How to start a book podcast

• Book club or discussion: hosts read the same book and talk about it
• Reviews and recommendations: several books per episode in a genre
• Author interviews: conversations with writers about their work
• Book reading podcast: reading a book aloud in episodes

Discussion and interview shows have the fewest legal complications. Reading podcasts need the most care with copyright.

Reading a whole book that is still in copyright aloud as a podcast needs permission from the rights holder, usually the publisher. Short quotes in a discussion are a different matter, but long readings of protected books are not.

Safe choices for reading podcasts: books in the public domain, your own writing, or books where you have written permission. In the US, works published before 1929 are in the public domain, and there are thousands of excellent ones. Check the rules for your own country if you are elsewhere. This is general information, not legal advice.

The best book discussions have structure: a short summary for people who have not read it, a few specific passages or moments to talk about, and an honest opinion. Mark spoilers clearly and use chapter markers so listeners can skip.

Pick books your listeners can read along with. Announce the next book a few weeks ahead so they have time. See the book discussion podcast template.

Authors, especially debut and independent authors, are often happy to appear on podcasts. Read the book first and ask questions only someone who read it would ask. Guests can join remotely from their browser.

See podcast interview questions for preparation.

Plan books in seasons: a genre, an author, a theme or a list such as prize winners. A season gives listeners a reading list to follow and gives you a clear end point to pause, rest and plan the next.

Tell listeners the full list at the start of the season so they can borrow or buy books in advance. Libraries are often happy to promote a local book podcast, especially if you feature books they stock.

Short episodes on single chapters work well for long books, while one episode per book suits most novels.

Long readings are intimate. Record close to the microphone in a soft room, keep a glass of water nearby, and take breaks to avoid a tired voice. Mark mistakes by pausing and re-reading the sentence, then cut the first attempt when editing by transcript.