In Shedunnit, Caroline Crampton is unravelling the mysteries behind classic detective stories…

How would you describe your show?

Shedunnit is a documentary-style podcast that unravels the mysteries behind classic crime fiction from the “golden age” of detective fiction. Using the novels of writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers as a starting point, I look at the literary and social history that shaped this genre, as well as the real-life cases that inspired it.

What’s been the game-changer moment for you?

When I had Lucy Worley as a guest to talk about Agatha Christie in autumn 2022 – she brought a whole new kind of history-obsessed fan to the show.

What episodes should we watch out for? Why?

I find that the more specific an episode topic is, the more people enjoy it, so in the next few months there are going to be instalments about the role that golf has played in detective fiction, the way that New Zealand writer Ngaio Marsh used the theatre as a setting for whodunnits, and a look at the 1935 trial of Alma Rattenbury, which has inspired lots of crime writers in the last 90-odd years.

Why have you moved to Auddy?

I’m a completely independent podcaster, working out of the walk-in wardrobe off my bedroom, so I don’t have the tools or connections to able to compete for sponsorships with shows from big publishing outfits. The team at Auddy do have all of that expertise, though, and they are able to use it on my behalf.

What are you listening to right now?

I really enjoy the show If Books Could Kill, which is all about debunking those “airport bestseller” non fiction books that everybody apart from me seems to have read.

Speaking of books… Simon Mayo’s Books of the Year was the second podcast in the spotlight this issue. Let’s hand it over to the hosts Simon Mayo and Matt Williams!

How would you describe your show?

It’s a podcast about books.

What’s been the game-changer moment for you?

Never had a game-changing moment but being back in the studio, as opposed to the spare bedroom, was a lovely thing.

What episodes should we watch out for? Why?

*producer note – “Well, they’re ALL good, but international bestseller Harlan Coben is always good value.

What does the next 12 months hold?

Unparalleled success and triumphs are expected.

Why have you moved to Auddy?

They said they’d provide luxury biscuits.

What are you listening to right now?

HBO’s The Last of Us podcast is wonderful, and The News Agents is an essential listen.

Listen to Shedunnit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Listen to Simon Mayo’s Books of the Year on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Find out more and browse the range of great shows that have chosen Auddy at auddy.com.

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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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However wobbly and is-this-still-a-good-idea the extended franchise films become, however fraught the conversation around JK Rowling, however rambling and complex the Potter lore becomes, it seems there will always be people ready to pick apart and dissect it afresh.

They’ve done it every which way – or should that be witch way? – from watchalong commentaries for the films to forensic chapter by chapter breakdowns. Here are some of the best.

Potterless

Mike Schubert had seen four and a half Harry Potter films before he decided to podcast his chapter-by-chapter discovery of the original books. Each time he and his more Potter-literate friends dissect what he’s just read, as he merrily points out plot holes, inconsistencies and absurdities that you definitely just skipped past when you were racing through the Potter books as a kid. You’ll see the whole thing with fresh eyes. Listen now >>

Mugglecast

This one bills itself as “the original” Harry Potter podcast, having been running in some form since August 2005, two months after Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince landed. In that time hosts Andrew, Micah, Eric and Laura have looked at Potter from pretty much every angle: they’ve dived deep into each chapter, recorded watchalong film commentaries, and interviewed cast and crew. These days they keep up with all the latest developments from the broader Potter-verse. Listen now >>

Accio Politics

Don’t worry – this isn’t like one of those lame tweets that used to pop up every so often comparing Donald Trump with Voldemort. Rather, it’s a chapter-by-chapter assessment of the politics of the wizarding world, from the objectifying dynamic of fame and celebrity which Harry experiences to what we can learn about how supremacism and bigotry function and spread from the books. Listen now >>

Potterversity

There are a lot of fancasts out there to pick over the development of Quidditch in ancient Ireland, and they’re all well and good, but Potterversity sets its sights a little higher. Katy McDaniel and Emily Strand bring critical perspectives to the Potter stories and speak to academics to get an intellectually fresh take – Hermione’s advocacy for house elves, for instance, serves as a training ground for young readers to get into activism. Smart stuff. Listen now >>

Harry Potter Therapy

Another podcast which uses Potter as a framework for exploring very complex, weighty ideas, Harry Potter Therapy is presented by psychologist Dr Janina Scarlet, who developed a ‘superhero therapy’ as a way to treat people with depression, anxiety and PTSD. This spin-off from it uses Potter as a way of talking about and conceptualising emotions and feelings, and points to some handy ways to cope with them too. Listen now >>

The Quibbler

Heather Price-Wright and Alex Dalenberg’s ‘book club for adults’ is the podcasting equivalent of the restricted section in the Hogwarts library. Their discussion about each and every chapter of the saga are frequently X-rated and always irreverent in the way that only a truly dedicated fan podcast can be. Listen now >>

Behind the Wand

If you’re still misty-eyed about the film reunions which came together around the 20th anniversary of The Philosopher’s Stone, Behind the Wand should scratch that itch. Flick Miles, who was Emma Watson’s double in the first three films and is now a journalist, interviews the people who weaved the movie magic, from costumers and concept artists to casting directors and cinematographers. Listen now >>

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1.) You already have a head start

You won’t be starting from scratch like other debut authors. You will have existing content that can be adapted into a different format and an established platform from which to market your book. While you may still have a considerable amount of work to complete, you’ll have a good understanding of what your listeners want from you, which will help you to plan and write a book that you know will be of value to them. And it’s not necessarily a numbers game when it comes to audience size. Having dedicated fans who repeatedly engage and truly back your work gives you so much more selling power than mere likes and follows, and the podcasting format lends itself well to that.

2.) To create something with staying power

While podcasts most often feature content and commentary that is timely and topical, books sit proudly on bookshelves for years to come, where they are revisited, shared around and gifted. As with any form of content, not all books are created equal. Publishing a book that is timeless and of exceptional quality requires specialist support from the right editors and designers for your genre. But done correctly you will be creating something that’s here to stay. From Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People to Tara Westover’s memoir Educated and Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, books have the power to stand the test of time. The world may be developing into a mostly digital space, but nothing beats holding a book in your hands, especially if it’s your very own.

3.) To cement your authority & generate publicity

Launching a book gives you a fresh talking point that can open doors to more opportunities as you promote your work and build your profile as an author. Publishing garners respect and can cement your authority in your subject, presenting with it relevant media coverage, influencer engagement and speaking slots that may not have previously been accessible. Regardless of physical sales, a book can get your name and brand out into the world, giving audiences a reason to connect with you in the first place while offering them something they can take away.

4.) A physical product = additional revenue

As a tangible product, a book is the perfect complement to other ventures like a podcast, generating an additional stream of revenue that will last for years to come. Book revenues vary significantly depending on your chosen publishing route, the marketing commitment to the project, and, to put it bluntly, the quality of the work. But authors have never had more power than they do today when it comes to monetisation options, and ‘massive change’ isn’t nearly adequate enough to describe the seismic shifts in publishing and bookselling in the last two decades. Thanks to the digital revolution, an audience can be built and spoken to directly, and today’s authors no longer need to rely on the traditional route or bricks-and-mortar retailers for their books to attract sales. This opens up multiple viable options for those who have an existing platform.

5.) To strengthen your fanbase & reach new listeners

Sometimes it’s less about having something to sell than about having something to strengthen. A book can be a wonderful marketing tool. For your existing listener-base the aim may be to build a more powerful connection. A book, then, is a special object that they can own and use to explore your themes in greater detail. By making your content available in a format that can appear on additional platforms, such as Amazon or Waterstones, you are also making yourself discoverable to new audiences who may never have heard about your podcast otherwise. So not only are you giving back to your loyal listeners, you’ll be gaining a fair few too.

If you’re a podcaster with an idea for a great book but aren’t sure where to start, creative publishing agency whitefox have a FREE in-depth guide filled with expert tips, insightful interviews and all your possible publishing routes explained. Download it HERE now.

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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com.

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The theme for this year’s World Book Night on April 23rd is Books That Make You Smile, and with the joy-giver (and podcaster) that is Sandi Toksvig as Lead Ambassador, it’s clear they’re on a mission to keep our spirits up.

In a pretty rubbish year, novels have been a lifeline for those of us not only stuck inside our homes but our heads too. For World Book Night, alongside online events and readings, The Reading Agency are giving away 100,000 books to organisations across the UK as a celebration of reading, and to highlight its power and benefits to wellbeing.

Reading for mental health

It was a teacher who first recommended that I plunge myself into a novel when I was struggling with a bout of depression in my teens. Make no mistake, I definitely needed some form of professional care but, in the circumstances, a novel was the next best thing. But for those of us who struggle with mental health issues or low mood, starting a book can sometimes feel like another way of setting ourselves up for failure.

I started The Dabbler’s Book Club in 2019 to force myself to read one book every fortnight (or so!) and then to talk about it (when all I usually want to do is stay on the sofa watching Friends for the millionth time). Since March 2020 this simple habit has been so valuable,- and it’s about so much more than the books. The conversation that the podcast allows is just as important and not only gives a sense of completion after turning the final page, it’s left me feeling closer to my partner and our listeners.

In our first episode, my co-host and partner Curtis Nice joked that “our counsellor said it would be good for us”. Three series later, it’s actually very clear to see how it has been.

5 book podcasts for non-bookish people

To get you in a bookish mood without taking you back to the dread of English class and feeling like the poorly-read idiot, here are my top five book podcasts if you don’t think you’re particularly bookish.

These are book podcasts that aim to include everyone. They keep conversation light and inclusive, away from the academic styles we might have been used to at school or university, and they’re a great reminder that books really are for everyone.

Books are gifts authors share with the world; podcasting about books is the gift we can give ourselves and our listeners. There’s really nothing better.

Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast

Presented by journalist and author Yomi Agedoke, guests including Elizabeth Day, Sara Pascoe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie celebrate the best books written by women. They discuss the year’s shortlisted titles and talk about what the future holds for women writing today. This might seem like a very bookish podcast, but the Women’s Prize for Fiction aims for inclusivity and accessibility. The conversations are celebratory and heartfelt, and will inspire you to read more women authors. Listen now on Acast >>

You Heard It Here First

A recommendation show to help you discover your next podcast, audiobook or drama listen. Host Imriel Morgan cherry-picks highlights from Audible’s extensive audio catalogue, with the help of listeners, authors and Audible editors. Expect honest recommendations, laughs and listens you never knew existed – and to be welcomed in with open arms to our family of podcast, audiobook and audio drama lovers. A pocket-sized podcast of 30-minute episodes, it features a diverse list of books and guests, giving you a great overview of the book world outside the traditional bestseller lists. Listen on Audible or elsewhere.

Book Shambles

Book Shambles is an easy-going podcast that’s been running in one form or other since 2015. Using books as a jumping off point, hosts Josie Long and Robin Ince invite a different special guest each week to dive into interesting, passionate and shambolic discussions. Recent interviews include Marian Keyes, Nell Frizzell and Katy Wix. [It’s also one of Eddie Izzard’s favourite podcasts! – ED] Listen now on Acast >>

Book Cheat Podcast

Admittedly, Book Cheat isn’t quite in the World Book Night spirit of encouraging everyone to read… but it does tap into the sense that we’re all playing catch up when it comes to books – especially the classics. This is a fun podcast where host Dave Warneke reads the book so you don’t have to. Each episode Dave tells two special guests all about a classic novel or play, and by the end of the show, both you and they can pretend you’ve read it. From Austen to Tolstoy, Shakespeare to Hemingway… Dave lets you devour a classic in a single sitting. Listen now on Acast >>

The Dabblers’ Book Club

And of course, I’m including mine at the end because not only is it pretty good, but it also embodies so many things I’m passionate about. Working-class and state-school voices in literary criticism, and authentic, un-sanitised conversation that gives space for different perspectives and experiences. Non-stuffy book chat and funny one-star reviews. We’re a book podcast for people who like reading but don’t always feel qualified to talk about it. Maybe you went to state school or haven’t read any of the greats but still want to talk about books in a normal way. Just about every fortnight, my co-host Curtis and I read and have a fairly sweary chat about a novel, while incorporating our own anecdotes and life experiences. Guest special episodes feature interviews with the likes of Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart and barrister and author Hashi Mohamed. Listen on Acast now >>

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While Reni’s recommendation was for Blacticulate’s eponymous podcast, it was Stories That Stick that caught our attention. We at Pod Bible love a programme that offers something new not only in topic but in production. We were immediately drawn to the structure of founder Ade’s show, which invites guests to tell their own story and share stories that have impacted them. 

Each episode begins at the end. The guest is first asked to speak about death, which may seem an odd place to start but perfectly establishes a person’s thought process for how they live their life. If we know how someone imagines, copes with, or theorizes death, we better understand the parameters they exist within today. From there, our host asks that his interviewee breaks their life into decade-long chapters, beginning with their first ten years.

Not only does this make for an easily digestible podcast, but it creates a shared nostalgia when paired with story recommendations from the episode’s guest, spotlighting a different book in each “chapter” of their own story. It’s hard not to fall into one’s own reminiscences during the first chapter, often peppered by beloved children’s books or familiar stories from religious texts.

When exploring shows that are new to us as listeners, creating a structure that we can easily latch on to helps to ease us into unfamiliar territories. Structures based in Q&A sessions, particularly those that remain consistent from episode to episode, create an excitement as we begin to imagine our own answers and build a sense of familiarity and camaraderie with the guests – their answers ebbing and flowing with our own.

An excellent podcast structure is reliant on its host. A quality host creates consistency for their listeners, while still remaining flexible for their guest. Ade’s soft-spoken guidance feels gentle, steering the conversation expertly without editorializing someone else’s experience. In episode 15, with Christina Moore of Don’t Skip Media, his guest off-handedly mentions the experience of growing up as the child of immigrant parents. Ade thoughtfully encourages her to explore that experience, and she opens up beautifully, allowing the listener a much deeper insight regarding her childhood. The deft way with which he supports her examination of what, moments earlier, seemed like an off-handed reference to something many listeners may not have experience with shows us how seriously Ade takes his work. It is always easy to allow a guest to move beyond something – especially something they have a shared understanding of, or something the guest may have explained in a pre-interview – but it does not serve the audience to allow those moments to pass us by.

We suggest you also don’t let Stories That Stick to pass you by, either. You can explore the podcast’s page on the Blacticulate website, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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