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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
Experimental Storytelling
Second Person POV
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes979Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CareersBusinessFiction

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Artwork for Writing Excuses

Latest Episodes

A cold open can hook a reader with nothing more than voice. In this episode, our hosts explore what makes a voice-driven opening work — cadence, rhythm, authority, and a clear reason to care. We break down how aesthetic voice differs from mechanical ... more

Grounding a reader starts in the very first lines of a story. Where are we? Who are we with? What kind of story are we in? Our hosts explore how emotion, context, and sensory detail work together to create immersion, and why action alone isn’t enough... more

In this episode, we explore what it really means to set reader expectations at the beginning of a story. We talk about how openings communicate the shape of what’s to come — from genre and tone to the kind of emotional ride we’re inviting our readers... more

To celebrate Mary Robinette’s birthday today (!!), she is taking us inside the craft (and emotional engine) of her short story “With Her Serpent Locks,” using it as a case study in beginnings, control, and creative “leveling up.” Our hosts dig into g... 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.

Similar Podcasts

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'
Episode: 20.37: Deep Dive into “All the Birds in the Sky” - Using the Lens of Why
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 of Writing Excuses; writer and performer with extensive publishing experience
DongWon Song
Co-host and core contributor; deep dive discussion on craft and storytelling
Erin Roberts
Co-host and contributor; focuses on practical writing strategies and craft
Howard Taylor
Co-host; long-running key contributor with a focus on comics and serialized storytelling

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • All ads

    I’ve tried listening to 10 different episode, but there’s hardly any actual content. It’s like a 3:1 ratio of ads, preamble, and self promotion to helpful content

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Dominic425
    United Statesa month ago
  • So many ads

    I recently found this podcast and am enjoying the actual content—but there’s roughly 4 minutes of ads at the top and another long batch in the middle. It ends up feeling less about the writing content and more just a delivery vehicle for ads, ads, ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    MoTee40
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States4 months ago
  • Too many ads

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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    FezziwigII
    United States4 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 Kingdom6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Ads and promotional spots are a frequent critique, impacting perceived content quality.
Listeners appreciate practical, actionable craft advice.
Longtime fans value the show's early dynamics and guest variety.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#100
United States/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#63
United Kingdom/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#86
Canada/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#65
Italy/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#180
Australia/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#198
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?

This show centers on craft, theory, and practical technique for writers, with a steady emphasis on beginnings, grounding, tone, and genre expectations. Episodes dissect how to hook readers early, how to set up narrative goals, and how to balance story structure with originality, often pairing actionable homework with discussions of larger concepts like myth, tone, and perspective. Listeners are treated to a mix of concrete tips, thoughtful analysis, and occasional industry-facing topics such as pitching, income diversification, and the writing life. A notable strength is the ability to translate complex craft ideas into accessible, bite-sized guidance suitable for busy writers at multiple stages of their careers. The show's longevity and re... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Writing Excuses?

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How many listeners does Writing Excuses get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Writing Excuses?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Writing Excuses:

1. The New Yorker: Fiction
2. Helping Writers Become Authors
3. The Book Review
4. Poetry Unbound
5. Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

How many episodes of Writing Excuses are there?

Writing Excuses launched 11 years ago and published 979 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.

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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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