Writing Excuses

The show aims to cover a single writing-related topic in each podcast, in a format short enough to be listened to on a morning commute or during a lunch break. Though it is promoted as "fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart," Writing Excuses frequently runs to about 20 minutes.

The single topic is discussed in a back-and-forth by the hosts. Given the authors' backgrounds in fantasy and science fiction there is a strong emphasis in those genres, but Writing Excuses covers a wide variety of topics intended to apply to fiction and creative arts generally. The hosts also introduce a book of the week, either a favorite of the hosts or one of their own works. The hosts often also invite guest authors and industry professionals on board for podcast episodes (often at conventions).

As of 2024, the podcast is on its nineteenth season.

Writing Excuses began in 2008 with three hosts – Dan Wells, Brandon Sanderson, and Howard Tayler. After making a number of guest appearances, Mary Robinette Kowal joined the permanent cast as a new host at the beginning of season 6 in 2011.^[2] At the end of 2022, Erin Roberts and DongWon Song became hosts, replacing Sanderson, who became a "host emeritus."^[3]

Starting in season 12, the podcast has also included guest hosts, including Wesley Chu, Piper J. Drake, Mary Anne Mohanraj, C.L. Polk, Maurice Broaddus, Amal El-Mohtar, Zoraida Cordova, V.E. Schwab, and others.^[3]

The Writing Excuses podcast has received the following recognition:

Shadows Beneath, an anthology of four stories written by the members of Writing Excuses, was published in 2014.^[11] The anthology's bonus material is intended to show some of the processes of story creation. The stories were brainstormed on the podcast and the first drafts later critiqued. Transcripts of the podcasts and one or more drafts of the stories are included.^[12] The stories are illustrated by Kekai Kotaki, Kathryn Layno, Ben McSweeney, Rhiannon Rasmussen-Silverstein, and Tayler.^[13]

The anthology was released as a hardcover and an ebook in July 2014 through Dragonsteel Entertainment. The stories include:

• A Fire in the Heavens, by Mary Robinette Kowal
• I.E. Demon, by Dan Wells
• An Honest Death, by Howard Tayler
• Sixth of the Dusk, by Brandon Sanderson