February 23, 2025 • 9 mins
In this episode, I dive into the world of fiction podcasts, exploring their history, evolution, and my personal journey in creating one.
If you found value in this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow me on social media for more tips and updates on my podcasting journey:
Check out the new Podquesting website and leave me a Voicemail [here]
- YouTube: PodQuesting
- Medium: @PodQuesting
Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us at wolfshieldmedia@gmail.com and visit our website:WolfShield.Media
Follow WolfShield Media for updates on future chapters and projects.
© Dwight J. Randolph, 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Affiliates:
- Hosting Platforms: Get one month free of hosting on Podbean here
- RSS.com: A budget-friendly hosting platform for networks and Podcasting 2.0 members—check it out here
- Software: Riverside – Record and edit video and audio podcasts with ease: Riverside.fm
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
This is Podcasting where I'm on a quest to conquer the podcasting realm, and I'm bringing
(00:07):
you along for the journey to help you achieve your own podcasting success.
What's going on and welcome back to Podcasting.
It's been a while since my last episode, and I'm excited to be here again with you today,
and we're diving into something that has taken a lot of my energy lately, and that is Fiction
Podcast.
(00:28):
But first, let me catch you up to where I've been, so since my last episode I've been busy
between a new job, the holidays, and focusing on my other podcasts.
So I've had to take a step back from podcasting.
Now one of the projects I've been working on is a fiction podcast originally called
Jack's Chronicles.
It has since evolved into the Jack Moore Chronicles, and later in the episode I will share why
(00:51):
I made that title change.
So first, let's dive into a little background into fiction podcasts.
So fiction podcasts or audio dramas are not a new concept.
They've been around for a long time, dating back to the golden age of radio.
Thanks to the rise of podcasting, audio dramas are experiencing a major comeback.
(01:15):
Shows like Welcome to the Night Veil and the Magnus Archives have garnered a massive following,
bringing new attention to the genre.
Fiction podcasts may feel like a new trend, but they have deep roots in the history of
audio storytelling.
Before podcasts ever existed, radio dramas were the original form of serialized audio
entertainment, with shows like The War of the Worlds and The Shadow.
(01:53):
Over time, the popularity of radio dramas waned as television became the dominant medium
for entertainment.
However, the storytelling techniques and creative spirit of those early audio dramas never
(02:18):
truly disappeared.
Instead, they found a new home with the advent of audiobooks.
Audiobooks surged in popularity thanks to advancements in recording technology and the
convenience of listening on the go.
Classic novels and contemporary bestsellers were suddenly more accessible to busy readers,
leading to an audiobook boom that continues to this day.
(02:42):
Platforms like Audible have helped bring storytelling into people's daily routines,
whether during a commute, workout, or while cooking dinner.
Enter the era of podcasts.
With the rise of podcasting in the mid-2000s, fiction audio dramas began to make a significant
comeback.
What's particularly fascinating is that fiction podcasts are evolving as an art form.
(03:06):
They're no longer just stories with sound effects.
They're experiments in storytelling.
This historical evolution is what inspired me to explore the world of fiction podcasting.
Knowing the rich legacy of audio storytelling made me want to take on the challenge of creating
something uniquely my own.
And that's exactly what I'll dive into for the rest of this episode.
(03:28):
Now if you've listened to past episodes of podcasting, you know I've discussed the overall
growth of the podcasting genre before.
If you're interested in learning more about that, I recommend checking out those episodes
and doing some research, particularly look into Edison Research.
I always recommend them on this podcast for more podcast research and statistics.
(03:49):
According to their latest studies, fiction podcasts have seen an increase in listenership
over the past few years, with no signs of slowing down.
So what's driving this growth?
One reason is that listeners are creating more immersive and creative content.
Fiction podcasts offer escapism and a way to experience stories in a deeply personal
(04:10):
way.
Through the use of sound effects, voice acting, and layered storytelling.
My fiction podcast journey began almost by accident.
I started writing just for fun and the first episode was born.
I didn't initially plan on creating a full-fledged fiction podcast, but once I uploaded the first
chapter I realized how much I enjoyed the process.
(04:33):
At first it was just an experiment, a way to scratch that creative itch if you will,
but as I continued writing I found myself getting more invested in the characters and
the world I was building.
I'm sure if you're a writer you can relate to the filling of a story taking on its own
life.
One unique aspect of my podcast is the way I'm approaching storytelling.
(04:54):
I write one chapter at a time and only move on to the next chapter after I release the
current one.
This makes the story feel more improvised and I love not knowing what will happen next
along with the listener.
I'm also considering ways to involve listeners in the storytelling process.
If you have any suggestions let me know.
(05:14):
Perhaps they can help shape future chapters by submitting ideas or voting on plot twists.
So as I teased in the beginning, let's talk about the title change.
Originally the podcast was called Jack's Chronicles, however after doing some research I discovered
several other books and projects with similar titles.
To improve search engine optimization and stand out I changed the name to the Jack Moore
(05:39):
Chronicles.
Not a big change, but a change enough to set the title apart from the other Jack Chronicles
things that are out there.
Hopefully this change will make it easier for new listeners to find the show.
Changing the title wasn't an easy decision.
Titles carry a lot of weight, especially in storytelling.
I wanted something that felt unique and also hinted at the story's mysterious and evolving
(06:03):
nature.
Fiction podcasts differ from other genres in several ways.
They often require more scripting, sound design and editing compared to conventional or interview
based podcasts.
The immersive nature of audio dramas makes them a truly unique medium for storytelling.
One major difference is the importance of sound effects in music.
(06:24):
These elements help set the tone and create a more vivid mental picture for listeners.
If you're a writer, you might be wondering if a fiction podcast is worth it.
In my very limited experience it absolutely is.
It provides motivation to keep writing and acts as a built in deadline if you commit
to uploading episodes on a regular schedule.
(06:44):
It's a great way to hone your storytelling skills while sharing your work with an audience.
Fiction podcasts also offer a unique opportunity to experiment with serialized storytelling.
You can test out new ideas, develop characters over time and see how your audience responds.
It's a dynamic and evolving process that can help you grow as a writer.
(07:07):
So should you start a fiction podcast?
If you love stories and want to explore a creative medium, I say go for it.
The genre is growing and people are hungry for new engaging narratives.
Just be prepared for the work that goes into it.
It's not just about writing, you'll also need to focus on recording, editing, marketing,
film design and a whole lot more.
(07:29):
So since my last episode of podquesting, I've been focusing almost exclusively on the Jack
Moore Chronicles, releasing one chapter per month.
This schedule has been manageable with my full time job, but I'm working on putting
together a stricter schedule so I can release more episodes across my different podcasts.
Both podquesting and curiosity overload have taken a backseat, but I wanted to continue
(07:54):
producing episodes for both shows.
I'm also considering launching another fiction podcast, which I think I could handle if I
released episodes once a month or even less frequently.
Balancing the desire to run multiple podcasts and build a podcast network while working
full time is a challenge, but it's part of the quest I'm on and I'm working really hard
(08:16):
to overcome it.
Some strategies that have helped me include setting clear priorities, blocking out dedicated,
time and learning to say no to projects that don't align with my goals.
It's all about finding what works for you.
So thank you for joining me on this episode of podquesting.
If you're interested in fiction podcasts or thinking about starting your own, I hope this
(08:36):
episode gave you some insights.
Don't forget to check out the Jack Moore Chronicles on anywhere you listen to podcasts and my other
shows if you haven't already.
Until next time, thanks for listening to this episode of podquesting.
If you are a podcaster looking to join a network of like-minded individuals growing their podcasts
and embarking on this quest, well check out WolfShield.media.
(09:01):
There's an application on the website where you can apply to be part of a pack.
Again, that is WolfShield.media to check out that application.
Until next time, keep on questing.
This is Podcasting where I'm on a quest to conquer the podcasting realm, and I'm bringing
(00:07):
you along for the journey to help you achieve your own podcasting success.
What's going on and welcome back to Podcasting.
It's been a while since my last episode, and I'm excited to be here again with you today,
and we're diving into something that has taken a lot of my energy lately, and that is Fiction
Podcast.
(00:28):
But first, let me catch you up to where I've been, so since my last episode I've been busy
between a new job, the holidays, and focusing on my other podcasts.
So I've had to take a step back from podcasting.
Now one of the projects I've been working on is a fiction podcast originally called
Jack's Chronicles.
It has since evolved into the Jack Moore Chronicles, and later in the episode I will share why
(00:51):
I made that title change.
So first, let's dive into a little background into fiction podcasts.
So fiction podcasts or audio dramas are not a new concept.
They've been around for a long time, dating back to the golden age of radio.
Thanks to the rise of podcasting, audio dramas are experiencing a major comeback.
(01:15):
Shows like Welcome to the Night Veil and the Magnus Archives have garnered a massive following,
bringing new attention to the genre.
Fiction podcasts may feel like a new trend, but they have deep roots in the history of
audio storytelling.
Before podcasts ever existed, radio dramas were the original form of serialized audio
entertainment, with shows like The War of the Worlds and The Shadow.
(01:53):
Over time, the popularity of radio dramas waned as television became the dominant medium
for entertainment.
However, the storytelling techniques and creative spirit of those early audio dramas never
(02:18):
truly disappeared.
Instead, they found a new home with the advent of audiobooks.
Audiobooks surged in popularity thanks to advancements in recording technology and the
convenience of listening on the go.
Classic novels and contemporary bestsellers were suddenly more accessible to busy readers,
leading to an audiobook boom that continues to this day.
(02:42):
Platforms like Audible have helped bring storytelling into people's daily routines,
whether during a commute, workout, or while cooking dinner.
Enter the era of podcasts.
With the rise of podcasting in the mid-2000s, fiction audio dramas began to make a significant
comeback.
What's particularly fascinating is that fiction podcasts are evolving as an art form.
(03:06):
They're no longer just stories with sound effects.
They're experiments in storytelling.
This historical evolution is what inspired me to explore the world of fiction podcasting.
Knowing the rich legacy of audio storytelling made me want to take on the challenge of creating
something uniquely my own.
And that's exactly what I'll dive into for the rest of this episode.
(03:28):
Now if you've listened to past episodes of podcasting, you know I've discussed the overall
growth of the podcasting genre before.
If you're interested in learning more about that, I recommend checking out those episodes
and doing some research, particularly look into Edison Research.
I always recommend them on this podcast for more podcast research and statistics.
(03:49):
According to their latest studies, fiction podcasts have seen an increase in listenership
over the past few years, with no signs of slowing down.
So what's driving this growth?
One reason is that listeners are creating more immersive and creative content.
Fiction podcasts offer escapism and a way to experience stories in a deeply personal
(04:10):
way.
Through the use of sound effects, voice acting, and layered storytelling.
My fiction podcast journey began almost by accident.
I started writing just for fun and the first episode was born.
I didn't initially plan on creating a full-fledged fiction podcast, but once I uploaded the first
chapter I realized how much I enjoyed the process.
(04:33):
At first it was just an experiment, a way to scratch that creative itch if you will,
but as I continued writing I found myself getting more invested in the characters and
the world I was building.
I'm sure if you're a writer you can relate to the filling of a story taking on its own
life.
One unique aspect of my podcast is the way I'm approaching storytelling.
(04:54):
I write one chapter at a time and only move on to the next chapter after I release the
current one.
This makes the story feel more improvised and I love not knowing what will happen next
along with the listener.
I'm also considering ways to involve listeners in the storytelling process.
If you have any suggestions let me know.
(05:14):
Perhaps they can help shape future chapters by submitting ideas or voting on plot twists.
So as I teased in the beginning, let's talk about the title change.
Originally the podcast was called Jack's Chronicles, however after doing some research I discovered
several other books and projects with similar titles.
To improve search engine optimization and stand out I changed the name to the Jack Moore
(05:39):
Chronicles.
Not a big change, but a change enough to set the title apart from the other Jack Chronicles
things that are out there.
Hopefully this change will make it easier for new listeners to find the show.
Changing the title wasn't an easy decision.
Titles carry a lot of weight, especially in storytelling.
I wanted something that felt unique and also hinted at the story's mysterious and evolving
(06:03):
nature.
Fiction podcasts differ from other genres in several ways.
They often require more scripting, sound design and editing compared to conventional or interview
based podcasts.
The immersive nature of audio dramas makes them a truly unique medium for storytelling.
One major difference is the importance of sound effects in music.
(06:24):
These elements help set the tone and create a more vivid mental picture for listeners.
If you're a writer, you might be wondering if a fiction podcast is worth it.
In my very limited experience it absolutely is.
It provides motivation to keep writing and acts as a built in deadline if you commit
to uploading episodes on a regular schedule.
(06:44):
It's a great way to hone your storytelling skills while sharing your work with an audience.
Fiction podcasts also offer a unique opportunity to experiment with serialized storytelling.
You can test out new ideas, develop characters over time and see how your audience responds.
It's a dynamic and evolving process that can help you grow as a writer.
(07:07):
So should you start a fiction podcast?
If you love stories and want to explore a creative medium, I say go for it.
The genre is growing and people are hungry for new engaging narratives.
Just be prepared for the work that goes into it.
It's not just about writing, you'll also need to focus on recording, editing, marketing,
film design and a whole lot more.
(07:29):
So since my last episode of podquesting, I've been focusing almost exclusively on the Jack
Moore Chronicles, releasing one chapter per month.
This schedule has been manageable with my full time job, but I'm working on putting
together a stricter schedule so I can release more episodes across my different podcasts.
Both podquesting and curiosity overload have taken a backseat, but I wanted to continue
(07:54):
producing episodes for both shows.
I'm also considering launching another fiction podcast, which I think I could handle if I
released episodes once a month or even less frequently.
Balancing the desire to run multiple podcasts and build a podcast network while working
full time is a challenge, but it's part of the quest I'm on and I'm working really hard
(08:16):
to overcome it.
Some strategies that have helped me include setting clear priorities, blocking out dedicated,
time and learning to say no to projects that don't align with my goals.
It's all about finding what works for you.
So thank you for joining me on this episode of podquesting.
If you're interested in fiction podcasts or thinking about starting your own, I hope this
(08:36):
episode gave you some insights.
Don't forget to check out the Jack Moore Chronicles on anywhere you listen to podcasts and my other
shows if you haven't already.
Until next time, thanks for listening to this episode of podquesting.
If you are a podcaster looking to join a network of like-minded individuals growing their podcasts
and embarking on this quest, well check out WolfShield.media.
(09:01):
There's an application on the website where you can apply to be part of a pack.
Again, that is WolfShield.media to check out that application.
Until next time, keep on questing.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!