Looking for authors on YouTube? Here are 16 channels you should check
YouTube also contains a wealth of practical advice on everything from novel writing to marketing your work, and you'll be relieved if you haven't been into it.
I will make a deal for you: for every animal video you watch, watch one of the videos from the awesome YouTube channels below 16 below.
1. Jenna Moreci
Videos by Sci-fi author Moreci are funny, catchy and very entertaining.
If you are the author of the book yourself, you will love his videos on topics such as character development, structure and plot setting. Some writers will enjoy topics such as dealing with insecurity, criticism and 10 things you should never say to the author. Her productive quality of professionalism and vibrant personality always puts her at the top of the list of top writing vloggers.
(Note: if you have children or day caregivers hanging on your computer during your break, maybe save Moreci's videos sometime or add some headphones as his good candy adds a lot of NSFW words.)
Be sure to check out: Post-Break Writing - How to Get Back on Track
2. Creative Penn
In The New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Joanna Penn (who runs a writing website with the same name), this popular YouTube channel offers self-publishing, marketing, authoring business and more.
Penn and other successful writers learn from their experiences and life lessons to teach you everything you need to be able to turn your writing dreams into reality.
Be sure to check out: Turning Into a Full-Time Creative Design With Blaire Palmer
3. Katytastic
Book reviewer and author aspiring YouTube channel Kat O'Keefe is full of video writing and everything from small tips like word choice to big tips like landscape design.
His arrogant personality and humor make every subject feel fun.
If you are a NaNoWriMo participant, you have a few playlists that focus on how to survive (and overcome) that challenge.
Be sure to check out: How to View and Improve News Ideas
Looking for more writing tips?
4. Vivien Reis
This YA sci-fi author, whose first novel The Elysian Prophecy was published in 2018, is a great resource for newbie novelists who are trying to make sense of a much larger process.
His videos discuss challenges such as how your story can be divided into chapters, how to choose the right editor and how to get beta readers. His low style, imperfection-entrenched (hello, unruly dogs!) Makes you feel like you're video chatting with a friend.
Be sure to check out: The First Five Pages of Your Novel
5. bookishpixie
Ava Jae is a self-described “violent, unhappy, book-loving” writer who draws on her experience as a YA writer, freelance editor and assistant editor.
It provides good advice on topics such as writing life, submitting questions and organizing your work, all delivered in a positive and encouraging (but completely honest) voice.
Be sure to check out: Types, Categories, and Agents
6. Ellen Brock
If you are working on writing a novel, videos of a well-trained novelist Brock will help you hit your story like a nut-and-bolts tips on everything from introducing your protagonist to creating a credible conflict.
His Novel Boot Camp series is a free writing course in itself.
Be sure to check out: How to Edit YOUR FAST NOVEL
7. Rachael Stephen
A Scottish novelist and self-described "hellbitch," Stephen is humorous, confusing, and impure in pure language. Also, his tips are very useful (see his Playlists and Novelcraft playlists for tips that make a great and awesome process seem entirely possible).
You are like that responsive friend who shakes his head intelligently when you talk about a problem you have with the author's block, and then brings the tail kick you need to move again.
Make sure you check out: Write your own Damn Novel / Pep Talk
8. Robert McKee
Schoolwriting co-ordinator and "news doctor" McKee who was his student included Academy Award Winners, Emmy Award Winners and hundreds of Guild of America Winners (nominees in the thousands).
His masterpieces in the art of storytelling were even featured in the film Adaptation. But you don't have to be a screenwriter to learn from him; his advice on story structure and structure also applies to books.
As salesman Steven Pressfield puts it, "McKee is not only the best teacher I've ever had, but the best teacher."
Not only did you visit McKee's own YouTube channel, but you also browse a host of great videos that put him on other channels to get the most out of his ingenuity.
Be sure to check out: Bad Writers Who Say Nothing (in Big Think)
9. Brandon Sanderson's Writing Studies Series
Find your master class in creative writing with this YouTube channel presented by CameraPanda.com, which allows you to stay on to be a fairy tale writer and author of the sci-fi author of the 2016 winter course at Brigham Young University. The channel has not been operational since the end of the course, but literacy lessons still apply today.
Topics range from chat creation to planning to create your own magical systems (if you are a fictional / sci-fi writer).
Make sure you check out: Lesson # 2 (Cook vs. Chef)
10. Chris Fox
You know the best-selling author of books like 5,000 words per hour and you write to Market: Delivery Book sells know how to do the job.
And in his YouTube videos, Fox explores how you can become a productive and business-minded writer yourself. Whether you’re planning your writing, preparing to get started or just need some inspiration, it will help you get your work done out the door and into the hands of an audience that will enjoy you.
Be sure to check out: Book Life Cycle
11. Mark Dawson
As the best-selling author of USA Today with over 20 published books, Dawson offers a unique look behind the scenes of what it is like to publish a book.
What’s different about this channel is the inclusion of other indie writers who have empowered their work by advertising on social media, so you will hear from many professionals who offer tried and authentic methods to help you succeed as a self-published author. Dawson and others talk about things like running an indie writer business, the cost of publishing and whether you should write a sequence or series, all with accessible, refreshing facts that remind us that successful writers are really like us.
Be sure to check out: Seven’s P’s Publishing Success (The Self Publishing Show, episode 187)
12. Kim Chance
Chance teaches high school English and journalism and has decided to show her students how literacy can be intimidating by having her work published.
Produces instructional videos using a gamut from grammar and writing tips to marketing and publishing tips. After gaining representation and publishing his first novel Keeper, Chance is awaiting the next follow-up to claim this fall.
Perky and polished and conveys "bad" news in a way that sounds comforting (see video below).
Be sure to check out: Using Dual / Multi POV in your Novel | Interview with Tobie Easton
13. Kristen Martin
Those who pursue writing while in charge of the day’s work will find the spirit associated with Martin, who wrote YA, sci-fi and dream novels while working full-time in the real estate industry. (How about that for a variety of jobs?)
In addition to providing tons of useful tips on how to write, market and publish your own book, it also provides a wealth of ideas about his or her real life that is encouraging and comforting to those of us who are trying to “do it all.”
Be sure to check it out: 10 Tips for Successful Daily Writing
14. ShaelinWrites
I am only 22 years old, art writing student Shainin Bishop has written eight novels and found the following on YouTube live with him on the list and big-name vloggers like Moreci.
His videos are ordinary and don't feel like text like the others on this list; and thin on the long side (on average 10-25 minutes while other vloggers are close to 5-10). But writers of all ages will appreciate his candor and authenticity, whether he discusses his process of exposure or inquiry by obtaining his first copy of his book.
Be sure to check: Creating Complex Characters | Writing Tips
15. WordNerds
With six WordNerds making over 1,000 videos to date, this channel has all the features.
A variety of topics are posted on different days of the week, so you’ll find everything from motivation to interviews to making recommendations. Follow your favorite vlogger updates or use them all; it's just like around writers who can get into their times at any time.
Be sure to check it out: Unleash Your Creative Power
16.UJP Beaubien
As a member of the Knoxville Writer’s Guild and the author of a series of expeditions during the Aeon Legion, J.P. Beaubien offers valuable advice to writers on what to do.
Beaubien's Terrible Advice Advice channel is full of punchy videos full of art, good advice and a touch of humor. If you are in animation, you will love these videos that show actors who imitate his lessons. It covers topics such as character growth, critical site nails and everything in between.
Be sure to check out: Comedy Helps
This is an updated version of a previously published article. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they are relevant to our readers.