Episodes

SERIES 4 EPISODE 5: YOUR WRITING AND PUBLISHING QUESTIONS ANSWERED In this episode, the two Alexas answer common questions on the writing and publishing process. So if you've ever asked: 'How long does it take to write a book?'; 'How …

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 write well and to hone their craft. Here, the Alexas reveal some of …

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 editor's) life can be a lonely one. But in episode 3, Alexa 1 and Alexa 2 introduce some …

SERIES 4 EPISODE 2: UNDERSTANDING HEADING HIERARCHIES, CALLS TO ACTION AND THOSE LITTLE ISBN BOXES For a book that's visually highly polished, fantastic book design really matters. In episode 2, the two Alexas explain the importance of internal-page...

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 series of their popular podcast for authors. In episode 1, the focus is on creating …

SERIES 3 EPISODE 8: INTERVIEW WITH LUCILLE OSSAI In this final episode of series three, the two Alexas talk to Lucille Ossai, author, communications trainer, advisor, speaker and multi-award-winning blogger. Having both worked on Lucille's book,...

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. Even if your book contains no images, there’s still the cover to …

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 is the all-important 'shop window' for your book so it really does pay …

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 addition to the main content – for example, forewords and introductions, …

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 typesetting can really affect the ultimate finish of your book.

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 two main styles in use and the differences between them. They also …

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. Getting it right for the cover is vital too. Continuing …

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 conversation is typesetting. This episode delves into what typesetting is, why choosing the …

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, whose first book, Work ... and other four-letter words (a memoir about his first …

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 book professionally edited and proofread, and what those services can do for your final product. …

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 used well, rhymes can create beautiful, memorable books. In this episode, the two Alexas talk …

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 process, authors do need to find the right editor …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …