The Indy Author’s Guide to Podcasting for Authors

Book covers, Podcasting for Authors by Matty Dalrymple

The book for any author who is thinking of launching a podcast, who is struggling to keep a podcast afloat, or who is on the brink of “podfading” and losing the hard-won benefits to be gained from this popular and intimate format.

In The Indy Author’s Guide to Podcasting for Authors, Matty Dalrymple, The Indy Author, shares her learnings from her years hosting and producing The Indy Author Podcast. Tapping nautical metaphors to explore the stages of creating a podcast, THE INDY AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO PODCASTING FOR AUTHORS will guide you through determining your destination, preparing for your voyage, and setting sail. Matty discusses the benefits podcasting offers to authors specifically, and the specific challenges authors might need to overcome to succeed in this medium.

Questions posed at the end of each chapter prompt insights to be captured in your own Captain's Log, enabling you to note progress, acknowledge mistakes, and celebrate successes on your voyage.

This is not merely a manual of technical requirements, although those are covered at a high level in the book and in more detail at The Indy Author website. This is a foundational resource you can pick up again and again, one that will serve as your guide as you steer your podcast through its voyage and, when a course correction is needed, will provide the strategies and tactics you need to adjust your bearing.

AUDIO: ISBN 978-1-7344799-9-7

PRINT: ISBN 978-1-7344799-6-6

EBOOK: ISBN 9781393492863

"Matty Dalrymple has written 'the book' for authors thinking about starting a podcast. Her comprehensive chapters cover why authors should and shouldn’t consider engaging with readers through podcasting."

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"Matty’s book will help you navigate your way to becoming a podcasting pro.”

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"If you're an author considering using podcasting as a means to promote your work or to network with other writers, don't do another thing until you read this book."

~

"Matty Dalrymple has written 'the book' for authors thinking about starting a podcast. Her comprehensive chapters cover why authors should and shouldn’t consider engaging with readers through podcasting." ~ "Matty’s book will help you navigate your way to becoming a podcasting pro.” ~ "If you're an author considering using podcasting as a means to promote your work or to network with other writers, don't do another thing until you read this book." ~

You can check out some of my advice to authors considering launching a podcast here!

What are readers saying?

"Using the clever concept of taking her readers on a voyage, Matty Dalrymple has written 'the book' for authors thinking about starting a podcast. Her comprehensive chapters cover why authors should and shouldn’t consider engaging with readers through podcasting."

—Jerri Williams, Author of FBI crime fiction and nonfiction | Host of the FBI Retired Case File Review Podcast

"If you're an author considering using podcasting as a means to promote your work or to network with other writers, don't do another thing until you read this book. As an author and longtime podcaster myself, I found Matty Dalrymple's book a vital resource. It's a detailed look at what works, what doesn't, how to get started, and how to keep your show fresh. Written in a breezy, conversational tone, it's chock full of Dalrymple's beloved nautical metaphors and references. Readers will learn ways to be a better host, producer, and guest--whether you're an experienced admiral or brand-new midshipman to the craft. This book should be on every author/podcaster's shelf. Chart your course—get this book!"

—Alex Greenwood, host and producer of the Mysterious Goings On podcast, author of the John Pilate Mysteries

“Podcasting is a medium that allows you to build a close relationship with a listener. At Kobo Writing Life, we love that we can reach listeners with our podcast every single week. If you’re starting out, you might feel like a small fish in a big ocean but Matty’s book will help you navigate your way to becoming a podcasting pro.”

—Tara Cremin, Senior Manager of Author Experience at Kobo / Host of the Kobo Writing Life Podcast

What does Podcasting for Authors cover?

THE PODCASTING VOYAGE

  • Why Podcasting ... and Why for Authors?

DETERMINING YOUR DESTINATION

  • Determining Your Destination - Introduction

  • Establishing Connections with Guests

  • Building Community with Listeners

  • Creating Direct Income with Your Podcast

  • Creating Indirect Income with Your Podcast

PREPARING FOR YOUR VOYAGE

  • Preparing for the Voyage - Introduction

  • Choosing Your Topic

  • Choosing Your Format

  • Choosing Your Mode, Medium, and Venue

  • Choosing Your Deliverables

  • Choosing Your Schedule

  • Choosing Your Episode Structure

  • Choosing Your Persona

  • Choosing Your Livery (a.k.a. Branding)

  • Choosing the Tech

SETTING SAIL

  • Setting Sail - Introduction

  • Lining up Guests

  • Preparing for the Episode

  • Creating the Environment

  • Refining Your Audio and Video Presence

  • Creating the Episode

  • Making the Most of Your Content

  • Making It Interactive

  • Reducing Friction (Improving Your Production Process)

  • Being a Podcast Guest

Captain’s Log for Podcasting for Authors

Below is the companion document to The Indy Author's Guide to Podcasting for Authors. Everyone is welcome to download this, but you'll want to pick up a copy of the book to get the full benefit!

As we review the various components and considerations of hosting a podcast, it will be helpful for you to note your learnings and insights. At the end of each chapter, I pose a few questions for you to consider. This “Captain’s Log” will enable you to note progress, acknowledge mistakes, and celebrate successes. It will serve as a guide as you steer your podcast through its voyage. When a course correction is needed, it will provide information you can use to adjust your bearing. You can capture your answers to these questions in the downloadable worksheet.