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It’s always something -- just when you are getting used to one set of tools, technology changes. I know, I
know. I hear you groaning with frustration at the very thought of having to learn something new, but this
one’s worth your time.   It will offer you fresh ways to publish your work and attract new audiences. It’ll
allow you to collaborate with fellow writers in creative ways you might not have considered up until now.
At the moment, there are no experts. Everyone is experimenting. Everyone is learning. It’s like that
fertile period a few years back when writers first discovered the internet.

It all began with the introduction of tiny hard drives capable of holding huge data files.   Known
generically as mp3 players, people use them to download and listen to music. Apple’s ipod is the most
popular of these nifty little machines. “Podcasting” was born almost as a lark when a few owners began
experimenting with new ways to use their ipods. By definition, podcasting consists of short radio-style
programs that can be stored on the internet in a digital file.   People browse through lists of
commentary, columns, newscasts and other less clearly defined performances, select something
interesting and download it to their ‘pods’.   Then they listen at their leisure while jogging or biking or
being young. Of course, with streaming audio, more sedentary audiences don’t even have to download
files. They can simply click on a link and listen to the program on their computers. Over the last year,
free and subscription websites proliferated as those wanting to entertain and inform reached out to this
new audience.

Sure it was nerdy kids playing around at first, but before long enterprising writers began jumping at the
chance to produce their work for this new medium. Using tiny digital voice recorders (dvr), they are
posting audio files on the internet.   Programming is narrow now and audience tastes are still being
defined, but the potential for creative expansion is limitless.

Here are a few ways to exploit podcasting for your own purposes:

•        Read excerpts of your book into a downloadable file and post it on your website so people can
get a taste of your work and be tempted to buy. Remember to include that link in your email
signature file.
•        Create 2-4 minute programs that you can post to large podcast sites, your own website and on
cds that advertise your work and others.
•        Create short podcasts of you reading your own poetry and distribute to friends.
•        Interview other writers and review their work.   Ask them to send friends, colleagues, journalists
and other reviewers to your site to hear the podcast.
•        Include links to podcasts in newsletters and ezines.
•        Include podcasts in your media kits – either as links back to your website or on cds.
•        Include music in your podcasts.
•        Create podcast versions of your columns or blogs as an alternative to the written word.
•        Create programming of interest to people with visual problems or dyslexia or who are disabled.
•        Don’t forget to create programming for children as well.

If you’ve never listened to a podcast, check out one created by our own Bev Walton-Porter on www.
thecompletewriter.com . It is the first in a series of programs to accompany the release of a new book
on writing co-authored by Bev, Pat McGrath Avery, Mindy Phillips Lawrence and myself called “The
Complete Writer: A Guide to Tapping your Full Potential”. The shows will include book reviews, writing
tips, excerpts and interviews. If you are interested in appearing on one of The Complete Writer
podcasts, email Bev or me.

You can also listen to a different type of programming by going to my website www.joycefaulkner.com
and listening to excerpts of my book “Losing Patience” on the Freelance page.   Beginning in mid-June,
“The Weekly Shriek”, my column for TheCelebrityCafe.com, will appear both as a written article and an
audio file.

In fact, if you want to listen to this very article being read by yours truly, check it out at www.
thecompletewriter.com . These programs run 2-5 minutes so they don’t take a lot of time to create,
download or enjoy.   If you find this new medium as exciting as I do and decide you’d like to jump into
the game, all you will need is a good microphone. Your computer will record your voice just fine if you
don’t want to buy a dvr.   However, if you are a gadget lover like me, you can get a good dvr for about
80-150 dollars. Good luck and happy Podcasting!

END OF PART ONE

PART TWO CURTAIN CALL

Podcasting
by Joyce Faulkner

Podcasting for Writers – Part I: What’s It Got to Do With Me?

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Writing Credentials for Joyce Faulkner

Visit Joyce at The Official Joyce Faulkner Website

Listen to Joyce's podcasts: Visit her site and click on Freelance.

Novelist and Freelance Writer

Books:
USER NAME, WINDSHIFT, LOSING PATIENCE, IN THE
SHADOW OF SURIBACHI, COMPLETE WRITER

Features, Profiles, Essays, Humor, Travel

Publications: Clever Magazine, Crop and Prop International, By-Line, Scribe & Quill,
Inscriptions, Afterimage, GoodGoshAlmighty, Ag Pilot International, Writer's Weekly, Curled Up
with a Good Book, The Writer, American Oil & Gas Journal, One Thousand Whispers, Women's
Independent Press, TheCelebrityCafe.com, In Posse Review, Bike Midwest, The Stump, Inkwell
Newswatch, Foreword Magazine

Education
MBA -- Cleveland State
Bachelor Science Chemical Engineering -- University of Pittsburgh
Associate Engineering Science -- CCAC, Boyce Campus
Three years of Writing at University of Arkansas