Q: How do you deal with the guilt of taking time for yourself when there are responsibilities waiting?
DongWon recommends trapping your tasks and worries in a notebook before engaging in writing to alleviate anxiety and free your mind.

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 Writing Excuses

What is Writing Excuses about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content revolves around offering concise and effective writing advice, facilitating discussions that cater to aspiring and seasoned writers alike. The hosts cover a wide array of topics including narrative techniques, the intricacies of pitching one's work, diversifying income streams, and the dynamics of character relationships. Episodes often feature valuable strategies for improving writing skills through the exploration of industry experiences and personal anecdotes. Notably, there is an emphasis on accessibility, making complex concepts understandable and relatable to listeners, which sets it apart as a uniquely supportive platform for writers navigating their creative journeys.

Where can I find podcast stats for Writing Excuses?

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How many listeners does Writing Excuses get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Writing Excuses 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.

How many episodes of Writing Excuses are there?

Writing Excuses launched 11 years ago and published 970 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 Writing Excuses?

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 Writing Excuses?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Writing Excuses from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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What guests have appeared on Writing Excuses?

Recent guests on Writing Excuses include:

1. Dr. Tara Lepore
2. Erin Roberts
3. Charlie Jane Anders
4. Charles Duhigg
5. Christopher Schwarz
6. Chuck Tingle
7. Mark Oshiro
8. Kate McKean

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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