The Pen to Published Podcast

SERIES 5 EPISODE 5: OTHER FORMATS FOR DISTRIBUTING YOUR BOOK Publishing these days isn't all about print. Technology means there are other ways to get your book in front of your readers. In this episode, the Alexas discuss alternative formats and what they involve, including ebooks, audio books and even podcasts.

SERIES 5 EPISODE 4: PRINTING OPTIONS FOR YOUR BOOK Once your book has been edited, typeset and proofread, the next step is to get it produced into a physical form - which is an exciting stage of becoming an author. In this episode, Alexas 1 and 2 discuss what you need to consider - for example, soft back or hardback; book binding; paper type. Decisions, decisions! 

SERIES 5 EPISODE 3: SO YOU'VE FINISHED YOUR BOOK... WHAT'S NEXT? If you've finished writing your book, it's been edited and proofread and is now ready to go out into the world - congratulations! But what next? Here, the two Alexas chat through next steps, from finding appropriate agents to submit your manuscript to, to preparing the all-important submission letter.

SERIES 5 EPISODE 2: ISBNs AND WHAT THEY MEAN FOR YOUR BOOK The ISBN in a book is a thing of magic. Today, the two Alexas delve into what ISBNs are, what they mean for your publication, where to get them, and your legal obligations.

SERIES 5 EPISODE 1: WHAT PUBLISHING MEANS And the two Alexas are back with a brand-new series of their podcast for authors. This episode focuses on what it actually means to publish a book, and how publishing traditionally compares with self-publishing.

EPISODE 8: TRADITIONAL VERSUS SELF-PUBLISHING - WITH GUEST RACHEL ROWLANDS For the final episode of series 4, Alexa 1 and Alexa 2 chat to author and editor, Rachel Rowlands, who offers a wealth of valuable information on traditional publishing and self-publishing. If you're wondering about the best way forward for you and your book, you'll find what you need to know here to help you weigh up the p...

SERIES 4 EPISODE 7: INTERVIEW WITH EDITOR YASMIN YARWOOD In the penultimate episode of series 4, Alexa 1 and Alexa 2 chat with editor Yasmin Yarwood to get her perspectives on the editing process, that vital component in producing a book that sings on every page.

SERIES 4 EPISODE 6: USEFUL TERMS TO KNOW IN EDITING AND TYPESETTING Have you ever wondered what a folio is? Or a running head? And what about back matter and front matter? In this episode, the two Alexas run through the terms you'll need to know if you want to publish a book.

SERIES 4 EPISODE 5: YOUR WRITING AND PUBLISHING QUESTIONS ANSWERED In this episode, the two Alexas answer common questions on the writing and publishing process. So if you've ever asked: 'How long does it take to write a book?'; 'How do you go about writing a second draft?'; 'Where do you get ideas for a story?' - then this episode is for you.

SERIES 4 EPISODE 4: RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND BLOGS ON THE ART OF WRITING There's a wealth of resources out there for writers wanting to learn how to write well and to hone their craft. Here, the Alexas reveal some of their top picks from what's available. 

SERIES 4 EPISODE 3: WRITING AND EDITING ORGANISATIONS TO SUPPORT YOUR WRITER/EDITOR LIFE There's a perception that the writer's (and the freelance editor's) life can be a lonely one. But in episode 3, Alexa 1 and Alexa 2 introduce some fantastic writing and editing organisations and groups that can support, advise and encourage. Editing organisations are also the best places for authors to find ex...

SERIES 4 EPISODE 2: UNDERSTANDING HEADING HIERARCHIES, CALLS TO ACTION AND THOSE LITTLE ISBN BOXES For a book that's visually highly polished, fantastic book design really matters. In episode 2, the two Alexas explain the importance of internal-page heading hierarchies, and how even the way you present the ISBN on the cover can add that extra bit of professionalism. And when it comes to encouragin...

SERIES 4 EPISODE 1: HOW TO CREATE GREAT BOOK TITLES AND STRAPLINES, BLURBS AND AUTHOR BIOS Alexa Whitten and Alexa Tewkesbury return for a fourth series of their popular podcast for authors. In episode 1, the focus is on creating compelling titles, straplines, blurbs and author bios. These can be trickier to put together than some writers realise, but getting them right is vital if you want to ent...

SERIES 3 EPISODE 8: INTERVIEW WITH LUCILLE OSSAI In this final episode of series three, the two Alexas talk to Lucille Ossai, author, communications trainer, advisor, speaker and multi-award-winning blogger. Having both worked on Lucille's book, Influence & Thrive , they were keen to chat with her about her vision for the final product, and the importance of great book design in achieving it. 

SERIES 3 EPISODE 7: ALL THINGS IMAGES The topic for this week's episode is images and what you need to know when getting your book ready for print. Even if your book contains no images, there's still the cover to think about, so it's vital to understand the technicalities.

SERIES 3 EPISODE 6: GETTING YOUR BOOK COVER RIGHT This episode is all about covers: what you need and what works well for different genres. The cover is the all-important 'shop window' for your book so it really does pay to get it just right. 

SERIES 3 EPISODE 5: THE INGREDIENTS OF A BOOK There are key ingredients to books. Alexas 1 and 2 explore the various elements that make up a book, in addition to the main content – for example, forewords and introductions, acknowledgements and references. What does your book need?

SERIES 3 EPISODE 4: TYPESETTING - PET PEEVES What are the most common mistakes in typography? The two Alexas give the lowdown and explain how poor typesetting can really affect the ultimate finish of your book.

SERIES 3 EPISODE 3 - PART 2: TYPEFACES - UNDERSTANDING THE DETAIL Episode 3 is a second delve into typefaces and this time, the two Alexas explain the two main styles in use and the differences between them. They also chat about how to use different typefaces within a book to create elements that contrast with the body text, such as pull quotes, headings and sub-headings.

SERIES 3 EPISODE 2 - PART 1: TYPEFACES - THE DOS AND DON'TS The typeface you choose for the pages of your book is a huge part of its personality. Getting it right for the cover is vital too. Continuing their dig into typesetting, this episode sees Alexas 1 and 2 chatting about the importance of understanding typefaces when handing your book over to a designer.

SERIES 3 EPISODE 1: TYPESETTING - THE BASICS In this brand-new series of The Pen to Published Podcast, the two Alexas are back and the topic of conversation is typesetting. This episode delves into what typesetting is, why choosing the correct typeface really matters in relation to your target audience, as well as a few dos and don'ts when it comes to the typesetting of your book.

SERIES 2 EPISODE 8: INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR AND WRITER JOSEPH MILLSON In the series 2 finale, the two Alexas chat to actor and writer, Joseph Millson, whose first book,  Work ... and other four-letter words  (a memoir about his first ten years in the acting profession), hit the Amazon #1 best-seller list. Joseph talks about his new-found passion for writing, and about his first experience of the edit...

SERIES 2 EPISODE 7: FIVE EDITING MYTHS TO RETHINK Throughout series 2 of the podcast, the two Alexas have emphasised the importance of having your book professionally edited and proofread, and what those services can do for your final product. But if you still need convincing, in this episode, they run through five editing myths in need of a serious debunk.

SERIES 2 EPISODE 6: WRITING AND EDITING RHYMING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN Rhyming books aren't an easy option for authors wanting to write for children, but used well, rhymes can create beautiful, memorable books. In this episode, the two Alexas talk about the pros and cons of writing in rhyme, and what to look out for to make sure your manuscript is the best it can be before submitting it to an editor. 

SERIES 2 EPISODE 5: FINDING THE RIGHT EDITOR FOR YOUR BOOK AND FOR YOU Editing may seem all much of a muchness, but to get the most out of the editing process, authors do need to find the right editor for their book. In this episode of The Pen to Published Podcast, the two Alexas give tips and advice on finding the best-fit editor for a project.