The Pen to Published Podcast

SERIES 2 EPISODE 4: STYLE SHEETS AND WHY WRITERS NEED THEM So what is a style sheet and what's it got to do with writing a book? This episode explains all, from why style sheets are so important for writers to the details you can include on them. Do join the two Alexas for more lively editing and writing chat.

SERIES 2 EPISODE 3: PROOFREADING MATTERS After the editing of a book comes the all-important proofreading. The two Alexas explain what proofreading involves and why it's a vital stage in the production of a polished publication. 

SERIES 2 EPISODE 2: EDITING: THE VARIOUS LEVELS Editing is a staged process. Alexa 1 and Alexa 2 introduce the various levels, or types, of editing, explaining why each one is important and how, together, they work to craft your writing.

SERIES 2 EPISODE 1: PREPPING YOUR MANUSCRIPT FOR AN EDITOR Welcome to series 2 of the podcast, in which the two Alexas chat about the editing side of the self-publishing process. In this episode, you'll learn the dos and don'ts of preparing your manuscript to send to an editor.

EPISODE 8: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KYLIE DIXON In the last episode of series 1, the two Alexas talk to an author they've both worked with, Kylie Dixon, about her wonderful debut children's book, Inkcap and the Nethers . A fascinating insight into what it's really like not just to have an idea for a book but to actually bring it out into the world.

EPISODE 7: KICKING WRITER'S BLOCK Writer's block: what is it? Why does it happen? What can you do to help overcome it? In this episode, Alexas 1 and 2 dig into the causes of creative block and discuss various ideas to bring breakthrough.

EPISODE 6: GETTING INTO THE WRITING HABIT This week, the two Alexas talk about how to get your book written. Managing your time can be a real issue but to achieve your writing goals, writing needs to become a regular habit - and this episode offers plenty of tips to help.

EPISODE 5: THE WRITING PROCESS - PART TWO To plan or not to plan? This episode is all about planning your fiction or non-fiction book, where to begin, and how to nail your plan so that you have a rock-solid platform from which to start writing.

EPISODE 4: THE WRITING PROCESS - PART ONE Have you ever asked the question, 'Just where do writers get their ideas?' In episode 4, the two Alexas give some guidance on where to start in the hunt for a great storyline, and explain why knowing what's trending in various genres really matters.

EPISODE 3: WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS It's vital to understand the age category you're aiming to write for. This affects word count, vocabulary, plot, characterisation, sentence structure and book design. The two Alexas explain the categories and discuss what's required when writing within each one.

EPISODE 2: ALL ABOUT THE WHO Identifying your target audience: as a writer, this is crucial. In this episode, the two Alexas discuss why knowing your audience is so important before you begin to write, and how you can start to identify your potential readers.

In this first episode, Alexa Whitten and Alexa Tewkesbury introduce themselves and talk about what to expect from The Pen to Published Podcast, and why writers and self-publishers will benefit from listening.