The Pen to Published Podcast
Episodes
Interview with best-selling author Sophie Hannah
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
Narrative techniques and why they're like a juicy layered cake - part 1
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Character arcs and how to make your characters memorable
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the two Alexas talk more about writing craft and delve into character arcs: the journey authors take their characters on through thei...
Getting your dialogue right
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Ale...
Writing a satisfying ending
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Tackling your book's messy middle
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How to start your book well
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Are stories everywhere?
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ju...
Coming up in Series 7 and 8!
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
The Pen to Published Podcast
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
The Pen to Published Podcast
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
The Pen to Published Podcast
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 exp...
The Pen to Published Podcast
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SERIES 6 EPISODE 2: INTERVIEW WITH PUBLISHING CONSULTANT, EDITOR AND CONTRACTS NEGOTIATOR, JANEY BURTON This episode gets into the nitty-gritty of the...
The Pen to Published Podcast
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
Bonus Petit Pod 5
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 adu...
Bonus Petit Pod 4
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Bonus Petit Pod 3
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
The Pen to Published Podcast
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SERIES 5 EPISODE 8: MARKETING YOURSELF AND YOUR BOOK - WITH AUTHOR/EDITOR RACHEL ROWLANDS In her second wonderful appearance on The Pen to Published ...
Bonus Petit Pod 2
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 grip...
The Pen to Published Podcast
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, i...
The Pen to Published Podcast
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Bonus Petit Pod 1
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
The Pen to Published Podcast
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, wh...
The Pen to Published Podcast
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 wh...
The Pen to Published Podcast
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 e...
The Pen to Published Podcast
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
The Pen to Published Podcast
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 mat...
The Pen to Published Podcast
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SERIES 4 EPISODE 5: YOUR WRITING AND PUBLISHING QUESTIONS ANSWERED In this episode, the two Alexas answer common questions on the writing and publishi...
The Pen to Published Podcast
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 writ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 edi...
The Pen to Published Podcast
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SERIES 4 EPISODE 2: UNDERSTANDING HEADING HIERARCHIES, CALLS TO ACTION AND THOSE LITTLE ISBN BOXES For a book that's visually highly polished, fantast...
The Pen to Published Podcast
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 seri...
The Pen to Published Podcast
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SERIES 3 EPISODE 8: INTERVIEW WITH LUCILLE OSSAI In this final episode of series three, the two Alexas talk to Lucille Ossai, author, communications t...
The Pen to Published Podcast
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 typ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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. Gett...
The Pen to Published Podcast
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 conver...
The Pen to Published Podcast
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, wh...
The Pen to Published Podcast
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 boo...
The Pen to Published Podcast
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
SERIES 2 EPISODE 3: PROOFREADING MATTERS After the editing of a book comes the all-important proofreading. The two Alexas explain what proofreading in...
The Pen to Published Podcast
19 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, e...
The Pen to Published Podcast
12 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 Pen to Published Podcast
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 bu...
The Pen to Published Podcast
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
The Pen to Published Podcast
16 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pen to Published Podcast
09 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, p...
The Pen to Published Podcast
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Pen to Published Podcast
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this first episode, Alexa Whitten and Alexa Tewkesbury introduce themselves and talk about what to expect from The Pen to Published Podcast, and wh...