Episodes

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 on how to punctuate speech, and the correct use of speech tags.

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 your book in front of your readers. In this episode, the Alexas discuss alternative formats and what...

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 physical form - which is an exciting stage of becoming an author. In this episode, Alexas 1 and 2...

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 to go out into the world - congratulations! But what next? Here, the two Alexas chat through next...

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, what they mean for your publication, where to get them, and your legal obligations.

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 what it actually means to publish a book, and how publishing traditionally compares with self-publishing.

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 editor, Rachel Rowlands, who offers a wealth of valuable information on traditional publishing and...

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 to get her perspectives on the editing process, that vital component in producing a book that sings on...

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 matter and front matter? In this episode, the two Alexas run through the terms you'll need to know if...

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 do you go about...

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 their top picks from what's...

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 fantastic...

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 compelling titles,...

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 think about, so it’s vital 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 to get it just right.

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, acknowledgements and...

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 chat about how to use different...

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 their dig into typesetting, this episode sees...

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 correct...

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 ten years in...

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. But if...