Blog Bytes

by Kristopher Zgorski

As we start the new year, let’s take a moment to look at some new and popular podcasts. Because of the exploding nature of podcast platforms, my spotlights will not include any direct links. Just search the titles on your preferred listening platform to connect with each show.

Sunday Tea with V is hosted by Verena Rose (one of the publishers at Level Best Books) as part of her Hystery Chronicles. A longtime lover of historical mystery, Verena centers her podcast around that topic with questions about research and the creative process as well as more in-depth discussions of the historical periods her guests explore in their writing. Each of the sixty-five-plus episodes is about an hour long and while the historical aspect is a launching point, conversations typically meander through a host of interesting subtopics.

The Plot Thickens is a newer craft-focused podcast hosted by award-winning and beloved crime-fiction author Elly Griffiths. On this show, various guests (experts in the field) often use Elly’s own work as a springboard for discussions of the art of writing. Some episodes feature publishing professionals, such as editors or audiobook narrators, while others invite fellow authors to talk about their careers and their approaches to getting the words down on the page.

At the time of this writing, a very new podcast, Writers at Work, has begun to drop some quality content. Hosted by Jim Fusilli, these episodes feature an author guest, and the discussions range from conversations about the state of publishing and other business-related items to topics about the craft of writing and the value of having a “writing community.” Each episode runs about thirty to forty minutes, making them the perfect distraction when some procrastination is needed.

The Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon seems to be on hiatus, but the strength of the existing episodes make this a must-listen podcast for those who might have missed it. As the title suggests, the discussions here tend to focus on cozy mysteries and the various tropes indicative of that subgenre—however the advice provided by each guest is relevant for all crime writers. Alexia keeps this casual, which helps to make the listening experience feel very much like a chat with a friend.

Two Crime Writers and a Microphone is another podcast that may not be producing new content, but is packed with great guests. The podcast originated overseas and the two writers in question—Steve Cavanagh and Luca Veste—are longtime friends, which translates into episodes that have many laughs without sacrificing the value of useful information. Their guests are a who’s who of crime-fiction royalty from across the pond. And the Locked Up Festival archives feature some stellar panels from the days when in-person conferences were not possible.