The Pen to Published Podcast

In the final episode of series 8, the two Alexas have the privilege of chatting with best-selling author and author coach, Sophie Hannah. As well as writing her many contemporary crime novels, Sophie was also commissioned by the Agatha Christie family to write a new series featuring Christie's famous detective, Hercule Poirot. And when it comes to mindset for authors, Sophie is a goldmine crammed...

Whether you call them narrative techniques or literary devices, this is a big, big subject. There are so many of these devices, and understanding what they are and how to use them is crucial to your fiction writing. In the penultimate episode of series 7, Alexas 1 and 2 run through a handful of better-known techniques that will help elevate your writing and immerse your readers.

In this episode, the two Alexas talk more about writing craft and delve into character arcs: the journey authors take their characters on through their novel. Successes and failures are all a part of that journey, and they help readers to engage and identify with protagonists. Ultimately, strong character arcs will make a reader care about those characters, and want to keep reading.

There's an art to writing brilliant dialogue in a novel - dialogue that truly brings your characters and your story to life. In episode 5, the two Alexas help you understand the craft of creating snappy dialogue that zips along with flare.

You've started your book with a bang. You've got the middle bit under control. But what about the ending? How will you finish your story in a way that satisfies the reader? Whether you're aiming for a happy, sad, neat or even ambiguous final act, the two Alexas have advice for writing an ending that works.

The hardest and most challenging section of your book to write is likely to be the middle. It's the longest section within the three-act structure and it has to work for the reader in multiple ways. This week, Alexa 1 and Alexa 2 share advice to help you tackle that messy middle bit.

You've got the idea for your book. You've made some kind of a story plan. You're at the computer or clutching your pen ready to start writing ... But how do you begin a book in the most captivating way? In this second episode of the new series, the two Alexas talk about the three-act structure of a book and what an author needs to think about in the crucial first act to engage readers so they want...

In the first of a brand-new series, the two Alexas chat about the maxim that 'stories are everywhere'. Are they really? Can inspiration be found in just about anything? The answer is YES! But, of course, a single idea doesn't make a whole story. So what's the next step in exploring the possibility of turning an idea into a book? 

The Pen to Published Podcast is back for 2025 with lots of juiciness for your writerly ears. Here's the line-up for series 7 and 8. So much goodness to help you on your writing journey!

SERIES 6 EPISODE 8: JUICY BITS FOR WRITERS ROUND-UP In this final episode of series 6, Alexas 1 and 2 offer a round-up of the juicy nuggets covered by all the wonderful guests they've chatted to. For invaluable tips on the mechanics of writing, creating a brand, blog tours, marketing a self-published book and understanding contract terminology in traditional publishing, this episode points you to...

SERIES 6 EPISODE 7: INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN'S AUTHOR PAULA FOWLER In the penultimate episode of series 6, children's author, Paula Fowler, talks to the Alexas about how a stage 4 cancer diagnosis took her from working in a bank to writing a series of children's books based on characters created by her father-in-law. Paula's desire is to leave a legacy for her family and, through her stories, this...

SERIES 6 EPISODE 5: INTERVIEW WITH LOUISE HARNBY, FICTION EDITOR, AUTHOR AND PROLIFIC CONTENT CREATOR In a bumper episode, the two Alexas chat to the amazing editor and author, Louise Harnby. With her in-depth knowledge of writing craft and her experience within her own editorial business, Louise packs this episode with invaluable tips for fiction authors on how to produce first-class writing.

SERIES 6 EPISODE 5: INTERVIEW WITH REBECCA COLE, AUTHOR AND SENSORY SEWER Rebecca Cole is late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD. As a lifelong sewer, she has worked on the production team for Channel 4's Unique Boutique and was assistant sewing producer on series 8 the BBC's  Great British Sewing Bee . In this episode, Rebecca talks to the two Alexas about her passion for an inclusive and accessible wo...

SERIES 6 EPISODE 4: INTERVIEW WITH ANN BALL, AWARD-WINNING THERAPIST, TEACHER AND AUTHOR Guest author, Ann Ball, talks to the two Alexas about her experiences with self-publishing, funding opportunities for authors, what prompted her to write her popular book, How To Set Up Women's Circles , and how the book is helping her in her complementary therapy business. 

SERIES 6 EPISODE 3: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST SUE KITTOW Are you interested in setting up a blog tour to help publicise your book? In this episode, Alexas 1 and 2 talk to author and journalist, Sue Kittow, about her writing and how she organised a blog tour for her book to help raise its profile. 

SERIES 6 EPISODE 2: INTERVIEW WITH PUBLISHING CONSULTANT, EDITOR AND CONTRACTS NEGOTIATOR, JANEY BURTON This episode gets into the nitty-gritty of the publishing world. Guest, the highly knowledgeable Janey Burton, has her brains well and truly picked by the two Alexas on the various types of publishing houses, terms to look out for in publishing contracts, whether or not to negotiate royalties, a...

SERIES 6 EPISODE 1: INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR LAURA MACLENNAN The two Alexas return with a brand-new series of their podcast for authors. This series comprises interviews with authors and other industry professionals. In episode 1, they chat to the wonderful Laura Maclennan about the ideas behind her rhyming children's books, creating other income streams from published work - and good...

MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN ADULT FICTION In another bonus Petit Pod, the two Alexas discuss whether maps and other illustrations are a good idea in adult fiction or whether they should be kept for children's books.

BEWARE OF OVERUSE IN YOUR WRITING When we're in the full flow of writing, it's easy to get carried away and include too many of certain elements. In this bonus Petit Pod, the two Alexas explain why, although exclamation marks, italics, adverbs and adjectives all have their place, being sparing with them creates tighter, more enjoyable prose.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR SELF-EDITING In this third bonus Petit Pod, the two Alexas chat through things to think about when working on the second, third etc drafts of your book, and how to tackle self-editing.

SERIES 5 EPISODE 8: MARKETING YOURSELF AND YOUR BOOK - WITH AUTHOR/EDITOR RACHEL ROWLANDS In her second wonderful appearance on  The Pen to Published Podcast , author, editor and publishing expert, Rachel Rowlands chats to the two Alexas about her own self-publishing journey and how to make the most of social media for book marketing.

DOS AND DON'TS FOR CHILDREN'S BOOK ILLUSTRATORS In another bonus Petit Pod, Alexa Whitten offers tips to help children's book illustrators get to grips with the job. 

SERIES 5 EPISODE 7: HOW TO SELL YOUR BOOK If you've self-published, making sales isn't just about getting your book and yourself as the author seen, it's about showing up in the right places. This episode offers ideas for where to list and sell your book so you can start to get a return on your investment.

SERIES 5 EPISODE 6: SELLING YOUR BOOK - GETTING THE PRICE RIGHT No matter what it is, pricing your own product is never easy. But when you're making this decision about your book, there are some important things to bear in mind. Here, the two Alexas discuss how to find a price point that works for you and your readers.

PUNCTUATING SPEECH AND USING SPEECH TAGS In this bonus Petit Pod (a mini episode of The Pen to Published Podcast), the two Alexas give some guidelines on how to punctuate speech, and the correct use of speech tags.