The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
“Learn how acclaimed writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block.”
Each week, host Kelton Reid chats with guests like Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah, on life after becoming a laureate; #1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry on her past life as a YA mid-lister; Celebrated author, Walter Mosley, on his conflicted feelings after winning a National Book Award; NY Times bestselling author, Lisa Scottoline, on what she learned from literary lion Philip Roth; #1 NY Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane on what he borrowed from Clint Eastwood; and bestselling author, Matt Haig, on the process behind his novel, The Midnight Library, and serial guest hosts: neuroscientist Michael Grybko, journalist Adam Skolnick, and short story writer Robert Bruce.
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Hanif Abdurraqib Writes
New York Times bestselling author Hanif Abdurraqib spoke to me about taking a leap of faith, the tentpoles of his writing practice, and his recent NBCC award-winning THERE’S ALWAYS THIS YEAR: On Basketball and Ascension.
Hanif Abdurraqib is a lauded New York Times bestselling author, recent Winner of the NBCC Award for criticism, and a finalist for the National Book Award for A Little Devil in America. He is also a poet, essayist, cultural critic, contributor for The New Yorker, and a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” grant.
His latest book, There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, was described by Publishers Weekly, in a Starred Review, as "A triumphant meditation on basketball and belonging…" and named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, Time, The Washington Post, NPR, The Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Book Riot, Electric Lit and many others.
Steve James, director of Hoop Dreams, called it, “Mesmerizing ... not only the most original sports book I’ve ever read but one of the most moving books I’ve ever read, period.”
Hanif’s first collection of essays, They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us, was named a book of the year by NPR, Esquire, BuzzFeed, O: The Oprah Magazine, Pitchfork, and the Chicago Tribune, among others.
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In this file Hanif Abdurraqib and I discussed:
What it’s like to be on a book tour for close to a year
His superpower as a highly prolific writer
Quitting his 9-5 job after squirreling away money from freelancing
Building his own poetry curriculum
Why his writing routine hasn’t changed much over the years
Hot takes on the 2025 NBA Playoffs
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib (Amazon)
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Laura Munson Writes
New York Times bestselling author Laura Munson spoke to me about her acclaimed writing retreats, building a bridge to readers, and bringing wonder back into our lives with her latest THE WILD WHY.
Laura Munson is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa’s Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. She is also an editor and Founder of the top-ranked Haven Writing Retreats.
Her new book is THE WILD WHY: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder. A Maria Shriver Sunday Paper Pick, “For fans of Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly, Glennon Doyle’s Untamed, and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, this illuminating self-help tool is the perfect book for anyone who yearns to rekindle their own voice.”
Laura has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times' “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London’s This Morning, Australia’s Sunrise, and other global media outlets.
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In this file Laura Munson and I discussed:
How to rekindle your true voice
Why we lose wonder in our worried world
Her life’s journey to live in her truth
The importance of finding radical empathy
How to eradicate the “tortured artist” pattern
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder by Laura Munson (Amazon)
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Tomi Adeyemi Writes: Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Tomi Adeyemi, spoke to me about the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, her evolution as a writer, and the final book in her Orisha trilogy, Children of Anguish and Anarchy.
Tomi Adeyemi is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Hugo and Nebula award-winning novelist and screenwriter who was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes’s 30 Under 30 in Media, and whose website was named one of the 101 Best Websites for writers by Writer’s Digest.
Her Children of Blood and Bone series continues to be a publishing phenomenon, acquired in a heated bidding war with the first two books becoming instant #1 NY Times bestsellers – spending over 150 weeks on the list – and over 1.5 million copies in print to date including recent paperback re-releases.
The Nigerian/American writer graduated from Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature and studied West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil
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In this file Tomi Adeyemi and I discussed:
Her newly found balance and definition of success as a writer
Facing rejection early on in her career
How she persevered through meticulous planning
Why her acknowledgments are so lengthy in her long-awaited capstone to her trilogy
What’s next for the superstar
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Children of Anguish and Anarchy (Legacy of Orisha, 3) – June 25, 2024 by Tomi Adeyemi (Amazon)
Tomi Adeyemi Amazon Author Page
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Emily Everett Writes
Acclaimed debut novelist Emily Everett spoke to me about finding a writing community, impostor syndrome, setting aside self-doubt, and her literary debut, ALL THAT LIFE CAN AFFORD.
Emily Everett is a writer and the managing editor of The Common, a literary magazine based at Amherst College.
Her debut novel All That Life Can Afford, is the Reese’s Book Club pick for April 2025 (out now from Putnam Books), was named a most anticipated book of 2025 by Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, and E! News, as well as an Apple Books Audiobook Staff Pick.
Described as “A taut and lyrical coming-of-age debut about a young American woman navigating class, lies, and love amid London’s jet-set elite.” New York Times bestselling author Sarah McCoy said of the book, “Emily Everett’s All That Life Can Afford is a wildly entertaining fish-out-of-water story meets Cinderella fairy tale.”
Emily Everett has an MA in literature from Queen Mary University of London, where she lived and worked from 2009 to 2013. Her short fiction appears in Electric Literature, Tin House, and Mississippi Review, among others.
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In this file Emily Everett and I discussed:
Teaching SAT classes for wealthy families abroad
Why you don’t have to wait to get started on your book
Her thirst to prove herself with the first novel
Time-blocking vs writing in the margins with a full-time job
On crappy first drafts
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Common literary magazine
All That Life Can Afford: Reese's Book Club by Emily Everett (Amazon)
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How Award-Winning Writer & Producer Arvind Ethan David Writes
Award-winning writer and producer Arvind Ethan David spoke to me about making sh*t up for a living, late bloomers, and adapting RAYMOND CHANDLER’S TROUBLE IS MY BUSINESS into a graphic novel.
Arvind Ethan David is the Stoker Award-nominated graphic novelist who has also written chart-topping Audiodramas (The Crimes of Dorian Gray, Earworms), television (Anansi Boys) and plays (The Boy with Wings). Arvind is also a producer of film and theater, including the Emmy & Grammy award-winning musical Jagged Little Pill with Diablo Cody.
His latest adaptation TROUBLE IS MY BUSINESS is a graphic novel adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s novella featuring one of the most well-known characters in hard-boiled fiction, detective Phillip Marlowe.
Library Journal called it “A gripping adaptation of a classic short story [...] A compelling exploration of greed and justice in shadowy 1940s Los Angeles.”
Arvind is a principal of Prodigal, the entertainment company where he has produced eight feature films including the Asian Academy Award-winning "The Garden of Evening Mists" and theatrical shows including the Tony- and Grammy-winning Alanis Morissette musical "Jagged Little Pill."
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In this file Arvind Ethan David and I discussed:
Why he was told to be more like Chekhov or Grisham
His past lives as a lawyer and venture capitalist
Working with some of the greatest writers in the world
How storytelling is genetic
Adapting one of the great prose stylists for a graphic novel
The most interesting dinner in literary history
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Raymond Chandler's Trouble Is My Business – May 20, 2025 – by Raymond Chandler and Arvind Ethan David; illustrated by Ilias Kyriazis (Amazon)
Arvind Ethan David on Instagram
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How Founding Editor of the LA Review of Books Tom Lutz Writes: Part One - Redux
Award-winning author, founder, and editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Review of Books, Tom Lutz, took a timeout to talk with me about his early years as a literary ne'er-do-well, what it's like to hang out with your heroes, and why you can assume every writer is faking it just a little bit.
"Writing has never felt like a chore to me. It always feels like the space of freedom, and that I'm stealing the time from my job to do something I love." – Tom Lutz
In addition to editing the Los Angeles Review of Books, "... a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and disseminating ... engaging writing on every aspect of literature, culture, and the arts," Tom also founded The LARB Radio Hour, The LARB Quarterly Journal, The LARB/USC Publishing Workshop, and LARB Books.
He's a Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at UC Riverside, and the author of multiple bestselling and award-winning nonfiction titles – translated into dozens of languages – including Doing Nothing (American Book Award winner), Crying, and American Nervousness, 1903 (both New York Times Notables).
His fiction debut is, “A literary thriller that wanders the globe,” novel Born Slippy is described as part "... literary thriller, noir and political satire ... a darkly comic and honest meditation on modern life under global capitalism.”
Bestselling novelist James Ellroy said of the book, "Lutz has the seven deadly sins nailed and rethought for our 2020 world. You’ve got to dig this book!"
Tom's writing has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, New Republic, Chicago Tribune, ZYZZYVA, and many other newspapers and literary venues, as well as in dozens of books and academic journals.
He previously taught at Stanford University, University of Iowa, CalArts, and the University of Copenhagen.
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In this file Tom Lutz and I discussed:
His early years as a juvenile delinquent and the teacher that duped him into becoming a writer
Why "... if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it."
How he's happiest (and most creative) when playing hooky
On impostor syndrome and sneaking in the back door of an exclusive club of writers
What it's like to hang out with Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood
And why you may not be the type of writer you think you are
Show Notes:
All things LARB
Born Slippy by Tom Lutz [Amazon]
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Susannah Cahalan Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Susannah Cahalan, spoke to me about her writing process, witch candles, and stepping into the shoes of psychedelic pioneer Rosemary Woodruff Leary in her new biography THE ACID QUEEN.
Susannah Cahalan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and public speaker. Her first book, Brain on Fire, has sold over a million copies and has been translated into more than twenty languages. Her second book, The Great Pretender, was shortlisted for the Royal Society’s 2020 Science Book Prize.
Her latest biography The Acid Queen: The Psychedelic Life and Counterculture Rebellion of Rosemary Woodruff Leary, “...chronicles the life of Rosemary Woodruff Leary (1935–2002), a prominent figure in the 1960s psychedelic movement and Timothy Leary’s wife from 1967 through 1976.”
Kirkus gave THE ACID QUEEN a glowing review, calling it a “well-wrought narrative that brings deserved attention to a lost figure in the counterculture,” and Publishers Weekly called it a “... stranger than fiction story [that offers] a vivid portrait of how flower power cracked up in the ’70s.”
Susannah Cahalan has been profiled in the New York Times, featured as an answer on Jeopardy!: delivered a TEDx Talk, and appeared as a guest on The Today Show, PBS, BBC’s Inside Science, and Fresh Air, among many others.
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In this file Susannah Cahalan and I discussed:
The throughline that connects all of her books
Synchronicities that led her to the life story of a psychedelic icon
How she used the research process to fully immerse herself in Rosemary’s persona
What she’s learned over the course of her writing career
Why you need to find time for “deep work” to get the pages
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Acid Queen: The Psychedelic Life and Counterculture Rebellion of Rosemary Woodruff Leary By Susannah Cahalan (Amazon)
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport (Amazon)
The Modern Library Writer's Workshop: A Guide to the Craft of Fiction by Stephen Koch
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Emma Knight Writes
New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and entrepreneur Emma Knight spoke to me about finding the courage to write fiction, the Loch Ness Monster of motherhood, and her breakout debut novel The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus.
Emma Knight is an author, journalist, Co-Founder and Head of Brand at Greenhouse, an award-winning organic beverage company, and co-author of The Greenhouse Cookbook (2017), a national bestseller.
Her debut novel and instant New York Times bestseller, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, is described as a “coming-of-age story, part family drama, and part campus novel.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called the book “A spellbinding debut about friendship, motherhood, first love, and the choices that bind us . . . I couldn’t put it down.”
Emma Knight also has an MA in Journalism, and her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Walrus, The Globe and Mail, Literary Hub, and more.
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In this file Emma Knight and I discussed:
The contrast of her whirlwind world tour after five years of writing
Why you can only write one sentence at a time
The process of removing your ego from the work
Taking the same advice she shared with her daughters
Why it's so much better to make things up for a living
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight (Amazon)
Emma Knight talks how debut novel is a metaphor for motherhood - Today
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Carley Fortune Writes - Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Carley Fortune, spoke to me about her storied career as a journalist, writing a breakout hit in just four months, and her latest novel, MEET ME AT THE LAKE.
Carley Fortune is an award-winning Canadian journalist and the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of Meet Me at the Lake and Every Summer After.
Her latest, Meet Me at the Lake, is described as a “...love story about two strangers who come together when they need each other most. Once, in their early twenties, and again a decade later.”
GMA said of the book, "Fortune explores the aftermath of losing a beloved parent and reclaiming a relationship in this unputdownable, witty, soulful and stirring novel." And New York Times bestselling author Jill Santopolo called Meet Me at The Lake “... a beautiful, heart-tugging, love story about secrets, lies, missed connections and second chances.”
Carley has worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and a now-defunct weekly paper, The Grid. She was most recently the Executive Editor of Refinery29 Canada.
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In this file, Carley Fortune and I discussed:
What prompted her to reclaim her creative energy
How to write 80 thousand words in just four months
Why writers need to keep their expectations realistic and protect their mental health
How she starts planning her novels
Why extroverted writers need to get into real clothes and out of the house
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Meet Me at the Lake By Carley Fortune (Amazon)
Carley Fortune Amazon Author Page
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Jeanette Horn Writes
Acclaimed debut novelist and award-winning poet Jeanette Horn spoke to me about writing experimental poetry, getting a fateful call from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, and the magical realism in her debut novel PLAY, WITH KNIVES.
Jeanette Horn is an Iowa Writers' Workshop MFA program graduate and was a Maytag Fellow.
Her debut novel, Play, With Knives, is described as the story of “A struggling theater troupe [that] tours the Midwest by surreal train—where aspects of their plays come to life and wreak havoc—in this inventive literary novel.”
Elizabeth Gilbert, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat Pray Love, said of the book, "Play, With Knives is a work of wondrous imagination—a dream from which I did not want to awaken."
Jeanette also earned a BA in English from the University of Texas, where she won several Adele Steiner Burleson Awards for poetry and essay writing. Her work has appeared in MARGIE, Poetry International, Stand, Washington Square, and other journals.
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In this file Jeanette Horn and I discussed:
What it was like at Iowa's famed Writer's Workshop
Why her debut novel was a labor of love (10 years in the making)
The successful query letter that led to publishing the book
Her true feelings about the cover art
Why it’s ok to write in the margins
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Play, With Knives by Jeanette Horn (Amazon)
Successful Queries: Jaynie Royal and “Play, With Knives,” by Jeanette Horn
By Any Other Name Paperback by Jodi Picoult (Amazon)
The Stab - jeanettehorn.substack.com
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How Award-Winning Journo & The Atlantic Writer Olga Khazan Writes
Award-winning journalist and The Atlantic staff writer Olga Khazan spoke to me about the worst way to launch a book, writing long-form watchdog journalism, and her latest ME, BUT BETTER, The Science and Promise of Personality Change.
Olga Khazan is a staff writer for The Atlantic – covering science, health, and psychology for more than a decade – and the author, previously, of Weird: The Power of Being an Outsider in an Insider World. She was also The Atlantic’s Global editor, and former host of The Atlantic’s podcast How To Start Over.
In her forthcoming book Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change (S&S/Simon Element), she reveals the science behind lasting personality change, and explains how anyone, at any age, can seize the reigns of their destiny.
New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin called the book, “Hilarious, honest, and packed with cutting-edge research…”, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Grant wrote, “This book shatters the myth that personality is set in stone. Drawing on state-of-the-art evidence and rich personal experience, Olga Khazan artfully reveals what our traits really are—and how we can adapt them to achieve our goals.”
Olga Khazan has also written for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Vox, and other publications. She is a two-time recipient of the International Reporting Project’s Journalism Fellowship and winner of the 2017 National Headliner Award for Magazine Online Writing.
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In this file Olga Khazan and I discussed:
How she got her start at The Atlantic
Why she never got to see her first book in a bookstore
Turning a piece of long-form journalism into a book pitch
Why reducing your neuroticism by even a small amount can improve your life
On crappy first drafts
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change by Olga Khazan (Amazon)
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Bonus: Matt Haig Reads an Excerpt from 'The Midnight Library' on Storybound - Redux
Matt Haig reads an excerpt from The Midnight Library, backed by an original Storybound remix with Robert Wynia, and sound design and arrangement by Jude Brewer.
Robert Wynia is a founding member of the Portland band Floater. Known for their progressive concept albums, Floater is famous for incorporating stylized storytelling. Wynia also releases music under his own name and released his book Night Walks with its own accompanying soundtrack in 2020.
Storybound comes to you from The Podglomerate and Lit Hub Radio. Season 4 is some of their most inspired work yet, so be sure to subscribe today on Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune in.
Matt Haig is the author of 20 books including the #1 bestselling memoir, Reasons to Stay Alive, five novels – including How to Stop Time – and several award-winning children’s books. His work has been translated into over 40 languages.
His latest novel is The Midnight Library, a runaway, #1 bestseller and reader favorite of 2020. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction Book of 2020, a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, the New York Public Library, among many others.
The New York Times said of the book, "An absorbing ... vision of limitless possibility, of new roads taken, of new lives lived, of a whole different world available to us somehow, somewhere, [perhaps] exactly what’s wanted in these troubled and troubling times.”
Stay calm and write on …
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Show Notes:
How NY Times Bestselling Author Matt Haig Writes
The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig (Amazon)
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Matt Haig Writes - Redux
Internationally bestselling author, Matt Haig, spoke with me about how the novelist became an accidental "mental health expert," why writers need resilience, and the process behind The Midnight Library.
"The only reader you're ever going to truly know ... is yourself." – Matt Haig
Matt is the author of 20 books, including the #1 bestselling memoir Reasons to Stay Alive, five novels, including How to Stop Time, and several award-winning children’s books. His work has been translated into over 40 languages.
His latest novel is The Midnight Library, a runaway, #1 bestseller and reader favorite of 2020. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction Book of 2020, a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, the New York Public Library, among many others.
The New York Times said of the book, "An absorbing ... vision of limitless possibility, of new roads taken, of new lives lived, of a whole different world available to us somehow, somewhere, [perhaps] exactly what’s wanted in these troubled and troubling times.”
Stay calm and write on …
**Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, read by Carey Mulligan.
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In this file Matt Haig and I discussed:
His superhero origins and the blog post that became a book
How to write "like no one's watching"
Inconsistent routines and the power of deadlines
Why writers need to surprise themselves
How he got Carey Mulligan to record his audiobook
And more!
Show Notes:
The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig (Amazon)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
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How Bestselling Author & Literary Agent Betsy Lerner Writes
Bestselling author and literary agent Betsy Lerner spoke with me about being a “late bloomer,” what 35 years in publishing has taught her, and portraying mental illness in her debut novel SHRED SISTERS.
Betsy Lerner is the author of the popular advice book to writers, The Forest for the Trees, and the memoirs Food and Loathing and The Bridge Ladies. With Temple Grandin, she is the also co-author of the New York Times bestseller Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns and Abstractions.
Her debut novel, Shred Sisters, is described as “... an intimate and bittersweet story exploring the fierce complexities of sisterhood, mental health, loss and love.” The book was longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, a New York Times Notable Book of 2024, and a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice and Best Book of the Year So Far, among many other accolades.
Betsy received an MFA from Columbia University in Poetry and was selected as one of PEN’s Emerging Writers. She also received the Tony Godwin Publishing Prize for Editors. After working as an editor for 15 years, she became an agent and is currently a partner with Dunow, Carlson and Lerner Literary Agency.
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In this file Betsy Lerner and I discussed:
Getting kicked out of film school
How "No Bad Dogs" inspired her to write The Forest for the Trees about writer personalities
Working with punk rock icon Patti Smith
The secrets behind her writing process
Why she wants to have dinner with filmmaker Greta Gerwig
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency
Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (Amazon)
The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner (Amazon)
Betsy Lerner Amazon Author Page
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part Two - Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY.
Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada, and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.
His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY (on sale 4/9/24; ages 8 & up), is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”
His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.
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In Part Two of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:
The crazy story behind Stephen King’s Misery
What it was like waiting for a call from Stephen Spielberg
How the author got to see his fiction turned into reality
Making the transition from adult sci-fi to middle grade novels
His shout outs to ET, Roald Dahl, Charles Portis
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part One
Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)
Ernest Cline Amazon Author Page
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part One - Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY.
Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada, and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.
His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY, is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”
His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.
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In Part One of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:
The signposts on the road to becoming a writer
His change of fortune (and opinion) as a screenwriter
The big idea behind Ready Player One
Why 90% of Stephen King’s protagonists are school teachers or writers
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part Two
Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)
Ernest Cline Amazon Author Page
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Marissa Meyer Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer spoke with me about cutting her teeth on fanfiction, working briefly in publishing, and THE HAPPY WRITER, a guide to writing with less stress and more JOY.
Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, Heartless, The Renegades Trilogy, and Instant Karma, as well as the graphic novel duology Wires and Nerve.
Marissa also created and hosted a popular podcast, The Happy Writer, that inspired her debut writing guide, The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond.
Described as, “Applicable to writers in all genres and disciplines—from screenwriters to novelists, journalists to picture book authors, aspiring to many-times published—The Happy Writer is a heartfelt and optimistic guide that will show you the way to a happier writing journey.”
Marissa holds a BA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University and a MA in Publishing from Pace University.
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In this file Marissa Meyer and I discussed:
How an overactive imagination led to a lifetime of storytelling
What she learned about the author/editor relationship early on
Why optimism has always been a part of her brand
How to bring more joy to your writing “process”
Embracing lifelong creativity
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond By Marissa Meyer
Marissa Meyer Amazon Author Page
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica Brody (Amazon)
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How Psychology and Neuroscience Prof. Kurt Gray Writes
Psychology and Neuroscience Professor Kurt Gray spoke with me about the timely release, and inspiration behind his latest book OUTRAGED: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground.
Kurt Gray is a Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding.
Kurt Gray's, new book OUTRAGED: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground “... explains the science behind the United States' current political divide.”
A NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB MUST-READ BOOK • It is described as “A groundbreaking new perspective on the moral mind that rewrites our understanding of where moral judgments come from, and how we can overcome the feelings of outrage that so often divide us.”
#1 New York Times best-selling author Adam Grant called it, "A riveting read. . . . Overturns widespread assumptions about why we’re divided and reveals how we can come together."
Kurt Gray received a PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University, has published over 120 scientific papers, and his findings have been featured in The New York Times, the Economist, Scientific American, Wired, and Hidden Brain.
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In this file Kurt Gray and I discussed:
What it finally feels like to publish a book after decades of research
How we have misunderstood the moral mind
Who makes a profit from the “outrage machine”
Why humans are innately storytelling creatures
How to unplug, get words on the page, keep going
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground By Kurt Gray (Amazon)
Why We Fight About Morality and Politics | Kurt Gray | TEDxReno
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How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part Two
Award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author, Robert Crais, returns to talk with me about the destruction of the recent LA fires, writing “enlightened” crime fiction, and the 20th in his Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series THE BIG EMPTY.
Robert Crais is the author of 24 novels, 20 featuring private investigator Elvis Cole and his laconic ex-cop partner, Joe Pike. The first in the series, The Monkey’s Raincoat, won the Anthony and Macavity Awards and was nominated for the Edgar Award.
The 20th in the series, THE BIG EMPTY, is described as an unpredictable and powerful thriller, and "Cole and Pike's toughest case yet, testing their loyalty to their clients and themselves in ways they've never been tested before.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author James Patterson said of the book, “Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are right up there with Harry Bosch and Reacher as must reads….It’s close to flawless. Robert Crais has mastered the fine art of storytelling.”
In a previous life Robert Crais was an Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer and spent several years writing scripts for classic television series like Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice.
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In this Part Two of this file Robert Crais and I discussed:
What writing 20 novels for the same hit series means to him
How he became a master of LA detective fiction
Why every novel gets harder than the last
The catharsis of storytelling for both writer and reader
How to keep going
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part One
The Big Empty (An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel) by Robert Crais (Amazon)
Robert Crais Author Page on Amazon
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How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part One - Redux
NOTE: Preface to Part Two of this prescient interview with a master of the craft: “[Crais is] an enlightened crime writer.”—New York Times Book Review
Award-winning and #1 NY Times bestselling author, Robert Crais, spoke to me about breathing life into the ur detective novel, the legacy of Raymond Chandler, his love of LA, and his latest, "Racing the Light."
Robert Crais is the author of 23 novels, 19 of which feature private investigator Elvis Cole and his laconic ex-cop partner, Joe Pike. The first in the series, The Monkey’s Raincoat, won the Anthony and Macavity Awards and was nominated for the Edgar Award.
The latest is Racing the Light, described as "... a pulse-pounding read and Elvis Cole's most dangerous case yet." Bestselling author David Baldacci called it "... another grand slam for the master storyteller Robert Crais. If there’s a better dynamic duo than Elvis Cole and Joe Pike in all of crime fiction, I’m not aware of it.”
On Reader's Digest's list of "30 new books we can't wait to read in 2022," Kirkus Reviews said that, "... [Crais] keeps the traditional detective novel alive and well."
In a previous life Robert Crais was an Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer and spent several years writing scripts for classic television series like Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice.
screenwriting thesis program at an American university.
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In this file Robert Crais and I discussed:
- Burning out as a TV writer and chasing the dream of becoming a novelist
- Why he never anticipated fame
- How his novel LA Requiem changed the trajectory of his career
- When your author name gets bigger than the title
- Why he'll always be a meticulous outliner
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part Two
- robertcrais.com
- Racing the Light (An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel Book 19) by Robert Crais (Amazon)
- Robert Crais Author Page on Amazon
- Robert Crais on Facebook
- Robert Crais on Instagram
- Robert Crais on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author L.M. Elliott Writes
New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist L.M. Elliott spoke with me about the heyday of magazine writing and new journalism, why research tells her what to write, and her latest novel TRUTH, LIES, AND THE QUESTIONS IN BETWEEN.
L.M. Elliott (who also writes as Laura Elliot) was an award-winning magazine journalist for 20 years before becoming the New York Times bestselling author of 14 historical and biographical novels. The three-time finalist for the National Magazine Award and winner of multiple Dateline Awards, focused primarily on women's issues and human interest profiles.
Her latest novel Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between, is described as a “‘docu-novel’ … of 1973—the year of Watergate hearings, the Equal Rights Amendment, and Roe v. Wade…” and “... [explores] a fraught political era and the dangers of disinformation, unchecked power, hate-rhetoric, and censorship.”
NYT bestselling author Sharon Cameron said of the author, “... Elliott uses the pen of a journalist and the heart of a storyteller to create a masterful, page-turning, razor-sharp commentary on a past that looks eerily like our present.”
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In this file L.M. Elliott and I discussed:
Her journey to accidental bestseller and a second career
Why there isn’t any better training than writing historical fiction
The definition of “saving string” for journalists and fictionists
How her books mix photo documentary and in-depth research
Hanging out with Emily Brontë
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between by L.M. Elliott (Amazon)
L.M. Elliott Amazon Author Page
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How Award-Winning TV Writer & Novelist Georgia Jeffries Writes
Award-winning TV writer/producer turned novelist Georgia Jeffries spoke with me about why Cagney and Lacey was her film school, teaching screenwriting at USC, and the ghosts, grief, and grievance in her debut novel THE YOUNGER GIRL.
Georgia Jeffries is the Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer who became the first individual female screenwriter to earn a Writers Guild Award for Episodic Drama for her work on the ground-breaking series Cagney & Lacey.
Her debut is The Younger Girl: A Dark Labyrinth of Family Betrayal, based on a true crime. It was described by bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall as “...historical fiction at its best. … [and] an eye-opening, immersive story about a family, then and now, nearly stripped bare from greed and the steadfast refusal to acknowledge a painful past.”
Jeffries has written docudramas and series pilots for CBS, ABC, NBC, HBO, and Showtime and is a professor at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts where she created the first undergraduate screenwriting thesis program at an American university.
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In this file Georgia Jeffries and I discussed:
Her early years as a journalist
How she received rave rejections on her first attempt at a novel
Why she based her debut on true events from her family’s past
The throughline of her quest for justice and love of noir fiction
Writing genre-bending historical suspense
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Younger Girl: A Dark Labyrinth of Family Betrayal by Georgia Jeffries (Amazon)
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Ann Napolitano Writes: Redux
NOTE: Repost of our second most popular episode of the year, Happy Holidays!
New York Times bestselling author, Ann Napolitano, spoke with me about overcoming rejection early on, how grief transformed her writing process, and getting that fateful call from Oprah about Hello Beautiful.
Ann Napolitano is the New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful which was selected as Oprah’s 100th Book Club pick; Dear Edward, an instant New York Times bestseller, a Read with Jenna selection, and an Apple TV+ series; A Good Hard Look, and Within Arm’s Reach.
Hello Beautiful has been called a “powerfully affecting” (People) family story that asks: Can love make a broken person whole? The Washington Post said of the book, “Another tender tearjerker . . . Napolitano chronicles life’s highs and lows with aching precision.”
It was named Chicago Public Library’s Ten Best Books of the Year and a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, Time, Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Post, She Reads, and Bookreporter.
Ann was the associate editor of the literary magazine One Story for seven years, and she received an MFA from New York University.
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In this file Ann Napolitano and I discussed:
Her long and rocky road to success
How an illness early in life helped her realize she was a writer
Why her first published book felt like a proving ground
The nine-month approach to planning your next novel
How to write the truest sentence possible
Why you need to string together as many Xs as you can
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Hello Beautiful (Oprah's Book Club): A NOVEL By Ann Napolitano (Amazon)
Ann Napolitano Amazon Author Page
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How to Finish the First Draft of Anything with Jeff Goins: Redux
NOTE: Repost of our most popular episode of the year by far, enjoy!
Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, brought me along on a creative journey not too long ago called Hey, Creator! and it was some of the most fun I’ve had as a podcast producer.
Here’s an episode from the last season we did together titled “How to Finish the First Draft of Anything.”
Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he shares his ongoing journey of transformation, inspiring creators to discover their voice and share it with the world.
He is also the founder of Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency that helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories and ideas into books that change the way people think.
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In this file Jeff Goins and I discussed:
Why the first step to finishing is to begin
The secret to getting unstuck
Why nothing is ever really finished
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Penn Cole Writes
New York Times bestselling author Penn Cole spoke with me about her past life as an attorney, living in Paris, how she became a breakout hybrid author, and book #2 in the Kindred’s Curse saga: GLOW OF THE EVERFLAME.
Penn Cole is an internationally bestselling author whose debut series, The Kindred’s Curse Saga, became a BookTok and Bookstagram sensation, and an instant New York Times bestseller with over a million copies in more than a dozen languages.
Described as a slow burn, epic romantasy series, Book #2, GLOW OF THE EVERFLAME, was called "Gripping…,” by The Library Journal, and in a starred review noted, “Readers will be clamoring for the next in the series after the cliffhanger ending."
Before pursuing her lifelong dream of publishing, Penn had a prior career as an artist and attorney.
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In this file Penn Cole and I discussed:
Falling for the myth of the “starving artist”
How she self-published three books in 2023
Why she was so adamant about keeping her e-book rights when traditional publishers called
The huge adjustment she’s had to make for her fans
Why there’s some misconception about going “viral”
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Glow of the Everflame: A Novel; Book #2 of The Kindred’s Curse Saga by Penn Cole (Amazon)
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How PEN/Bellwether Award-Winner Fabienne Josaphat Writes
PEN/Bellwether winner Fabienne Josaphat spoke with me about being born into storytelling, writing socially engaged fiction, and the revolution and injustice at the center of her new novel KINGDOM OF NO TOMORROW.
Fabienne Josaphat was born and raised in Haiti, and graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida International University.
Her sophomore novel KINGDOM OF NO TOMORROW was the 2023 winner of the PEN / Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Barbara Kingsolver established the biennial prize in 2000 to highlight previously unpublished works of fiction that addressed issues of social justice.
Barbara Kingsolver, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Demon Copperhead, said of the book, "This beautifully convincing slice of history is powered not just by good research, but by lots of suspense, compelling characters, and understated political themes that …. bring the fierce vision of the Black Panthers to new generations of readers, adding some stunning context to the modern Black Lives Matter movement."
In addition to fiction, Josaphat writes non-fiction, screenplays, and is an anthologized poet. Her work has been featured in The African American Review, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, The Master’s Review, Grist Journal, and many others.
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In this file Fabienne Josaphat and I discussed:
Why her grandfather’s stories helped shape her into a writer
The surreal journey from award-winner to publication of her second novel
How the Black Panthers were maligned by mainstream media
The importance of preserving the oral storytelling tradition of her culture
What writers can do to tame distraction
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction - PEN America
Kingdom of No Tomorrow by Fabienne Josaphat (Amazon)
Fabienne Josaphat on Instagram
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14 Timeless Storytelling Principles with Author Douglas Vigliotti: Part One
Polymath and author of ARISTOTLE FOR NOVELISTS Douglas Vigliotti spoke with me about the outsized influence of Poetics on storytelling, why a well-told story is so cathartic, and the three big questions every writer must answer.
Douglas Vigliotti is the author of four non-fiction and fiction books, including Tom Collins: A ‘Slightly Crooked’ Novel. He is also the host of Books for Men, a weekly podcast created to inspire (more) men to read.
His latest, Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story, is described as a writing and creativity guide on “... how to write a novel using tried-and-true principles that have been used since antiquity to tell great stories.”
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In this file Douglas Vigliotti and I discussed:
How he mined Poetics to help craft his first novel
His take on why The Penguin is so popular
Why he doesn’t trust writers who don’t read (a lot)
The importance of consistency in all great fiction
Why tragedies are more powerful than epics
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story by Douglas Vigliotti (Amazon)
Douglas Vigliotti Amazon Author Page
Douglas Vigliotti on Instagram
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Christina Lynch Writes
New York Times bestselling author Christina Lynch spoke with me about working with Harvard pal Conan O’Brien, gang writing for TV, her nom de plume, and her new novel, PONY CONFIDENTIAL, featuring a grumpy pony.
Christina Lynch is the author of Sally Brady's Italian Adventure, The Italian Party, and – under the pen name Magnus Flyte – co-author of New York Times bestseller City of Dark Magic and City of Lost Dreams.
Her latest mystery, Pony Confidential (Berkley/PRH), is “... an epic saga, narrated by a pony, about the bond between animals and their humans.” It was named an NPR “Book of the Day,” Amazon Top 100 Books of 2024, an Indie Next Pick for November, and many other “most anticipated” lists.
Christina Lynch was an editor on the Harvard Lampoon, the Milan correspondent for W magazine, and wrote for TV on the writing staffs of Unhappily Ever After and Stephen King’s The Dead Zone among others. She teaches at College of the Sequoias.
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In this file Christina Lynch and I discussed:
End-of-semester panic and counseling her students
Why she burned out on fashion and disappeared in Tuscany
How a game with a fellow writer turned into a bestseller
What her most recent success has meant to her
The crazy story behind her latest novel
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Pony Confidential By Christina Lynch (Amazon)
In the new novel 'Pony Confidential,' a crime-solving pony seeks revenge - NPR
Christina Lynch Amazon Author Page
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How Award-Winning & Bestselling Author A.M. Homes Writes: Redux
Note: I revisited a chat with the soothsayer A.M. Homes from 2022.
Bestselling, award-winning author A.M. Homes, spoke to me about getting sued by J.D. Salinger, the irony of winning the Women's Prize for Fiction, and her latest "The Unfolding."
A.M. Homes is a TV producer, art critic, and the author of 13 books, including the bestselling memoir The Mistress’s Daughter. Her last novel, May We Be Forgiven, was the winner of the 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Her latest novel is The Unfolding, described as a "... darkly comedic alternative history that takes us into the heart of a fractured family living in a divided country."
New York Times bestselling author Salman Rushdie called the book, “A terrific black comedy, written almost entirely in pitch-perfect dialogue, that feels terrifyingly close to the unfunny truth.”
A.M. Homes was a Co-Executive Producer and Writer on David E. Kelly and Stephen King’s, Mr. Mercedes, and a writer/producer of the Showtime series The L Word.
Her work has been translated into 22 languages and appears frequently in Art Forum, Harpers, Granta, McSweeney's, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Zoetrope. She is a Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair, Bomb and Blind Spot, and she has taught in the Creative Writing Program at Princeton.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file A.M. Homes and I discussed:
- Her early struggles with dyslexia
- Why awards and votes of confidence are so important for writers
- How she helped hire Dennis Lehane to write for Mr. Mercedes
- Her strange obsession with George Washington and her claim to Capitol Hill
- How to write your way out of a jam
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- amhomesbooks.com
- The Unfolding: A Novel by A.M. Homes (Amazon)
- A.M. Homes on Facebook
- A.M. Homes on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How 'It's Always Sunny' Creator and Star Rob McElhenney Writes: Redux
Note: I revisited a chat with multi-hyphenate Rob McElhenney from 2020.
The writer, producer, and actor best known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Rob McElhenney, took a timeout during the apocalypse to rap with me about how he runs his writer's room, his humble beginnings and admiration for the great TV comedies, and his advice for aspiring TV producers.
"Everyone is going through the same things. At least, people who respect science are. That sense of loneliness and despair ... needs to be addressed in some way, but ultimately we want to leave people with a sense of optimism." – Rob McElhenney
FX recently renewed his irreverent "It’s Always Sunny..." for a 15th season, making it officially the longest-running live-action sitcom in US history.
The multihyphenate's latest, Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet, is a comedy series "...that follows a team of video game developers as they navigate the challenges of running a popular video game,"
The Apple TV+ show was co-created with "Sunny" alums Charlie Day and Megan Ganz (executive produced by McElhenney and Day), and has been described as "... the travails of a boisterous video game studio – think Silicon Valley meets Veep."
*Note: Though I was lucky enough to catch Rob in his natural LA habitat, sadly the interview was cut short due to technical difficulties, our apologies for the abrupt ending.
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In this file Rob McElhenney and I discussed:
How It's Alway Sunny in Philadelphia almost didn't make it to the fourth season
The inner-workings of a perpetual creativity engine
How little episodic and streaming models of TV differ from a sitcom producer's perspective
His relationships with Danny DeVito and F. Murray Abraham
The evolution of "It's Always Sunny..." and why it stays culturally relevant
And how the greatest indie production tool you own is in your pocket
Show Notes:
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet – Apple TV+
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It’s a Matter of Taste: Part Two with Jeff Goins
Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, recently brought me along on a creative journey called Hey, Creator!
We’re back with another episode from the second season titled “It’s a Matter of Taste.” This is part two of a two-part conversation.
Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he inspires creators to discover their voice and share it with the world.
He is also the founder of Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency that helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories and ideas into books that change the way people think.
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In this file Jeff Goins and I discussed:
How developing your taste is a process of trusting yourself and your experience
Learning to live in the moment
Why it never gets better than the first sip
The art of learning to live a little more fully alive
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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It’s a Matter of Taste: Part One with Jeff Goins
Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, recently brought me along on a creative journey called Hey, Creator!
We’re back with another episode from the second season titled “It’s a Matter of Taste.” This is part one of a two-part conversation.
Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he inspires creators to discover their voice and share it with the world.
He is also the founder of Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency that helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories and ideas into books that change the way people think.
[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Jeff Goins and I discussed:
Why an artist’s taste is everything
How it takes time and effort to develop your palate
Why we can’t know what we like until we experience what we don’t
The importance of paying attention
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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How Bestselling Crime Novelist Walter Mosley Writes: Redux
Note: I revisited a chat with the amazing Walter Mosley from 2021.
Celebrated author, Walter Mosley, took a timeout to chat with me about how he didn't write a sentence he liked until age 35, the sprawling muse of Los Angeles, and his conflicted feelings after winning a big National Book Award.
“Write your truth, and believe in it. And if your mother doesn’t like it ... too bad.” – Walter Mosley
Walter is the first Black man to receive the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters for lifetime achievement in writing.
The critically acclaimed author, playwright, screenwriter, and producer has written over 60 books including fiction (literary, mystery, and science fiction), writing guides, memoir, a YA novel, has won dozens of prestigious awards (including an Emmy), and been translated into 25 languages.
His bestselling historical mysteries feature infamous, hard-boiled detective "Easy" Rawlins, a black PI living in the Watts neighborhood of LA.
Blood Grove (Easy Rawlins Book 15) is the latest in that series and described as "... a novel of vast scope and intimate insight, and a soulful call for justice by any means necessary."
Walter's work has also been adapted for film and TV including Devil in a Blue Dress (starring Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and Jennifer Beals) and the HBO production of Always Outnumbered (starring Laurence Fishburne and Natalie Cole).
Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.
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In this file Walter Mosley and I discussed:
His winding career path
How the apex of post-hippie Los Angeles, California affected his writing
What it was like to work with the late, Oscar-nominated filmmaker John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood)
Why you need to read your drafts out loud
And more!
Show Notes:
Walter Mosley Amazon author page
Writing Los Angeles: A Literary Anthology: A Library of America Special Publication (Amazon)
Roger Zelazny Amazon author page
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Creative Idiots with Jeff Goins
Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, recently brought me along on a creative journey called Hey, Creator!
We’re back with another episode from the second season we did together titled “Creative Idiots.”
Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he inspires creators to discover their voice and share it with the world.
He is also the founder of Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency that helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories and ideas into books that change the way people think.
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In this file Jeff Goins and I discussed:
Why all art is a little scandalous
When great artists play the trickster
How humanity expands and evolves by pushing the boundaries of art
And a lot more weird stuff!
Show Notes:
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Anne Lamott Writes
*We’re excited to be partnering with Writers Rising as one of this year’s sponsors, and as a special gift to our listeners, we were able to get you a 10% discount on your in-person or virtual retreat ticket.
Visit WritersRising.com today and enter code writerfiles10 to get that discount. Buy your ticket now before they sell out! We’ll see you there.*
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Anne Lamott, spoke with me about 40 years of teaching writing, how to write more bravely, on sh*tty first drafts, and sharing hacks she’s learned over her career at the Writers Rising 2024 retreat.
Anne Lamott is the author of 20 books, including New York Times bestsellers Help, Thanks, Wow; Dusk, Night, Dawn; Traveling Mercies; and Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, as well as seven novels.
Her latest book, Somehow: Thoughts on Love was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Publishers Weekly praised “…her ability to distill complex truths with a deceptive lightness” in their starred review.
Anne is a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, an inductee to the California Hall of Fame, and was recently a columnist for The Washington Post. She has taught at UC Davis, writing conferences across the country, and is currently an artist in residence at A Writing Room Collective.
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In this file Anne Lamott and I discussed:
The debt of honor that is the writing life
Why you don’t have to know everything to finish your book
What it was like getting inducted into the California Hall of Fame next to Mark Zuckerberg and Serena Williams
The importance of accountability for staying on track
Why you need to stop not writing and get your butt in the chair
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (Amazon)
Somehow: Thoughts on Love By Anne Lamott (Amazon)
Anne Lamott Amazon Author Page
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Ashley Audrain Writes: Redux
Note: A revisiting of an amazing chat I had with Ashley Audrain. Also ...
We’re excited to be partnering with Writers Rising as one of this year’s sponsors, and as a special gift to our listeners, we were able to get you a 10% discount on your in-person or virtual retreat ticket.
Visit WritersRising.com today and enter code writerfiles10 to get that discount. Buy your ticket now before they sell out! We’ll see you there.
New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Audrain, spoke to me about giving herself permission to write sh*tty first drafts, writing in public, and her second novel THE WHISPERS.
Ashley Audrain’s debut novel, The Push, was a New York Times, Sunday Times (London), #1 international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. It has sold in more than 40 territories, and a limited TV series is currently in development.
Her latest, The Whispers, is described as “ … a propulsive page-turner about four families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens – and what is lost when we give in to our own worst impulses.”
The New York Times Book Review wrote, "Expertly, subtly and powerfully rendered …. [The Whispers] delivers a sucker-punch ending you’ll have to read twice to believe.” And #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called it, “[An] electrifying … razor-sharp page-turner.”
Ashley Audrain previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada, and prior to that, worked in public relations.
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In this file, Ashley Audrain and I discussed:
- Why she felt intimidated by writers while working in PR
- How to write claustrophobic, voyeuristic fiction
- Why she is drawn to the darker side of literature
- Tapping into the messiness of midlife ennui
- How to escape your kids
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Writers Rising 2024
- ashleyaudrain.com
- The Whispers By Ashley Audrain (Amazon)
- Ashley Audrain Amazon Author Page
- Ashley Audrain on Instagram
- Ashley Audrain on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Debut Author Bryan VanDyke Writes
Critically acclaimed debut author Bryan VanDyke, spoke with me about the writer’s life in NYC, pushing the boundaries of literature and speculative fiction, and his latest novel about AI tech, IN OUR LIKENESS.
Bryan VanDyke is a former staff writer for The Millions, and he graduated from writing programs at Columbia University and Northwestern. As a digital strategist, he advised and partnered with technologists, startup founders and venture capitalists.
His “eerily timely debut novel,” IN OUR LIKENESS, draws on his experience and dramatizes many of the as-yet-unanswered questions about “the wonders and chaos” of artificial intelligence.
Described as a “Frankenstein-esque tale befitting the information age,” CNN journalist and author of Age of Revolutions Fareed Zakaria called the book “A total triumph.”
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In this file Bryan VanDyke and I discussed:
- Feeling like a double agent while he was struggling to get published
- His love of genre science fiction and literary lions
- What it was like to edit a book about AI during a sea change in the tech
- How he edits his work on the go
- Grabbing a drink with William Faulkner at Grand Central Terminal
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- bryanvandyke.com
- In Our Likeness: A Novel by Bryan VanDyke (Amazon)
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Oshiro Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Oshiro, spoke with me about what journalism taught them about book editing, capturing a transitional age with young adult and middle-grade fiction, and their latest novel JASMINE IS HAUNTED.
Mark Oshiro is the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of young adult books including Anger Is a Gift, as well as middle-grade books The Insiders, You Only Live Once, David Bravo, and Star Wars Hunters: Battle for the Arena. They are also the coauthor (with Rick Riordan) of The Sun and the Star: A Nico Di Angelo Adventure.
Their upcoming middle-grade novel JASMINE IS HAUNTED (Starscape, Hardcover; October 1, 2024), is described as a "heartfelt, funny, fast-paced, and spooky” (Rick Riordan), tale about the gravity of grief and the courage it takes to overcome it.
Mark Oshiro won the 2024 Georgia Author of the Year Award and the 2019 Schneider Family Book Award.
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In this file Mark Oshiro and I discussed:
- The strange circuitous route to bestseller and the public perception of debut authors
- Why their journalism background prepared them for a full-time fiction career
- How they teamed up with the author of Percy Jackson & the Olympians
- On writing queer stories with characters of color
- The outsized influence of Octavia Butler
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- www.markoshiro.com
- Jasmine Is Haunted by Mark Oshiro (Amazon)
- Mark Oshiro Amazon Author Page
- Mark Oshiro on Instagram
- Mark Oshiro on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part Two - Redux
Note: A revisiting of an amazing chat I had with the humble Emily Henry.
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry, returns to chat with me about depressing first drafts, what it's like to be a genre-bending, commercial fiction superstar, and her “glittering” new novel HAPPY PLACE.
Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read, and has sold over three million copies of her novels.
Her latest is Happy Place, an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and her first hardcover novel, described as a book “...about reluctant exes who make a pact to pretend to date during an annual friends’ trip...”
Author Taylor Jenkins-Reid called it "Another knock-out from the champ.” The Washington Post wrote that the book, “Blur[s] the lines between women’s and literary-leaning commercial fiction, departing from the fantasy spaces of bodice rippers and misty moors to depict a world that looks a lot more like, well, our own…”
Emily's books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, and many more.
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In this file, Emily Henry and I discussed:
- What it feels like to (still) be living inside a lightning strike
- Why it’s easy for her to stay humble as a writer
- How to write rom-com at the top of readers’ intelligence
- Her take on superhero movie tropes
- Why making a reader laugh is so much harder than making them cry
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part One
- emilyhenrybooks.com
- Happy Place By Emily Henry (Amazon)
- Emily Henry Amazon Author Page
- Emily Henry on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Dennis Lehane Writes: Redux
NOTE: This is an updated replay of my amazing chat with #1 New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter-producer Dennis Lehane. His latest novel, Small Mercies, was an instant NY Times Bestseller named an Amazon Editors' pick for Best Books 2023. Stephen King said of the book “Small Mercies is thought-provoking, engaging, enraging, and can’t-put-it-down entertainment.” Enjoy!
New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter-producer, Dennis Lehane, spoke to me about what he learned from Clint Eastwood, working on "Mr. Mercedes" with David E. Kelley, and his new Apple TV+ show "Black Bird."
Dennis Lehane is the bestselling author of 13 novels including four adapted into films of the same name: 2003's Academy Award-winning film Mystic River, directed by Clint Eastwood; 2007's Gone Baby Gone; 2010's Shutter Island directed by Martin Scorsese, and 2016’s Live by Night directed by Ben Affleck.
His latest is the limited Apple TV+ series, Black Bird, described as a "...fascinating, ripped-from-the headlines story [and] true-crime drama..." based on the 2010 memoir by James Keene and Hillel Levin, “In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption."
"Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), cuts a deal with the FBI to enter maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend a suspected serial killer, Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser)."
Black Bird premieres globally with the first two episodes on Friday, July 8, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday.
Lehane was a staff writer on the acclaimed HBO series "The Wire" and also worked as a writer-producer on HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire" the Netflix series, "Bloodline," and a writer and producer on the television adaptation of Stephen King’s "Mr. Mercedes."
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In this file Dennis Lehane and I discussed:
Why he sucked at everything except writing and playing pool
How he landed a literary agent while parking cars
Dealing with impostor syndrome early on
Why he prefers screenwriting to novel writing today
Why narcissists have no place on a TV set
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane (Amazon)
Dennis Lehane Amazon Author Page
In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption by James Keene and Hillel Levin (Amazon)
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part Two
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, returned to chat about why bestsellers stick around for years, why fiction is perfectly geared for the human mind, and her latest YA thriller, THE GRANDEST GAME.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 acclaimed young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games series (over 3 million copies sold), Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals, The Lovely and the Lost, and The Naturals series.
Her latest is another #1 New York Times bestseller, The Grandest Game (Volume 1) “... a new series that brings readers deeper into the lush, romantic, and puzzle-filled world of the #1 bestselling Inheritance Games series, set a year after we last saw Avery and the Hawthornes.”
Jen is a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science including a Ph.D. from Yale University, and “...is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of fandom and the cognitive science of fiction and the imagination.”
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In this file Jennifer Lynn Barnes and I discussed:
- Juggling a book launch, edits, and revisions for three new books
- How to reboot a hit series to capture the same energy as the original
- Why she approaches writing as both a scientist and an author
- How she uses lists of her favorite tropes to unlock her scenes
- More theories on why readers love fiction
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part One
- Jenniferlynnbarnes.com
- The psychology of fiction with Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Re:Thinking with Adam Grant - TED Audio Collective
- The Grandest Game (Volume 1) (The Grandest Game, 1) By Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Amazon)
- Jennifer Lynn Barnes Amazon Author Page
- Jennifer Lynn Barnes on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Author Alex Temblador Writes
Award-winning author and journalist, Alex Temblador, spoke with me about seeing publishing through rose-colored glasses, teaching writers to create inclusive narratives, and her essential guide WRITING AN IDENTITY NOT YOUR OWN.
Alex Temblador is an award-winning travel, arts, and culture journalist, award-winning author of novels Half Outlaw, and Secrets of the Casa Rosada, as well as the Executive Director of Write Here DFW and the founder and moderator of LitTalk at Whose Books, a panel series for Dallas-Forth Worth authors.
Her recently published resource, WRITING AN IDENTITY NOT YOUR OWN: A Guide for Creative Writers (8/13/24 from St. Martin’s Essentials), is described as a “...practical guide [that] delves into one of the most contentious topics in creative writing: creating characters with historically marginalized identities.”
David Mura, author of A Stranger's Journey: Race, Identity & Narrative Craft in Writing said of the author, "Alex Temblador provides a concrete and detailed guide to the issues of misrepresentation, appropriation and stereotypes in creative writing….and interrogates not just issues of craft but the biases we all carry that we may be unaware of. An essential text."
Alex has an MFA in Creative Writing and her journalism has been published in Conde Nast Traveler, Outside, Travel + Leisure, among others.
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In this file Alex Temblador and I discussed:
Writing subtitles for films
Her love of magical realism
How she became a freelance journalist focusing on DEI
Why she decided to undertake an ambitious creative writing guide
What authors can do for their mental health
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers by Alex Temblador (Amazon)
writinganidentitynotyourown.com
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How to Plan, Write & Publish Nonfiction with Hungry Authors Hosts Ariel Curry & Liz Morrow: Part Two
Writers, publishing experts, and Hungry Authors podcast hosts, Ariel Curry and Liz Morrow, returned to chat about playing the long game, meeting readers where they’re at, and the origins of their much-anticipated publishing guide.
Ariel Curry is a writer and Senior Editor of nonfiction at Sourcebooks with over 10 years of experience in traditional publishing. Her partner in crime at hungryauthors.com is Liz Morrow, a traditionally published ghostwriter for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and business experts who specializes in personal and professional development and memoir.
Their debut as co-authors is Hungry Authors: The Indispensable Guide to Planning, Writing, and Publishing a Nonfiction Book (August 6, 2024), available now.
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In this file Ariel, Liz and I discussed:
Time-blocking, non-negotiables, and writing when you have kids
How the Hungry Authors multiverse came to be
Why finding comps to your work is so important
How to navigate the publishing landscape without losing faith
Overcoming fear, procrastination, scarcity mindset, impostor syndrome …
And much more!
Show Notes:
How to Plan, Write & Publish Nonfiction with Hungry Authors Hosts Ariel Curry & Liz Morrow: Part One
Hungry Authors - Podcast w/ Ariel Curry & Liz Morrow
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How Bestselling Author Natalie Goldberg Writes
Bestselling author and teacher, Natalie Goldberg, spoke to me about igniting a revolution with Writing Down the Bones, meeting creative block in a cemetery, and her latest, WRITING ON EMPTY: A Guide to Finding Your Voice.
Natalie Goldberg is a poet, teacher, author, painter, and 24-year student of Zen Buddhism who teaches writing workshops based on the methods presented in her popular bestseller Writing Down the Bones. The book has sold over a million copies and has been translated into 14 languages.
Her latest is Writing on Empty: A Guide to Finding Your Voice, where the author “... shares her inspiring personal journey out of a devastating period of writer’s block and back into a life of growth, creativity, and healing.”
Described as a guide to “… discovering how to write through the emptiness in order to fill up the world with compassion, healing, and renewed liveliness.” Publishers Weekly praised it as "... a refreshingly honest look at the struggles of the creative mind."
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In this file Natalie Goldberg and I discussed:
How her Zen practice informs her work
Her early life as a poet
When New York publishers made fun of her, at their peril
Why she hates the diagnosis “writer’s block”
Finding catharsis in writing a personal history
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Writing on Empty: A Guide to Finding Your Voice by Natalie Goldberg (Amazon)
Natalie Goldberg Amazon Author Page
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Lev Grossman Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Lev Grossman, spoke to me about his tenure at Time magazine, how The Magicians poked holes in Narnia and Potter, and reimagining a legend with THE BRIGHT SWORD: A Novel of King Arthur.
Lev Grossman is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Magicians trilogy—The Magicians, The Magician King, and The Magician’s Land—which has been published in 30 countries and adapted as a TV show that ran for five seasons on SYFY.
His latest novel is THE BRIGHT SWORD: A Novel of King Arthur, named a Best Summer Read by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Time, Vulture, Esquire, Boston Globe, Elle, Town & Country, Seattle Times, New York Post, Lit Hub, and many others.
George R. R. Martin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Game of Thrones said of the book, “If you love King Arthur as much as I do, you’ll love Lev Grossman’s The Bright Sword, a fresh and engrossing take on the Matter of Britain featuring a colorful cast of Round Table knights who don’t often get as much story time as they deserve. The creator of The Magicians has woven another spell.”
Lev has written two critically acclaimed novels for children, and the screenplay for the movie The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, a finalist for the Critic’s Choice awards (based on his short story).
He also worked as a staff writer at Time magazine, and has written essays and articles for Vanity Fair, the Believer, the Village Voice, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Salon, Slate, Wired, Entertainment Weekly, Buzzfeed, NPR, and many others.
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In this file Lev Grossman and I discussed:
How he talked his way into writing for Time magazine
The evolution of his career from journalist to novelist
Breaking through with middle-grade fantasy and The Magicians
How he “got into the weeds” with his latest Arthurian tome
World-building for streaming vs. collaborating on the graphic novel
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur by Lev Grossman (Amazon)
Lev Grossman Amazon Author Page
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How Lauded Debut Author Isabel Banta Writes
Lauded debut author, Isabel Banta, spoke to me about working at Books Are Magic with Emma Straub, her love of Britney Spears, and capturing Y2K era pop superstardom in her debut novel HONEY.
Isabel Banta is a writer, book publicist, and indie bookseller at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn.
Her debut novel is HONEY, named a 'GMA' Buzz Pick and described as “...a coming-of-age story about a pop star in the late '90s and early 2000s who's determined to find and claim her own identity.”
Honey was named a best book of the summer by PEOPLE, ELLE, PureWow and Our Culture, as well as a Goodreads Editor's Choice and IndieNext Pick.
New York Times bestselling author Emma Straub said of the book, "Honey is a sexy swagger of a debut." LitHub named it one of 18 Books to Read this Summer, “A delightfully bubblegum novel of hot summer nostalgia that also lands some serious blows to the patriarchal mores of a cultural milieu we still haven’t fully shaken off.”
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In this file Isabel Banta and I discussed:
Why she loves talking about and promoting other writers
The surreality of finally publishing her own book
How she approached the subject of the commodification of young stars in the music industry
Why you need to pivot POVs as a novelist
Her writing routine
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Honey: A Novel By Isabel Banta (Amazon)
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jodi Picoult Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jodi Picoult, spoke with me about writing for Wonder Woman, adapting books for musical theater, and the question of Shakespeare's true authorship in her upcoming novel BY ANY OTHER NAME.
Jodi Picoult is the bestselling author of 30 novels, including landmark titles such as Mad Honey – her most recent 1 million-copy bestseller – Wish You Were Here, A Spark of Light, and Small Great Things. 40 million copies of her books are in print worldwide and have been translated into 34 languages.
Her forthcoming novel is BY ANY OTHER NAME (on sale 8/20; Ballantine), described as a novel about two women, centuries apart – one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays – who are both forced to hide behind another name.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah said of the book, “You’ll fall in love with Emilia Bassano, the unforgettable heroine based on a real woman that Picoult brings vividly to life in her brilliantly researched new novel.” Elle called it, “[An] inspiring work of feminist literature inspired by real historical accounts.”
Jodi was also co-librettist for the stage musical adaptation of her young adult novel Between the Lines (which premiered Off-Broadway in Summer 2022), the co-librettist of the musical BREATHE, the co-librettist of the musical adaptation of The Book Thief, and she is currently at work on an adaptation of Austenland.
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In this file Jodi Picoult and I discussed:
- What's changed and what hasn't for women (in theater) over 400+ years?
- The best time to break an arm for an author
- How she works in cycles for her books
- Why her kids made her write for Wonder Woman
- The conundrum of a famous playwright who didn’t own a single book
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- jodipicoult.com
- By Any Other Name: A Novel By Jodi Picoult (Amazon)
- Jodi Picoult Amazon Author Page
- WAS SHAKESPEARE A WOMAN? – Elizabeth Winkler for The Atlantic
- Jodi Picoult on Facebook
- Jodi Picoult on Twitter
- Jodi Picoult on Instagram
- Jodi Picoult on TikTok
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Author Tracy O'Neill Writes
Critically acclaimed author, Tracy O'Neill, spoke with me about reality hunger vs. the hyper-realness of the pandemic, writing a love letter to friendship, and searching for her birth mother in her noir-adjacent memoir WOMAN OF INTEREST.
Tracy O'Neill is a National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 honoree, and the author of The Hopeful, one of Electric Literature's Best Novels of 2015, and Quotients, a New York Times New & Noteworthy Book, TOR Editor's Choice, & Literary Hub Favorite Book of 2020.
Her first book of nonfiction is the memoir WOMAN OF INTEREST (HarperOne; on-sale: 6/25/24) described by The Millions as “an intimate memoir written with the narrative propulsion of a detective novel” in their list of Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2024.
In a Starred Review Publishers Weekly, called it “…riveting… cool, noir-tinted prose shot through with wit and compassion, O’Neill presents her inquiry as a sort of metaphysical detective story. Readers will be riveted.”
Her writing has appeared in Granta, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, the New Yorker, LitHub, and BOMB, among other publications. She teaches at Vassar College and holds an MFA from the City College of New York and a PhD from Columbia University.
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In this file Tracy O'Neill and I discussed:
COVID as a catalyst for life change
Why real life doesn’t adhere to any genre
Meditations on language and storytelling
How her process has evolved from fiction to non-fiction
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Woman of Interest: A Memoir By Tracy O'Neill (Amazon)
Tracy O'Neill Amazon Author Page
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Living the Dream with Jeff Goins
Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, recently brought me along on a creative journey called Hey, Creator! and it was some of the most fun I’ve had as a podcast producer. I also learned a lot from Jeff over the course of the show.
We’re back with another episode from the second season we did together titled “Living the Dream.”`
Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he shares his ongoing transformation journey, inspiring creators to discover their voice and share it with the world.
He is also the founder of Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency that helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories and ideas into books that change the way people think.
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In this file Jeff Goins and I discussed:
What tattoos, dreams, and bulls have in common
This dream-like existence we call life
The creator’s dilemma of making sense of the mystery
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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How Bestselling Author Fred Waitzkin Writes
Bestselling author, Fred Waitzkin, spoke with me about journalism, Searching for Bobby Fischer, the thin veil between fiction and non-fiction, and the Zen of his latest novel ANYTHING IS GOOD.
Fred Waitzkin is the journalist and internationally acclaimed bestselling author of Searching for Bobby Fischer, made into the Academy Award-nominated film of the same name.
His work has appeared in Esquire, New York Magazine, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, Outside, Sports Illustrated, and Forbes, among other publications.
Fred Waitzkin’s fourth novel, Anything Is Good, is described as a “... hypnotically compelling tale of a man haunted by the fate of his childhood buddy, and of that friend’s pleasures and misfortunes as he navigates an unhoused life.”
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks said of the book, “Anything Is Good, based on the true story of a brilliant and beleaguered childhood friend, offers a deeply affecting dive into the lives of the unhoused.”
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In this file Fred Waitzkin and I discussed:
Finding his unique voice as a journalist
Why great writers blend non-fiction and fiction
How he chose the subject matter of his latest book
The evolution of his process as a novelist
Why he hates the question, “What’s next?”
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Anything Is Good by Fred Waitzkin (Amazon)
Fred Waitzkin Amazon Author Page
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Jami Attenberg Writes: Redux
NOTE: This is an updated replay of my amazing chat with New York Times bestselling author, Jami Attenberg, in honor of the start of #1000WordsofSummer that kicked off June 1st! Take a listen to learn more about how to jump in and get going. You can always sign up at 1000wordsofsummer.substack.com to get a letter each day from Jami encouraging you to write 1000 words, additional notes from contributing authors, on writing, creativity, and productivity, and there are write-alongs, a slack channel, and of course the book. Enjoy!
New York Times bestselling author, Jami Attenberg, spoke with me about documenting the process of being a writer online and off, building a global literary movement, and her latest, 1000 Words: A Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All-Year Round.
Jami Attenberg is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books of fiction, including The Middlesteins, All Grown Up, and her recent memoir, I Came All This Way to Meet You. Her work has been published in 16 languages, she is the founder of the annual #1000WordsofSummer project and maintains the popular Craft Talk newsletter.
Jami Attenberg’s latest is 1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round. “Inspired by [her] wildly popular literary movement #1000WordsofSummer, this writer’s guide features encouraging essays on creativity, productivity, and writing from [over 50] acclaimed authors including Roxane Gay, Lauren Groff, Celeste Ng, Meg Wolitzer, and Carmen Maria Machado.”
Lit Hub said of the book, “It will be the new Bird by Bird, you heard it here first.” A Booklist, Starred Review called it “A fantastic set of essays… Readers of this collection will feel surrounded and bolstered by like-minded people who have been in the trenches.”
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In this file Jami Attenberg and I discussed:
The blessing and the curse of knowing you’re a writer
How she built an online writing community into a literary movement
Her tongue-in-cheek approach to the craft
The reason she uses the seasons as a metaphor for writers
How to harness the power of write-alongs
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
1000wordsofsummer.substack.com
1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg (Amazon)
Jami Attenberg Amazon Author Page
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On Mixtapes, or Curation vs. Creation with Jeff Goins
Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, recently brought me along on a creative journey called Hey, Creator! and it was some of the most fun I’ve had as a podcast producer. I also learned a lot from Jeff.
We’re back with another episode from the first season we did together titled “On Mixtapes, or Curation vs. Creation.”
Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he shares his ongoing transformation journey, inspiring creators to discover their voice and share it with the world.
He is also the founder of Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency that helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories and ideas into books that change the way people think.
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In this file Jeff Goins and I discussed:
How to make a perfect playlist
Why taste is integral to all creation
What it takes to turn a piece of creative curation into an actual work of art
Why what you leave out is more important than what remains
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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How to Plan, Write & Publish Nonfiction with Hungry Authors Hosts Ariel Curry & Liz Morrow: Part One
Writers, publishing experts, and hosts of the Hungry Authors podcast, Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry, spoke with me about the biggest mistake you can make as a writer, the mindset needed to persevere, and their much-anticipated publishing guide.
Ariel Curry is a writer and editor at Ariel Curry Editorial with over 10 years of experience in traditional publishing. Her partner in crime at hungryauthors.com is Liz Morrow, a traditionally published ghostwriter for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and business experts who specializes in personal and professional development and memoir.`
Their forthcoming debut as co-authors is Hungry Authors: The Indispensable Guide to Planning, Writing, and Publishing a Nonfiction Book (August 6, 2024), available for preorder now.
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In this file Ariel, Liz and I discussed:
The definition of “book mapping”
Seeing the underlying code of The Matrix
How to publish kick-ass nonfiction
Some big names whose books flopped
Why publishing a book is within every writer’s reach
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Hungry Authors - Podcast w/ Ariel Curry & Liz Morrow
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How NY Times Bestselling Author April Henry Writes
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author April Henry, spoke with me about winning the Edgar Award, killing people on paper, and researching her latest cat-and-mouse survival story, STAY DEAD.
April Henry is the acclaimed bestseller of mysteries for adults and over 15 novels for teens, including the bestselling Girl, Stolen; Girl Forgotten; The Girl I Used to Be (Edgar nominated and winner of the Anthony Award for Best YA Mystery), and most recently winner of the 2024 Edgar Award in the Best Young Adult category for her novel, GIRL FORGOTTEN (2023).
Her latest novel, Stay Dead (May 28, 2024), is described as “... a thrilling murder mystery featuring a teen with an assassin on her trail fighting to uncover the truth behind a government cover-up.”
New York Times bestselling author Ellie Marney called it a “Pacy survival tale, eco-thriller, and murder mystery all rolled into one."
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In this file April Henry and I discussed:
A crazy thing that happened to her after she won the Edgar
The postcard she got from Roald Dahl that started it all
How she made the transition to full-time writer
Why she trained with real FBI agents
Her love of the treadmill desk
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Stay Dead by April Henry (Amazon)
April Henry Amazon Author Page
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How to Finish the First Draft of Anything with Jeff Goins
Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, brought me along on a creative journey not too long ago called Hey, Creator! and it was some of the most fun I’ve had as a podcast producer.
Here’s an episode from the last season we did together titled “How to Finish the First Draft of Anything.”
Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he shares his ongoing journey of transformation, inspiring creators to discover their voice and share it with the world.
He is also the founder of Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency that helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories and ideas into books that change the way people think.
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In this file Jeff Goins and I discussed:
Why the first step to finishing is to begin
The secret to getting unstuck
Why nothing is ever really finished
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Sullivan Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Sullivan, spoke to me about the story that saved his life, how to write history’s darkest chapters, and his latest novel based on a true story, All the Glimmering Stars.
Mark Sullivan is a journalist and award-winning, bestselling author of 20 novels including Beneath a Scarlet Sky, The Last Green Valley, and the #1 New York Times bestselling Private series, which he writes with James Patterson.
His latest historical novel, All the Glimmering Stars (May 7, 2024), is “Inspired by a true story [of] two teens kidnapped by an African warlord [that] find salvation through love in a powerful [story] … set in 1990s Uganda.”
New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz, said of the book, “Mark Sullivan’s All the Glimmering Stars is the pinnacle of an already distinguished career. A searing piece of historical fiction steeped in a yearslong deep dive into the horrors of child soldiering, it is at its core something tender and rare: a love story between two profoundly good people striving for light in unimaginable darkness.”
Mark Sullivan graduated with a BA in English before working as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in West Africa. Upon his return to the US, he earned a graduate degree in Journalism at Northwestern University.
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In this file Mark Sullivan and I discussed:
His former life as an award-winning investigative journalist
How his cross-cultural skills inform his work today
Why he decided to make the transition from suspense to historical fiction
Searching for the deeper meaning behind his storytelling
The four things he has to have before he can write a story
His intensive research process
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
All the Glimmering Stars: A Novel by Mark Sullivan (Amazon)
Mark Sullivan Amazon Author Page
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Tom Straw Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author and TV producer, Tom Straw, spoke to me about breaking into television, the Gordian knot of ghostwriting, and his new “culinary, espionage, travel thriller” THE ACCIDENTAL JOE.
Tom Straw is an Emmy and Writers Guild of America–nominated writer-producer, New York Times bestselling author, and former Mystery Writers of America board member.
Writing as Richard Castle, Tom originated the hit Nikki Heat series, writing its first seven novels, all New York Times bestsellers, including Heat Rises, which reached number one.
The first book in his latest series is The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef (Regalo Press/May 14, 2024), described as the story of “...a maverick celebrity chef [who] reluctantly agrees to let the CIA use his hugely popular international food, culture, and travel TV series as cover for a dangerous espionage mission.”
Bestselling author Walter Mosley said of the book, “Tom Straw's Sebastian Pike is a wonderful addition to the annals of amateur sleuths of the crime/spy genre.” Culinary personality Alton Brown said of the author, “Tom Straw has set the bar for culinary, espionage, travel thrillers. Actually, I think he invented the bar. And it’s a bar I’d meet him at any time.”
Tom Straw’s television career has included WGA and Emmy nominations for writing and executive producer stints for shows including Night Court, CBS’s Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Nurse Jackie with Edie Falco.
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In this file Tom Straw and I discussed:
His early life as an AM radio personality and professional weatherman
How he got a shot to write on his first TV show
Working with Craig Ferguson and his robot skeleton sidekick
The short version of hitting #1 as a ghostwriter for a fictitious mystery author
How he invented the snarky, bad-boy, maverick chef for his latest novel
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef By Tom Straw (Amazon)
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How CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir Writes
Emmy-winning TV journalist and CNN Chief Climate Correspondent, Bill Weir, spoke to me about finding his beat, seeking “hope in a changing world,” and his debut, Life as We Know It (Can Be).
Bill Weir is a veteran anchor, writer, producer, and host who joined CNN in 2013 after a decade of award-winning journalism at ABC News. After writing and hosting four seasons of the primetime CNN Original Series “The Wonder List with Bill Weir,” he was named the first Chief Climate Correspondent in network news in 2019.
His debut book is Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World, described as a “... positive and unabashed approach to exploring the science, politics, and human behavior that must be addressed to solve our most pressing problems.”
New York Times bestselling author and CNN anchor Jake Tapper said of the book, “Bill Weir provides insightful, alarming, but ultimately hopeful coverage of the climate crisis. His new book is a gorgeous love letter to his son but also to Earth and humanity,” and New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Safran Foer called it, “... a clear-eyed, heartfelt argument against despair.”
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In this file Bill Weir and I discussed:
How he incorporates the math and physics of storytelling into his journalism
The “crappy elf” method of writing and penning letters to his kids in the future
Why connection is more important than ever in the “golden age of distraction”
The difference between writing for the screen and the page
When he decided to focus on the dreamers and the doers
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Bill Weir CNN Chief Climate Correspondent
Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World by Bill Weir (Amazon)
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Tomi Adeyemi Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Tomi Adeyemi, spoke to me about the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, her evolution as a writer, and the final book in her Orisha trilogy, Children of Anguish and Anarchy.
Tomi Adeyemi is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Hugo and Nebula award-winning novelist and screenwriter who was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes’s 30 Under 30 in Media, and whose website was named one of the 101 Best Websites for writers by Writer’s Digest.
Her Children of Blood and Bone series continues to be a publishing phenomenon, acquired in a heated bidding war with the first two books becoming instant #1 NY Times bestsellers – spending over 150 weeks on the list – and over 1.5 million copies in print to date including recent paperback re-releases.
The Nigerian/American writer graduated from Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature and studied West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil
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In this file Tomi Adeyemi and I discussed:
Her newly found balance and definition of success as a writer
Facing rejection early on in her career
How she persevered through meticulous planning
Why her acknowledgments are so lengthy in her long-awaited capstone to her trilogy
What’s next for the superstar
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Children of Anguish and Anarchy (Legacy of Orisha, 3) – June 25, 2024 by Tomi Adeyemi (Amazon)
Tomi Adeyemi Amazon Author Page
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How Stanford Prof. & Comms Expert Matt Abrahams Writes
Stanford Professor, communications expert, and author, Matt Abrahams, spoke with me about tips and tricks to hone your communication skills as a writer, and his award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart.
Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of expertise as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting.
He also hosts Stanford Graduate School of Business' Think Fast, Talk Smart – the 2023 Webby Award-winning “Best Business Podcast." The podcast has topped 42 million downloads and has been the #1 Career podcast in over 95 countries.
Matt is the author of two books including Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot, based in part on his hit podcast.
Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestseller, said of the author, "Matt Abrahams has a gift for making complex concepts easy to understand and simple to enact. If you’ve ever struggled to summon the right words at the right time, this book is an essential read.”
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In this file Matt Abrahams and I discussed:
The TED talk that led to a podcast that led to a book
Why writers need to find their focus through structure
His advice on pitching your book to agents in person
How it’s normal to be nervous; managing anxiety
Why most writers suffer the curses of knowledge and passion
How to nail that first book tour
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Think Fast Talk Smart: Podcast
Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot By Matt Abrahams (Amazon)
Think Fast Talk Smart on Instagram
Think Fast Talk Smart on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part Two
#1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY.
Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada, and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.
His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY (on sale 4/9/24; ages 8 & up), is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”
His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.
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In Part Two of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:
The crazy story behind Stephen King’s Misery
What it was like waiting for a call from Stephen Spielberg
How the author got to see his fiction turned into reality
Making the transition from adult sci-fi to middle grade novels
His shout outs to ET, Roald Dahl, Charles Portis
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part One
Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)
Ernest Cline Amazon Author Page
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part One
#1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY.
Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada, and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.
His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY (on sale 4/9/24; ages 8 & up), is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”
His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.
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In Part One of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:
The signposts on the road to becoming a writer
His change of fortune (and opinion) as a screenwriter
The big idea behind Ready Player One
Why 90% of Stephen King’s protagonists are school teachers or writers
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part Two
Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)
Ernest Cline Amazon Author Page
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Garrard Conley Writes
New York Times bestselling memoirist turned novelist, Garrard Conley, spoke with me about going from activist to fictionist, the isolation of being an artist, and his debut novel All the World Beside.
Garrard Conley is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Boy Erased, as well as the creator and co-producer of the podcast UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America. His memoir became a major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Lucas Hedges, directed by Joel Edgerton.
His debut novel is titled All the World Beside and described as “... an electrifying, deeply moving novel about the love story between two men in Puritan New England.”
Tess Gunty, National Book Award-winning author of Rabbit Hutch, called the book an “... accomplishment of breathtaking prose, expert pacing, and extraordinary psychological intelligence...” Garth Greenwell wrote, “... this novel contains some of the finest writing I've encountered in recent American fiction.”
Garrard’s work has been published by The New York Times, Oxford American, Time, and Virginia Quarterly Review, among others. Conley is a graduate of Brooklyn College’s MFA program, where he was a Truman Capote Fellow specializing in fiction, and he is an assistant professor of creative writing at Kennesaw State University.
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In this file Garrard Conley and I discussed:
What it was like to work with Radiolab on a podcast
Setting out to write “The Queer Scarlett Letter”
His intense historical research process
How he inhabits his stories
Why writers can’t skimp on what the audience wants
How to un-Tik-Tok-ify your brain
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
All the World Beside: A NOVEL By Garrard Conley (Amazon)
Garrard Conley Amazon Author Page
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Book Publicity Crash Course with Dir. of PR & Founder Leah Paulos
Director of Publicity and Press Shop PR Founder, Leah Paulos, spoke with me about how authors can cut through the noise in a challenging news cycle, when to build your platform, and demystifying the book biz.
Leah Paulos is the Founder and Director of Publicity at Press Shop PR an independent book publicity firm based in Brooklyn. The Press Shop team has worked on campaigns for over 300 authors since its launch in 2012, including the #1 bestselling campaigns for ON TYRANNY by Timothy Snyder, MARCH by Rep. John Lewis, and WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
She also recently launched Book Publicity School to bring Press Shop’s expertise and guidance to more authors at an affordable price. The School offers workshops, coaching, and online groups to help authors advocate for their work as effectively as possible.
Leah has spoken on book publicity at Columbia Journalism School, CUNY Graduate Center, and as part of her regular workshop series, Book Publicity for Literary Agents.
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In this file Leah Paulos and I discussed:
- Why authors need a “Big Fat Book Promo” spreadsheet
- What works in social media now, and what’s a waste of time
- How and when to build an effective author platform
- What kind of promotion an author should expect from their publisher
- Why a full press, media, and event campaign doesn't make sense for every author
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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How Oscar-Nominated Scribe & Novelist Iris Yamashita Writes: Part Two
Oscar-nominated screenwriter turned novelist, Iris Yamashita, returns to chat with me about the difference between writing for the ear and the screen, fusing plotting and pantsing, and her anticipated follow-up thriller Village in the Dark.
Iris Yamashita has been working in Hollywood for over 15 years and was nominated for a “Best Original Screenplay” Oscar for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima (directed by Clint Eastwood).
The sequel to her debut novel City Under One Roof is Village in the Dark, described as a riveting mystery perfect for fans of Twin Peaks, Mare of Easttown, and True Detective.
An Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense – New and continuing series. Kirkus Reviews called the book, “A sharp and gritty mystery with a compelling sociopolitical undercurrent.”
Iris continues to work in Hollywood, developing for both film and streaming media. She has taught screenwriting at UCLA and the American Film Institute.
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In this file Iris Yamashita and I discussed:
- Why you need to have a beginning, middle, and end in mind no matter what you’re writing
- What it’s like to be both the writer and the director as a novelist
- How to write for audio drama
- Why filmmakers don’t like to read
- Learning the rules so you can break them
- How to keep your dreams alive
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita (Amazon)
- Amazon Author Page for Iris Yamashita
- www.irisyamashita.com
- Iris Yamashita on Facebook
- Iris Yamashita on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Adelle Waldman Writes
Bestselling author, Adelle Waldman, spoke with me about her former life as a journalist, writerly wish fulfillment, and going undercover for her latest workplace novel, Help Wanted.
Adelle Waldman is a journalist and the bestselling author of The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P., which was named a best book of the year by The New Yorker, Economist, NPR, The New Republic, Slate, Bookforum, The Guardian and many others.
Her latest novel, Help Wanted, is from W.W. Norton in March of 2024, and described as a “funny, eye-opening tale of work in contemporary America.” It has been named one of New York Magazine's "23 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2024," VOGUE’s Best Books of the Year So Far, ELLE’s Best (and Most Anticipated) Fiction of 2024, Lit Hub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024, and one of Kirkus’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024.
A starred Kirkus Review called the book, "The workplace dramedy of the year." Publishers Weekly said of the book, "A bracing and worthwhile glimpse of the high stakes faced by low-wage workers."
Adelle attended Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, among others.
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In this file Adelle Waldman and I discussed:
Why she turned to journalism as a day job
Writing a hard-to-like protagonist
The breakout success of her first novel
How co-workers and friends at a Big Box store inspired her latest
Found comedy, unfortunate nerds, unrealistic dreams
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Help Wanted: A Novel by Adelle Waldman (Amazon)
Adelle Waldman Amazon Author Page
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How Acclaimed Newbery Honor-Winning Author Veera Hiranandani Writes
Newbery Honor-winning children’s author, Veera Hiranandani, spoke with me about her former life in publishing, why no word is ever wasted, and her anticipated middle-grade novel Amil and The After.
Veera Hiranandani is an award-winning author of several books for young people, and a faculty member with the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at The Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Amil and The After is her latest work of children’s fiction, a stand-alone sequel to her Newbery Honor winner, The Night Diary. It was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month (January 2024).
A starred Kirkus Reviews called the book, “…a masterpiece of nuance, vulnerability, and emotional complexity. A quietly brilliant, deeply insightful story of living in uncertain times.”
Veera earned her MFA in fiction writing at Sarah Lawrence College and was a former book editor at Simon & Schuster.
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In this file Veera Hiranandani and I discussed:
Why writing is like slow cooking
How to write historical fiction if you’re not good at history
Why you need to follow your writerly instincts
The importance of accountability partners, learning from your mistakes
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Amil and the After By Veera Hiranandani (Bookshop.org)
Veera Hiranandani Amazon Author Page
Veera Hiranandani on Instagram
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Emma Straub Writes: Redux
NOTE: This is an updated replay of my amazing chat with Emma Straub, the New York Times bestselling author of six books for adults, including her novel This Time Tomorrow … She is also the author of three picture books, the first of which, Very Good Hats, was published in January 2023. Congrats Emma! Enjoy …
New York Times bestselling author, Emma Straub, spoke to me about why everything in life is timing, how to write a book for yourself, time travel, and her latest This Time Tomorrow.
Emma is the bestselling author of six novels — including All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, and Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures — the short story collection Other People We Married. Her books have been published in 20 countries.
Her latest, This Time Tomorrow, has been named One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2022 by Vogue, Oprah, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Reader’s Digest, Today, Parade, Thrillist, Pop Sugar, Lithub and more.
Described as "...a moving father-daughter story and a playful twist on the idea of time travel," author Michael Chabon called the book "...a beautifully made, elegant music box of a novel that sets in motion its clever clockwork of delight—then breaks your heart with its bittersweet, lingering song.”
Emma and her husband also own Books Are Magic, a popular independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.
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In this file Emma Straub and I discussed:
Why getting an MFA helped her slow down her writing
How she met everyone in publishing at an indie bookshop
The unique perspective of Xennials
How to find confidence and pages while being off-balance
Why she'd drink less Olde English if she could go back
And a lot more!
Stay calm and write on ...
This Time Tomorrow a Novel by Emma Straub
'This Time Tomorrow' is the time travel book millennials need - USA Today
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How to Land a Book Deal with Agent & Author Lucinda Halpern: Part Two
President of Manhattan-based literary agency Lucinda Literary turned author, Lucinda Halpern, returns to chat with me about how to crack the code of publishing, the four types of writers who get book deals, and her latest book Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author.
Lucinda Halpern is a literary agent with over 15 years of experience securing book deals with Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan, and now the author of Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author. (available for preorder now and landing 2/6/2024, Hay House - wherever fine books are sold)
“Packed with interviews from best-selling authors and leading book editors Get Signed is the indispensable roadmap you need … to get noticed and become a published author.” #1 New York Times best-selling author Adam Grant said of the book, “Lucinda Halpern has written the definitive guide to attracting an agent and laying the groundwork for a book well worth publishing.”
She represents a range of New York Times and internationally bestselling authors in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction. Her classes and coaching programs have been taught to hundreds of writers worldwide.
Stay tuned until the end of our interview for Lucinda’s special gift for listeners.
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In this file Lucinda Halpern and I discussed:
How her full-circle journey to becoming a published author has made her a better agent
Why having a book editor is like lying naked on the table at the doctor's office
The best way to diagnose what's wrong with your book
How she is still myth-busting publishing
Why a book for everyone is a book for no one
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Download Lucinda’s free author training
Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author By Lucinda Halpern (Amazon)
Myth-Busting Book Publishing with Agent Lucinda Halpern: Part One
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Ann Napolitano Writes
New York Times bestselling author, Ann Napolitano, spoke with me about overcoming rejection early on, how grief transformed her writing process, and getting that fateful call from Oprah about Hello Beautiful.
Ann Napolitano is the New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful which was selected as Oprah’s 100th Book Club pick; Dear Edward, an instant New York Times bestseller, a Read with Jenna selection, and an Apple TV+ series; A Good Hard Look, and Within Arm’s Reach.
Hello Beautiful has been called a “powerfully affecting” (People) family story that asks: Can love make a broken person whole? The Washington Post said of the book, “Another tender tearjerker . . . Napolitano chronicles life’s highs and lows with aching precision.”
It was named Chicago Public Library’s Ten Best Books of the Year and a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, Time, Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Post, She Reads, and Bookreporter.
Ann was the associate editor of the literary magazine One Story for seven years, and she received an MFA from New York University.
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In this file Ann Napolitano and I discussed:
Her long and rocky road to success
How an illness early in life helped her realize she was a writer
Why her first published book felt like a proving ground
The nine-month approach to planning your next novel
How to write the truest sentence possible
Why you need to string together as many Xs as you can
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Hello Beautiful (Oprah's Book Club): A NOVEL By Ann Napolitano (Amazon)
Ann Napolitano Amazon Author Page
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Jami Attenberg Writes
New York Times bestselling author, Jami Attenberg, spoke with me about documenting the process of being a writer online and off, building a global literary movement, and her latest, 1000 Words: A Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All-Year Round.
Jami Attenberg is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books of fiction, including The Middlesteins, All Grown Up, and her recent memoir, I Came All This Way to Meet You. Her work has been published in 16 languages, she is the founder of the annual #1000WordsofSummer project and maintains the popular Craft Talk newsletter.
Jami Attenberg’s latest is 1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round. “Inspired by [her] wildly popular literary movement #1000WordsofSummer, this writer’s guide features encouraging essays on creativity, productivity, and writing from [over 50] acclaimed authors including Roxane Gay, Lauren Groff, Celeste Ng, Meg Wolitzer, and Carmen Maria Machado.”
Lit Hub said of the book, “It will be the new Bird by Bird, you heard it here first.” A Booklist, Starred Review called it “A fantastic set of essays… Readers of this collection will feel surrounded and bolstered by like-minded people who have been in the trenches.”
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In this file Jami Attenberg and I discussed:
The blessing and the curse of knowing you’re a writer
How she built an online writing community into a literary movement
Her tongue-in-cheek approach to the craft
The reason she uses the seasons as a metaphor for writers
How to harness the power of write-alongs
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
1000wordsofsummer.substack.com
1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg (Amazon)
Jami Attenberg Amazon Author Page
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Best of 2023 - Hot Takes and Shootin’ the Breeze with Adam Skolnick: Part Two
This is the second part of a year-end retrospective with award-winning indie journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, who returns to rap with me about show highlights from the last half of 2023, hot takes, and shootin’ the breeze.
Adam Skolnick is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
Adam is co-author of Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within, the follow-up to David Goggins’ smash hit memoir Can’t Hurt Me. Adam is also the author of One Breath, has narrated David Goggins’ bestselling audiobooks, and co-hosted The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.
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In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:
How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick Writes: Part Two: The sui generis of the Colleen Hoover effect
How Award-Winning Climate Journalist Amy Westervelt Writes: Why more writers need to set their stories in the real world
How Booker Prize-Winning Author Anne Enright Writes: The moment of burnout that changed her career
How National Book Award Winner & Bestselling Author James McBride Writes: Why some writers find no joy in being well-known
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part Two: What it feels like to live inside a lightning strike
Show Notes:
Best of 2023 - Hot Takes and Shootin’ the Breeze with Adam Skolnick: Part One
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
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Best of 2023 - Hot Takes and Shootin’ the Breeze with Adam Skolnick: Part One
This is the first part of a year-end retrospective with award-winning indie journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, who returns to rap with me about show highlights from the last half of 2023, hot takes, and shootin’ the breeze.
Adam Skolnick is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
Adam is co-author of Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within, the follow-up to David Goggins’ smash hit memoir Can’t Hurt Me. Adam is also the author of One Breath, has narrated David Goggins’ bestselling audiobooks, and co-hosted The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.\
This is the last episode of the year but we’ll be back soon with more inspiration from your favorite authors. Happy Holidays!
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:
How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick Writes: Part Two: The sui generis of the Colleen Hoover effect
How Award-Winning Climate Journalist Amy Westervelt Writes: Why more writers need to set their stories in the real world
How Booker Prize-Winning Author Anne Enright Writes: The moment of burnout that changed her career
How National Book Award Winner & Bestselling Author James McBride Writes: Why some writers find no joy in being well-known
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part Two: What it feels like to live inside a lightning strike
Show Notes:
Best of 2023 - Hot Takes and Shootin’ the Breeze with Adam Skolnick: Part Two
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
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Myth-Busting Book Publishing with Agent Lucinda Halpern: Redux
NOTE: This is an updated replay of an amazing chat I had with Lucinda Halpern, Founder and President of Manhattan-based literary agency Lucinda Literary LLC turned author. Lucinda’s new book, Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author (2/6/2024, Hay House) “... lets readers in on the secrets to writing a book agents will battle over.” Congrats Lucinda!
President and Founder of Manhattan-based agency Lucinda Literary, Lucinda Halpern, gave me an insider’s take on why literary agents can't just be deal-makers anymore.
Lucinda Halpern is a literary, lecture, and PR agent with over 15 years of experience on both the corporate and agency sides of publishing.
Specializing in "books that change the way people work, behave, and live," she represents authors writing in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction.
Her agency, Lucinda Literary, boasts a roster of authors including New York Times bestselling authors Susan Peirce Thompson (Bright Line Eating), Chris Bailey (The Productivity Project; Hyperfocus), Cait Flanders (The Year of Less), Paul Jarvis (Company of One), the new work of Nicola Kraus (The Nanny Diaries) and Jake Wood (Once a Warrior).
She also shares publishing insights and motivation for writers and hosts both live and online programs for aspiring authors.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Lucinda Halpern and I discussed:
Her mission statement, ethos, and the future of publishing
How good agents build lifelong marriages with their authors
Why you don't have to be famous to get published
Counterintuitive tips about the industry
The old-fashioned art of crafting a book
And more!
Show Notes:
Ready to get your book noticed? Get Lucinda's essential guide for writers: The 6 Things Every Book Pitch Needs – Click here to receive your guide: lucindaliterary.com/subscribe
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Jo Segura Writes
Acclaimed debut novelist, Jo Segura, spoke with me about her love of the romance writing community, why natural history and archaeology are her jam, and her debut romcom RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART.
Jo Segura’s debut, Raiders of the Lost Heart, is described as an adventure romance about “Rival archaeologists [who] must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, [that] could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.
Entertainment Weekly called it, “Romancing the Stone meets Indiana Jones in this thrilling adventure romance.” And Publishers Weekly said of the book, “Segura’s rip-roaring debut is sure to put her on the map."
The book was named a LibraryReads Pick and Indie Next pick for December, Entertainment Weekly’s 41 New Fall Books We're Most Excited To Read, and Book Riot’s 8 Of The Best Romance Books With Action.
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In this file Jo Segura and I discussed:
Why she dedicated a whole year to getting published
How she turned to escapist fare during the Pandemic
Writing her debut novel for NaNoWriMo
The reason she named her main character after her great-aunt
Why writers have to find their people
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura [Amazon]
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The Art and Craft of TV Drama with Aaron Tracy: Part Two
Yale educator and TV writer/producer, Aaron Tracy, returns to chat with me about surviving the WGA writer’s strike, finally teaching the podcast at Yale, and his latest audio thriller on Audible, Nowhere Man, starring Lee Pace and Zosia Mamet.
Aaron Tracy also teaches “The Art and Craft of Television Drama” at Yale University, and his TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal, The Tap, and Sequestered, a serialized thriller that ran two seasons, for which he was Creator and Executive Producer.
He is also a Creator, Director, and Exec. Producer of scripted audio dramas for iHeartRadio, Audible, and Spotify, with various production partners including: Supreme: The Battle For Roe, his 9-part audio drama starring Eva Longoria (feat. Maya Hawke and William H. Macy); Murder in Bermuda (feat. Mary-Louise Parker); and many others.
His most recent is Nowhere Man, a noir political thriller Executive Produced by and starring Lee Pace, with co-stars Zosia Mamet, and Chazz Palminteri. “Set in the mid-1980s, Nowhere Man is a dark, paranoid thriller about temptation and obsession through the prism of a profession most people don’t even know exists.”
Aaron’s debut audio drama, The Coldest Case, a detective thriller starring Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter, and Alexis Bledel, premiered as the #1 download on Audible in 2021, and has since become the most downloaded show in Audible Plus history.
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In this file Aaron Tracy and I discussed:
Why he loves the ‘80s period pieces
How his directing experience has shaped his writing
Why he teaches the narrative podcast the same way he teaches Television Drama
The two greatest innovations of the modern TV art form
What aspiring TV writers should be reading
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How to Write a Bestselling Audio Drama with Writer/Producer Aaron Tracy: Part One
Amazon Author Page for William Goldman
Story by Robert McKee [Amazon]
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder [Amazon]
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How National Book Award Winner & Bestselling Author James McBride Writes: Redux
NOTE: This is an updated replay of an amazing chat I had with New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner, James McBride. His latest novel, THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE, was named Amazon’s #1 Book of the Year Pick, and Barnes & Noble's Book of the Year, among many other accolades for 2023. Congrats James!
New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner, James McBride, spoke to me about eschewing literary fame, his friendship with Spike Lee, and his latest novel THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE.
James McBride is a musician, screenwriter, and award-winning author of New York Times bestselling Oprah’s Book Club selection Deacon King Kong, the National Book Award–winner The Good Lord Bird (now a Showtime limited series starring Ethan Hawke), and the American classic The Color of Water.
His debut novel, Miracle at St. Anna, was turned into a 2008 film by Oscar-winning writer and director Spike Lee, with a script written by McBride.
The author’s latest novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, was an Instant New York Times Bestseller and Named a Must Read for the Summer by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Time, Town & Country, and others.
Described as “... a novel about small-town secrets and the people who keep them,” it begins in 1972 when workers in Pottstown, PA, find a skeleton at the bottom of a well. The New York Times Book Review called the book, “A murder mystery locked inside a Great American Novel.”
James McBride received a National Humanities Medal from President Obama, “... for humanizing the complexities of discussing race in America.” He is a distinguished writer in residence at New York University.
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In this file James McBride and I discussed:
- Why he finds no joy in being well-known
- How The Color of Water changed his career
- The lessons he learned from Michael Jackson
- The hyperbole of the literary world and standing on the shoulders of giants
- How we’re all more alike than we are different
- Why writers must seek out their mentors
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- jamesmcbride.com
- The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel by James McBride (Amazon)
- James McBride on Facebook
- James McBride on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Publishing Legend Charles Scribner III Writes
Publishing legend, art historian, and author, Charles Scribner III, spoke with me about growing up surrounded by publishing, Hemingway’s Three Rules to Life, and his memoir/family history SCRIBNERS: FIVE GENERATIONS IN PUBLISHING.
Charles Scribner III is an art historian, author, editor, and lecturer, who received his BA, MFA, and PhD from Princeton University in art and archaeology.
He worked in publishing for nearly thirty years and is a prominent authority on Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens, and other artists. He has written biographies on Rubens and Bernini; articles for Vanity Fair, Art & Antiques, among other publications; and has lectured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery, the Smithsonian, Christie’s, and various universities.
His forthcoming family history, Scribners: Five Generations in Publishing, is about the inside story of 5 generations – over 150 years – at the legendary publishing house of Charles Scribner's Sons.
“The author, the fifth of the Charleses to work at that house of celebrated authors, provides … an inside view – ‘between the covers’ of illustrious and notorious books – of the family members, editors, and authors of this colorful literary history.”
Kirkus Reviews called it "A charming memoir of a life in books," and Publishers Weekly called it “... a lively and refreshing must-read for those interested in the history of book publishing.”
Charles remained at Scribners through three changes in ownership (Macmillan, Maxwell, and Viacom), overseeing the publication of its literary classics. He was also a commentator for TV documentaries on Edith Wharton (BBC/PBS), Fitzgerald and Hemingway (A&E Biography).
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In this file, Charles Scribner III and I discussed:
- How manuscripts and galleys symbolized the world he grew up in
- Why he chose now to share the stories of the literary lions his father worked with
- Some of the greatest editors of the 20th Century
- How to write a book in two months
- Why loyalty is the most important thing in publishing
- The secret behind Hemingway’s will
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- charlesscribner.com
- Scribners: Five Generations in Publishing by Charles Scribner III (Amazon)
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jim Butcher Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jim Butcher, spoke with me about how he outlined a hit 20-novel series (years before he had an agent), why all steampunks wear goggles, and the second book in his Cinder Spires series, THE OLYMPIAN AFFAIR.
Jim Butcher is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and the Cinder Spires novels.
The long-anticipated second novel in his Cinder Spires series is The Olympian Affair, described by the author as “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Sherlock meets Hornblower,” in a series “... about noble families, magic-wielding warriors, and airship battles.”
Library Journal called it “... an exciting epic fantasy, set in the sky and filled with airships, magic, and the connections of blood and found family." And New York Times bestselling author David Weber said of the book, “It’s steampunk meets magic with a dose of sci-fi for seasoning.”
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In this file, Jim Butcher and I discussed:
- Why “breaking into print is an arduous and discouraging process”
- The Genre Fiction Novel class that changed his writing for good
- Keeping your writing time sacred
- When your fans become your boss
- How to write a “steam opera”
- His most important legacy as a writer
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- jim-butcher.com
- The Olympian Affair (The Cinder Spires Book 2) by Jim Butcher (Amazon)
- Jim Butcher Amazon Author Page
- Jim Butcher on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs Writes: Part Two
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, returns to chat with me about her island writing hideout, rescuing two puppies at the same time, holiday genre tropes, and her latest Christmas book THE TWELVE DOGS OF CHRISTMAS.
Susan Wiggs is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 50 published novels, with over 25 million copies in print, published in 30 countries, and translated into over 20 languages.
Her latest, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas: A Novel, is described as, “The ultimate holiday gift from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs: a delightful novel about a Christmas transport of rescue puppies that’s guaranteed to warm readers’ hearts.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Must Love Flowers, Debbie Macomber, said of the book, "Don't miss this charming Christmas tale of thawing hearts, escaping dogs, and finding home. I couldn't help digging into this book with both paws."
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In this file, Susan Wiggs and I discussed:
- Writing on planes, trains, and automobiles
- Her love of classic Christmas stories
- How the latest ties into her Lakeshore Chronicles series
- Why one of the easiest things in the world to do is “not write”
- Getting snowed in with Toni Morrison
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs Writes: Part One
- Susanwiggs.com
- The Twelve Dogs of Christmas: A Novel by Susan Wiggs (Amazon)
- Susan Wiggs Amazon Author Page
- Susan Wiggs on Instagram
- Susan Wiggs on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick Writes: Part Two
Longtime literary critic and publishing insider, Bethanne Patrick, is back to chat with me about the return of her hit podcast Missing Pages, her front-row seat to the sea change in publishing, and her life-affirming first memoir LIFE B.
Bethanne Patrick is a world-renowned literary critic, author, and host of the chart-topping and Signal Award-winning podcast Missing Pages. Her work appears frequently in the Los Angeles Times as well as in The Washington Post, NPR Books, and Literary Hub.
Missing Pages is back – the Webby Award-nominated podcast named a “must-listen” by The Washington Post and The Guardian – has a second season on deck that features authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites.
Host Bethanne Patrick sits down with notable guests to set the record straight on the secretive world of book publishing again. From the rise of Colleen Hoover and book bans across America to the idea of who owns what in fan fiction, Missing Pages investigates it all.
Bethanne also recently published her first memoir, Life B, “A bracing and fresh look at a lifelong struggle with depression and mental illness,” described by NY Times bestselling author Lori Gottlieb as, “Insightful, honest, [and] ultimately life-affirming …”
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In this file Bethanne Patrick and I discussed:
- What it was like to have her podcast nominated for a Webby Award
- The sui generis of the Colleen Hoover effect
- What the ambitious second season of Missing Pages plans to tackle
- The origins and evolution of the novel
- How she wrote her first memoir
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Missing Pages on Apple Podcasts
- Missing Pages on Twitter
- How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick (AKA TheBookMaven) Writes: Part One
- bethannepatrick.com
- Life B By Bethanne Patrick [Amazon]
- Bethanne Patrick on Instagram
- Bethanne Patrick on Facebook
- Bethanne Patrick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Andrew Child Writes
#1 NY Times bestselling author, Andrew Child, spoke to me about his lifelong obsession with storytelling, working with Jack Reacher co-author and brother Lee Child, and their latest in the series THE SECRET.
In addition to four Reacher novels, Andrew Child – the pen name of author Andrew Grant – has also written his own hit thriller series including RUN, False Positive, False Friend, False Witness, Invisible, and Too Close to Home.
His brother Lee Child is the creator of the international bestselling, award-winning, 28-book series of Jack Reacher novels, and winner of Author of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards.
NPR said of the books, “The Reacher novels are easily the best thriller series going,” and James Patterson said of the brother’s collaboration, “Two Childs are better than one.”
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In this file Andrew Child and I discussed:
- His past lives in theater and the corporate world
- The two saddest words in the English language
- What it was like being a Beta reader for Lee’s early Reacher novels
- The evolution of the Child brother’s low-tech writing process
- How to outwrite self-doubt
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- jackreacher.com
- The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child and Andrew Child [Amazon]
- Andrew Grant Amazon Author Page
- Jack Reacher on Facebook
- Jack Reacher on Instagram
- Jack Reacher on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Molly McGhee Writes
Critically acclaimed debut novelist, Molly McGhee, spoke with me about the best day of her life, her part in The Great Publishing Resignation, losing a parent, and her first book JONATHAN ABERNATHY YOU ARE KIND.
Molly McGhee writes fiction and essays and taught in the undergraduate creative writing department at Columbia University where she also graduated with an MFA in fiction.
Her debut novel is Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind, described by The New York Times as a story about, “... debt-laden citizens [who] are recruited to ‘audit’ others’ dreams — all in the name of productivity.”
In a starred review Booklist said of the book, “… a superlative state-of-the-nation novel like no other. Full of astoundingly resonant and eminently quotable points about labor, capital, and depression, this wondrous literary creation brilliantly captures the excessive demands of contemporary work.”
Molly has worked in the editorial departments of McSweeney’s, The Believer, NOON, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and helped launch a horror imprint at Tor. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, LitHub, and others.
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In this file Molly McGhee and I discussed:
- Her past life as a NY Times bestselling editor
- Using writing as a coping mechanism for grief
- The nightmare that became a book
- Why she thinks of herself as a reader first
- Learning how to give yourself grace
- The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in your writing
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- mollymcghee.com
- Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind: A Novel By Molly McGhee [Amazon]
- This Science Fiction Novel Scrapes the Work Force of Human Suffering
- The "Great Publishing Resignation" Exposes the Failings of the Industry
- Men Who Don’t Know Women: On Unlearning the Lessons of “Dick Lit” - Molly McGhee for LitHub
- Molly McGhee on Instagram
- Molly McGhee on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Climate Journalist Amy Westervelt Writes
Bonus Episode – Climate Edition: Award-winning investigative journalist and Executive Podcast Producer, Amy Westervelt, spoke to me about her accidental career in climate accountability, the greatest threat to free speech, and her deep dive into the origins of climate denial.
Amy Westervelt is an independent investigative climate journalist who has been on the climate beat for more than 20 years, reporting for a wide range of outlets over the years, including Inside Climate News, The Guardian, The Nation, The Intercept, NPR, and many others.
She is the Executive Producer of the independent podcast production company Critical Frequency, and in 2021, she helped produce This Land S2—an investigative podcast revealing the forces behind efforts to unravel tribal sovereignty in the U.S.— nominated for a Peabody Award in April 2022. In 2020 she produced Unfinished: Short Creek with Stitcher which was named a best podcast of the year by The New Yorker and The Atlantic
She also hosted her award-winning climate podcast Drilled, a Critical Frequency original, and was most recently awarded Covering Climate Now's Journalist of the Year Award 2023, a global journalism collaboration co-founded by Columbia Journalism Review, The Nation, and others.
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In this file Amy Westervelt and I discussed:
- Why journalists and protesters are being jailed for speaking out
- How the early days of climate denialism set the tone for our current dilemma
- How to record a hit podcast in your car while your kids sleep
- Why we need climate fiction storytellers now more than ever
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Isa Arsén Writes
Critically acclaimed debut novelist, Isa Arsén, spoke with me about humanizing machines and the creative process, how to write soft sci-fi, and her genre-bending, “timey-wimey” literary debut SHOOT THE MOON.
Isa Arsén is an author and audio engineer based in South Texas and has published several short stories and pieces of experimental interactive media.
Shoot the Moon is Arsén’s debut novel, inspired by her own childhood in New Mexico. Named a BookBub Best Book of Fall and Shondaland Best Book for October 2023 among others, it has been described as “...a puzzle box time travel story,” about an “... [intelligent] but lonely NASA secretary and her relentless drive to live a big life in a world that would keep her small.”
Publishers Weekly called it an, "Innovative . . . [novel that] navigates the back-and-forth of the story’s time-travel events, threading them into the highlights of women’s scientific achievements."
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In this file Isa Arsén and I discussed:
- Studying music composition and blending the organic and machine
- Why “music is how we decorate time”
- Her unique blend of interests, including Dr. Who
- What it means to write in the age of genre-benders
- Why storytelling is a quirk of evolution
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- inarsen.com
- Shoot the Moon by Isa Arsén [Amazon]
- Isa Arsén on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Laurell K. Hamilton Writes: Part Two
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Laurell K. Hamilton, returns to talk about how her writing process has evolved over the last 30 years, how to find words, wisdom, and mental wellness, and celebrating the 30th in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series with SLAY.
Laurell K. Hamilton is the trailblazing, genre-bending author of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, and the Merry Gentry, Fey Detective series, and is considered an influential pioneer in the urban-fantasy genre.
In the 30th novel of the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Hunter series, Slay, wedding bells are ringing. “But before Anita can make it to the altar, she must face an obstacle more daunting than any supernatural threat.”
Laurell K. Hamilton is one of the most successful and popular paranormal fiction authors publishing today, has published over 40 novels, and has sold more than 20 million copies of her books.
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In this file Laurell K. Hamilton and I discussed:
- Why she doesn’t outline or do research before her first drafts
- How she became a lean, mean writing machine over the years
- Why you can’t beat yourself up if the pages aren’t coming
- How to refill your creative tank
- Tapping science, history, and mythology for realism in your fiction
- The rarefied air of a 30-book series
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Laurell K. Hamilton Writes: Part One
- LaurellKHamilton.com
- Slay (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) by Laurell K. Hamilton [Amazon]
- Laurell K. Hamilton Amazon author page
- Laurell K. Hamilton on FaceBook
- Laurell K. Hamilton on Instagram
- Laurell K. Hamilton on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Booker Prize-Winning Author Anne Enright Writes
Bestselling, Booker Prize-winning author, Anne Enright, spoke to me about eagles and moles, the interior engineering of a novel, her love of Irish poetry, and her latest THE WREN, THE WREN.
Anne Enright won the Man Booker Prize and the Irish Fiction Award for her novel The Gathering. She has also been awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish Book Awards, and was the first Laureate for Irish Fiction (2015-2018).
Her latest novel The Wren, the Wren, was named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year by TIME, The Millions, Literary Hub, and others, and is described as the story of “... three generations of … women who must contend with inheritances―of poetic wonder and of abandonment by a man who is lauded in public and carelessly selfish at home.”
The New York Times called it, "... a powerful, thoughtful book by one of the great living writers on the subject of family," and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan said of the book, “The Wren, the Wren is an electrifying romp through language itself―its dizzying possibilities and satisfactions―led by one the most gifted writers working in English today."
Anne Enright has also published two books of short stories, her essays on literary themes have appeared in the London Review of Books and The New York Review of Books, and she writes for the books pages of The Irish Times and The Guardian.
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In this file Anne Enright and I discussed:
- The moment of burnout that changed her career
- How she used to be a night owl scribe
- Why you shouldn’t over-panic, or over-plan
- The fallacies of impostor syndrome and inspiration
- How to create a fictional poet out of thin air
- Taking a long look at James Joyce across the table
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Anne Enright - Wikipedia
- The Wren, the Wren: A Novel by Anne Enright (Amazon)
- Anne Enright Amazon Author Page
- Book Review: ‘The Wren, the Wren,’ by Anne Enright - The New York Times
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author & TV Producer Dwain Worrell Writes
Bestselling author and award-winning screenwriter, Dwain Worrell, spoke to me about making the move from the writers' room to the cafe, the art and science of suspense, and his debut novel ANDRONE.
Dwain Worrell is an award-winning Marvel and Disney+ TV producer, filmmaker, and novelist whose writing credits include Marvel’s Iron Fist, CBS’s Fire Country, Amazon Studios’ The Wall, and the Disney+ series National Treasure, among others. Dwain also worked as a translator of Mandarin Chinese in Beijing for nearly a decade.
His bestselling debut novel, Androne, is described as a “... near future … highly cinematic and propulsive story [centered] around a terrifying event called the Ninety-Nine, where all major military installations on Earth [are] eviscerated, heralding humanity's start of a war with an unknown enemy.”
Niels Arden Oplev, Director of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo called the book “A crazy-cool ride into the unknown …. [Androne] reads like a high-end videogame on steroids with a destiny of Shakespearean magnitude.”
Publishers Weekly wrote, “... taut intrigue … reels readers into a thrilling yet thoughtful narrative about the futility of war and the cost of doing the right thing…”
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In this file Dwain Worrell and I discussed:
- Making the move from screenwriter to novelist during a WGA strike
- How he discovered theater after having his basketball dreams dashed
- Why writing for TV is harder (and easier) than prose
- The inspiration that went into his latest sci-fi thriller
- Our mutual love of Hans Zimmer soundtracks
- Hanging out with Shakespeare at Chili’s
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Dwainworrell.com
- Dwain Worrell - IMDb
- Behind the Science of Writing Good Suspense - Writer's Digest
- Androne By Dwain Worrell (Amazon)
- Dwain Worrell on Instagram
- Dwain Worrell on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part One
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, spoke to me about how to write seven novels in 18 months, the psychology of fiction and fandom, and her latest YA mystery, THE BROTHERS HAWTHORNE.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 acclaimed young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games trilogy, Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals, The Lovely and the Lost, and The Naturals series.
Her latest is The Brothers Hawthorne, described as “Knives Out-esque” by Publishers Weekly, it is a story of [two brothers] “Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, [who] —with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.”
Jen is a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science including a Ph.D. from Yale University, and “...is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of fandom and the cognitive science of fiction and the imagination.”
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In this file Jennifer Lynn Barnes and I discussed:
- Her study of autism and why neurodivergents rely so heavily on story
- How her bestselling trilogy went viral on TikTok
- Why she writes for reluctant readers
- How to write mysteries with intricate puzzles, twists, turns, and reveals
- Her theories on why readers love fiction
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Jenniferlynnbarnes.com
- The psychology of fiction with Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Re:Thinking with Adam Grant - TED Audio Collective
- The Brothers Hawthorne By Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Amazon)
- Jennifer Lynn Barnes Amazon Author Page
- Jennifer Lynn Barnes on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author James Rollins Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, James Rollins, spoke to me about his alter ego, veterinarian Dr. Jim, how to write two staccato-paced novels a year, and his latest Sigma Force installment, TIDES OF FIRE.
James Rollins is the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the Sigma Force series, six standalone adventure thrillers, a novelization of the Indiana Jones franchise, and many others totaling over 44 novels (even he can’t remember the exact number).
His latest in his most popular series is Tides of Fire: A Sigma Force Novel, [set on] “...an international research station in the Coral Sea [that] comes under siege during a geological disaster that triggers massive quakes, deadly tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. To stop the world from burning, it’s up to Sigma Force to uncover a secret buried at the heart of our planet…”
Publishers Weekly said of the book, "The X-Files meets Seal Team Six in Rollins’s imaginative, pulse-pounding 17th Sigma Force thriller . . . . Rollins’s gleeful everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach works well here, nimbly balancing popcorn action with mind-blowing scientific speculation. The author has rarely been better at making the implausible feel plausible."
James Rollins’s novels have sold over 20 million copies and are published in more than 40 languages worldwide.
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In this file James Rollins and I discussed:
- How 49 rejections early in his career didn’t sway his passion for writing
- Keeping all of the plots and characters organized in his many series
- The panic that comes with every undertaking
- Why he adds illustrations and appendices to his books
- The unique research process that goes into his prescient novels
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- JamesRollins.com
- Tides of Fire: A Sigma Force Novel by James Rollins (Amazon)
- James Rollins Amazon Author Page
- James Rollins on Instagram
- James Rollins on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Internationally Bestselling Author Lucy Clarke Writes
Internationally bestselling author, Lucy Clarke, spoke to me about how her love of travel morphed into a destination thriller, building your readership organically, and the chewy female dynamics in her latest novel THE HIKE.
Lucy Clarke is a Sunday Times bestseller and the author of eight destination thrillers including Waterstones Thriller of the Month, The Castaways, Richard and Judy Book Club pick, One of the Girls, and most recently, The Hike.
Told in alternating perspectives her latest thriller “explores the wild side of female friendship and the transportive power of the wilderness.”
New York Times bestselling author Sarah Pearse said of the book, “THE HIKE transports you to the Norwegian wilderness where a group of female friends are pushed to their absolute limits and beyond.”
Lucy’s novels have sold over a million copies and are published in over 25 territories worldwide. An adaptation of her book The Castaways was filmed on location in Fiji and Greece, and the five-part series is airing on Paramount+.
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In this file Lucy Clarke and I discussed:
- Her past life in advertising and making the transition to fiction
- The explosion of the thriller genre and her place in it
- Why she likes to write characters at their crossroads
- Her remote Zen writing hideout
- Why maintaining author friendships is so important to longevity
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Lucy-clarke.com
- The Hike by Lucy Clarke (Amazon)
- Lucy Clarke Amazon Author Page
- Lucy Clarke on Facebook
- Lucy Clarke on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Write with ADHD and Coach Skye Waterson
Bonus Episode: ADHD Coach, researcher, and Doctoral Candidate, Skye Waterson, spoke to me about writing a dissertation with neurodiversity, conquering burnout, and her unconventional approach to writing routines for writers with time blindness and more.
Skye Waterson is the Founder of Unconventional Organization, a worldwide, research-based ADHD support service that has helped academics, playwrights, and authors with ADHD “...build strength-focused writing routines so they can meet their goals while managing struggles with executive functioning”
An academic with over seven years of experience working in adult education, she has studied in various fields, including Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health, and is now a Doctoral Candidate in Population Health.
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In this file Skye Waterson and I discussed:
- How she got her ADHD diagnosis at age 30
- Why procrastination and neurodiversity go hand-in-hand
- How neurotypical writers differ from those with real struggles
- When you need to seek out unconventional wisdom for help
- The strengths of writers with ADHD
- Leaning on self-care to promote productivity
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- unconventionalorganisation.com
- 'The Writer's Brain' on Procrastination: Part One - The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience (podcast)
- Unconventional Organization on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Acclaimed TV Writer/Producer Adam Lorenzo Writes
Acclaimed TV and movie writer, Adam Lorenzo, spoke to me about owning a college bar … while still in college, his work ethic and what keeps him hustling pages, and his latest college survival guide ALL I NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM MY COLLEGE BAR.
Adam Lorenzo is a writer/producer who works in both live-action and animation who started as a joke writer, selling material to Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update''; Jimmy Kimmel; and David Letterman, which resulted in his first staff-writing job, on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (co-created and executive produced by Letterman).
Other notable TV credits include the Emmy-winning Everybody Loves Raymond, Are We There Yet? (starring Terry Crews and Ice Cube), and Everybody Hates Chris, based on the life of Chris Rock.
Before successfully pursuing his dream of being a writer, he owned a college bar... while still a student at Syracuse University.
The author’s debut in publishing, naturally, is All I Need To Know I Learned From My College Bar, a whimsical look at what Adam calls the "valuable life lessons learned working and laughing with people from all over the world in that cathedral of knowledge known as a college bar."x
The self-described “college survival guide” is based on his life and has illustrations by Antonio Giovanni Pinna of The New Yorker.
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In this file Adam Lorenzo and I discussed:
- How he faked and faxed his way into Dave Letterman’s heart
- Why his writing career effectively ended his marriage
- How a kid from Buffalo, NY made it in Hollywood
- Why he spent so much time at a little-known library at The Writers Guild of America
- The Sicilian barber that got him a big break into sitcoms
- My own #TheCollegeBarChallenge
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- collegebarbook.com
- Adam Lorenzo on IMDb
- All I Need To Know I Learned From My College Bar by Adam Lorenzo (Amazon)
- Adam Lorenzo on YouTube
- Adam Lorenzo on Instagram
- Adam Lorenzo on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How National Book Award Winner & Bestselling Author James McBride Writes
New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner, James McBride, spoke to me about eschewing literary fame, his friendship with Spike Lee, and his latest novel THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE.
James McBride is a musician, screenwriter, and award-winning author of New York Times bestselling Oprah’s Book Club selection Deacon King Kong, the National Book Award–winner The Good Lord Bird (now a Showtime limited series starring Ethan Hawke), and the American classic The Color of Water.
His debut novel, Miracle at St. Anna, was turned into a 2008 film by Oscar-winning writer and director Spike Lee, with a script written by McBride.
The author’s latest novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, was an Instant New York Times Bestseller and Named a Must Read for the Summer by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Time, Town & Country, and others.
Described as “... a novel about small-town secrets and the people who keep them,” it begins in 1972 when workers in Pottstown, PA, find a skeleton at the bottom of a well. The New York Times Book Review called the book, “A murder mystery locked inside a Great American Novel.”
James McBride received a National Humanities Medal from President Obama, “... for humanizing the complexities of discussing race in America.” He is a distinguished writer in residence at New York University.
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In this file James McBride and I discussed:
- Why he finds no joy in being well-known
- How The Color of Water changed his career
- The lessons he learned from Michael Jackson
- The hyperbole of the literary world and standing on the shoulders of giants
- How we’re all more alike than we are different
- Why writers must seek out their mentors
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- jamesmcbride.com
- The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel by James McBride (Amazon)
- James McBride on Facebook
- James McBride on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Memoirist Melissa Bond Writes
Critically acclaimed memoirist, Melissa Bond, spoke to me about her dark night of the soul, crowd-funding her lauded memoir, and the paperback release of BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT: A Memoir of Insomnia, Motherhood, and Benzos.
Melissa Bond is a narrative journalist, editor, award-winning poet, and speaker/performer whose breakout debut memoir, Blood Orange Night, is a Barnes & Noble non-fiction book of the month, and was selected by both The New York Times as one of the Best Audiobooks of 2022.
Publishers Weekly (in a Starred Review) said of the book, “In this raw and captivating debut, journalist Bond chronicles her volatile descent into a benzodiazepine addiction …. Bond’s narrative casts a burning light onto the hazards of overprescribing and the threat it poses to vulnerable people. This cautionary tale stuns.”
Melissa Bond blogged and became a regular contributor for Mad in America in the years of her dependence on benzodiazepines. She is a respected speaker and writer on the perils of over-prescribing benzodiazepines and has been featured on podcasts including The New York Times Book Review, and others.
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In this file Melissa Bond and I discussed:
- Her guerilla street poet/poverty phase and hosting National Poetry Slams
- Why she never imagined writing a memoir
- How she Kickstarted her hit book in just three days
- The transformative process of finding gems in the rubble of difficult times
- Her process, meditation practice, and “sitting beyond oneself”
- How to quiet the gnome of self-doubt
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- melissaabond.com
- Blood Orange Night: A Memoir of Insomnia, Motherhood, and Benzos By Melissa Bond (Amazon)
- Melissa Bond on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Tracey Lange Writes
New York Times bestselling author, Tracey Lange, spoke to me about finding literary success later in life, her past life working with inner-city gang kids, and exploring messy family dynamics in her latest THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN.
Tracey Lange is the author of debut novel, We Are the Brennans, an instant New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Finalist, praised by The New York Times, Good Morning America, PEOPLE and more.
Her latest novel, The Connellys of County Down (Celadon, August 1), is described as “... a story about fierce family loyalty, good intentions gone awry, and the consequences of improbable love.” Kirkus called it “A compassionate look at family dynamics and a reminder that it’s never too late to heal.”
Country Living named it a "28 Best Fall Books for 2023" and wrote, "This is a novel about resilience and what it means to be a family, especially when times are really hard."
Tracey Lange has a degree in psychology, has worked in mental health, and owned and operated a behavioral healthcare company with her husband for fifteen years.
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In this file Tracey Lange and I discussed:
- How writing about mental health helped fuel her fiction
- Why you’re never too old to publish
- What sets her sophomore novel apart from her debut
- Writing characters who cross good intentions with bad decision-making
- Why you need to find your writers group if you haven’t already
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- traceylange.com
- The Connellys of County Down: A Novel By Tracey Lange (Amazon)
- Tracey Lange Amazon Author Page
- Tracey Lange on Instagram
- Tracey Lange on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Author Hilary Leichter Writes
Critically acclaimed author, Hilary Leichter, spoke to me about why she thinks of herself as a realist, how her life imitates art, finding a novel hidden in her closet, and her latest, TERRACE STORY.
Hilary Leichter is an award-winning short story writer, and author of the novel Temporary, which was a finalist for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and an NYPL Young Lions Fiction Prize, that was also longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award, was named a New York Times Editors’ Choice as well as a Best Book of 2020 by NPR, Elle, Vulture, and Publishers Weekly.
Her latest novel, Terrace Story (Ecco; on sale: August 29, 2023), is described as “... an intimate exploration of time, a fable about love,[and] an epic daydream for a broken-hearted world.” Booklist said of the book, “Terrace Story is fun and profound, fickle and erudite. It is an irresistibly cool book.”
Hernan Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Trust, said of the author, ”Hilary Leichter, [is] one of our most original novelists, [and] amazes us again with a beautifully unclassifiable novel. Step out onto the terrace, where space and time, cause and effect, and fiction and reality have been redefined and gorgeously subverted. Terrace Story isn’t a novel you merely read; it’s a book you inhabit.”
Hilary teaches at Columbia University where she is the Undergraduate Creative Writing Adviser in Fiction. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, n+1, The New York Times, Conjunctions, and elsewhere. Her work in Harper’s Magazine won the 2021 National Magazine Award in Fiction.
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In this file Hilary Leichter and I discussed:
- Why it never seems to get easier
- Sling-shotting from rejection to literary darling
- Why her first book was about a woman with many jobs set in the gig economy
- The writing habits she fears are unhealthy
- Revisiting The Poetics of Space
- The definition of “reverse research”
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- hilaryleichter.com
- Terrace Story: A Novel By Hilary Leichter (Amazon)
- Andrea Bartz Amazon Author Page
- How Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Hernan Diaz Writes: Redux
- Hilary Leichter on Instagram
- Hilary Leichter on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Andrea Bartz Writes
New York Times bestselling author and journalist, Andrea Bartz, spoke to me about her previous life as a magazine editor, how to write feminist psychological thrillers, and all the tension, twists, and toxic relationships in her latest novel THE SPARE ROOM.
Andrea Bartz is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor whose last thriller, We Were Never Here, was a Reese’s Book Club pick and an instant New York Times bestseller that’s in development at Netflix.
Her latest, The Spare Room, is described as a “... a dark, twisted, sultry tale about a lockdown pod that turns deadly,” and was named a People Magazine Best New Book, Marie Claire’s July Book Club Pick, an Elle.com Best New Summer Book, a Glamour Best New Summer Thriller, and a Goodreads’ Most Anticipated Mysteries & Thrillers of 2023, among many others.
People Magazine called it, “A fresh and sexy ride, perfect for reading poolside,” and #1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley called it, “Sexy, atmospheric, deliciously creepy, and ingeniously plotted: the best kind of up-all-night page-turner.”
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In this file Andrea Bartz and I discussed:
- How she decided to turn the domestic suspense genre on its head
- What happens when life hits the “Stop” button
- The loneliness, fear, and claustrophobia that helped her write the latest
- How she taps her inner journalist to write fiction
- Turning the dial to “11” on human relationships
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Andreabartz.com
- The Spare Room By Andrea Bartz (Amazon)
- Andrea Bartz Amazon Author Page
- Pacemaker.press
- Andrea Bartz on Instagram
- Andrea Bartz on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Author Andrew Lipstein Writes
Critically acclaimed author, Andrew Lipstein, spoke to me about failure as an MFA, how he sold his first novel, why time spent not writing is also important, and his latest THE VEGAN.
Andrew Lipstein is a Brooklyn-based writer who also works in finance and has a mathematics degree. His debut novel, Last Resort, was named a Top 10 Book of the Year by Slate, a 2022 Best Book by The New Yorker, a 2022 Best Book by Vulture, and a New York Times Editors’ Choice.
His latest, The Vegan is described as a book about “....high finance, moral reckonings, veganism … guilt, greed, and how far we'll go to be good.” It was named one of Town & Country’s Must-Read Books of Summer, an i-D Magazine, ELLE, Literary Hub, and Our Culture Magazine’s Most Anticipated Book of 2023.
Author Andrew Martin called it, “Crime and Punishment for the Brooklyn brownstone set," and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joshua Cohen called it, “... a meaty comedy with a bleeding heart, highly recommended for all animals who read."
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In this file Andrew Lipstein and I discussed:
- Why he chose to use a pseudonym to sell his first book
- The moral ambiguities of money
- Why having a great editor feels like cheating
- What to do if you can’t find the time to write
- Why all of our best ideas come to us in the shower
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- alipstein.com
- The Vegan By Andrew Lipstein (Amazon)
- Andrew Lipstein Amazon Author Page
- Andrew Lipstein on Instagram
- Andrew Lipstein on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs Writes: Part One
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, spoke to me about why writers need to follow their bliss, how her stories come together like patchwork quilts, and her most “summery” novel yet, WELCOME TO BEACH TOWN.
Susan Wiggs is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 50 published novels, with a combined 25 million copies in print, published in 30 countries, and translated into over 20 languages.
Her latest, Welcome to Beach Town: A Novel, is described as the “... tale of an idyllic California beach town forced to reckon with scandal when a high school valedictorian’s speech reveals secrets that shake the town to its core.”
Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds called the book "... a masterclass in storytelling…. a novel, [where] one thing is for sure: In this beach town, there is always more happening than meets the eye," and Booklist called it, "The perfect beach read...full of surf, rediscovered love, and second chances."
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In this file, Susan Wiggs and I discussed:
- Why no one will pay you to be an “aspiring writer”
- How her writing has changed over her 36-year career
- Her immersive research process
- Why she never reads her published books
- How a left-handed, office supply geek writes all her prose
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Susanwiggs.com
- Welcome to Beach Town: A Novel by Susan Wiggs (Amazon)
- Susan Wiggs Amazon Author Page
- Susan Wiggs on Instagram
- Susan Wiggs on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Helen Schulman Writes
New York Times bestselling author and educator, Helen Schulman, spoke to me about her winding path to bestseller, why a writing career is 90% sweat and rejection, and how the #MeToo movement inspired her latest novel, LUCKY DOGS.
Helen Schulman is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including Come with Me and This Beautiful Life, and she is currently the Fiction Chair of the Creative Writing Program at The New School.
Her latest, Lucky Dogs, is described as a novel that “... lays bare what happens to women—no matter how fortunate they may appear to be on the surface—whose lives have been warped by brutality and misogyny.”
Best-selling author Jennifer Egan called the book, "Part thriller, part Hollywood satire [and] a brash, sometimes heartbreaking saga in which trauma and self-preservation converge across decades and continents. This is Helen Schulman's best novel yet."
Helen Schulman’s fiction, non-fiction, and reviews have appeared in such places as Vanity Fair, Time, Vogue, GQ, The New York Times Book Review, and The Paris Review. She also serves as Executive Director for WriteOn NYC, a fellowship program that provides free creative writing instruction to underserved New York City school children.
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In this file, Helen Schulman and I discussed:
- Why her latest book isn’t funny
- Her intensive research process
- Why she wrote her latest from bed
- Her passion for helping underprivileged kids discover a love of writing
- How to tell if a writer is going to “make it”
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Helen Schulman | The New School
- Lucky Dogs: A Novel By Helen Schulman (Amazon)
- Helen Schulman Amazon Author Page
- WriteOn NYC – Connecting passionate writers to New York City students
- Aspen Words
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author James Swallow Writes: Part Two
New York Times bestselling author, James Swallow, returns to chat with me about the solitary life of a writer, his undying love of ‘80s and ‘90s cinema, why you’re only as good as your last title, and his latest novel DARK HORIZON.
James Swallow is the Award-winning New York Times, Sunday Times, and Amazon #1 bestselling author, former journalist, and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nominated scriptwriter who has written for video games, TV, and radio.
His latest, Dark Horizon, is described as stemming from, "A fatal crash and a brutal murder in an English village [that] sets off a deadly chain of events leading from the stormy skies over the Mediterranean to an explosive confrontation on a remote airstrip in North Africa.”
The prolific author of over 50 titles and millions of books in print worldwide has written sci-fi for storied franchises including Star Trek, Dr. Who, Stargate, and is best known for his espionage thrillers.
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In this file, James Swallow and I discussed:
- The definition of “book head”
- What it’s like for a novelist to be stuck in an airport
- Why he makes his protagonists deliberately fallible
- How videogames have eclipsed most popular media
- Why you can’t automate the hardest part of writing
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How NY Times Bestselling Author James Swallow Writes: Part One
- www.jswallow.com
- James Swallow on Amazon
- James Swallow on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Ashley Audrain Writes
New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Audrain, spoke to me about giving herself permission to write sh*tty first drafts, writing in public, and her second novel THE WHISPERS.
Ashley Audrain’s debut novel, The Push, was a New York Times, Sunday Times (London), #1 international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. It has sold in more than 40 territories, and a limited TV series is currently in development.
Her latest, The Whispers, is described as “ … a propulsive page-turner about four families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens – and what is lost when we give in to our own worst impulses.”
The New York Times Book Review wrote, "Expertly, subtly and powerfully rendered …. [The Whispers] delivers a sucker-punch ending you’ll have to read twice to believe.” And #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called it, “[An] electrifying … razor-sharp page-turner.”
Ashley Audrain previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada, and prior to that, worked in public relations.
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In this file, Ashley Audrain and I discussed:
- Why she felt intimidated by writers while working in PR
- How to write claustrophobic, voyeuristic fiction
- Why she is drawn to the darker side of literature
- Tapping into the messiness of midlife ennui
- How to escape your kids
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- ashleyaudrain.com
- The Whispers By Ashley Audrain (Amazon)
- Ashley Audrain Amazon Author Page
- Ashley Audrain on Instagram
- Ashley Audrain on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Internationally Bestselling Author Liv Constantine Writes
Internationally bestselling authors, Lynne & Valerie Constantine – AKA Liv Constantine – spoke to me about the importance of writers’ conferences, how to write perfidy with your best friend, and their latest thriller THE SENATOR'S WIFE.
Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne and Valerie Constantine who are the WSJ, USA Today, and Internationally bestselling authors of Reese’s Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish, which has sold over 500,000 copies and is soon to be adapted for Netflix
Their latest, The Senator's Wife, is described as “... a psychological thriller that upends the private lives of those who walk the halls of power. Because when you have it all, you have everything to lose.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author A. J. Finn called the book, “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle meets The West Wing, a high-stakes paranoia thriller, slippery as a politician’s handshake, that's both sophisticated and irrepressibly fun.”
Lynne is a former marketing executive with a Master’s degree in Business from Johns Hopkins University who also writes The Jack Logan series under the pen name L.C. Shaw.
Early in her career, Valerie worked in Washington D.C. as a White House Assistant in the President’s Scheduling and Advance Office planning presidential trips and travel.
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In this file, Lynne, Valerie and I discussed:
- How to team up with your sister to write a thriller
- Setting a book in the halls of power, Washington, D.C.
- How they plot their novels over Zoom
- Why they call Thiller Fest their “summer camp”
- The importance of freelance editors
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- livconstantine.com
- The Senator's Wife by Liv Constantine (Amazon)
- Liv Constantine Amazon Author Page
- thrillerwriters.org
- Liv Constantine on Instagram
- Liv Constantine on Facebook
- Liv Constantine on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Fiona Barton Writes
New York Times bestselling author, Fiona Barton, spoke to me about why so many famous journalists have turned to crime fiction, the power of the deadline, and her latest hit novel LOCAL GONE MISSING.
Fiona Barton is the award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of novels The Widow, The Child, and The Suspect – all three featuring journalist Kate Waters.
Her latest thriller, Local Gone Missing, follows a new protagonist in Detective Elise King and follows the brewing changes of a small seaside town.
Kirkus Reviews said of the book, “Barton presents such an embarrassment of riches … Layers and layers of unlovely revelations about people who seemed perfectly nice.” And BookPage wrote, “Thanks to Barton’s airtight plotting and impeccable characterization, a minibreak by the sea will never seem relaxing again."
In her past life, Fiona was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, a news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday. She has trained and worked with journalists all over the world.
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In this file, Fiona Barton and I discussed:
- What it was like to be a Chief Reporter in the UK during the 90s and Noughties
- Why crime reporters don’t have time to write fiction
- How she made the transition to bestselling novelist
- Why journalism is so akin to crime fiction
- The definition of a “duvet writer”
- How to beat procrastination
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- fionabartonauthor.com
- Local Gone Missing By Fiona Barton (Amazon)
- Fiona Barton Amazon Author Page
- Fiona Barton on Facebook
- Fiona Barton on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Carley Fortune Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Carley Fortune, spoke to me about her storied career as a journalist, writing a breakout hit in just four months, and her latest novel, MEET ME AT THE LAKE.
Carley Fortune is an award-winning Canadian journalist and the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of Meet Me at the Lake and Every Summer After.
Her latest, Meet Me at the Lake, is described as a “...love story about two strangers who come together when they need each other most. Once, in their early twenties, and again a decade later.”
GMA said of the book, "Fortune explores the aftermath of losing a beloved parent and reclaiming a relationship in this unputdownable, witty, soulful and stirring novel." And New York Times bestselling author Jill Santopolo called Meet Me at The Lake “... a beautiful, heart-tugging, love story about secrets, lies, missed connections and second chances.”
Carley has worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and a now-defunct weekly paper, The Grid. She was most recently the Executive Editor of Refinery29 Canada.
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In this file, Carley Fortune and I discussed:
What prompted her to reclaim her creative energy
How to write 80 thousand words in just four months
Why writers need to keep their expectations realistic and protect their mental health
How she starts planning her novels
Why extroverted writers need to get into real clothes and out of the house
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Meet Me at the Lake By Carley Fortune (Amazon)
Carley Fortune Amazon Author Page
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part Two
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry, returns to chat with me about depressing first drafts, what it's like to be a genre-bending, commercial fiction superstar, and her “glittering” new novel HAPPY PLACE.
Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read, and has sold over three million copies of her novels.
Her latest is Happy Place, an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and her first hardcover novel, described as a book “...about reluctant exes who make a pact to pretend to date during an annual friends’ trip...”
Author Taylor Jenkins-Reid called it "Another knock-out from the champ.” The Washington Post wrote that the book, “Blur[s] the lines between women’s and literary-leaning commercial fiction, departing from the fantasy spaces of bodice rippers and misty moors to depict a world that looks a lot more like, well, our own…”
Emily's books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, and many more.
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In this file, Emily Henry and I discussed:
- What it feels like to (still) be living inside a lightning strike
- Why it’s easy for her to stay humble as a writer
- How to write rom-com at the top of readers’ intelligence
- Her take on superhero movie tropes
- Why making a reader laugh is so much harder than making them cry
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part One
- emilyhenrybooks.com
- Happy Place By Emily Henry (Amazon)
- Emily Henry Amazon Author Page
- Emily Henry on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Hernan Diaz Writes: Redux
NOTE: This is an updated replay of an amazing chat I had with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, Hernan Diaz, who spoke to me exactly one year ago about rejection, his unusual path to literary stardom, subverting reader expectations, and his latest novel TRUST.
A big congrats to Hernan who recently won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
His novel, Trust, shared the Pulitzer Books prize with Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, Demon Copperhead. Trust was named one of 2022’s Most Anticipated Books by The New York Times, OprahDaily, The Today Show, Vogue, Vulture, AV Club, and many others.
Described as "...an immersive story and a brilliant literary puzzle .... about money, power, intimacy, and perception," The NY Times called Trust, “Intricate, cunning and consistently surprising ..."
Hernan was also a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award and his first novel, In the Distance, won the Saroyan International Prize, the Cabell Award, the Prix Page America, and the New American Voices Award, among other distinctions. He holds a Ph.D. from NYU, edits an academic journal at Columbia University, and his stories and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, Playboy, The Yale Review, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere.
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In this file Hernan Diaz and I discussed:
- Why the path to publication is a Catch-22 for authors
- The lonely road to Pulitzer Nominee and the disorientation of fame
- What he learned from Jorge Luis Borges
- Re-mapping the isthmus of referential reality
- How he unlearned academic writing
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- hernandiaz.net
- Trust by Hernan Diaz (Amazon Affiliate)
- Hernan Diaz Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
- Pulitzer Prizes 2023: A Guide to the Winning Books and Finalists - NY Times
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ruta Sepetys Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Ruta Sepetys, spoke to me about what she learned in the music industry, the secrets to strong, vivid writing, and her non-fiction debut YOU: THE STORY: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory.
Ruta Sepetys is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Her acclaimed “crossover” YA literature includes the Carnegie Medal-winning Salt to the Sea.
Her latest is the creative guide to writing, You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory (available May 16, 2023), which “... provides aspiring writers with a roadmap to crafting compelling stories by encouraging them to look inward and excavate their own memories in order to discover authentic voices and compelling details.”
In a starred review Booklist said of the book, “Part writing guide, part memoir, Sepetys’ fresh, fun handbook is all inspiration.”
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In this file, Ruta Sepetys and I discussed:
- What she learned about storytelling working in the music industry
- Why she’s drawn to underrepresented stories and “history in hiding”
- How to discover the Four Hs of the "excitement of life"
- Her intensive research process for each book
- Why writers need to examine their own lives for authenticity
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- rutasepetys.com
- You: The Story: A Writer's Guide to Craft Through Memory by Ruta Sepetys (Amazon)
- Ruta Sepetys Amazon Author Page
- Ruta Sepetys on Instagram
- Ruta Sepetys on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author J. Ryan Stradal Writes
New York Times bestselling author, J. Ryan Stradal, spoke to me about the unsurpassed passive aggressiveness of Midwesterners, writing about the restaurant industry during the pandemic, and his latest novel SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE LAKESIDE SUPPER CLUB.
J. Ryan Stradal is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest and national bestseller The Lager Queen of Minnesota, named one of the year's best books by NPR, USA Today, Booklist, and many others.
His latest novel is Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club, described as “... a sharp and poignant tale of a couple from two different restaurant families in rural Minnesota – one has inherited her grandparents’ old-fashioned supper club, and the other is heir to a chain of homestyle diners (known for putting those supper clubs out of business).” The book was named An Amazon Best Book of April 2023.
New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay said of the novel, “This is a perfect book.” And in a starred review, Kirkus called it, “A loving ode to supper clubs, the Midwest, and the people there who try their best to make life worth living.”
J. Ryan Stradal has also worked extensively in TV, story editing and producing shows for VH-1, MTV, ABC, FOX, TLC, A&E, Discovery, and History. Working primarily for Original Productions from 2008 to 2014, he was the senior story producer on “Deadliest Catch” and “Ice Road Truckers” and a supervising producer on "Storage Wars," and “Storage Wars: Texas.”
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In this file, J. Ryan Stradal and I discussed:
- What it was like during the sunset of the halcyon days at MTV and VH1
- Producing a popular reality TV show in the Canadian Arctic
- How he wrote a novel in the margins of editing Storage Wars
- The unique dining experience of a Midwestern supper club
- Why writers need to ditch perfection
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- jryanstradal.com
- Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal (Amazon)
- J. Ryan Stradal Amazon Author Page
- J. Ryan Stradal on Instagram
- J. Ryan Stradal on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Chanel Cleeton Writes
New York Times bestselling author, Chanel Cleeton, spoke to me about her passion for exploring Cuban-American identity via women's perspectives throughout history, how she plots her popular historical fiction, and her latest novel THE CUBAN HEIRESS.
Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana, as well as instant New York Times bestsellers When We Left Cuba, and The Last Train to Key West.
Her most recent historical fiction entry is The Cuban Heiress, described as a novel inspired by true events that “ … follows two women whose lives become intertwined during a fateful journey upon the S.S. Morro Castle—a luxury cruise liner that caught fire and sank on its way from Havana to New York in September 1934”
Booklist wrote of the book, “Nothing is what it seems in Cleeton's latest gripping historical novel.... Handsome con men, clever thieves, desperate rebels, and our valiant heroines all convene on this elegant but doomed ocean liner. Cleeton includes vivid details about the mysterious final voyage of the Morro Castle and provides further reading about this historic disaster.”
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In this file Chanel Cleeton and I discussed:
- How she turned a law degree into a writing career
- Why every writer needs to write a terrible first book
- The research process of a book-a-year writer
- Exploring lesser known events shaping Cuban-American culture
- How her characters speak to her in her daily life
- Why writers need to dig deep to overcome rejection
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- ChanelCleeton.com
- The Cuban Heiress By Chanel Cleeton (Amazon)
- Chanel Cleeton Amazon Author Page
- Chanel Cleeton on Instagram
- Chanel Cleeton on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Bonnie Garmus Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Bonnie Garmus, spoke to me about the evolution of her craft, how her protagonist changed her life, getting blurbed by Stephen King, and the never-ending book tour for her lauded debut LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY.
Bonnie Garmus is a copywriter, creative director, and author of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel, Lessons in Chemistry, named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, and Newsweek.
The book introduced the main character, “Elizabeth Zott, a headstrong, gifted chemist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show.”
BuzzFeed wrote of the book, “A kicky debut, this book tackles feminism, resilience, and rationalism in a fun and refreshing way.” And Stephen King called it, “witty, sometimes hilarious…the Catch-22 of early feminism.”
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In this file Bonnie Garmus and I discussed:
- How her copywriting career supported her fiction writing
- Why courses will never make you a writer
- Plotters vs Pantsers and why she can't write from an outline
- Overcoming a fear of the blank page
- Why writing a synopsis is one of The Circles of Hell
- Getting a phone call from Academy Award Winner Brie Larson
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- BonnieGarmus.com
- Lessons in Chemistry By Bonnie Garmus (Amazon)
- Bonnie Garmus on Instagram
- Bonnie Garmus on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Gregg Hurwitz Writes
New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author, Gregg Hurwitz, spoke with me about why all writing is a process of self-discovery, how to humanize a trained assassin, and the latest Orphan X thriller, THE LAST ORPHAN.
Gregg Hurwitz is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author of 23 thrillers including the ORPHAN X series. He has been published in 33 languages, and the Los Angeles Times called him “... a thriller giant."
He is also a NY Times bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for AWA (Knighted and the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin).
His eighth Orphan X novel is The Last Orphan, the ongoing series featuring The Nowhere Man, “Evan Smoak, a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past.”
#1 NY Times bestselling author Meg Gardiner said of the book, "Just when I thought the Orphan X novels couldn’t get any better, Gregg Hurwitz takes the series to an even higher level. The Last Orphan is pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, and thought-provoking.”
Gregg Hurwitz has written screenplays and TV scripts for many of the major studios and networks, has published poetry, numerous academic articles on Shakespeare, and has taught fiction writing at USC.
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In this file Gregg Hurwitz and I discussed:
- The reason he never took a creative writing class
- Why Orphan X is the culmination of his career
- Plot as character in motion
- How every writer’s voice is as distinctive as a fingerprint
- Writing Batman vs Bruce Wayne and villains vs antagonists
- Grabbing a bourbon with William Faulkner
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- GreggHurwitz.net
- The Last Orphan By Gregg Hurwitz (Amazon)
- Gregg Hurwitz Amazon Author Page
- Gregg Hurwitz on Facebook
- Gregg Hurwitz on Instagram
- Gregg Hurwitz on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Author Margot Douaihy Writes
Critically acclaimed debut crime novelist and poet, Margot Douaihy, spoke with me about what she learned from Gillian Flynn, subverting the hard-boiled mystery, and writing a queer, iconoclastic, chain-smoking, punk rock nun, for her latest SCORCHED GRACE.
Margot Douaihy is an award-winning educator, editor, and poet whose first novel is Scorched Grace, the inaugural title published by Gillian Flynn Books, an imprint with Zando. It was named a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, Amazon Editors’ Choice , Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and one of the “most anticipated crime books” of the year by Barnes & Noble, Crime Reads, Electric Lit, LGBTQ Reads and many others.
The book has been described as a lyrical mystery that kicks off a series featuring protagonist “Sister Holiday, a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed, queer nun, [who] puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test…”
Don Winslow, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Power of the Dog and City on Fire, said of the book, “Margot Douaihy’s bold entry into the hard-boiled genre revitalizes it for our times. Skillfully plotted, propulsive, and deeply engaged with the communities it represents, Scorched Grace is one of the best crime fiction debuts I’ve come across in a long while.”
Margot has a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, is the co-editor of Cambridge’s Elements in Crime Narratives series, teaches Creative Writing and Editing/Publishing at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH, and is the author of four poetry collections.
Her writing has been featured in Colorado Review; The Florida Review; North American Review; PBS NewsHour; Portland Review, and many others.
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Margot Douaihy and I discussed:
- The winding path to celebrated debut novel
- Why we uphold a tragic misconception about writers
- How to honor, and repudiate, masters of the noir genre
- The ecosystem of her deep immersion and channeling of the muse
- How to find the broad brush strokes of causality in crime
- Why writers need to double down and follow their curiosity
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- margotdouaihy.com
- Scorched Grace By Margot Douaihy (Amazon)
- Margot Douaihy on Instagram
- Margot Douaihy on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Write a Bestselling Audio Drama with Writer/Producer Aaron Tracy: Part One
Yale educator and TV writer/producer, Aaron Tracy, spoke with me about what it takes to make it as a TV writer, breaking into the audio drama space, producing Audible’s most successful original fiction series, and working on the upcoming “Supreme” with Eva Longoria.
Aaron Tracy teaches “The Art and Craft of Television Drama” at Yale University, and his TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal, The Tap, and Sequestered, a serialized thriller that ran two seasons, for which he was Creator and Executive Producer.
He is also the Creator, Head Writer, and Exec. Producer of scripted audio dramas for iHeartRadio, Audible, and Spotify, with various production partners. These include an underdog NBA story with Steve Nash, a legal thriller with James Patterson, a historical romance with Shonda Rhimes, and a courtroom drama with Eva Longoria.
His first show to be released, The Coldest Case, a detective thriller starring Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter, and Alexis Bledel, premiered as the #1 download on Audible in 2021, and has since become the most downloaded show in Audible Plus history.
His audio entertainment company, Parallax, is the home for “prestige scripted audio thrillers and thought-provoking unscripted fare.”
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In this file Aaron Tracy and I discussed:
- The two paths available to aspiring TV writers
- Why you need to always be pitching ideas
- How audio dramas harken back to the golden days of radio
- Landing big stars for "TV shows without the visuals"
- Working with Rob Reiner
- How to write for the ear
- Why the journey is the destination for writers
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- The Art and Craft of TV Drama with Aaron Tracy: Part Two
- Yale University – Aaron Tracy
- Aaron Tracy Audible Page
- Aaron Tracy on IMdB
- Aaron Tracy on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Author, Artist & Filmmaker Leopoldo Gout Writes
Award-winning author, visual artist, and filmmaker, Leopoldo Gout, spoke with me about making music videos for David Byrne, going from homeless auteur to working for James Patterson, his unique creative process, and his latest horror novel PIÑATA.
Leopoldo Gout is the author of the books Ghost Radio, the award-winning Genius YA trilogy, and the recently published fable for all ages, Monarca. He has also packaged, published, and developed books with other writers under his imprint at Simon & Schuster: Leopoldo & Co., and was co-president of the James Patterson Entertainment company for many years.
His latest novel is Piñata (Tor Nightfire), described as “... a bone-chilling possession tale perfect for fans of Hereditary and A Head Full of Ghosts. Based on the true, horrific story of the Spanish conquistadors that used piñatas to force Aztec children to destroy their gods…”
Publishers Weekly wrote of the author, “Gout puts a unique twist on a classic possession story by incorporating Indigenous Mexican lore into the gory plot.”
Leopoldo Gout is an accomplished visual artist, filmmaker, and writer from Mexico City, and studied sculpture at Central St. Martins School of Art in London. He is currently producing award-winning author Marlon James’ original debut for television: GET MILLIE BLACK (Channel 4 & HBO) and was the Exec. Producer of the film Molly's Game starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.
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In this file Leopoldo Gout and I discussed:
- How his early life in Mexico contributed to a life of curiosity
- Working with Pedro Pascal, star of The Mandalorian and The Last of Us
- Why the Horror genre was a great fit for his artistic sensibilities
- What it was like to work with Aaron Sorkin on Molly’s Game
- Using research and meditation to beat creative block
- Overcoming your fear of failure
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- LeopoldoGout.net
- Piñata A Novel By Leopoldo Gout (Amazon)
- Leopoldo Gout’s Amazon Author Page
- Leopoldo Gout on Facebook
- Leopoldo Gout on Instagram
- Leopoldo Gout on IMdB
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Jill Santopolo Writes
New York Times and internationally bestselling author, Jill Santopolo, spoke with me about finding balance as a writer/publisher, writing as therapy, the universal power of myths, and her latest novel STARS IN AN ITALIAN SKY.
Jill Santopolo’s debut adult novel, The Light We Lost, was a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick, landed on the New York Times bestsellers list, and has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into more than 35 languages and she is also the associate publisher of Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, where she has edited critically-acclaimed, award-winning, and best-selling books including She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton, and Superheroes Are Everywhere by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Mechal Roe.
Her fourth novel is Stars in an Italian Sky, described as “… a sweeping story of two star-crossed lovers in post-World War II Italy, and a blossoming relationship generations later that will reveal a long-buried family secret.”
Publishers Weekly wrote of the author, “Santopolo skillfully weaves two love stories in which passionate and idealistic young couples contend with class differences, tension between their personal desires and familial obligations, and the ongoing ramifications of decisions made by earlier generations….”
Jill is also the author of three successful children's and young-adult series including the Alec Flint Mysteries, the Sparkle Spa series, and the Follow Your Heart books. She holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University, and an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
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In this file Jill Santopolo and I discussed:
- The importance of liking all the things you do
- Why you can’t write unless you know what’s been written before
- How she got her start in publishing and writing children’s books
- Why love and loss are the touchstones of storytelling
- Whether Venus would be on Tinder
- Researching for two hours to write a single sentence
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- JillSantopolo.com
- Stars in an Italian Sky By Jill Santopolo (Amazon)
- Jill Santopolo’s Amazon Author Page
- Jill Santopolo on Facebook
- Jill Santopolo on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Rebecca Makkai Writes
New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer finalist, Rebecca Makkai, spoke with me about her love of the short story, the true crime industrial complex, and her latest “literary feminist boarding school murder mystery,” I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
Rebecca Makkai’s last novel, The Great Believers, was a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award finalist, won a slew of awards, and was one of The New York Times' Ten Best Books of 2018.
Her latest novel is I Have Some Questions for You, named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by TIME, The Seattle Times, Good Housekeeping, Today.com, CrimeReads, NPR, and many others.
Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as, "part true-crime page-turner, part campus coming-of-age," and The New York Times Book Review as, "A spellbinding work …" Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan called the book, “Part boarding school drama, part forensic whodunnit, I Have Some Questions for You is a true literary mystery—haunting and hard to put down.”
Rebecca is a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow, on the MFA faculties of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and Northwestern University, and is Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago. Her work has been translated into 20 languages, and her short fiction has been anthologized in The Pushcart Prize XLI (2017), The Best American Short Stories 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and many others.
Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU by Rebecca Makkai, read by Julia Whelan and JD Jackson.
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In this file Rebecca Makkai and I discussed:
- Why she chose to become an educator early on in her career
- The importance of 15 years of writing and publishing short stories
- How luck and maturity played a role in her career as a novelist
- The most underutilized tool in fiction
- Her Zen koan for fellow writers
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- I Have Some Questions for You A NOVEL By Rebecca Makkai (Amazon)
- Rebecca Makkai’s Amazon Author Page
- By the Book Interview: Rebecca Makkai - The New York Times
- A Novel That Confronts Our True-Crime Obsession | The New Yorker
- Rebecca Makkai on Facebook
- Rebecca Makkai on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author William Landay Writes
Award-winning and New York Times bestselling novelist, William Landay, spoke with me about how former lawyers get pigeonholed in publishing, why we can’t get enough true crime, and his latest ALL THAT IS MINE I CARRY WITH ME.
William Landay is a former assistant district attorney, and the bestselling author of Defending Jacob, recently adapted into the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series starring Chris Evans.
His eagerly anticipated follow-up is All That Is Mine I Carry With Me (on sale 3/7; Bantam), a March 2023 LibraryReads pick, described by NY Times bestselling author Scott Turow as, “... masterful, original and riveting ... With its subtle mystery and compelling portraits of how lives are transformed in the aftermath of violent crime ...”
NY Times bestselling author Joseph Finder said of the author, “With All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, the masterful author of Defending Jacob has created something … unforgettable, and original—unlike any other crime novel I’ve read.”
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file William Landay and I discussed:
- The double-edged sword of a two-book deal
- Why service industry jobs are great for writers
- The strange surprise of writing a runaway bestseller
- The long tail of Defending Jacob and the power of book clubs
- Why we will always need books
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- All That Is Mine I Carry With Me: A NOVEL By William Landay (Amazon)
- William Landay’s Amazon Author Page
- William Landay on Facebook
- William Landay on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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‘On Writing and Failure’ with Author Stephen Marche
Former Shakespeare professor and author, Stephen Marche, spoke with me about how to roll with the punches, finding comfort in the history of writerly failure, and his candid guide on handling a lifetime of rejection, “On Writing and Failure.”
Stephen Marche is a novelist, essayist, and cultural commentator, and he was a contributing editor at Esquire, for which he wrote a monthly column entitled "A Thousand Words about Our Culture."
His latest is the book-length essay titled “On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer.” The Midwest Book Review called it “... essential reading for anyone seeking to write for a living, be it as a novelist, essayist, poet, columnist, or any other writing genre."
Stephen Marche received a doctorate in early modern English drama from the University of Toronto and taught Renaissance drama at CUNY. He is the author of half a dozen books, and has written opinion pieces and essays for The New Yorker, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, The Walrus, and many others.
He is also the host of the hit Audible series How Not to F*ck Up Your Kids Too Bad, and the sequel How Not to F*ck Up Your Marriage Too Bad.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Stephen Marche and I discussed:
- Why his career has been more than a little weird
- How to get back up after you’ve been knocked down
- Why good writers offer advice and great writers offer condolences
- What the writing life offers the uninitiated
- Where to hang out with Shakespeare
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- stephenmarche.com
- On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer by Stephen Marche (Amazon)
- Stephen Marche Amazon Author Page
- A Writer’s Lament: The Better You Write, the More You Will Fail - NY Times
- Stephen Marche on Facebook
- Stephen Marche on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Deepti Kapoor Writes
New York Times bestselling novelist, Deepti Kapoor, spoke with me about plumbing her subconscious for stories, a changing India and the trifecta of big business, crime, and corruption, and her sprawling saga AGE OF VICE.
Deepti Kapoor is the bestselling author of Age of Vice, a novel described as, “Deftly shifting through time and perspective in contemporary India, Age of Vice is an epic, action-packed story propelled by… seductive wealth, startling corruption, and bloodthirsty violence…”
The book was the “Good Morning America” book club selection for January, and it’s been purchased by FX for a series. It was also described by #1 internationally bestselling author Lee Child as, “Sensationally good — huge, epic, immersive and absorbing … certain to be a book of the year.”
After growing up in Northern India, Deepti Kapoor studied journalism at the University of Delhi and later completed an MA in Social Psychology. She worked for several years as a journalist in New Delhi, driving the city, finding stories, and learning the streets.
** Note: The audio quality during the interview varies, Deepti lives in a densely populated part of Portugal and sirens can be heard at times. And there is a mention of drug use, though theoretical.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Deepti Kapoor and I discussed:
- How to employ radical empathy in your storytelling
- Starting a novel without a plan or an outline
- The importance of a strict routine and letting ideas incubate
- When characters insinuate themselves into your story
- How to write propulsive entertainment with a message
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Age of Vice: A NOVEL By Deepti Kapoor (Amazon)
- ‘Age of Vice’: A Lush Thriller Dives Into New Delhi’s Underworld - NY Times
- Deepti Kapoor on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Debut Novelist Ana Reyes Writes
New York Times bestselling debut author, Ana Reyes, spoke with me about the importance of the writing community, the evolution of a haunting tale from graduate thesis to instant bestseller, and her first thriller “The House in the Pines.”
Ana Reyes is the bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick The House in the Pines, her debut psychological thriller.
Described by New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager as, "Powerfully eerie and atmospheric, The House in the Pines is a compelling mix of psychological thriller and dark fairy tale."
An Amazon Best Book of January 2023 review also described it as “... an absorbing, cleverly plotted story of female friendship, loyalty repaid, maternal love, and the powerful desire to unlock secrets, even in the face of evil.”
Ana Reyes has an MFA from Louisiana State University and her work has appeared in Bodega, Pear Noir!, The New Delta Review, and others.
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Ana Reyes and I discussed:
- How her work and process evolved over the seven years to publication
- Writing through and into the symptoms of withdrawal
- Why teaching is the best education for writers
- Weaving cultural heritage and magical realism into her work
- Embracing the thriller genre
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- anareyeswriter.com
- The House in the Pines a Novel By Ana Reyes (Amazon)
- Ana Reyes on Instagram
- Ana Reyes on Facebook
- Ana Reyes on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Horror Writer Grady Hendrix Writes
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter, Grady Hendrix, spoke with me about getting serious about horror, turning genre tropes on their head, and his latest “How to Sell a Haunted House.”
Grady Hendrix is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and journalist best known for My Best Friend’s Exorcism (adapted into a feature film by Amazon Studios), and the New York Times bestsellers The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, and The Final Girl Support Group.
His latest is How to Sell a Haunted House, an #1 Indie Next List pick, described as a “...novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else.” The New York Times called it a “…gripping, wildly entertaining exploration of childhood horrors,” and Esquire called it “... an authentically frightening, genuinely funny reconfiguration of what a haunted house can be.”
New York Times bestselling author Chuck Wendig said of the book, “A spirited nightmare story about death, but also, what comes after: grief, guilt, family secrets, and estate administration. Oh, also, did I mention the evil puppets?”
Grady Hendrix’s work is currently in multiple phases of adaptation at HBO and others, for both feature film and streaming.
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In this file Grady Hendrix and I discussed:
- How his novel about a haunted Scandinavian furniture store launched his fiction career
- Perseverance and writing what you know
- Stripping down the horror genre to its core
- The importance of sucky drafts
- Why haunted house stories are always about families
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix (Amazon)
- Grady Hendrix Amazon Author Page
- Gradyhendrix.com
- The Smell of Fear - How To Sell A Haunted House Candle
- Grady Hendrix on Facebook
- Grady Hendrix on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter & Novelist Iris Yamashita Writes
Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and debut novelist, Iris Yamashita, spoke to me about working with Clint Eastwood, her journey from Hollywood to publishing, and falling down the rabbit hole with her first mystery “City Under One Roof.”
Iris Yamashita has been working in Hollywood for over 15 years and was nominated for a “Best Original Screenplay” Oscar for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima (directed by Clint Eastwood).
Her debut novel is City Under One Roof, described as “Alice in Wonderland meets Fargo,” and, “The ultimate locked room mystery, [the novel] drops readers into an isolated, snowy town and is perfect for fans of Twin Peaks, Mare of Easttown, and Broadchurch.”
A Publishers Weekly starred review noted, “Unusual topography plays a major role in screenwriter Yamashita’s atmospherically charged debut….This distinctively original perspective on a ‘community of stragglers, oddballs, and recluses’ heralds the arrival of a major new talent.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box called the book, “A compulsive page-turner that’s both atmospheric and claustrophobic at the same time.”
Iris continues to work in Hollywood, developing for both film and streaming media. She has taught screenwriting at UCLA and the American Film Institute.
Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita, read by Aspen Vincent, Shannon Tyo, and Anna Caputo.
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In this file Iris Yamashita and I discussed:
- How she kept her dream of becoming a novelist alive
- The reverse path from TV pilot to novel
- What her transition from the movie world to the book world was like
- Why nothing is precious
- Vomit drafting
- Finding flow state versus slow state
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita (Amazon)
- www.irisyamashita.com
- Iris Yamashita on Facebook
- Iris Yamashita on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Kai Thomas Writes
Acclaimed debut novelist, Kai Thomas, spoke to me about writing historical fiction that interweaves Black and Indigenous cultures, the power of storytelling, keeping grounded in his work, and his novel “In the Upper Country.”
Kai Thomas is a writer, carpenter, and land steward of Soul Fire Farm a community-centered “… farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system.”
His debut novel is In the Upper Country and described as “... an unforgettable story that unearths the tangled fates of two resilient women from different generations with different pasts …. as they reveal the deeply connected histories of Black and Indigenous peoples of North America and their relationship to the land around them.”
A Publishers Weekly starred review called it, “... [a] mesmerizing debut [that] explores freedom, family, and the interconnections between white, Black, and Indigenous communities in 1859 Canada….”
Stay calm and write on ...
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Kai Thomas and I discussed:
- How an MFA program helped him find his confidence as a writer
- The importance of mentorship, peer evaluation, and fiction workshops for honing his debut
- Gleaning inspiration from his own cultural heritage and an old photograph
- Exploring lesser-known chapters of history
- Finding a balance between research and writing
- Trusting the process
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas (Amazon)
- KaiThomasAuthor.com
- SOUL FIRE FARM
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Jayne Ann Krentz Writes
Award-winning and NY Times bestselling author, Jayne Ann Krentz, spoke to me about how persistence has defined her career, why you need to describe your core story in three words, and her latest thriller, “Sleep No More.”
Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers with over 40 million copies of her books in print. She currently writes under three pseudonyms and her award-winning books have earned her the title of “Queen of Romantic Suspense.”
Her latest is Sleep No More, the first novel of the Lost Night Files series, described as a “... new romantic suspense trilogy about a night that changed three women forever—but that none of them can remember.”
Kirkus Reviews called the book, “A richly layered mystery full of pleasing paranormal elements from a master of the genre,” and Booklist wrote, in a starred review, “[Krentz] skillfully [taps] into the current vogue for true-crime podcasts with her heroine’s side hustle while at the same giving a clever nod to the eternal appeal of the Gothic …”
Jayne Ann earned a BA in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and went on to obtain a Master’s degree in library science from San Jose State University in California.
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In this file Jayne Ann Krentz and I discussed:
- Her warnings against using multiple pseudonyms
- How she invented the Futuristic Romance subgenre
- Finding her niche and why each writer has a unique universe
- Why she doesn't love police procedurals
- Leaning into dreams and the paranormal
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- JayneAnnKrentz.com
- Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz (Amazon)
- Jayne Ann Krentz Amazon Author Page
- Jayne Ann Krentz on Instagram
- Jayne Ann Krentz on Facebook
- Jayne Ann Krentz Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part Three
Award-winning indie journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, returns to discuss the “virus of dissatisfaction,” writing for modern-day samurai David Goggins, and their latest journey to bestseller with “Never Finished,” the sequel to a bestselling memoir.
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within is the follow-up to Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins’ smash hit memoir. It’s been described as a tour of David’s “... Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning and that the quest for greatness is unending.”
Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
Adam is also the author of One Breath, has narrated David Goggins’ bestselling audiobooks, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.
This is the last episode of the year but we’ll be back soon with more inspiration from your favorite authors. Happy Holidays!
Stay calm and write on ...
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In Part Three of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:
- How the sequel to a memoir hit #1 on Amazon and Audible in its week
- Battling Michelle Obama (once again)
- The pressure of publishing a follow-up to a longtime bestseller
- “Goggins Grad School” and the pursuit of greatness
- Why ghostwriters need to stay out of the way, be a servant to the story…
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
- Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
- A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part Two - Redux
In Part Two of this file, we return with an exclusive look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that has sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year!
We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story, but it’s no secret that the book was co-written by my good friend Adam Skolnick.
Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
He is also the author of One Breath, was the narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling audiobook for Can’t Hurt Me, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.
Adam returns later this month for the next installment of How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller: Part Three to talk about his journey with David to his latest bestseller Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within.
Stay calm and write on ...
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In Part Two of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:
- The importance of a large social following for non-fiction authors
- How timing plays such a big role in self-publishing success
- Why an audiobook/podcast hybrid might be the next big thing for authors
- The Golden Age for ghostwriting opportunities
- How David Goggins's inspiring message goes beyond cookie-cutter self-help
- And why "there is no finish line" for writers
Show Notes:
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
- Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
- A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One - Redux
We are rebroadcasting this incredible look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year! Did it finally beat Michelle Obama’s competing bestseller? Stay tuned to find out.
We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story, but it’s no secret that the book was co-written by my good friend Adam Skolnick.
Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
He is also the author of One Breath, was the narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling audiobook for Can’t Hurt Me, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.
Adam returns later this month for the next installment of How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller to talk about his journey with David to his latest bestseller Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within. A huge thank you to Mr. Goggins.
Stay calm and write on ...
[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:
- A definition of ghostwriting
- How Adam got tapped to ghostwrite for author and endurance athlete David Goggins
- Why Goggins turned down a major book publishing deal and decided to self-publish (with Adam still attached)
- The Joe Rogan effect for authors
- How Adam made the decision to help write David's story
- And the unique research and drafting process that went into a bestseller ...
Show Notes:
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
- Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
- A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Brendan Slocumb Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Violinist and lauded debut novelist, Brendan Slocumb, spoke to me about how both music and writing saved his life, the darker side of the classical music world, and his debut "The Violin Conspiracy."
Brendan Slocumb is an accomplished violinist and concertmaster who has performed with major symphonies, has a degree in music education, and has over twenty-five years of teaching in the classroom and in his private studio.
His critically acclaimed debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, has been described as, "Part mystery thriller, part character study of a young Black man trying to make his way in the world of classical music..." It was a GMA Book Club Pick and named a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Mystery/Thriller, NPR’s Books We Love 2022, Audible’s 13 Best Debuts of 2022, and earned two Goodreads Choice Award nominations for Best Debut Novel and Best Mystery Thriller.
Publishers Weekly called the book "[A] gripping debut. . . . Slocumb sensitively portrays Ray’s resilience in the face of extreme racism. The author is off to a promising start.”
Brendan hosts the podcast How Music Can Save Your Life, is a Nobel Teacher of distinction, and serves as an educational consultant for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
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In this file Brendan Slocumb and I discussed:
- How he finds time to tour, write, practice for his string quartet, and teach students for an upcoming recital
- Why the Pandemic forced him to become a prolific novelist
- What it's like to sign your first paperback for a fan
- The importance of practice, routine, and banging out 3000 words a day
- Why writers need to walk, stretch, and hit the gym
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- brendanslocumb.com
- The Violin Conspiracy - By Brendan Slocumb (Amazon)
- How Music Can Save Your Life Podcast
- Brendan Slocumb on Facebook
- Brendan Slocumb on Instagram
- Brendan Slocumb on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeffery Deaver Writes: Part Two
#PodcastersForJustice
#1 international bestselling author of over 40 novels, Jeffery Deaver, returns to rap about his prolific output, an award-winning handbook for mystery writers, and the latest Colter Shaw novel, "Hunting Time."
Jeffery Deaver is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
The "master of suspense" has been nominated for eight Edgar Awards and served two terms as president of Mystery Writers of America, and was recently named a Grand Master of MWA, whose ranks include Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, and Walter Mosely.
His latest is Hunting Time (A Colter Shaw Novel), described as "... a riveting thriller, as reward seeker Colter Shaw plunges into the woods and races the clock in a case where nothing is quite what it seems." Kirkus Reviews described the book as "A fleet, irresistible tale."
Jeffery has sold over 50 million books worldwide in 150 countries, and been translated into 35 languages. He has also published three collections of short stories.
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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed:
- Pandemic survival
- How he finds the solitude of the writing life
- What it's like to be mentioned in the same breath as Agatha Christie
- How he keeps his Edgar Award nomination streak alive
- Why books are better than Netflix
- How the author structures his novels with questions and conflicts
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- JefferyDeaver.com
- How to Write Commercial Fiction with NY Times Bestselling Author Jeffery Deaver
- Hunting Time (A Colter Shaw Novel) By Jeffery Deaver (Amazon)
- How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America (Amazon)
- Jeffery Deaver Amazon author page
- NaturalReader app
- Jeffery Deaver on Instagram
- Jeffery Deaver on Facebook
- Jeffery Deaver on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeffery Deaver Writes: Part One - Redux
A quick note that this week we're resurfacing Part One of an enlightening chat I had with #1 internationally bestselling author Jeffery Deaver about his process for writing “ticking-time bomb suspense,” near the start of the Pandemic. Next week we are going to catch up with the author for the second part of that interview series with Jeff to talk about his latest novel and a lot more about the writing life. Until then …
The #1 internationally bestselling author of over 40 novels, Jeffery Deaver, took a few minutes to discuss his advice on how to write emotionally engaging fiction, the merits of plotters vs. pantsers, and a 5-step process for writing your novel.
"Rejection is just a speed bump ... it's not a brick wall. Keep at it." – Jeffery Deaver
Jeffery is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
The "master of suspense" has been nominated for seven Edgar Awards and has gone on to sell 50 million books worldwide, translated into 35 languages.
His thriller featured here is a sequel to The Never Game – The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel Book 2) – and once again features Colter Shaw, a rugged survivalist and "reward-seeker."
One of Bookpage's "Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers" of 2020, Publishers Weekly said of the book, “Deaver balances suspense and plausibility perfectly ... This is a perfect jumping-on point for readers new to one of today’s top contemporary thriller writers.”
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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed:
- Why suspense writers are like airline pilots
- Wisdom from Joyce Carol Oates and the importance of outlining
- How having your novel read aloud to you can improve your prose
- A simple formula for writing "roller-coaster" fiction
- And much more!
Show Notes:
- JefferyDeaver.com
- The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel) by Jeffery Deaver [Amazon]
- Jeffery Deaver Amazon author page
- NaturalReader app
- Jeffery Deaver on Instagram
- Jeffery Deaver on Facebook
- Jeffery Deaver on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Author & Filmmaker Priyanka Kumar Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning author and filmmaker, Priyanka Kumar, spoke to me about the language of cinema, her Zen leanings, returning to the solace of nature, and her latest, "Conversations with Birds."
Priyanka Kumar is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts and an alumna of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She is also the award-winning writer, director, and producer of the feature documentary The Song of the Little Road, starring Martin Scorsese and Ravi Shankar.
Her latest is Conversations with Birds, a Publishers Weekly “Top Ten Nonfiction Book for Fall 2022,” a Bookshop.org “Read Outside the Big Five” selection, and Apple, November Best Books of the Month, and been described in a Kirkus, starred review as, “An eloquent depiction of how birding engenders a deep love of our ecosystems and a more profound understanding of ourselves."
Priyanka's debut novel, Take Wing and Fly Here, was published in 2013 to critical acclaim, and her essays and criticism have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and many others.
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In this file Priyanka Kumar and I discussed:
- How to find the perfect cover art
- Growing up in the most biodiverse part of the world
- Why we face unprecedented distraction
- The importance of bird song
- How technology rewires our creative spirit
- Why you need to replace your insipid lawn with xeriscaping
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- priyankakumar.com
- Conversations with Birds By Priyanka Kumar (Amazon)
- Priyanka Kumar Author Page on Amazon
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Hemingway Wrote with Prof. Mark Cirino
#PodcastersForJustice
"Writing, at its best, is a lonely life." – Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway scholar and author, Professor Mark Cirino, spoke to me about the ethos of the late literary lion, how Hemingway outlived his myth, and his mission to uncover Hem's truest sentence.
Dr. Cirino hosts the popular Hemingway Society-sponsored podcast, One True Podcast. He is also the author of eight books about American literature as a writer or editor. His most recent is One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art (2022), with Michael Von Cannon.
Described as "A selection of the greatest sentences by the master, Ernest Hemingway..." selected and examined by contemporary authors. Publishers Weekly called it “A revelatory compendium ... a rewarding tapestry ... readers are likely to come away with a deepened understanding of—and even awe at—Hemingway’s vast talent.”
Mark Cirino serves as an editor for Kent State University Press’s Reading Hemingway series, and served as a consultant on the film adaptation of Hemingway's "Across the River and into the Trees." He taught creative writing and literature at NYU, and now teaches literature at the University of Evansville.
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In this file Mark Cirino and I discussed:
- Why "Writing, at its best, is a lonely life"
- The importance of finding your writing community
- How The Sun Also Rises made Hem a literary celebrity
- The only thing you have to do as a writer
- Why each writing project requires new discipline
- An open invitation to Bob Dylan
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Dr. Mark Cirino - Professor and Department Chair
- One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art by Mark Cirino and Michael Von Cannon (Amazon)
- Mark Cirino Author Page on Amazon
- One True Podcast: Hosted by Mark Cirino and produced by Michael Von Cannon
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part One
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning and #1 NY Times bestselling author, Robert Crais, spoke to me about breathing life into the ur detective novel, the legacy of Raymond Chandler, his love of LA, and his latest, "Racing the Light."
Robert Crais is the author of 23 novels, 19 of which feature private investigator Elvis Cole and his laconic ex-cop partner, Joe Pike. The first in the series, The Monkey’s Raincoat, won the Anthony and Macavity Awards and was nominated for the Edgar Award.
The latest is Racing the Light, described as "... a pulse-pounding read and Elvis Cole's most dangerous case yet." Bestselling author David Baldacci called it "... another grand slam for the master storyteller Robert Crais. If there’s a better dynamic duo than Elvis Cole and Joe Pike in all of crime fiction, I’m not aware of it.”
On Reader's Digest's list of "30 new books we can't wait to read in 2022," Kirkus Reviews said that, "... [Crais] keeps the traditional detective novel alive and well."
In a previous life Robert Crais was an Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer and spent several years writing scripts for classic television series like Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice.
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In this file Robert Crais and I discussed:
- Burning out as a TV writer and chasing the dream of becoming a novelist
- Why he never anticipated fame
- How his novel LA Requiem changed the trajectory of his career
- When your author name gets bigger than the title
- Why he'll always be a meticulous outliner
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part Two
- robertcrais.com
- Racing the Light (An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel Book 19) by Robert Crais (Amazon)
- Robert Crais Author Page on Amazon
- Robert Crais on Facebook
- Robert Crais on Instagram
- Robert Crais on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Mystery Writer Tana French Writes: Redux
#PodcastersForJustice
Note: Hey, just a quick note that the podcast is on hiatus this week but we’re bringing back a fan favorite. Here is my interview with the amazing Tana French from late 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Catch you soon and thanks for your support!
The New York Times bestselling crime novelist, Tana French, took a break to talk with me about her early training as an actress, her definition of creativity, and how to write through the tough times.
"I didn't know if I could write a book. I'd written short stories and really galactically bad teenager poetry, but I'd never tried to write a book before." — Tana French
The author has written eight mystery novels and is considered a master of suspense and the modern psychological thriller. Her work has been compared to writers including James Ellroy and Donna Tartt, and has been called "incandescent" by Stephen King, and "absolutely mesmerizing" by Gillian Flynn.
Her novels have sold over three million copies and won numerous awards, including the Edgar and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction.
Her latest bestseller, The Searcher, is her second stand-alone novel, and she was described by The Washington Post as "...the most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years."
Stay tuned for a clip from The Searcher audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by Roger Clark.”
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In this file Tana French and I discussed:
- Her "galactically" bad poetry
- The archaeological dig that inspired “In the Woods,” her Edgar-winning 2007 debut novel
- How she came to riff on the Western genre in her latest
- And why writers need to fight off the struggle of isolation
Show Notes:
- TanaFrench.com
- The Searcher: A Novel by Tana French [Amazon]
- Tana French Amazon page
- The Essential Tana French, The New York Times
- Tana French on FaceBook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Debut Memoirist Prince Shakur Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning, queer, Jamaican-American writer, videographer, activist, and debut memoirist, Prince Shakur, spoke to me about James Baldwin's legacy, writing towards his father's murder, and his latest, "When They Tell You To Be Good."
Prince Shakur is a freelance journalist, videomaker, and New York Times recognized organizer whose debut memoir, When They Tell You To Be Good, is about his "political coming of age in Obama and Trump’s America." It is a Powell's Holiday Pick for 2022 and a TIME, Poets & Writers, Publishers Weekly, them, The Week, Debutiful, and Book Riot Best “Book of Fall.”
Described as an exploration of "... his radicalization and self-realization through examinations of place, childhood, queer identity, and a history of uprisings," the memoir won the Hurston/Wright Crossover Award and has earned him residencies with Sangam House, La Maison Baldwin, The Studios of Key West, and The Atlantic Center for the Arts.
As a freelance journalist Shakur has penned numerous op-eds, essays, and features in Teen Vogue, Daily Dot, CodaStory, Cultured Magazine, AfroPunk, and more. His writings have been used in university classrooms, including Nikkita Oliver’s Prison Abolition course offered at the University of Washington.
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In this file Prince Shakur and I discussed:
- How he hustled as a young freelance journalist
- The black, queer, activist experience
- Why he feels the need to push past the notion of "bearing witness"
- What it's like to navigate anti-blackness abroad
- The urgency of artwork in the face of death
- Why artist residencies and grants are so important for writers
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- princeshakur.com
- When They Tell You To Be Good by Prince Shakur (Amazon)
- Prince Shakur on Instagram
- Prince Shakur on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning NY Times Bestselling Author Deanna Raybourn Writes
Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, Deanna Raybourn, spoke to me about how she still feels like a debut author, why she doesn't read reviews, and her new contemporary thriller "Killers of a Certain Age."
Deanna Raybourn is the author of 19 books including the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Lady Julia Grey series, as well as the USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and several stand-alone works.
Her latest is Killers of a Certain Age, described as "a witty contemporary spy thriller perfect for fans of Killing Eve and Ocean’s Eight."
An instant New York Times bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of Month 2022, Buzzfeed said of the book, “This Golden Girls meets James Bond thriller is a journey you want to be part of."
Deanna Raybourn graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, read by Jane Oppenheimer and Christina Delaine.
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In this file Deanna Raybourn and I discussed:
- Why her agent told her to stop writing for a whole year
- What it feels like to get that first three-book deal
- How she came to writing older women doing kick-ass things
- When she turns into a feral author in her pajamas
- Why writers need to trust their inner voice
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- deannaraybourn.com
- Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (Amazon)
- Deanna Raybourn on Instagram
- Deanna Raybourn on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist and Podcaster Bobby Finger Writes
Journalist, hit entertainment podcaster, and debut novelist, Bobby Finger, spoke to me about writing for Jezebel, turning a screenplay into a novel, and his debut, "The Old Place."
Bobby Finger is a writer and co-host of the popular celebrity and entertainment podcast, Who? Weekly, "The podcast that tells you everything you need to know about celebrities you don’t."
His debut novel is The Old Place, described as "A bighearted and moving debut about a wry retired schoolteacher whose decade-old secret threatens to come to light and send shockwaves through her small Texas town."
It has been named Washington Post‘s 10 Noteworthy Books for September, People‘s Best New Books, Town & Country’s 45 Must-Read Books of Fall, New York’s 25 Notable New Releases, Kirkus Review‘s 150 Most Anticipated Fall Books, LitHub‘s Most Anticipated Books of 2022, among many others.
New York Times bestselling author Emma Straub said of the book, “I loved being inside this skillful novel—at the planning parties for church fundraisers, learning to drive with a can of beer in the cupholder, and in the heads of some wonderfully tangy old Texan ladies. Bobby Finger has built a rich world in The Old Place, and I will think of it every time I make toast.”
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In this file Bobby Finger and I discussed:
- Growing up in a small Texas town
- His start in copywriting and freelance journalism
- Writing screenplays in the margins
- Becoming a full-time podcaster
- How to write autofiction with a twist
- What happens when people leave, and those left behind
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
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How Award-Winning & Bestselling Author A.M. Homes Writes
Bestselling, award-winning author A.M. Homes, spoke to me about getting sued by J.D. Salinger, the irony of winning the Women's Prize for Fiction, and her latest "The Unfolding."
A.M. Homes is a TV producer, art critic, and the author of 13 books, including the bestselling memoir The Mistress’s Daughter. Her last novel, May We Be Forgiven, was the winner of the 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Her latest novel is The Unfolding, described as a "... darkly comedic alternative history that takes us into the heart of a fractured family living in a divided country."
New York Times bestselling author Salman Rushdie called the book, “A terrific black comedy, written almost entirely in pitch-perfect dialogue, that feels terrifyingly close to the unfunny truth.”
A.M. Homes was a Co-Executive Producer and Writer on David E. Kelly and Stephen King’s, Mr. Mercedes, and a writer/producer of the Showtime series The L Word.
Her work has been translated into 22 languages and appears frequently in Art Forum, Harpers, Granta, McSweeney's, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Zoetrope. She is a Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair, Bomb and Blind Spot, and she has taught in the Creative Writing Program at Princeton.
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In this file A.M. Homes and I discussed:
- Her early struggles with dyslexia
- Why awards and votes of confidence are so important for writers
- How she helped hire Dennis Lehane to write for Mr. Mercedes
- Her strange obsession with George Washington and her claim to Capitol Hill
- How to write your way out of a jam
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- amhomesbooks.com
- The Unfolding: A Novel by A.M. Homes (Amazon)
- A.M. Homes on Facebook
- A.M. Homes on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning & Bestselling Author Candice Carty-Williams Writes
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Bestselling, award-winning author Candice Carty-Williams, spoke to me about the tragicomic nature of being, winning "Book of the Year" at the British Book Awards, and her latest "People Person."
Candice Carty-Williams is a TV producer, culture writer, and author of the international bestseller Queenie, a book that was named a best book of the year by NPR, TIME, PARADE, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, and many others.
She also became the first black woman to win the "Book of the Year" award at the British Book Awards for Queenie in 2020.
Her latest novel is People Person, a book described as an "... insightful novel about the power of family — even when they seem like strangers." The Guardian called it, “A big-hearted story of a young woman coming to terms with her complicated London family from the author of the game-changing Queenie.”
Candice created and launched the Guardian 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize in 2016, the first initiative of its kind in book publishing for underrepresented writers.
She has written for The Guardian, i-D, Vogue, every iteration of The Sunday Times (London), BEAT magazine, Black Ballad, and more.
Her original drama, "Champion," will be airing on BBC One in the U.K., and on Netflix globally, in 2023.
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In this file Candice Carty-Williams and I discussed:
- Her early career in book marketing and the disparities she saw in publishing
- The inciting incident that inspired her latest
- How to balance humor and depth in fiction
- Why tragedy plus time equals comedy
- Great advice from Toni Morrison
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- candicecartywilliams.com
- People Person By Candice Carty-Williams (Amazon)
- Guardian 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize
- Candice Carty-Williams on Instagram
- Candice Carty-Williams on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Journalist & Debut Memoirist Casey Parks Writes
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Award-winning journalist and debut memoirist, Casey Parks, spoke to me about her lifelong reverence for journalism, the emotional cost of writing a memoir, and her debut "Diary of a Misfit."
Casey Parks is a reporter for The Washington Post who covers gender and family issues. She spent a decade at The Oregonian writing about race and LGBTQ+ issues and was a finalist for the Livingston Award.
A former Spencer Fellow at Columbia University, Parks was awarded the 2021 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award for her debut memoir, Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery.
Described as "... a sweeping journalistic saga about sexuality and gender, family trauma and the redemptive force of love...," Publishers Weekly – in a starred review – called the book, “A tantalizing blend of personal history and reportage .... A brilliantly rendered and complex portrait of Southern life alongside a tender exploration of queer belonging [and] a marvel to witness.”
Casey's articles have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Oxford American, ESPN, USA Today, and The Nation.
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In this file Casey Parks and I discussed:
- Earning $50 per story at the outset of her career ...
- ... to working in a virtual newsroom for The Washington Post
- Why that first byline in the New Yorker changes everything
- Asking permission to tell the stories of ghosts
- Why you can never take "no" as the final answer
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- caseyparks.com
- Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery By Casey Parks (Amazon)
- Casey Parks for The Washington Post
- In the Deep South, a Search for Queer Identity - The New York Times Book Review
- Casey Parks on Facebook
- Casey Parks on Instagram
- Casey Parks on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Nobel Prize-Winning Author Abdulrazak Gurnah Writes
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2021 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Abdulrazak Gurnah, spoke to me about life after becoming a laureate, the difference between authors and writers, and his latest novel "Afterlives."
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2021 was awarded to Abdulrazak Gurnah "for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents"
The Tanzanian-born British novelist and Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Kent, has written short stories, essays, and ten novels including Paradise (shortlisted for the Booker Prize), By the Sea (longlisted for the Booker Prize and a finalist for the LA Times Book Award), and Desertion.
His latest novel, Afterlives, has been described as "... a sweeping, multi-generational saga of displacement, loss, and love, set against the brutal colonization of east Africa"
The New York Times Book Review called the author, "... a master of the art form who understands human failings in conflicts both political and intimate — and how these shortcomings create afflictions from which nations and individuals continue to suffer, needlessly, generation after generation."
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In this file Abdulrazak Gurnah and I discussed:
- Finding global readers and acclaim two years after the UK release of his latest book
- The irony of becoming a Nobel laureate in literature
- Why he always writes the final episode first
- The intergenerational trauma of war and how he chooses his protagonists
- Why you may be in the wrong business
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Afterlives: A Novel by Abdulrazak Gurnah
- The Nobel Prize in Literature 2021
- Abdulrazak Gurnah
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Debut Novelist LaToya Watkins Writes
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Pushcart Prize-winning short story writer and debut novelist, LaToya Watkins, spoke to me about landing the cover of Publishers Weekly's Writers to Watch Fall 2022, the legacy of William Faulkner, and her debut "Perish."
LaToya Watkins holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas and her writing has appeared in A Public Space, The Sun, McSweeney's, Kenyon Review, The Pushcart Prize Anthology, and elsewhere.
Her debut is Perish, a novel "... about a Black Texan family, exploring the effects of inherited trauma and intergenerational violence as the family comes together to say goodbye to their matriarch on her deathbed."
It has been named A Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Good Morning America, Essence, Esquire, The Millions, among others, and named Amazon’s best debuts in August 2022.
The New York Times Book Review called Watkins’s Perish, "... an impressive feat of storytelling ... a difficult read and a tender story of silences and secrets."
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In this file LaToya Watkins and I discussed:
- How she went from first-generation college grad to being compared to Alice Walker and Toni Morrison
- Carving out the time to write as a mother of three
- How writing short stories prepared her to write the novel
- Why it takes her two hours to find her flow state
- Writing about intergenerational trauma and the cost of slavery
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- latoyawatkins.com
- Perish: A Novel by LaToya Watkins
- Writers to Watch Fall 2022 - PW
- Has Texas Finally Found Its William Faulkner?
- LaToya Watkins on Instagram
- LaToya Watkins on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick (AKA TheBookMaven) Writes: Part One
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Longtime literary critic and publishing insider, Bethanne Patrick, spoke to me about how she became a famed reviewer, where she puts all the books, and her new investigative podcast "Missing Pages."
Bethanne Patrick is a writer, author, and critic whose monthly column on hot books appears in The Washington Post. An influencer in the book world, Bethanne (@TheBookMaven) has over 200K Twitter followers and originated the popular #FridayReads tag.
She is also host to the all-new podcast Missing Pages, which investigates the good (rarely), the bad (frequently), and the messy (always) of the publishing industry.
Described as an investigative podcast, "Missing Pages uncovers the power struggles, mistaken identities, and unfathomably bad behavior within the secretive world of book publishing. Each episode brings in authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites to tell the real story; unfit for print."
Bethanne's book reviews and author profiles have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Poets & Writers magazine, NPR Books, Lit Hub and many others. She is the author of two books for National Geographic, an editor of an anthology for Regan Arts, and is currently writing a memoir for Counterpoint Press.
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In this file Bethanne Patrick and I discussed:
- How she became a self-styled book "maven"
- The logistical issues of receiving 20 books a week
- What it's like cracking the Cosa Nostra of publishing
- Why disruption in the publishing industry can't come fast enough
- How to start your career by writing reviews
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Missing Pages on Apple Podcasts
Inside the Push to Diversify the Book Business - NY Times
DOJ v. PRH: Agents, Publishers Move Center Stage by Bethanne Patrick for PW
Bethanne Patrick for The Washington Post
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Greaney Writes: Part Two
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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Greaney, returned to talk about hanging out on the red carpet with Netflix "The Gray Man" stars Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, turning a failed screenplay into a hit audio play, and his latest, "Armored."
"Even if you finish a whole book and it doesn't get published, I promise you you're a much better author at the end of that process than you were at the beginning..." – Mark Greaney
Mark's debut international thriller, The Gray Man, was published in 2009 and became a national bestseller and highly sought-after Hollywood property. He's released twelve in that series to date including the #1 New York Times bestseller One Minute Out.
Netflix has now turned the first book in The Gray Man series into a blockbuster movie starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, available now.
His latest is Armored, a novel inspired by the author's popular Audible Original drama. Publishers Weekly wrote that the protagonist, Joshua Duffy, "... proves to be more than just a hardened military tactician. Readers will hope he’ll be back for an encore." A feature film adaptation of Armored is now in development with Sony.
Mark is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author or co-author of seven Tom Clancy novels – he co-wrote Clancy’s final three Jack Ryan thrillers prior to his passing.
Stay tuned until the show's end for a preview of the Audiobook, audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Armored by Mark Greaney, read by Adam Gold.
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In this file Mark Greaney and I discussed:
- His 15-year, overnight success
- How he continues to hit regular deadlines and write two books a year
- What it was like to see his Gray Man on the big screen
- Why it's less important to be 100% accurate than to be entertaining
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Greaney Writes: Part One
THE GRAY MAN | Official Trailer | Netflix
Armored by Mark Greaney (Amazon Affiliate)
Mark Greaney Amazon author page
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Sarah Pearse Writes
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New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author, Sarah Pearse, spoke to me about Agatha Christie's legacy, how to write plausible police procedurals, and the place that inspired her latest, "The Retreat."
Sarah Pearse is the author of The Sanatorium, a stunning crime fiction debut, instant New York Times and international bestseller, as well as a Reese’s Book Club selection and critical success.
Her second novel, The Retreat, is Book Two in her bestselling Detective Elin Warner series, and another locked-room style thriller People magazine called, "The Shining but with a full house.”
New York Times bestselling author Ashley Audrain said of the book, “Sarah Pearse has expertly crafted another eerie, atmospheric thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder as you read. A wonderfully chilling story of grief, revenge, and family secrets. An absorbing escape!”
Sarah Pearse studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Warwick before completing a postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism and has worked in marketing and publicity for a variety of household brands.
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In this file Sarah Pearse and I discussed:
- The best writing advice she's ever received
- How this #writermom wrote a bestseller on maternity leave
- Using folklore, famously haunted, and sacred places in your writing
- What mind maps and natural descriptions can do for your setting
- The best way to conquer your nerves and win the day
- Her thoughts on rejection
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Retreat: A Novel by Sarah Pearse (Amazon Affiliate)
The Sanatorium: A Novel by Sarah Pearse (Amazon Affiliate)
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How National Book Award Winner & Bestselling Author Jason Mott Writes [Redux]
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Addendum:
Hey just a quick addendum on this week's redux, I am out of town this week and enjoying the sweatiest summer of all time with my kids, but I wanted to revisit a fantastic episode with now National Book Award Winner, Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction Winner, Pushcart Prize nominee, NAACP Image Award nominee, and Carnegie Medals For Excellence Longlist nominee Jason Mott. Congrats! Enjoy, I’ll catch you next week with some fresh writerly wisdom.
New York Times bestselling author, Jason Mott, took a timeout to talk with me about the high-wire act of building Hell of a Book, talking about race in America, and NOT working with Brad Pitt.
Jason is the author of The Returned, a New York Times bestseller that was turned into a TV series that ran for two seasons.
His fourth novel is titled Hell of a Book, and is described as a "... funny and honest [work of fiction] that goes to the heart of racism, police violence, and the hidden costs exacted upon Black Americans, and America as a whole."
The book has been named to dozens of "Must Read" lists for 2021 including Entertainment Weekly, The NY Post, GMA, USA Today, Fortune's 21 Most Anticipated Books Coming out in the Second Half of 2021 and more. Charles Yu, author of National Book Award winner Interior Chinatown called the book, "Playful, searching, raw and necessary..."
Jason has BFA in fiction and an MFA in Poetry, both from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His poetry and fiction have appeared in various literary journals.
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In this file Jason Mott and I discussed:
- What it's like to write a book in your head for a decade
- Why he dared to dream to become a writer
- How to build a technically complex novel, draft by draft
- His study and love of film noir
- And why writers need to be nicer to themselves
Show Notes:
- JasonMottAuthor.com
- Hell of a Book: A Novel by Jason Mott
- Jason Mott Amazon author page
- Jason Mott on Facebook
- Jason Mott on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part One
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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry, spoke to me about her past life as a YA mid-lister, the Romance Renaissance, writing your way out of darkness, and her latest "Book Lovers."
Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read, and has sold over a million copies of her novels.
Her latest, Book Lovers, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, multiple Most Anticipated Read of 2022, and has been described as "... a love story between a by-the-book literary agent and a prickly book editor who fall in love in a small town straight out of a romance movie."
New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid called it “... a rom-com lover's dream of a book," and Emma Straub wrote, “I would follow Emily Henry anywhere. A small town, a literary enterprise, a bookstore to rescue, and ..." other sexy things.
Emily's books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, The Skimm, Shondaland, and more.
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[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get The Writer Files Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
In this file Emily Henry and I discussed:
- What it's like to live in a "lightning strike"
- Watching your friends succeed wildly
- Making Romance more accessible to the masses
- The secrets behind Hallmark Christmas movies
- How to wake, Wordle, and write 2000 words a day
- And a lot more!
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
Show Notes:
Book Lovers by Emily Henry (Amazon Affiliate)
Emily Henry Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Ashley Poston Writes
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New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Poston, spoke to me about her pivot away from YA, the importance of fan fiction, and her paranormal romance debut "The Dead Romantics."
Ashley Poston’s bestselling YA novels have been featured by Teen Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, Buzzfeed, and more.
Her highly-anticipated pivot to romance is The Dead Romantics, a story about a millennial ghostwriter who believes romance is dead, a humorous and heartfelt novel with a fresh, slightly supernatural hook.
The New York Times Bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club Pick has been called "‘While You Were Sleeping’ meets ‘Six Feet Under,'" by the NY Times, and bestselling author Emma Straub called it, "Smart, quick, and absolutely bubbling over with love for the genre of romance itself. Delicious.”
Ashley Poston has spent the last decade in the publishing industry as a social media coordinator, a marketing designer, and finally an author.
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[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get The Writer Files Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
In this file Ashley Poston and I discussed:
- Her work behind the curtain in publishing
- What it's like to be a GMA Book Club Pick
- How to stay in love with writing
- Why graveyards have curfews
- The power of deadlines
- And a lot more!
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
Show Notes:
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (Amazon Affiliate)
Ashley Poston Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
How New York Times Bestselling Author & Mortician Caitlin Doughty Writes
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Eleanor Brown Writes
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New York Times bestselling author, Eleanor Brown, spoke to me about the difference between writers and authors, why adoptive families are just like any other family, and her latest novel "Any Other Family."
Eleanor Brown's critically acclaimed debut novel, The Weird Sisters, was a New York Times and #1 international bestseller with over half a million copies sold. The novel earned excellent reviews from The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, People, USA Today, and more.
Her latest is Any Other Family, a novel "...about four children, three adoptive mothers, and one complicated, unforgettable family." Kirkus Reviews described it as, "A prismatic story of family, adoption, and how the people we choose to keep close shape who we are.”
Eleanor is also an anthologist, editor, teacher, speaker, and adoptive mother herself. She teaches writing workshops and conferences nationwide, including for The Writers' Table and Lighthouse Writers workshops in Colorado.
Stay calm and write on ...
In this file Eleanor Brown and I discussed:
- Her 15-year overnight success
- Why she doesn't read her reviews
- On becoming an adoptive mother and open adoption
- Why novelists have to outline at some point
- How to start with a destination in mind
- And why you need to start calling yourself a "writer"
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown (Amazon Affiliate)
Eleanor Brown Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
The Book Project - LighthouseWriters.org
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Dennis Lehane Writes
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New York Times bestselling author, and screenwriter-producer, Dennis Lehane, spoke to me about what he learned from Clint Eastwood, working on "Mr. Mercedes" with David E. Kelley, and his new Apple TV+ show "Black Bird."
Dennis Lehane is the bestselling author of 13 novels including four adapted into films of the same name: 2003's Academy Award-winning film Mystic River, directed by Clint Eastwood; 2007's Gone Baby Gone; 2010's Shutter Island directed by Martin Scorsese, and 2016’s Live by Night directed by Ben Affleck.
His latest is the limited Apple TV+ series, Black Bird, described as a "...fascinating, ripped-from-the headlines story [and] true-crime drama..." based on the 2010 memoir by James Keene and Hillel Levin, In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption.
"Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), cuts a deal with the FBI to enter maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend a suspected serial killer, Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser)."
Black Bird premieres globally with the first two episodes on Friday, July 8, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday.
Lehane was a staff writer on the acclaimed HBO series "The Wire," worked as a writer-producer on HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire," the Netflix series, "Bloodline," and was a writer and producer on the television adaptation of Stephen King’s "Mr. Mercedes."
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In this file Dennis Lehane and I discussed:
- Why he sucked at everything except writing and playing pool
- How he landed a literary agent while parking cars
- Dealing with impostor syndrome early on
- How he prefers screenwriting to novel writing today
- Why narcissists have no place on a TV set
- And a lot more!
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
Show Notes:
Dennis Lehane Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption by James Keene and Hillel Levin (Amazon Affiliate)
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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Riley Sager Writes
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New York Times bestselling thriller writer Riley Sager, spoke to me about why he publishes under a pen name, how to write Hitchcockian suspense, and his latest "The House Across the Lake."
Riley Sager is the bestselling author of six novels, most recently Home Before Dark and Survive the Night. His award-winning first novel, Final Girls, was a national and international bestseller that has been published in 30 countries.
His latest novel, The House Across the Lake, has been named a most anticipated summer book by People, E! News, PureWow, CNN.com, CrimeReads, and many others.
It's been described by CrimeReads as "... a psychological thriller version of The Great Gatsby, featuring binoculars for more accurate across-the-lake spying, smaller gatherings for a shorter list of suspects, and a truly bat**** twist for more satisfying consumption."
The House Across the Lake was inspired by Riley's "... own pandemic escapes to a cabin in rural Vermont [and] oozes with slow-burn Hitchcockian suspense before building to a finale that will leave readers reeling. "
Stay calm and write on ...
- In this file Riley Sager and I discussed:
- The albatross of bad sales early in your career
- Why his process changes from book to book
- How to turn common genre tropes on their head
- What happens to his social life as deadlines loom
- Taking inspiration from classic film
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The House Across the Lake: A Novel by Riley Sager (Amazon Affiliate)
Riley Sager Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
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How Bestselling Author & Pulitzer-Winner Geraldine Brooks Writes
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Bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Geraldine Brooks, spoke to me about why "truth is stranger than fiction," letting story drive narrative, and the overheard conversation that led to her latest, "Horse."
Geraldine Brooks is the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel March and the international bestsellers The Secret Chord, Caleb’s Crossing, People of the Book, and Year of Wonders (recently optioned by Olivia Colman).
Her latest novel, Horse, is described as "... a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history." TIME magazine said of the book, "Horse isn’t just an animal story—it’s a moving narrative about race and art."
Geraldine has also written acclaimed nonfiction works including Nine Parts of Desire and Foreign Correspondence. She started out as a reporter in her hometown, Sydney, and went on to cover conflicts as a Wall Street Journal correspondent in Bosnia, Somalia, and the Middle East.
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In this file Geraldine Brooks and I discussed:
- Her early years as a war correspondent
- Why she chose to write a braided narrative based on an overheard conversation
- Reading history to find verisimilitude
- Empathy in fiction
- Writing through a pandemic
- And a lot more!
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
Show Notes:
GeraldineBrooks.com
Horse: A Novel by Geraldine Brooks (Amazon Affiliate)
Geraldine Brooks Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
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How Co-Creator of Emmy-Winning “How I Met Your Mother” Carter Bays Writes
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Seven-time Emmy nominee and co-creator of the hit TV series "How I Met Your Mother," Carter Bays, spoke to me about working with David Letterman, being a recovering TV writer, and his debut novel "The Mutual Friend."
Carter Bays is best known as the co-creator of the sitcom How I Met Your Mother which ran on CBS for nine seasons. A companion series, How I Met Your Father, starring Hilary Duff, premiere on Hulu in 2022.
His latest is The Mutual Friend, described as a "... thought-provoking debut novel set in New York City, following a sprawling cast of characters as they navigate life, love, loss, ambition, and spirituality — without ever looking up from their phones."
A starred Kirkus review called the book, "... a perfect summer beach read, but one that deserves serious awards consideration as well," and NY Times bestselling author Clare Pooley called the book “... the most extraordinary and beguiling novel I’ve read in years."
Stay calm and write on ...
[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get The Writer Files Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
In this file Carter Bays and I discussed:
- Why working on the Late Show with David Letterman was a comedy MFA
- How to get a laugh
- When he finds the time to write fiction
- The use of Easter eggs and twists in narrative structure
- Why you need to get your work in front of strangers
- And a lot more!
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
Show Notes:
The Mutual Friend: A Novel by Carter Bays [Amazon Affiliate]
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Clare Pooley Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
New York Times bestselling author, Clare Pooley, spoke to me about rising from the ashes, writing as therapy, her nostalgia for the bygone commute, and her latest "Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting."
Clare's blog-to-memoir deal, The Sober Diaries, was published in 2017 to critical acclaim. Her debut novel - The Authenticity Project – was a New York Times bestseller. Inspired by her own experiences, it's been translated into thirty-two languages, was a Radio 2 Bookclub pick, and winner of the RNA Debut Novel Award.
Her latest, Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting, is described as "... a heartwarming story about the joy of friendships, and the unexpected places they can be forged." Kirkus Reviews called the book “A soothing story where bad things happen yet are overcome, and friendship leads the way to personal acceptance and rebirth.”
Bestselling author Mary Laura Philpott called the book, "... a feel-good ensemble story [for] fans of quirky London-set fare such as Ted Lasso."
Clare graduated from Cambridge University, and spent twenty years in the world of advertising, before becoming a full-time writer.
Stay calm and write on ...
In this file Clare Pooley and I discussed:
- Why making up stories is not a proper job (wink, wink)
- Her unique creative process (spoiler: it starts in the dark)
- Big Magic and harnessing the creative muse
- The necessity of coffee to the writing life
- How she embraced the life of a #writerwarrior
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting: A Novel by Clare Pooley [Amazon Affiliate]
Clare Pooley's Amazon Author Page [Amazon Affiliate]
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert [Amazon Affiliate]
Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus [Amazon Affiliate]
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: A Novel by Gail Honeyman [Amazon Affiliate]
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How Acclaimed Debut Horror Author Isabel Cañas Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Mexican-American writer and historian, Isabel Cañas, spoke to me about how to binge-write a novel, her fear of the dark, and swinging for the fences with her gothic debut "The Hacienda."
Isabel is a speculative fiction writer, and world traveler – currently working on her Ph.D. dissertation in medieval Islamic literature – who writes fiction inspired by her research and heritage.
Her debut novel is the highly-anticipated gothic, The Hacienda, "... a haunted house story with a Latinx refresh .... partly inspired by a home Isabel lived in when she was a child — one she still believes to this day is haunted."
Described by The Washington Post as, “[A] gothic tale of doomed love and vengeful spirits." NY Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi called the book, “A hypnotic, sinister tale that is equal parts terrifying and luxurious ... a nightmare lined with velvet.”
In this file Isabel Cañas and I discussed:
- Writing fantasy fan fiction and her convoluted juvenilia
- Why horror demands vulnerability from the author
- On haunted houses and ghosts of colonialism and diaspora
- Zero-drafting
- How to write 4000 words a day
- And a lot more!
Stay calm and write on ...
Show Notes:
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas [Amazon Affiliate]
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How NY Times Bestselling Novelist Emma Straub Writes
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New York Times bestselling author, Emma Straub, spoke to me about why everything in life is timing, how to write a book for yourself, time travel, and her latest "This Time Tomorrow."
Emma is the bestselling author of five novels — including All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, and Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures — the short story collection Other People We Married. Her books have been published in 20 countries.
Her latest, This Time Tomorrow, has been named One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2022 by Vogue, Oprah, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Reader’s Digest, Today, Parade, Thrillist, Pop Sugar, Lithub and more.
Described as "...a moving father-daughter story and a playful twist on the idea of time travel," author Michael Chabon called the book "...a beautifully made, elegant music box of a novel that sets in motion its clever clockwork of delight—then breaks your heart with its bittersweet, lingering song.”
Emma and her husband also own Books Are Magic, a popular independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.
In this file Emma Straub and I discussed:
Why getting an MFA helped her slow down her writing
How she met everyone in publishing at an indie bookshop
The unique perspective of Xennials
How to find confidence and pages while being off-balance
Why she'd drink less Olde English if she could go back
And a lot more!
Stay calm and write on ...
This Time Tomorrow a Novel by Emma Straub
'This Time Tomorrow' is the time travel book millennials need - USA Today
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How Award-Winning Novelist & Pulitzer Finalist Hernan Diaz Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning author and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Hernan Diaz, spoke to me about rejection, his unusual path to literary stardom, subverting reader expectations, and his latest novel "Trust."
Hernan was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award. His first novel, "In the Distance," won the Saroyan International Prize, the Cabell Award, the Prix Page America, and the New American Voices Award, among other distinctions.
His latest novel, Trust, has been named one of 2022’s Most Anticipated Books by The New York Times, OprahDaily, The Today Show, Vogue, Vulture, AV Club, and more.
Described as "...an immersive story and a brilliant literary puzzle .... about money, power, intimacy, and perception," The NY Times called Trust, “Intricate, cunning and consistently surprising ..."
Hernan holds a Ph.D. from NYU, edits an academic journal at Columbia University, and is also the author of Borges, Between History and Eternity. His stories and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, Playboy, The Yale Review, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere.
In this file Hernan Diaz and I discussed:
- Why the path to publication is a Catch-22 for authors
- The lonely road to Pulitzer nominee and disorientation of fame
- What he learned from Jorge Luis Borges
- Re-mapping the isthmus of referential reality
- How he unlearned academic writing
- And a lot more!
Stay calm and write on ...
Trust by Hernan Diaz (Amazon Affiliate)
Hernan Diaz Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
A Debut Novel. A Tiny Press. A Pulitzer Finalist. – NY Times
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How Bestselling Author & Podcast Host Elizabeth Day Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning author and broadcaster, Elizabeth Day, talked to me candidly about How to Fail, hanging out with Gloria Steinem, genre equality, and how she wrote her compeller, "Magpie."
Elizabeth is a novelist, lauded journalist, and host of the chart-topping podcast, How To Fail, which has featured guests including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Gloria Steinem, and Brene Brown.
Her latest novel, Magpie, was published in the UK in September 2021 and became an instant Sunday Times bestseller. Described as "... a taut, psychological suspense novel about a perfect couple and their seemingly perfect roommate...," bestselling author Matt Haig called it "...a clever, suspenseful read with a brilliant central pivot."
Elizabeth was a staff feature writer for the Observer for eight years and her writing has appeared in The Telegraph, The Times, the Guardian, New York Magazine, Vogue, Grazia, Elle, and Vanity Fair. She is also a contributing editor for Harper's Bazaar.
Stay calm and write on ...
In this file Elizabeth Day and I discussed:
- How failure makes us human
- Cooking pasta for Stanley Tucci
- Why we don't call Jonathan Franzen a "Domestic Thriller" writer
- Writing about the struggles women go through to become mothers
- Booking an Airbnb to finish her book
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Magpie by Elizabeth Day (Amazon Affiliate)
Elizabeth Day Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
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How Award-Winning Author Michelle Huneven Writes
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Critically acclaimed and award-winning author, Michelle Huneven, talked to me about her former life as an LA food critic, how to write self-referential fiction, and the spiritual detective work behind her latest novel "Search."
Michelle's books have been New York Times Notables and finalists for the LA Times Book Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is the recipient of a Whiting Award for Fiction, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a James Beard Award for feature writing with recipes.
Her fifth novel, Search, was named one of the "10 Most Anticipated Fiction Books of 2022" by Kirkus and is described as "... a sharp and funny novel of a congregational search committee, told as a memoir with recipes."
Michelle received her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and teaches creative writing at UCLA.
In this file Michelle Huneven and I discussed:
- How she draws "psychic juice" from her fiction writing
- What 20 min. a day can do for your writing routine
- The "ground aversion" writers face to finishing
- And a lot more!
Stay calm and write on ...
Show Notes:
Search: A Novel by Michelle Huneven (Amazon Affiliate)
Michelle Huneven Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
My Antonia by Willa Cather (Amazon Affiliate)
What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women and the Food That Tells Their Stories by Laura Shapiro (Amazon Affiliate)
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How Emmy-Nominated TV Writer & Novelist Sascha Rothchild Writes
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Emmy-nominated screenwriter and author, Sascha Rothchild, spoke to me about her humble beginnings in LA, working with Marc Maron on GLOW, and how to write a "bingeable" thriller like her debut, "Blood Sugar."
Sascha has written and produced lauded TV shows including GLOW (2017), The Bold Type (2017), and The Carrie Diaries (2013), and was named Variety's “10 TV Writers to Watch” 2015.
Her long-form journalism, "How to Get Divorced by 30," was adapted into both an acclaimed memoir and screenplay for Universal Studios.
Her debut novel is Blood Sugar, a psychological, noir thriller, named one of the most anticipated reads of 2022 by PopSugar, BookPage, and Crimereads.
It's described as "...the story of the most likable murderess you will ever meet," and bestselling author Samantha Downing called it “...a fascinating story, wicked sharp writing, and an unforgettable narrator .... [that] needs to be on your 2022 reading list.”
In this file Sascha Rothchild and I discussed:
- The feeling of powerlessness that comes with publishing your debut
- Why she needs to wake up and write something every day
- How to write a novel in the gaps
- What writers need to know about the frustration of the craft
- Taking Jane Austen to high tea
- And a lot more!
Stay calm and write on ...
Show Notes:
Blood Sugar by Sascha Rothchild (Amazon Affiliate)
Circe by Madeline Miller (Amazon Affiliate)
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Bonus: Andrew Lipstein Reads Excerpts from ‘Last Resort’ on Storybound
Andrew Lipstein reads excerpts from "Last Resort," backed by an original Storybound remix with sound design and arrangement by Jude Brewer.
Andrew Lipstein is a writer based in Brooklyn. His debut novel "Last Resort" is out now from Farrar, Straus & Giroux in the US, and Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the UK. His second novel will be published in 2023, also by FSG and W&N.
He also works on the product design team at Kabbage, a fintech startup, and was previously at Meural, an art tech startup and his writing has appeared in Interview, the Los Angeles Review of Books, The Brooklyn Rail, The Millions, VICE, McSweeney's, The Rumpus, Electric Literature & more.
Storybound is hosted by Jude Brewer and brought to you by The Podglomerate and Lit Hub Radio. Let us know what you think of the show on Instagram and Twitter @storyboundpod.
Stay calm and write on ...
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Show Notes:
- Last Resort: A Novel by Andrew Lipstein (Amazon Affiliate)
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Novelist & Educator Jennifer Close Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
The bestselling author and educator, Jennifer Close, spoke with me about writing her first book on unemployment, how to write a novel in 12 weeks, and her latest, "Marrying the Ketchups."
Jennifer is the bestselling author of Girls in White Dresses, The Smart One, and The Hopefuls.
Her latest is Marrying the Ketchups (available from Knopf | April 26, 2022), described as a "comedy of manners about three generations of a Chicago restaurant family," and "... a love letter to shared meals and to the family-owned restaurants we all keep coming back to."
Jennifer has an M.F.A. in Fiction from The New School and currently teaches creative writing at Catapult. She worked in New York in print magazines for many years and has taught creative writing at George Washington University.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Jennifer Close and I discussed:
- How writers can use fear as a motivator
- Why actually "marrying the ketchups" is a little gross
- What workshopping a novel from start to finish can do for you
- The difference between scheduling for time vs. word count
- Why writing doesn't always look like writing
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Marrying the Ketchups: A novel by Jennifer Close (Amazon Affiliate)
- Jennifer Close Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
- Let's Not Do that Again by Grant Ginder (Amazon Affiliate)
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (Amazon Affiliate)
- 12-Week Novel Draft Generator w/ Instructor Jennifer Close
- Jennifer Close on Instagram
- Jennifer Close on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, returned for a mostly uncensored chat about assholes, mind-altering substances, the craft of writing, and the meaning of Jack Kerouac's 100th birthday.
Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
He is also the author of One Breath, was the ghostwriter and narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.
Get ready, we cover some ground here and had a lot of fun along the way.
Stay calm and write on ...
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Show Notes:
- How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by Author David Goggins (Amazon Affiliate)
- Jack Kerouac Amazon Author Page
- On the Centenary of Jack Kerouac’s Birth, Rarely Seen Archival Material from His Publisher ‹ Literary Hub
- The Wet and the Dry: A Drinker's Journey by Lawrence Osborne (Amazon Affiliate)
- Malorie Kerouac on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
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How #1 International Bestselling Crime Writer Sara Blaedel Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Internationally bestselling and award-winning Danish novelist, Sara Blaedel, spoke to me about overcoming a learning disorder, how to write Nordic Noir, and her latest novel, "A Harmless Lie."
Sara has been dubbed Denmark’s “Queen of Crime,” and is the author of the globally bestselling Detective Louise Rick series. Over 3 million copies of Blaedel’s books have sold in Denmark alone, and the author is published in 38 countries.
Her most recent hit, and 10th in the Louise Rick series, is A Harmless Lie, described as a "...darkly atmospheric, deeply emotional thriller..."
A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author, said of the book, "Sara Blaedel writes novels as twisty as spirals and electric with intelligence. A HARMLESS LIE is a labyrinth of a mystery, dense and dangerous. Come get lost in it."
In 2014 Sara was voted Denmark's most popular novelist for the fifth time. She is also a recipient of the Golden Laurel, Denmark's most prestigious literary award.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Sara Blaedel and I discussed:
- Why reading young adult mysteries were her getaway and gateway
- How the pressures and deadlines of journalism inform her work
- Inviting new readers into a long-running series
- Why creativity and eccentricity aren't productive to the writer's life
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- SaraBlaedel.dk
- A Harmless Lie: A Novel by Sara Blaedel (Amazon Affiliate)
- Sara Blaedel Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
- Sara Blaedel on Instagram
- Sara Blaedel on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Rosie Walsh Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
New York Times bestselling author, Rosie Walsh, talked with me about finding her voice, transitioning from romcom to "emotional thriller," and her latest, The Love of My Life.
Rosie Walsh has lived and traveled all over the world, working as a documentary producer and writer. Her American debut, Ghosted, was a New York Times bestseller and has sold more than one million copies worldwide.
Her second novel is The Love of My Life, described as a "...stay-up-all-night page-turner. It’s a love story wrapped in a mystery that ... [taps] into our darkest fears about motherhood, family, and trust."
Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push, said of the book, “Walsh’s hugely compelling THE LOVE OF MY LIFE instantly pulls you deep into the interior of a marriage. Part thriller, part mystery, part heart-wrenching love story, this is a treasure...”
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Rosie Walsh and I discussed:
- Writing upmarket fiction under a pseudonym
- Why she starts all of her books with plot
- How to write a "book that breathes"
- What it's like to hang out at death cafes
- The "bum fight" that is the writer's life
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Love of My Life: A Novel by Rosie Walsh (Amazon Affiliate)
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How Award-Winning Travel Journo & Author Brandon Presser Writes
Award-winning journalist and acclaimed author, Brandon Presser, spoke to me about his credo as a globetrotter, the Instagram-ification of travel, and his latest non-fiction novel, "The Far Land."
Brandon has a degree in art history and architecture from Harvard University, has worked in Paris at the Louvre, in Tokyo as an architectural apprentice, and in Thailand as a scuba diving professional.
He has also traveled to over 130 countries, written over 50 travel books, and was awarded a Society of American Travel Writers award for his achievements in guidebook writing.
Brandon's latest is The Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific, and has been described as a "... thrilling true tale of power, obsession, and betrayal at the edge of the world. "
Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks said of the book, “The Far Land swells in the cause and effect of actions of passion. Brandon Presser's fascinating narrative of the relentless consequences of the Bounty mutineers asks: were they brave or damned? They lived so very troubled ever after. You can’t make this stuff up!”
Brandon currently contributes to Bloomberg Businessweek and Condé Nast Traveler and could be seen on Bravo's television series, "Tour Group" where he led a group of eclectic travelers around the world.
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In this file Brandon and I discussed:
- How the Mutiny on the Bounty became the most notorious maritime event of all time
- Why travel journalists are like prostitutes
- How to get a blurb from Tom Hanks
- His mixed emotions about publication day
- Having dinner on Marlon Brando's island
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific by Brandon Presser (Amazon Affiliate)
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author C.J. Box Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, C.J. Box, spoke to me about his early years as a small-town reporter, how to write a novel in 3-4 months, and his latest Joe Pickett book, Shadows Reel.
C.J. is the author of 30+ novels including 22 Joe Pickett novels, seven stand-alone novels, including The Bitterroots; and the story collection Shots Fired. Over ten million copies of his books have been sold in the U.S. and abroad.
He has won the Edgar, Anthony, a French Prix Calibre.38 and was awarded the 2016 Western Heritage Award for Literature by the National Cowboy Museum, to name only a few.
His latest in the Joe Pickett series is Shadows Reel, and Kirkus said of the book “Joe’s 22nd adventure continues to give good value. Old-school Nazis, newfangled terrorists, Big Sky country—it’s all here.”
His books have been translated into 30 languages and two TV series based on his novels are in production (BIG SKY on ABC and JOE PICKETT on Spectrum Originals). He is an Executive Producer for both series.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file C.J. Box and I discussed:
His 20-year, overnight success
- Why Game Wardens in Wyoming meet more bad guys
- How to write two books in one
- The unique research and meticulous plotting that goes into his novels
- Why he takes time to pay it forward for his fellow scribes
- Puffing cigars with Mark Twain
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- cjbox.net
- Shadows Reel (A Joe Pickett Novel Book 22) by C.J. Box (Amazon Affiliate)
- C.J. Box Author Page (Amazon)
- C.J. Box on Facebook
- C.J. Box on Instagram
- C.J. Box on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How International Bestselling Novelist Stephanie Wrobel Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling novelist, Stephanie Wrobel, spoke to me about her humble beginnings as a copywriter, turning her thesis into a bestseller, and the process of writing This Might Hurt.
Stephanie is the author of Darling Rose Gold, an instant bestseller of 2020 that received rave reviews, and was nominated for multiple awards, including the Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
Her follow-up is This Might Hurt, described as "...a dark, thrilling novel about two sisters—one trapped in the clutches of a cult, the other in a web of her own lies."
New York Times bestselling author of The Push, Ashley Audrain said of the book, "... [a gripping] clever exploration of fear and vulnerability right until the flawless ending—one you’ll most certainly want to talk about.”
Stephanie has an MFA from Emerson College and has had short fiction published in the Bellevue Literary Review.
Stay calm and write on ...
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Stephanie Wrobel and I discussed:
- The challenges of writing "the second novel"
- Researching real-life cults
- How she writes a chapter-a-day instead of using word counts
- Why she loathes the idea of standing desks
- How to rediscover your love of writing
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- StephanieWrobel.com
- This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel (Amazon Affiliate)
- An author-curated playlist inspired by Stephanie Wrobel's This Might Hurt - Spotify
- Stephanie Wrobel on Twitter (@stephwrobel)
- Stephanie Wrobel on Instagram (@stephaniewrobel)
- Stephanie Wrobel on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning SF Author Kim Fu Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning short story writer and novelist, Kim Fu, spoke to me about speculative vs. science fiction, how to critique the future, and her collection Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century.
Kim is the author of two novels and a collection of poetry. Her novel For Today I Am a Boy won the Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice.
Her debut story collection, Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century, has been described as "12 unforgettable tales [where] the strange is made familiar and the familiar strange...." It was named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year at LitHub, Electric Lit, Kirkus, The Rumpus and CBC Books, as well as a BuzzFeed and WIRED Pick for a Book You Need to Read This Winter.
Kim’s writing has appeared in Granta, the Atlantic, the New York Times, Hazlitt, and the TLS.
Stay calm and write on ...
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Kim Fu and I discussed:
- The challenges of the transition from realism to speculative short stories
- A criticism of the Metaverse and her love of video games
- How she channeled the fear and dread of our current dystopia
- Why she writes in 12-hour sprints
- The power of pop-up Zoom accountability groups
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- Kim-Fu.com
- Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu (Amazon Affiliate)
- How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (Amazon Affiliate)
- Review: 'Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century,' by Kim Fu
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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Women in Writing and Publishing 2022 Roundtable
#PodcastersForJustice
This week four women with several combined decades of experience in the writing and publishing industries joined me for a roundtable to talk about ...
- How the last two years have changed how writers and publishers approach their business/craft
- The difficulties of getting an indie book on the New York Times bestsellers list
- Self vs. traditional publishing pathways and distribution models
- How fast do you need to go, speedboat or yacht?
- Hybrid models for writers
- Trends for 2022
- And resources for aspiring scribes
Guests:
Angela Engel has more than two decades of experience in sales strategy and business development for companies like Chronicle Books, Dwell Studio, and Moleskine. Angela Engel launched The Collective Book Studio a woman-owned publisher transforming content into beautiful books.
- thecollectivebook.studio
- IG: thecollectivebookstudio
- ibpa-online.org
- Publishers Marketplace
- Publisher's Weekly
- Shelf Awareness
Award-winning author Jennifer Irwin’s debut novel, A Dress the Color of the Sky, was published in 2017 and has received rave reviews, won seven book awards, and was optioned for a feature film.
- jenniferirwinauthor.com
- A Dress the Color of the Sky by Jennifer Irwin [Amazon Affiliate] - https://amzn.to/3GXlBm7
- womensfictionwriters.org
- nanowrimo.org
Richmond-based publisher Kimberley Wells Eley of KWE Publishing, signed an agreement with Morgan James Publishing as an Imprint, opening new doors and possibilities for all her authors.
Award-winning author & Book Coach Dallas Woodburn is the debut author of the novel The Best Week That Never Happened. A former John Steinbeck Fellow in Creative Writing and a current San Francisco Writers Grotto Fellow, her work has been honored with the Cypress & Pine Short Fiction Award, the international Glass Woman Prize, second place in the American Fiction Prize, and four Pushcart Prize nominations
- dallaswoodburnauthor.com
- writeonbooks.org
- Overflowing Bookshelves podcast
- Thriving Authors Academy
- Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
Stay calm and write on ...
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Mystery Writer Elizabeth George Writes
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New York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist, Elizabeth George, spoke to me about her exacting research, the discipline of psychological suspense, and interweaving cultural issues into her latest, Something to Hide.
Dubbed "an essential writer of popular fiction today” Elizabeth is the recipient of the Anthony Award, the Agatha Award, France’s Grand Prix [graan pree] di Literature, and has been twice nominated for the Edgar Award.
She's best known as the author of the Lynley mystery series that was adapted into the lauded PBS/BBC show – "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" series – currently streaming on Amazon Prime and others.
Her latest, Something to Hide: A Lynley Novel, marks the 21st in that series. The New York Times Book Review called it, "... another intelligent, intricate mystery starring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley of New Scotland Yard.”
Elizabeth is also a philanthropist who, through The Elizabeth George Foundation, "... makes grants to writers and to organizations benefiting disadvantaged youth, particularly in the area of the arts."
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Elizabeth George and I discussed:
- Why she approaches the writing craft with the same discipline and perseverance she had as a teacher
- How to structure a mystery layer by layer
- Understanding the editorial process and learning to be a more efficient writer
- The foundation of any great novel, her secret hacks ...
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- ElizabethGeorgeOnline.com
- ElizabethGeorgeFoundation.org
- Something to Hide: A Lynley Novel by Elizabeth George (Amazon)
- Mastering the Process by Elizabeth George (Amazon)
- Elizabeth George Author Page (Amazon)
- Elizabeth George on Facebook
- Elizabeth George on Instagram
- Elizabeth George on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Thriller Writer Ruth Gilligan Writes
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Award-winning Irish author, Ruth Gilligan, spoke to me about researching the gothic wilds of Ireland, how to engineer a thriller, and her latest, The Butchers' Blessing.
Ruth Gilligan is a writer and academic from Dublin and was the youngest person ever to top the Irish Bestsellers’ List.
She has published five books and her most recent novel, The Butchers' Blessing, (published as The Butchers in the UK) is described as a "...haunting and unforgettable thriller brimming with secrecy, tradition, and superstition...". It won the 2022 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, whose judges called it "...a page-turning, roller coaster of a read.”
B&N Reads called the book, "An achingly beautiful novel of family, tradition, Ireland and the deep secrets buried in all three," and it received a Starred review from Publishers Weekly.
Ruth contributes literary reviews to the Irish Independent, Guardian, TLS, and LA Review of Books. She's also a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham and is an ambassador for the global storytelling charity Narrative 4.
Stay calm and write on ...
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You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, links to TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" coffee mugs anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below...
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Ruth Gilligan and I discussed:
- How a high school writing exercise turned into a bestseller
- The in-depth (four-year) research process behind her latest
- Why her meticulous plotting is like architectural engineering
- How to write a thriller from four unique POVs
- Why writers always need to set themselves greater challenges
- And a lot more!
Show Notes:
- RuthGilligan.com
- The Butchers’ Blessing: A Novel by Ruth Gilligan
- Narrative 4
- Ruth Gilligan on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Acclaimed Debut Author Jean Chen Ho Writes
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Critically-acclaimed debut author, Jean Chen Ho, spoke to me about the art of nonlinear storytelling, the shifting POVs in her novel Fiona and Jane, and the value of a strong writing community.
Jean was born in Taiwan and grew up in Southern California. She is a doctoral candidate in creative writing and literature at the University of Southern California – where she is a Dornsife Fellow in fiction – and has an MFA from UNLV.
Her much-anticipated debut novel is a collection of linked stories titled Fiona and Jane. Booklist called it "tender and timeless," a book that "...explores the intimate facets of female friendship, Asian American immigrant experiences in Los Angeles and New York, and the debilitating power of family traumas.”
Bestselling author Alexander Chee wrote, “Fiona and Jane is a high wire act. . . .Jean Chen Ho’s brilliant debut is as assured as what must surely follow.” And Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, called it, “A knockout of a book.”
Jean's writing has also been published in The Georgia Review, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Guernica, The Rumpus, Apogee, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and others.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, links to TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" coffee mugs anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Jean Chen Ho and I discussed:- Why writers shouldn't pick up their phones until noon
- The rigors and routines of editing
- How going to Happy Hour and talking about writing ... counts as writing!
- The loneliness of being a writer
- Deadlines, accountability, the importance of writing groups
- And a lot more!
- Jean-Chen-Ho.com
- Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho
- Jean Chen Ho on Instagram
- Jean Chen Ho on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Biographer Laurence Leamer Writes
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Award-winning journalist and bestselling biographer, Laurence Leamer, spoke to me about getting banned from Mar a Lago, why book proposals are a con job, and Truman Capote's Women (and terminal writer's block).
Laurence is best known as the New York Times bestselling author of multiple celebrity biographies, including the trilogy, The Kennedy Women, The Kennedy Men, and Sons of Camelot.
His latest, Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era, was named one of 2021's Most Anticipate Books in People, The New York Post, and Town & Country.
The book has been described as an in-depth exploration of "...the complex web of relationships and scandalous true stories behind Truman Capote's never-published final novel, Answered Prayers..."
Publishers Weekly wrote of the book, “Biographer Leamer (The Kennedy Women) showcases his knack for telling a rattling good tale in this vivid look at Truman Capote’s failed attempt to write ‘the greatest novel of the age.’ . . . This juicy story delivers.”
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, links to TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" coffee mugs anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Laurence Leamer and I discussed:- The advice, "If your books aren't controversial, you're doing it wrong"
- Why writers always answer the phone on the first ring
- Over-research and God's greatest gift to writers
- The difference between living and dead biography subjects
- And a lot more!
- Leamer.com
- Laurence Leamer - Wikipedia
- Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era By Laurence Leamer (Amazon)
- Laurence Leamer Author Page (Amazon)
- Laurence Leamer on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Novelist Vanessa Veselka Writes
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Award-winning author and essayist, Vanessa Veselka, spoke to me about her transformation as an artist, writing out of necessity, and the journey from nervy debut to National Book Award longlist.
Vanessa is the author of the debut novel Zazen, which won the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize in 2012.
Her second novel, The Great Offshore Grounds, was longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction 2020, and winner of the Oregon Book Awards' Ken Kesey Award for Fiction. The book has been described by author Roxane Gay as “A magnificent beast of a novel.... One of the rare novels that understands the realities of American poverty,” and was named one of "The 10 Best Books of 2020," by Vulture.
Vanessa's short stories have appeared in Tin House and ZYZZYVA, and her nonfiction in GQ, The Atlantic, Smithsonian, The Atavist, and was included in Best American Essays and the anthology Bitchfest: Ten Years of Cultural Criticism.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" coffee mugs anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Vanessa Veselka and I discussed:- Suffering and the itinerant life of an artist
- The novel as a democratic artform
- Why writers need to stand their ground and trust their intuition
- How to find magic in your writing process
- Protecting your most productive time
- And a lot more!
- VanessaVeselka.com
- The Great Offshore Grounds: A novel By Vanessa Veselka (Amazon)
- Zazen By Vanessa Veselka (Amazon)
- Vanessa Veselka on Facebook
- Vanessa Veselka on Instagram
- Vanessa Veselka on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How the Screenwriting Duo of Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ Kaz & Ryan Firpo Write
Award-winning filmmakers and multi-hyphenate screenwriting duo, Kaz and Ryan Firpo, spoke to me about their breakout Hollywood moment, writing Marvel's Eternals, and how to eat a whale.
The Firpos are cousins who grew up in Northern California – with a storied background in commercials and documentary filmmaking – who describe themselves as "filmmakers who write."
In 2017 their first feature screenplay, RUIN, topped The Black List (a showcase for film writers) making them a hot commodity in Hollywood. In addition to writing and directing their first feature, their original sci-fi screenplay MIMI FROM RIO was purchased in a bidding war by Netflix with Ridley Scott producing.
Their first entry for the MCU is the complex story, Eternals, about a race of immortals who help shape Earth's history and civilizations, and who must emerge from hiding after thousands of years to protect the world from the evil Deviants.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file The Firpos and I discussed:- The importance of The Black List to launching their careers
- Working with Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao of Nomadland fame
- World-building vs. act-building in screenwriting
- Why you should read all the screenwriting craft books you can
- Having drinks with Angelina Jolie
- And a lot more!
- Marvel Studios’ Eternals | Final Trailer
- Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker Director: Ryan Firpo [Amazon]
- Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee [Amazon]
- Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field [Amazon]
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Acclaimed Debut Author Jocelyn Nicole Johnson Writes
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Critically-acclaimed debut author, Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, spoke to me about becoming a late-stage "literary debutante," Walmart militias, and the #writinglife as an introvert.
Jocelyn is a veteran public school art teacher, whose short story “Control Negro” was anthologized in Best American Short Stories 2018, guest-edited by New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay, and read live by LeVar Burton as part of PRI’s Selected Shorts series.
Her buzzy debut is 2021 Kirkus Prize Finalist, My Monticello, five stories and a novella all set in Virginia. It has been described as a "...precisely imagined [novel exploring] burdened inheritances and extraordinary pursuits of belonging....Set in the near future..."
It was selected by National Book award winner Charles Yu as his most anticipated book of the year, hailed as a "masterly feat” by the NY Times, called "electrifying" by Colson Whitehead, and "absolutely unforgettable" by Roxane Gay.
Netflix recently bought the title novella "My Monticello" for adaptation and Jocelyn’s writing has appeared in Guernica, The Guardian, Kweli, Joyland, among others, and she has been a fellow at TinHouse, Hedgebrook and VCCA.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Jocelyn Nicole Johnson and I discussed:- What inspired her quasi-dystopian fiction
- How she was discovered at a short story reading
- Why getting tweeted by Roxane Gay was a game-changer
- How to build a writing community as a wallflower
- And a lot more!
- JocelynJohnson.com
- My Monticello: Fiction By Jocelyn Nicole Johnson (Amazon)
- 'My Monticello' grapples with the past, present and future of American racism - NPR
- Jocelyn Nicole Johnson on Facebook
- Jocelyn Nicole Johnson on Instagram
- Jocelyn Nicole Johnson on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Write a Six-Word Memoir with Editor Larry Smith
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Journalist and Founder of the bestselling Six-Word Memoirs series, Larry Smith, spoke to me about his evolution as a journalist, TEDxing the Six-Word Memoir, and famous micro-memoirists.
In the early days of Twitter, with a single tweet in 2006 – “Can you describe your life in six words?" – Larry Smith launched what would go on to become a runaway global phenomenon.
The Six-Word Memoir Project has gone on to become a bestselling series of books, live event programs, a board game, and a popular lesson plan taught by teachers around the world.
The 10th book in the series, A Terrible, Horrible, No Good Year: Hundreds of Stories on the Pandemic, offers a snapshot of unique viewpoints of kids, parents, and teachers sharing their six-word pandemic stories.
The book also features numerous notable contributors including Piper Kerman (Smith’s wife and author of Orange Is the New Black), W. Kamau Bell (CNN commentator and comedian), Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love), and many others.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files Extra
You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Larry Smith and I discussed:
- Interning with Dave Eggers at SF Weekly and launching Smith Magazine
- Shortened attention spans and the influence of Ernest Hemingway
- The power of storytelling for processing complex emotions
- Why writers need to get outside and take a walk
- And a lot more
Show Notes:
- A Terrible, Horrible, No Good Year: Hundreds of Stories on the Pandemic by Six-Word Memoirs [Amazon]
- sixwordmemoirs.com
- sixwordsmith.com
- sixinschools.com
- Larry Smith on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Chevy Stevens Writes
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Award-winning, New York Times bestselling psychological thriller writer, Chevy Stevens, spoke to me about her life as a recluse, dreaming in prose, scaring the King, and her latest, Dark Roads.
Chevy's debut novel Still Missing went on to become a New York Times bestseller and winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel in 2010.
Her popular books, including Those Girls – which Stephen King called “Incredibly scary and suspenseful,” – have been published in more than thirty countries and optioned for film.
Her seventh novel, the standalone thriller, Dark Roads, has been described as an "instant classic" by #1 New York Times bestselling author C. J. Box. Author Gillian Flynn has called Chevy's work both "Gripping ... [and] unforgettable."
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file Chevy Stevens and I discussed:- Why writers need to be protective of their (daydreaming) time
- The romanticization of the writing life
- Tossing novel drafts in the trash bin
- The real-life "Highway of Tears" and a legacy of broken promises
- How to write a proper prologue, your first 50 pages ...
- And a lot more
- ChevyStevens.com
- Dark Roads: A Novel by Chevy Stevens (Amazon)
- Chevy Stevens Amazon author page
- Chevy Stevens on Facebook
- Chevy Stevens on Instagram
- Chevy Stevens on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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‘What You Will Learn’ from the Best Books Ever with Adam Ashton & Adam Jones
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Co-hosts of the top international podcast "What You Will Learn," Adam Ashton and Adam Jones, spoke to me about why writers should (and can) read more, how to turn a podcast into a book, and The Sh*t They Never Taught You.
What You Will Learn became Australia's #1 Book Podcast with over 4 million downloads, 300 episodes, and interviews with some of the biggest non-fiction authors in the business (including Seth Godin).
The Adams pledged to deliver "The Best Bits From The Best (Non-Fiction) Books" weekly on their show, and now they've distilled their collective knowledge even further into their own book.
Their compendium, The Sh*t They Never Taught You, offers "... takeaways from over a hundred of the world’s greatest thinkers, capturing lessons in personal development, career, business, personal finances, human nature, history, and philosophy."
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file the Adams and I discussed:- Everything from growth mindset, GTD, to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- The formulas for reading more with greater retention
- Why turning a podcast into a book isn't easy
- The importance of sticky notes, marginalia, life-changing books...
- And a lot more
- What You Will Learn
- What You Will Learn on Apple Podcasts
- The Sh*t They Never Taught You: What You Can Learn From Books (Amazon)
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Amazon)
- Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene (Amazon)
- What You Will Learn on Facebook
- What You Will Learn Instagram
- What You Will Learn Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Internationally Bestselling Author Leïla Slimani Writes
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Award-winning writer and journalist, Leïla Slimani, spoke to me about the challenges of writing historical fiction, impostor syndrome, and what it's like to live In the Country of Others.
“Imagination is the strongest, most powerful human capability. It allows everything: you can move in time, in space, create worlds. That’s what I look for when I write, and when I read, too.” – Leïla Slimani
Leïla is the French-Moroccan author of the award-winning, #1 internationally bestselling novel The Perfect Nanny – a New York Times Book Review 10 Best Books of the Year – for which she became the first Moroccan woman to win France’s most prestigious literary prize, the Goncourt.
Her latest novel, In the Country of Others (first in a planned trilogy about how women’s lives change over three generations), was named a Best Book of the Summer by Vogue, E Weekly, BuzzFeed, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Town & Country, Observer, The Millions, and Parade.
Salman Rushdie said of the book, “The world of this novel—Morocco after World War II, leading up to the revolt against French colonialism—is beautifully created.... An exceptional, powerful novel from this justly celebrated writer,” and The New York Times Book Review wrote, "In the Country of Others . . . lays bare women’s intimate, lacerating experience of war and its consequent trauma.”
Leila is also an award-winning journalist and outspoken commentator on women’s and human rights, and a French diplomat to French president Emmanuel Macron for the promotion of the French language and culture.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Leïla Slimani and I discussed:- Giving voices to the voiceless and time traveling in your work
- Racial inequality and the global taboos surrounding the history of colonization
- The importance of coffee and cigarettes to the creative process
- A writer's guilt, the perils of success...
- And why writers just need a good glass of (French) red wine
- Leïla Slimani
- In the Country of Others: A Novel by Leïla Slimani (Amazon)
- Leïla Slimani Amazon author page
- Hey, Creator!
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Novelist Nickolas Butler Writes
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Internationally bestselling novelist and short story author, Nickolas Butler, spoke to me about working sh*tty jobs, the irony of his latest title, Godspeed, and defining the modern western.
Nickolas is an Iowa Writers' Workshop grad and author of the award-winning novel Shotgun Lovesongs, The Hearts of Men, and Little Faith, and the story collection Beneath the Bonfire.
His latest novel is Godspeed, described as "... an incisive portrait of working-class life, the meth epidemic, and the many stratified realities of this one America we all live in, separately."
New York Times bestselling author, Ace Atkins, said of the book, “A fast-moving, highly addictive novel of ambition, obsession, and long-festering dreams of the haves and have nots."
Nickolas has published articles, reviews, short stories, and poetry in publications such as Ploughshares, Narrative, and The New York Times Book Review, among others.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Nickolas Butler and I discussed:- Harnessing storytelling and the inner-lives of blue collar workers
- How to write a novel in under six months
- The importance of writing for your core readership
- And why writers need to challenge themselves, harness the power of deadlines, and turn their art into a craft
- NickolasButler.com
- Godspeed by Nickolas Butler (Amazon)
- Nickolas Butler Amazon author page
- Nickolas Butler on Instagram
- Nickolas Butler on Facebook
- Nickolas Butler on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Sci-Fi Author Charlie Jane Anders Writes
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Decorated speculative fiction and YA author and pundit, Charlie Jane Anders, chatted with me about the genesis of storytelling, how to weather 20 years of rejection, write through hard times, and her latest how-to for writers Never Say You Can’t Survive.
"Being a writer doesn't have to mean you have a cool haircut and live in Brooklyn and go to fancy literary parties. It can mean that you're just someone who enjoys making up stories ... you don't even have to publish them." – Charlie Jane Anders
Charlie Jane's novel Victories Greater Than Death – the first book in a new young-adult trilogy, April, 2021 – and 2019's Locus Award winner The City in the Middle of the Night – named one of the year's best books by the Guardian and others and optioned for TV by Sony.
Her 2016 novel, All the Birds in the Sky, was #5 on Time Magazine's list of the year's 10 best novels, and won the Nebula, Locus and Crawford awards.
Her latest is Never Say You Can’t Survive, a book about how to use creative writing to get through hard times. It's described as "... a practical guide to storytelling [and a] ... a manual for creativity in unprecedented times."
Charlie Jane's fiction and journalism have appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, McSweeney's, Mother Jones, Boston Review, Tor.com, Tin House, WIRED magazine, and many other places.
Her TED Talk, "Go Ahead, Dream About the Future" has been viewed over 2M times. She also co-hosts the Hugo Award-winning podcast Our Opinions Are Correct with Annalee Newitz.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Charlie Jane Anders and I discussed:- The importance of why "we all contain multitudes"
- Impostor syndrome and rubbing elbows with famous authors
- Her creative chameleon characteristics
- And why writers need to juxtapose the small and personal against the huge and epic
- Stay calm and write on ...
- CharlieJaneAnders.com
- Never Say You Can't Survive by Charlie Jane Anders
- Charlie Jane Anders Amazon author page
- Our Opinions Are Correct the Hugo Award-winning podcast
- TED Talk, "Go Ahead, Dream About the Future"
- welovebookstores.org
- Charlie Jane Anders on Facebook
- Charlie Jane Anders on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Novelist Jason Mott Writes
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New York Times bestselling author, Jason Mott, took a timeout to talk with me about the high-wire act of building Hell of a Book, talking about race in America, and NOT working with Brad Pitt.
Jason is the author of The Returned, a New York Times bestseller that was turned into a TV series that ran for two seasons.
His fourth novel is titled Hell of a Book, and is described as a "... funny and honest [work of fiction] that goes to the heart of racism, police violence, and the hidden costs exacted upon Black Americans, and America as a whole."
The book has been named to dozens of "must read" lists for 2021 including Entertainment Weekly, The NY Post, GMA, USA Today, Fortune's 21 Most Anticipated Books Coming out in the Second Half of 2021 and more. Charles Yu, author of National Book Award winner Interior Chinatown called the book, "Playful, searching, raw and necessary..."
Jason has BFA in fiction and an MFA in Poetry, both from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His poetry and fiction have appeared in various literary journals.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Jason Mott and I discussed:- What it's like to write a book in your head for a decade
- Why he dared to dream to become a writer
- How to build a technically complex novel, draft by draft
- His study and love of film noir
- And why writers need to be nicer to themselves
- JasonMottAuthor.com
- Hell of a Book: A Novel by Jason Mott
- Jason Mott Amazon author page
- Jason Mott on Facebook
- Jason Mott on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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Bonus: Matt Haig Reads an Excerpt from 'The Midnight Library' on Storybound
Matt Haig reads an excerpt from The Midnight Library, backed by an original Storybound remix with Robert Wynia, and sound design and arrangement by Jude Brewer.
Robert Wynia is a founding member of the Portland band Floater. Known for their progressive concept albums, Floater is famous for incorporating stylized storytelling. Wynia also releases music under his own name and released his book Night Walks with its own accompanying soundtrack in 2020.
Storybound comes to you from The Podglomerate and Lit Hub Radio. Season 4 is some of their most inspired work yet, so be sure to subscribe today on Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune in.
Matt Haig is the author of 20 books including the #1 bestselling memoir, Reasons to Stay Alive, five novels – including How to Stop Time – and several award-winning children’s books. His work has been translated into over 40 languages.
His latest novel is The Midnight Library, a runaway, #1 bestseller and reader favorite of 2020. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction Book of 2020, a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, the New York Public Library, among many others.
The New York Times said of the book, "An absorbing ... vision of limitless possibility, of new roads taken, of new lives lived, of a whole different world available to us somehow, somewhere, [perhaps] exactly what’s wanted in these troubled and troubling times.”
Stay calm and write on …
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Show Notes:
How NY Times Bestselling Author Matt Haig Writes
The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig (Amazon)
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How Bestselling Thriller Writer Samantha Downing Writes
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Internationally bestselling thriller author, Samantha Downing, took a break to chat about her "20-year, overnight" success, writing psychopaths, and how to write a novel in six months.
Samantha's debut novel, My Lovely Wife – about a married couple teaming up to commit murder – was a #1 international bestseller that earned Edgar and ITW Thriller Award nominations and an Amazon Best Thriller of the Month selection.
Her latest bestseller, psychological thriller, For Your Own Good, has been called “A perfect summer book,” by NPR and described as "...a twisted and compulsively readable spin on the teacher-student relationship."
New York Times bestselling author B.A. Paris called it, a "... wonderfully dark, twisty and compelling thriller set in a prestigious private school." And the book has been recently optioned by Robert Downey Jr. and Greg Berlanti for a series adaptation at HBO Max.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Samantha Downing and I discussed:- Why she chose to showcase the insular world of an elite private school as the setting for her latest
- How psychopaths tend to hide in plain sight
- Her unique creative process and how she cranks out pages
- Why there are stacks of unfinished manuscripts she never goes back to
- And why writers need to love the craft and be ready when opportunity knocks
- SamanthaDowning.com
- For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing
- Samantha Downing Amazon author page
- A Sickness Spreads, A Parent Dies, And A Mystery Unfolds In 'For Your Own Good' – NPR
- Samantha Downing on Facebook
- Samantha Downing on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Novelist S. A. Cosby Writes: Part Two
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New York Times bestseller, and award-winning neo-noir novelist, S. A. Cosby, returned to chat about his creative process, cinematic heroes, and fantasy casting his new revenge tale, Razorblade Tears.
“I loved Blacktop Wasteland...[A] fast-paced, bare-knuckle thriller.” -Stephen King
S.A. is also an Anthony Award-winning short story writer for Best Short Story, 2019, and his short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines.
His lauded bestselling novel, Blacktop Wasteland, was Amazon's #1 Mystery and Thriller of the Year and #3 Best Book of 2020 overall, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice, Winner of the LA Times Book Award for Mystery or Thrillers and a Goodreads Choice Awards Semifinalist.
His newest, Razorblade Tears, hit The New York Times Bestseller List for the week of July 25, 2021, at number 10, and is described by ALA Booklist as "... a powerful blend of pulsing action, sensitive and subtle character interaction, and uncompromising but highly nuanced reflection on racism and homophobia."
“Superb...Cuts right to the heart of the most important questions of our times.... S. A. Cosby is not only the future of crime fiction but of any fiction...” – Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file S. A. Cosby and I discussed:- How he defines "Country Noir"
- The genesis of the larger societal themes in his work
- Why he always starts with the problem, and a stream-of-consciousness synopsis, first
- How finding his way into the plot is like finding his way into a locked house
- The great American literary legacy of "odd couples"
- And his hot take on Quentin Tarrantino's directing
- How NY Times Bestselling Novelist S. A. Cosby Writes: Part One
- Razorblade Tears: A Novel by S. A. Cosby [Amazon]
- Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel by S. A. Cosby [Amazon]
- S. A. Cosby Amazon author page
- S. A. Cosby on Facebook
- S. A. Cosby on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Novelist Claire Fuller Writes
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Award-winning novelist, Claire Fuller, talked to me about getting shortlisted for the Women’s Prize For Fiction 2021, what inspired her new novel Unsettled Ground, and her creative process.
Claire is an accomplished artist who studied sculpture at Winchester School of Art. She only started writing fiction at the age of 40, after many years working as a director at a marketing agency.
She is now the author of four novels – including her award-winning debut Our Endless Numbered Days – and her latest is Unsettled Ground, on the Shortlist for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2021.
The book is described as "...a tale of sacrifice and hope, of homelessness and hardship, of love and survival..." and, "... an unusual family held together by a string of lies ... and a sudden death that threatens to undo them all."
In a starred review, Booklist called Unsettled Ground, "Devastatingly haunting." Claire’s also an award-winning short fiction writer and writing instructor.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Claire Fuller and I discussed:- What inspired her to venture into fiction
- How she constructs the beginnings of a novel
- The slow, ponderous growth of her drafts
- Beta readers and the importance of reading your work aloud
- And why it doesn't get any easier
- ClaireFuller.co.uk
- Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller [Amazon]
- The Women's Prize for Fiction 2021
- Claire Fuller on Facebook
- Claire Fuller on Instagram
- Claire Fuller on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Reverse Engineer a Bestseller with Award-Winning Psychologist Ron Friedman
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Bestselling author and award-winning social psychologist, Ron Friedman, spoke to me about how remarkable artists and writers reverse engineer breakouts, and his new book Decoding Greatness.
Ron is an expert on human motivation and founder of ignite80, a consulting firm that crunches data in neuroscience, human physiology, and behavioral economics to "...help smart leaders build extraordinary workplaces."
His latest work of non-fiction is the bestseller, Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success described as "...a game-changing approach to mastering new skills and succeeding faster."
New York Times bestselling author of Deep Work, Cal Newport, said of the book, "Read this book if you want to upgrade from working hard to actually producing results that matter."
Accounts of Ron's research have appeared on NPR, in major newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, and magazines such as Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Ron Friedman and I discussed:- How copying can make you more creative or help you out of a rut
- Vonnegut’s six basic story structures
- Hidden patterns in great writing of any genre
- How to avoid the "uncanny valley" of novelty
- Why you need to create a private museum of inspiration
- And more!
- RonFriedmanPhD.com
- DecodingGreatnessBook.com
- Decoding Greatness: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success by Ron Friedman [Amazon]
- ignite80.com
- On Writing by Stephen King [Amazon]
- Story by Robert McKee [Amazon]
- Ron Friedman on Facebook
- Ron Friedman on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Sci-Fi Author Sarah Pinsker Writes
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Award-winning short story writer and novelist, Sarah Pinsker, talked to me about neural implants, meeting Ursula Le Guin, and her latest, We Are Satellites.
Sarah Pinsker is the 2019 Nebula Award winner for Best Novel for A Song For a New Day. The lauded and eerily prescient novel was "...Set in our near-future world following a virus and violent attacks that led people to limit almost all interaction to the virtual space." Sound familiar?
Her latest is We Are Satellites was named One of Buzzfeed’s Best Science Fiction Books of Spring 2021 and described as "...a fascinating novel that explores how technologies can transform family dynamics.”
Sarah’s also a multi-hyphenate singer/songwriter whose Nebula and Sturgeon award-winning short fiction has appeared in Asimov’s, F&SF, as well as numerous other magazines, best-of anthologies, and been translated into multiple languages.
Stay tuned after the interview for a sample of the We Are Satellites audiobook, excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio, read by Bernadette Dunne.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Sarah Pinsker and I discussed:- The heartache and thrill of getting rejection letters at age 13
- Her pandemic productivity blues
- Why she buys every indie, small press, sci-fi collection
- And how taking a walk can coax the words to come
- SarahPinsker.com
- We Are Satellites by Sarah Pinsker [Amazon]
- A Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker [Amazon]
- Sarah Pinsker Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Debut Author Sanjena Sathian Writes
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Award-winning short story writer and debut novelist, Sanjena Sathian, talked to me about the true cost of the American dream, magical realism, and working with Mindy Kaling on the adaptation of Gold Diggers.
Sanjena is an Iowa Writers' Workshop grad who started her career as a journalist and reporter in Mumbai and San Francisco. She has had nonfiction bylines in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Food & Wine, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more.
Her debut novel is Gold Diggers, and is described as, "A magical realist coming-of-age story ... about Indian American identity, community ... and the underside of ambition."
Already a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice, and a Vox Bookclub Pick, #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng, said of the book, “Dizzyingly original, fiercely funny, deeply wise.”
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Sanjena Sathian and I discussed:- Skewering myths of the "model minority"
- The literary legacies of Indian translators and magical realism
- How Mindy Kaling is approaching the TV adaptation of her book
- The writing life, an antidote to narcissism, and the definition of "vomit-drafter"
- Sanjena.com
- Gold Diggers: A Novel by Sanjena Sathian [Amazon]
- Mindy Kaling’s Kaling International To Adapt Sanjena Sathian’s Novel ‘Gold Diggers’ For TV
- Sanjena Sathian Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Children's Book Author Crystal Swain-Bates Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning children's book author and diversity publishing pro, Crystal Swain-Bates, spoke with me about what inspired her to launch her own publishing company and the challenges authors of color face.
“When I recognized how underrepresented black characters were in children's books, I made it my life's purpose to fill the diversity gap...” – Crystal Swain-Bates
Crystal is a celebrated illustrated kids' book author, entrepreneur, and indie publisher "... on a mission to positively reshape the way children of color all over the world see themselves."
She has written and published 12 children's books, been featured by Forbes, Entrepreneur, Essence Magazine, CNN, and HuffPost, and her books have been used as props for hit television shows on BET. Her lauded and bestselling book Big Hair, Don't Care is one of Amazon's most highly reviewed black children's books.
Crystal founded Goldest Karat Publishing to address the lack of diversity in children's literature and aims to help "... aspiring and underrepresented authors publish their books and share their stories.”
She also speaks at conferences and events on the topics of diversity in children's literature, writing, and publishing.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Crystal Swain-Bates and I discussed:- Her promise to fill the diversity gap in children's literature
- How a former CIA intelligence analyst became a famed author
- Why she always writes her titles first
- Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing for illustrated kids' books
- How diversity in publishing and book retail needs to improve
- And more!
- CrystalSwainBates.com
- Crystal Swain-Bates author page on Amazon
- PublishwithCrystal.com
- Six Figure Self-Publishing Secrets with Crystal Swain-Bates
- GoldestKarat.com
- Crystal Swain-Bates Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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Myth-Busting Book Publishing with Agent Lucinda Halpern: Part One
#PodcastersForJustice
President and Founder of Manhattan-based agency Lucinda Literary, Lucinda Halpern, gave me an insider’s take on why literary agents can't just be deal-makers anymore.
Lucinda Halpern is a literary, lecture, and PR agent with over 15 years of experience on both the corporate and agency sides of publishing.
Specializing in "books that change the way people work, behave, and live," she represents authors writing in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction.
Her agency, Lucinda Literary, boasts a roster of authors including New York Times bestselling authors Susan Peirce Thompson (Bright Line Eating), Chris Bailey (The Productivity Project; Hyperfocus), Cait Flanders (The Year of Less), Paul Jarvis (Company of One), the new work of Nicola Kraus (The Nanny Diaries) and Jake Wood (Once a Warrior).
She also shares publishing insights and motivation for writers and hosts both live and online programs for aspiring authors.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files Extra
You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Lucinda Halpern and I discussed:
Her mission statement, ethos, and the future of publishing
How good agents build lifelong marriages with their authors
Why you don't have to be famous to get published
Counterintuitive tips about the industry
The old-fashioned art of crafting a book
And more!
Show Notes:
Ready to get your book noticed? Get Lucinda's essential guide for writers: The 6 Things Every Book Pitch Needs – Click here to receive your guide: lucindaliterary.com/subscribe
How to Land a Book Deal with Agent & Author Lucinda Halpern: Part Two
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Lisa Scottoline Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
New York Times bestselling author and Edgar award-winner, Lisa Scottoline, spoke with me about what she learned from literary lion Philip Roth, impostor syndrome, and her latest book, Eternal.
“I think all writing is writing, and all writing is good. And whether it gets published or not, it all ... makes you better.” – Lisa Scottoline
Lisa is a #1 bestselling author of 33 novels. She's gone from law school standout to writing chart-topping legal thrillers over the course of her prolific career, has sold over 30 million copies of her books in the US, and been published in 35 countries.
Her latest is Eternal and her first historical novel, a departure that she calls the culmination of her life's work. It's described as "... a sweeping and shattering epic of historical fiction fueled by shocking true events."
“[Her] expansive WWII-era historical novel follows three childhood best friends as love, loyalty and sacrifice mix and their beloved Rome falls to the Nazis.” – GMA
Lisa also writes a weekly humor column with her daughter, Francesca Serritella, for the Philadelphia Inquirer, which have been adapted into a series of memoirs.
She has served as President of the Mystery Writers of America and has taught a course she developed, “Justice in Fiction,” at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, her alma mater.
Stay tuned after the interview for a sample of the audiobook excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio read by Cassandra Campbell.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Lisa Scottoline and I also discussed:- Her favorite rejection letter
- Why writers just need to "get it down, then get it good"
- How the identity of a writer changes over the years
- Her unique research process
- Why your sentences need to justify themselves
- And more!
- Scottoline.com
- Eternal by Lisa Scottoline [Amazon]
- Survival In Auschwitz : If This Is a Man by Primo Levi [Amazon]
- The Writer's Brain on Impostor Syndrome
- Lisa Scottoline on Facebook
- Lisa Scottoline on Instagram
- Lisa Scottoline on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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'Diving Deep' with Award-Winning Documentarian Mimi deGruy and Author Adam Skolnick
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning documentarian, Mimi deGruy, joined me and author Adam Skolnick for a deep dive into the genesis of her documentary exploring the legacy and environmental activism of her late husband, trailblazing ocean filmmaker Mike deGruy.
“When Mike died, I felt like he left in mid-conversation, and I knew that he had so much more to say,” – Mimi deGruy
Mike deGruy was a lauded filmmaker, biologist, and activist, who pushed the boundaries of cinematography and diving technology to explore never-before-seen ocean life and share it with the world.
"In 2012, deGruy died tragically at age 60 in a helicopter crash in Australia while filming for [Academy Award® winning] director James Cameron." – KCRW
The documentary, “Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy” was crowd-funded, directed, produced, and written by Mimi, Mike’s widow and filmmaking partner.
"Told through the eyes of his wife ... the film celebrates [Mike’s] life, career, and what he passionately believed: we are destroying the ocean before we even know what’s there."
The Hollywood Reporter said about the film: “It [succeeds] as a touching personal reminiscence and as an understated but effective environmental manifesto.”
The film opened the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2019, and won Best Film at the Ocean Film Festival, Audience Favorite at the Aspen Mountain Film Festival, and many other awards. It is available across all platforms including Apple TV/iTunes and Amazon rentals.
Adam Skolnick is the award-winning journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, travel, and human rights for The New York Times and other outlets. He is the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, the ghostwriter and narrator of David Goggins’ smash hit memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, and he is a co-host on the Rich Roll Podcast.
As a bonus, Adam and I kick off the show by discussing the legacy of Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files ExtraYou can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
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Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Mimi deGruy, Adam Skolnick, and I also discussed:- Why friends and family described Mike as a "human exclamation mark"
- The single piece of footage that inspired Mimi to make the documentary
- How the BP oil spill cemented the filmmaker's life mission
- The fascinating arc of Mike's career
- Why his spirit was undeterred by a rare shark attack
- And more!
- “Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy”
- Diving Deep on Facebook
- Diving Deep on Instagram
- Diving Deep on Twitter
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by Author David Goggins [Amazon]
- One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits - by Adam Skolnick [Amazon]
- How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Crime Novelist Walter Mosley Writes
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Celebrated author, Walter Mosley, took a timeout to chat with me about how he didn't write a sentence he liked until age 35, the sprawling muse of Los Angeles, and his conflicted feelings after winning a big National Book Award.
“Write your truth, and believe in it. And if your mother doesn’t like it ... too bad.” – Walter Mosley
Walter is the first Black man to receive the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters for lifetime achievement in writing.
The critically acclaimed author, playwright, screenwriter, and producer has written over 60 books including fiction (literary, mystery, and science fiction), writing guides, memoir, a YA novel, has won dozens of prestigious awards (including an Emmy), and been translated into 25 languages.
His bestselling historical mysteries feature infamous, hard-boiled detective "Easy" Rawlins, a black PI living in the Watts neighborhood of LA.
Blood Grove (Easy Rawlins Book 15) is the latest in that series and described as "... a novel of vast scope and intimate insight, and a soulful call for justice by any means necessary."
Walter's work has also been adapted for film and TV including Devil in a Blue Dress (starring Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and Jennifer Beals) and the HBO production of Always Outnumbered (starring Laurence Fishburne and Natalie Cole).
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files Extra
You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!
As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey.
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.
[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Walter Mosley and I discussed:
His winding career path
How the apex of post-hippie Los Angeles, California affected his writing
What it was like to work with the late, Oscar-nominated filmmaker John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood)
Why you need to read your drafts out loud
And more!
Show Notes:
Blood Grove (Easy Rawlins Book 15) by Walter Mosley (Amazon)
Walter Mosley Amazon author page
Writing Los Angeles: A Literary Anthology: A Library of America Special Publication (Amazon)
Roger Zelazny Amazon author page
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Critically Acclaimed Novelist Erik Raschke Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Critically acclaimed novelist, short story writer, and educator, Erik Raschke, stopped by this week to talk about coming-of-age in Denver, Colorado, how The Beat Generation influenced his writing, and how your children consume you.
Erik Raschke is a native to Denver, Colorado – and admittedly, one of my oldest friends. He became a dual Dutch and American citizen in 2013, teaches writing at the University of Amsterdam and is a certified New York public school teacher.
Erik's first novel, The Book of Samuel, was translated into Italian and nominated for the prestigious Printz award. His short story, Winch (Portland Review), was nominated for the 2018 Best American Short Stories.
His latest is To the Mountain, a novel described as "... an absorbing tale of sacrifice, hope, and the bond between father and son."
NY Times bestselling author Margaret Coel called the book, “A deeply affecting tale of a father’s love for his autistic son ... Raschke’s lyrical prose evokes both the awesome wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in winter and the unfathomable wilderness of the human heart."
As a journalist in the early '90s in Belfast, Erik briefly covered violence that marked the end of The Troubles. His short stories and essays have been published in The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times Magazine, Hazlitt, Georgia Review, De Volkskrant, and Guernica, among others.
Stay calm and write on …
And Stay Tuned: I’m cooking up some extras for fans of the show in the coming weeks you won’t want to miss including the option to have episodes, extras, and added insights delivered straight to your inbox, and maybe even some Writer Files merch on the way.
Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.
In this file Erik Raschke and I discussed:- The European Rockabilly facsimile that made him cry
- Denver and Ken Kesey's impact on his writing
- Why he studied the history of disability for his latest novel
- How grad school teaches you to write nice sentences, but not great stories
- And more!
- ErikRaschke.com
- To the Mountain by Erik Raschke (Amazon)
- Erik Raschke Amazon author page
- The Revenant by Michael Punke (Amazon)
- Erik Raschke on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Greaney Writes: Part One
#PodcastersForJustice
The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Greaney, dropped by to chat about hanging out with Tom Clancy at The Pentagon, the elements of a great spy novel, and the latest in The Gray Man series.
"Even if you finish a whole book and it doesn't get published, I promise you you're a much better author at the end of that process than you were at the beginning..." – Mark Greaney
Mark's debut international thriller, The Gray Man, was published in 2009 and became a national bestseller and highly sought-after Hollywood property. He's released ten in that series to date including the #1 New York Times bestseller One Minute Out.
The Gray Man series has drawn comparisons to giants of the field including Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, and – of course – Tom Clancy. Mark is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author or co-author of seven Tom Clancy novels – he co-wrote Clancy’s final three Jack Ryan thrillers prior to his passing.
Mark's latest outing with The Gray Man is Relentless, a book bestselling author Lee Child called, “Hard, fast, and unflinching — exactly what a thriller should be.”
Netflix recently announced an adaptation of the first book in The Gray Man series, starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans.
Stay calm and write on ...
And Stay Tuned: I’m cooking up some extras for fans of the show in the coming weeks you won’t want to miss including the option to have episodes, extras, and added insights delivered straight to your inbox, and maybe even some Writer Files merch on the way.
Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Mark Greaney and I discussed:
- His 15 year, overnight success
- How his extensive research differs from book to book
- What it's like to work with the Russo brothers (best known for their Marvel films)
- Why writers need to relax and enjoy the process
- And more!
Show Notes:
- MarkGreaneybooks.com
- Relentless (Gray Man) by Mark Greaney (Amazon)
- Mark Greaney Amazon author page
- Mark Greaney on Instagram
- Mark Greaney on Facebook
- Mark Greaney on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Research Historical Fiction with Award-Winning Author Patrick Hicks
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning author, poet, and Emmy-nominee, Patrick Hicks, joined me this week to talk about his unique research process, how stories choose their authors, and how to talk about The Holocaust.
"Whatever scares you to write... that's what you should be writing." – Patrick Hicks
Patrick is the award-winning author of over ten books, including The Collector of Names, Adoptable, This London, and the critically acclaimed novel, The Commandant of Lubizec.
He is the Writer-in-Residence at Augustana University as well as a faculty member at the MFA program at Sierra Nevada University.
He has been published widely in literary journals including Ploughshares, Prairie Schooner, Guernica, The Utne Reader, and many others. His poetry has appeared on NPR, The PBS NewsHour, and American Life in Poetry.
The Emmy-nominated writer also hosts a weekly radio broadcast Poetry from Studio 47 that airs on NPR affiliates.
Note: I’m cooking up some extras for fans of the show in the coming weeks you won’t want to miss including the option to have episodes, extras, and added insights delivered straight to your inbox, and maybe even some Writer Files merch on the way.
Stay calm and write on …
This week's sponsor is Neuro. Use the code WRITER at checkout for a 15% discount.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Patrick Hicks and I discussed:- A roadmap to making a living as a writer
- How he used grants to fund the research for his latest novel
- Note-taking and travel for historically accurate writing
- What it's like to get blurbed by your heroes
- The circularity and universality of the human condition across eras
- Why great writing should always be your end goal
- And more!
- PatrickHicks.org
- In The Shadow of Dora by Patrick Hicks (Amazon)
- Ulysses by James Joyce (Amazon)
- Poetry from Studio 47
- How Grant Money Funded the Research and Writing of My First Two Novels (and how it could help you too)
- A prized poet, Hicks nominated for an Emmy
- Patrick Hicks on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Artist & Author Jason Naylor Writes
#BoulderStrong
Brooklyn-based designer, artist, and creative director, Jason Naylor, rapped with me about his mission to inspire hope, how to write bite-sized wisdom for an attention-starved world, and why "love is the answer to everything."
“Be yourself, be brave, be proud of who you are, be kind, be loving, be happy, and be colorful.” – Jason Naylor
As a designer, Jason has won two CLIO bronze medals and a Golden Novum Design Award. But it's his "live life colorfully" credo and independent artwork that have found him fame.
Jason's popularity has grown during the pandemic through his inspiring and intensely colorful murals. Jason has worked around the world to brighten communities through his public art installations.
His first book is Live Life Colorfully: 99 Ideas to Add Joy, Positivity, and Creativity to Your Life, a "...quirky, illustrated mix of inspiring words, tips and tricks, and challenges from [the] award-winning artist."
You may recognize his distinctive style from his collaborations with brands including Coach, Guess, Pepsi, Maybelline, MAC Cosmetics, and more.
Stay calm and write on …
Note: Watch this space – I’m cooking up some extras for fans of the show in the coming weeks you won’t want to miss including the option to have episodes, extras, and added insights delivered straight to your inbox, and maybe even some Writer Files merch on the way.
This week's sponsor is Neuro. Use the code WRITER at checkout for a 15% discount.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Jason Naylor and I discussed:- How to create an instantly recognizable (and inspiring) brand
- Why a splash of color and surprise is what we all need right now
- His vivid tribute to the essential workers of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Why repetition is key to creativity
- And more!
- JasonNaylor.nyc
- Live Life Colorfully: 99 Ideas to Add Joy, Positivity, and Creativity to Your Life by Jason Naylor (Amazon)
- The Dream Room - "Fifty Hotel & Suites collaborated with world-renowned artist Jason Naylor..."
- Jason Naylor on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Author Matt Haig Writes
Internationally bestselling author, Matt Haig, spoke with me about how the novelist became an accidental "mental health expert," why writers need resilience, and the process behind The Midnight Library.
"The only reader you're ever going to truly know ... is yourself." – Matt Haig
Matt's the author of 20 books including the #1 bestselling memoir, Reasons to Stay Alive, five novels – including How to Stop Time – and several award-winning children’s books. His work has been translated into over 40 languages.
His latest novel is The Midnight Library, a runaway, #1 bestseller and reader favorite of 2020. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction Book of 2020, a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, the New York Public Library, among many others.
The New York Times said of the book, "An absorbing ... vision of limitless possibility, of new roads taken, of new lives lived, of a whole different world available to us somehow, somewhere, [perhaps] exactly what’s wanted in these troubled and troubling times.”
Stay calm and write on …
**Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, read by Carey Mulligan.
[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Matt Haig and I discussed:
His superhero origins and the blog post that became a book
How to write "like no one's watching"
Inconsistent routines and the power of deadlines
Why writers need to surprise themselves
How he got Carey Mulligan to record his audiobook
And more!
Show Notes:
The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig (Amazon)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
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How Bestselling Thriller Writer Nick Petrie Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Bestselling novelist, Nick Petrie, spoke with me about keeping your sanity as a writer, the importance of boredom for creativity, and how to write a thriller series.
Nick's the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Peter Ash series. His debut novel, The Drifter, won the ITW Thriller and Barry Awards, and was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Hammett Awards.
He won a 2016 Literary Award from the Wisconsin Library Association and was named one of Apple’s 10 Writers to Read in 2017. Light It Up was named the Best Thriller of 2018 by Apple Books and has been nominated for a Barry Award.
His latest is The Breaker, the sixth in his award-winning series featuring Peter Ash, the war veteran struggling with PTSD who travels the US, "... stumbling into mysteries that only a man with his unique skill set can solve."
#1 New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box said of the book, "Nonstop action at a machine-gun pace. If you aren't reading Nick Petrie, now is the time to start."
Stay calm and write on ...
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Nick Petrie and I discussed:- His 25-year overnight success
- The challenges of running a business and writing a book a year
- How to "keep the faith"
- The rituals and routines that keep him going
- William Gibson's genius
- And more!
- NickPetrie.com
- The Breaker (A Peter Ash Novel) by Nick Petrie (Amazon)
- Nick Petrie Amazon author page
- Neuromancer by William Gibson (Amazon)
- The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch (Amazon)
- Nick Petrie on Facebook
- Nick Petrie on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning True Crime Writer Kali White VanBaale Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning novelist and creative writing professor, Kali White VanBaale, chatted with me about the transition from literary fiction to true crime, her work with the PEN America Prison & Justice Writing program, and taking chances.
Kali is an award-winning, Iowa-based author of novels, short stories, and essays. Her novel The Space Between (penned as Kali VanBaale), won an American Book Award, an Independent Publisher’s silver medal for fiction, and was winner of the Fred Bonnie First Novel Award.
Her latest is The Monsters We Make (as Kali White), a mystery loosely based on the real-life unsolved "Des Moines paperboy abductions" of the early ‘80s. Pulitzer Prize finalist Lee Martin, author of The Bright Forever, said, “[The Monsters We Make] ... kept me on the edge of my seat. I truly did read this remarkable new novel in one sitting.”
Kali is a regular contributor to the A&E Network Real Crime blog series, and her short stories and essays have appeared in The Coachella Review, The Chaffey Review, Midwestern Gothic, Nowhere Magazine, Poets&Writers, The Writers’ Chronicle and others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Kali White VanBaale and I discussed:- The challenges writers had to overcome in 2020
- Her advocacy for social justice through writing
- How to cut yourself off from the rabbit hole of research
- On writing what scares you
- Why writers need to lean on revision
- And more!
At the break I've got a special segment with an inspiring young non-fiction writer you won't want to miss. Hint: She is an influencer, author, artist, and tech-savvy 10-year-old.
Stay calm and write on …
Show Notes:- KaliWhite.com
- The Monsters We Make: A Novel by Kali White (Amazon)
- Past Ten
- PEN America Prison & Justice Writing
- The Paperboy Abduction Cases: The Legacy of Two Des Moines Boys Who Are Still Missing
- Kali White VanBaale on Facebook
- Kali White VanBaale on Instagram
- Kali White VanBaale on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
_____
Prisha Hedau is a 10-year-old from Louisville, KY, and the author of PANDEMIC 2020: A 9 Year Old's Perspective.
Prisha is an elementary student who holds USA state and USA national level ranking in Chess and Math Kangaroo competitions.
She's also a budding philanthropist with a big heart!
In this file Prisha Hedau and I talked about:
- The importance of note taking
- Staying positive through tough times
- Her favorite book
- And how she helps the less fortunate
I know the audio is little rough, but it's an inspiring story.
Show Notes:
- PrishaHedau.com
- PANDEMIC 2020: A 9 Year Old's Perspective by Prisha Hedau
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Writer-Director-Activist Duo Bush+Renz Write
#PodcastersForJustice
Writer-director duo and activists, Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz (AKA Bush+Renz), took a timeout to chat with me about storytelling to amplify social justice, hanging out with Jay-Z, their debut feature film "Antebellum," and why you need stamina to make it.
“When we conceived Antebellum, we did not – could not – envision the way that systemic racism would break through to force the meaningful conversation we desperately need. But it has.” – Gerard Bush
The duo have been together for 12 years and got their start in advertising in Miami. After losing the taste for producing champagne commercials they pivoted to their "... passion for telling powerful stories of the disenfranchised, marginalized, and underrepresented."
After their police brutality PSA "Against the Wall," starring Michael B. Jordan, went viral, their paths shifted toward Hollywood.
Their chart-topping, timely, debut feature film is "Antebellum" starring Janelle Monae, a "... psychological thriller showcasing the stark reality of being black in America."
Variety named the film a Top 10 Best Film of 2020 and called it, "... a wickedly effective horror-movie metaphor for white supremacy’s enduring grip on American society."
Bush+Renz's mission is to amplify weighty social justice issues including climate change, LGBTQ equality, women's equality, voter suppression, mass incarceration, and more.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Bush+Renz and I talked about:- Their unique perspectives and how they came to work in politics and social justice
- How Antebellum began as a short story
- The exhaustive research that went into their first film and the prescience that made them believers
- What it's like to be tapped by HBO
- And more!
- Antebellum on IMDb
- The Best Films of 2020 - Antebellum - Variety
- Bush+Renz on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Submit Your Short Story to Literary Magazines
#PodcastersForJustice
A unique double-wide lit mag themed episode that includes interviews with two pioneering souls.
My first guest is Erik Harper Klass, a writer and the founder of the full-service short story submissions service Submitit.
And my second guest is Jenna Faccenda, Founder of Eclipse Lit, a nonprofit literary magazine.
Erik Harper Klass is the founder of a unique business, the world's first full-service submissions company for short story writers – submititnow.com.
He is also a critically acclaimed writer whose work has appeared in a variety of journals and been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes.
Erik and I talked about:
- The sniper vs blunderbuss approach to publishing
- "Zen and the Art of Rejection"
- How his unique submission algorithm was designed
- Why glossy lit mag queries might be a waste of time
- And how to stagger your submissions
In the second segment of the show, I chatted with inspiring Philadelphia native and writer, Jenna Faccenda, Founder of Eclipse Lit.
Eclipse Lit is a nonprofit literary magazine founded on a "... mission to give artists a medium to heal while benefiting organizations dedicated to helping people facing trauma."
After losing her fiancé to suicide and finding solace in the transformative power of writing, Jenna set out to provide a forum for others who have suffered.
In this file Jenna and I talked about:
- The Writer's Journey and healing through art
- Her dedication to help lift other writers out of the darkness
- Raising mental health awareness (and support)
- And how to start a non-profit literary journal
**National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
**1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741
Show Notes:- Submitit
- ErikHarperKlass.com
- The Single Biggest Mistake Writers Make When Submitting to Literary Journals
- Duotrope
- EclipseLit.org
- Donate to Eclipse Lit
- Eclipse Lit on Twitter
- WritelyMe.com
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Crime Writer Christopher Chambers Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning writer, commentator, and Professor of Media Studies at Georgetown University, Christopher Chambers, chatted with me about why there's never been a better time to break through as a writer of color, unreliable narrators and the 2nd person POV, and writing for Marvel's Black Panther franchise.
Christopher Chambers is a professor of media studies and novelist whose books include A Prayer for Deliverance and Sympathy for the Devil, the graphic anthology (with Gary Phillips) The Darker Mask, and PEN/Malamud-nominated story, "Leviathan." His writing was included in the anthology The Obama Inheritance: 15 Stores of Conspiracy Noir, which won numerous awards including the Anthony Award.
His latest novel is Scavenger: A Mystery, set in Washington D.C.'s underbelly where "... a Black homeless man must quickly learn the ropes of being a detective after [being framed] for a brutal crime he didn’t commit." Publishers Weekly called the book, a “... no-holds-barred crime novel . . . a 21st-century twist on traditional hardboiled noir,” and friend of the pod, writer S.A. Cosby, called it "wholly original."
Professor Chambers is an honors graduate of Princeton University and the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he was the first African American in the Law Review. He's a regular commentator/contributor on media and culture issues on SiriusXM Radio, ABC News, MSNBC, and HuffPost.
Stay tuned for a special offer from this week's sponsor Neuro.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Christopher Chambers and I discussed:- Why he didn't want to be the next Scott Turow
- How to incorporate today's confluence of societal crises into your writing
- What it's like to be invited to write about Wakanda
- Why the writing life equates to isolation
- And more!
- Christopher Chambers
- Scavenger: A Mystery by Christopher Chambers (Amazon)
- Christopher Chambers Amazon author page
- Christopher Chambers on Instagram
- Christopher Chambers on FaceBook
- Christopher Chambers on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeff Lindsay Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
The international bestselling thriller writer of the Dexter series, Jeff Lindsay, chatted with me about his previous life in the dramatic arts, marrying into literary royalty, and what it's like to hang out with actor Andy Garcia.
"I thought I was creating a bad guy. And I was trying to make him just interesting and likeable enough to keep people reading .... I was glad it took off like it did, but it was always a shock to me that people actually liked Dexter." — Jeff Lindsay
Jeff is the New York Times bestselling author of the Dexter novels – which debuted in 2004 with Darkly Dreaming Dexter – adapted by Showtime into the popular TV series that ran for eight seasons.
His latest novel is Fool Me Twice, second in the Riley Wolfe series, about "... a master thief that targets the wealthiest 0.1 percent."
Publishers Weekly said of the series in a starred review, “Fans of the Ocean’s Eleven film franchise will be eager for more.”
Jeff has also spent time as an actor, comedian, and playwright.
Stay tuned for a special offer from this week's sponsor Neuro.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Jeff Lindsay and I discussed:- The signs that pointed to being a writer
- What it's like to be married to a Hemingway
- On moral ambiguity, famous last words, and enduring antiheroes
- The return of 'Dexter' to the small screen
- A memorable dinner with Armistead Maupin
- And more!
- Jeff Lindsay
- Fool Me Twice by Jeff Lindsay [Amazon]
- Jeff Lindsay Amazon author page
- Showtime’s plans for bringing back Dexter for a limited series
- Jeff Lindsay on FaceBook
- Jeff Lindsay on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Memoirist Dani Shapiro Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Dani Shapiro, chatted with me about the Groundhog's Day effect of the pandemic, the transition from fiction to memoir, and the hidden power of Family Secrets.
"There's no check the boxes kind of 'career development,' or anything like that, that exists in the creative life. People think that there is, and that they're not doing it right. And there's no right." — Dani Shapiro
Dani is the author of 10 books including the instant New York Times bestselling memoir, Inheritance, which was published in 2019. Her other books include the memoirs Hourglass, Still Writing, Devotion, and Slow Motion, and five novels including Black & White and Family History.
Inheritance won the 2019 National Jewish Book Award, was named one of Wired’s top Science books of 2019 and a best book of 2019 by Vanity Fair. It was also a book club pick for Now Read This, the PBS NewsHour’s book club with The New York Times.
“A meditation on what it means to live in a time when secrecy, anonymity, and mystery are vanishing.” — The New Yorker
Dani has taught at Columbia and New York University, is the co-founder of the Sirenland Writers Conference in Positano, Italy, and teaches writing workshops around the world.
In early 2019, Dani launched an original podcast, Family Secrets, in collaboration with iHeartMedia. An iTunes Top 10 podcast, the series features "...stories from guests who — like Dani — have uncovered life-altering and long-hidden secrets from their families’ past."
Stay tuned for a special offer from this week's sponsor Neuro.
NOTE: Our apologies for any audio issues with our podcast guest interview. We hope it doesn't distract from the important message of this episode. Thank you!
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Dani Shapiro and I discussed:- How to change the rhythm of your day to spark creativity
- Her mentors and awakening to her writing voice
- Learning to write in public (and find an agent the right way)
- On throwing out hundreds of pages
- The power of storytelling in the aftermath of family trauma
- And much more!
- DaniShapiro.com
- Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro [Amazon]
- Dani Shapiro Amazon author page
- Family Secrets on Apple Podcasts
- William Faulkner's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech C.1950
- The Essay on Self Reliance - Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Dani Shapiro on Instagram
- Dani Shapiro on Facebook
- Dani Shapiro on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Author Craig Johnson Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
The award-winning mystery writer and popular crime novelist, Craig Johnson, spoke with me about his long-running Longmire series, shotgun self-realization, and how to write good books.
"How am I ever gonna get seen? Write good books." — Craig Johnson
Craig is the New York Times bestselling author of the Longmire mysteries, the bedrock of the hit Netflix series of the same name.
His latest novel is the 16th Sheriff Walt Longmire murder mystery, Next to Last Stand, a story that centers around Custer’s Last Fight, one of the most viewed paintings in American history.
"Custer's Last Fight was copied and distributed by Anheuser-Busch at a rate of over two million copies a year and destroyed in a fire at the 7th Cavalry Headquarters in Fort Bliss, Texas, in 1946 . . . Or was it?"
In a starred review, Library Journal said of the book, "... Johnson lightens the atmosphere in this complex, thought-provoking mystery that highlights art and Western history, emphasizing the contrast between Native accounts and white history."
Craig is also the recipient of the Western Writers of America Spur Award for fiction, the Mountain & Plains Independent Booksellers Association's Reading the West Book Award for fiction, the Nouvel Observateur Prix du Roman Noir, and the Prix SNCF du Polar.
- Why he chose to feature veterans in his latest book
- The wisdom behind "Choose a job you love..."
- How to host a virtual book tour event
- His special relationship with the cast and crew of the Longmire TV series
- And more!
- CraigAllenJohnson.com
- Next to Last Stand: A Longmire Mystery by Craig Johnson [Amazon]
- Craig Johnson Amazon author page
- Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira by Lou Diamond Phillips [Amazon]
- Craig Johnson on FaceBook
- Craig Johnson on Instagram
- Craig Johnson on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How International Bestselling Novelist Emily Schultz Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
The internationally bestselling thriller writer, Emily Schultz, spoke with me about recollections of coming of age as a Gen-Xer, her creative process in multiple mediums, and how to funnel emotion onto the page.
"You have to be able to take your own emotions and experiences and translate them into a fictional story. If you can pull on the truths that you know, you can bring them to the reader." — Emily Schultz
Emily is the co-founder of the literary magazine Joyland and is the author of The Blondes, an international bestseller named a Best Book of 2015 by NPR, BookPage, and Kirkus Reviews.
Her latest novel is Little Threats, described as a "...taut whodunit and a haunting snapshot of the effects of a violent crime [that] tells the story of a woman who served 15 years in prison for murder ... and now it's time to find out if she's guilty." The book was named an Apple Books Best of November 2020 pick.
Booklist said of the book, "Fans of Tana French, Kimberly Belle, and Orange is the New Black will fall under this book's spell. . . Terse and tense, Little Threats investigates righteous anger, teenage angst, and the enormity of setting the record straight."
Emily’s writing has appeared in Elle, Slate, Vice, Hazlitt, Prairie Schooner, and many others. She is also a producer at the indie media company Heroic Collective where she recently released a complimentary podcast adaptation of The Blondes.
Stay tuned for a clip from the Little Threats audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by Dylan Moore and Ariadne Meyers.”
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Emily Schultz and I discussed:- The influential literary magazine she helped co-found
- How to get an "accidental" blurb from Stephen King
- The pandemic's effect on her creative process
- How to pull on the truths you know and bring them to your readers
- And what to do when you don't have access to resources as a writer
- EmilySchultz.com
- Little Threats by Emily Schultz - [Amazon]
- Emily Schultz Amazon page
- Joyland literary magazine
- Emily Schultz on FaceBook
- Emily Schultz on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The State of Publishing 2020 with Hybrid Publisher Jesse Krieger
#PodcastersForJustice
Internationally bestselling author, publisher, and founder of Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press, Jesse Krieger, took time to chat with me about disruptions to the publishing industry, the intersection of creativity and commerce, and marketing and promotion strategies for self-published authors.
"Learn what you need to know, to do what you love to do, so you can be the person you want to be" — Jesse Krieger
Jesse has signed publishing deals on two different continents and navigated the path of becoming a bestselling author twice. He has been featured on over 50 media outlets for his bestselling book Lifestyle Entrepreneur.
He has also published 100+ books during his six-year tenure as founder and publisher of Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press, a boutique, hybrid model publishing house.
“Their mission is to deliver a world-class publishing experience for authors – which they accomplish through their done-for-you publishing service – focused primarily on personal development, entrepreneurship, self-help, and healthy lifestyles.”
Through their unique distribution and sales models, and a focus on helping authors on each phase of the publishing journey, they strive to provide both higher quality work and resultant royalties.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Jesse Krieger and I discussed:- How books get published: traditional vs. hybrid publishing
- Why he doesn't recommend starting a publishing company
- Best practices for non-fiction authors thinking of writing a book
- The most common mistakes he sees authors make
- How to write a great book that will stand the test of time
- Why you can't anticipate where your audience will find you
- And much more!
- Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press
- Lifestyle Entrepreneur: Live Your Dreams, Ignite Your Passions and Run Your Business From Anywhere in The World by Jesse Krieger [Amazon]
- Publishizer.com
- Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press on Facebook
- Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press on Instagram
- Jesse Krieger on LinkedIn
- Jesse Krieger on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Design Your Book Cover with Designer & Author Erin Tyler
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Celebrated designer, Creative Director of Scribe Media, and author, Erin Tyler, spoke with me about how she overcame childhood trauma to become one of the industry's best book cover designers, why this is such an important time in publishing, and book cover fails to avoid.
"My relationship with writing is a private one. It's just something that I do every day. It's almost religious for me. Some people meditate or do yoga. I write." — Erin Tyler
Over her 20-year career, Erin has designed book covers for multiple New York Times bestselling authors including James Altucher, Ryan Holiday, David Goggins, and Tucker Max.
As Creative Director of Scribe Media she helps manage and support "...the best book cover designers in the game ... to create unforgettable covers for authors."
Erin recently illustrated and published her own memoir – The Bad One: A Memoir About Growing Up a Goat (short for scapegoat) – the story of her traumatic childhood.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 1-800-273-8255
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Erin Tyler and I discussed:- Her cathartic journey from designer to author
- The glut of creative tools now available to authors
- Why competitive title research is so crucial to the look of your book
- The "visual math and emotional haiku" that go into a great cover
- Recent industry trends that get under her skin
- And why you should feel free to overcommunicate (but not micromanage) with your book cover designer
- ErinTylerdesign.com
- The Bad One: A Memoir About Growing Up a Goat by Erin Tyler [Amazon]
- ScribeMedia.com
- Erin Tyler on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Debut Novelist Bryan Washington Writes
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New York Times Notable author, Bryan Washington, dropped by to chat about how his short stories garnered so much acclaim, what cuisine tells us about the larger narrative around sharing a meal, and why writers need to ignore the publishing marketplace.
"A reading itself can feel more akin to a set list. You adjust your set list based on the context in which you're performing. I think of the reading ... as being interconnected with the text, but its own singular entity." — Bryan Washington
The author published the award-winning story collection Lot in 2019 which garnered him – to name only a few – a National Book Award 5 Under 35 honor, the Dylan Thomas Prize, a Lambda Literary Award, numerous best-of-the-year lists, and one of President Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2019.
His debut novel is Memorial, and it too earned a NY Times notable spot, a Good Morning America Book Club Pick, and was named a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, TIME, O, the Oprah Magazine, Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, and others.
It's described as "A funny and profound story about family in all its strange forms, joyful and hard-won vulnerability, becoming who you're supposed to be, and the limits of love."
The author described Memorial as a "gay slacker dramedy." NPR called it, “A masterpiece,” and The Washington Post said of the book “No other novel this year captures so gracefully the full palette of America.”
A24 has already purchased the rights to Memorial, with Washington writing the adaptation for television.
Bryan has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Buzzfeed, Vulture, The Paris Review, McSweeney’s Quarterly, Tin House, One Story, Bon Appetit, GQ, The Awl, and Catapult.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Bryan Washington and I discussed:- Trying to pin down the intangible definition of "home"
- How the author irons out the creases in his prose
- Why writers are like stand-up comedians
- His involvement with the adaptation of his novel for the small screen
- And why you need to just sit down and start writing
- BryWashing.com
- Memorial: A Novel by Bryan Washington [Amazon]
- Bryan Washington on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How NY Times Bestselling Mystery Writer Tana French Writes
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The New York Times bestselling crime novelist, Tana French, took a break to talk with me about her early training as an actress, her definition of creativity, and how to write through the tough times.
"I didn't know if I could write a book. I'd written short stories and really galactically bad teenager poetry, but I'd never tried to write a book before." — Tana French
The author has written eight mystery novels and is considered a master of suspense and the modern psychological thriller. Her work has been compared to writers including James Ellroy and Donna Tartt, and has been called "incandescent" by Stephen King, and "absolutely mesmerizing" by Gillian Flynn.
Her novels have sold over three million copies and won numerous awards, including the Edgar and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction.
Her latest bestseller, The Searcher, is her second stand-alone novel, and she was described by The Washington Post as "...the most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years."
Stay tuned for a clip from The Searcher audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by Roger Clark.”
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Tana French and I discussed:- Her "galactically" bad poetry
- The archaeological dig that inspired “In the Woods,” her Edgar-winning 2007 debut novel
- How she came to riff on the Western genre in her latest
- And why writers need to fight off the struggle of isolation
- TanaFrench.com
- The Searcher: A Novel by Tana French [Amazon]
- Tana French Amazon page
- The Essential Tana French, The New York Times
- Tana French on FaceBook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How NY Times Bestselling Novelist Ace Atkins Writes
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The New York Times bestselling Southern crime writer, Ace Atkins, took a minute to talk with me about his superhero origins as a journalist, the complicated, dark history of the American South, and the challenge and thrill of changing POVs in the novel.
"Make sure you're picking [your genre and subject] for the right reason, that you're picking something that's your personal obsession. When you do that you're never really working, you're really just having fun." — Ace Atkins
The author has written 26 books, including ten in his country noir, Quinn Colson series, and eight bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker’s iconic Spenser series. He has been nominated for every major award in crime fiction, including the Edgar three times.
HBO recently optioned his Quinn Colson novels for a series that's currently in development and Ace's second novel for the Robert B. Parker estate, Wonderland, was made into the film "Spenser Confidential" starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Peter Berg.
The former newspaper reporter (and SEC football player) also writes essays and investigative pieces for publications including Garden & Gun, The Wall Street Journal, and Outside Magazine.
The Revelators is the 10th Quinn Colson Novel a series Men’s Journal called, "The Deep South’s true detective," and NY Times bestselling author Megan Abbott dubbed, “Ace Atkins’ Quinn Colson series is, quite simply, the best in crime fiction today..."
Stay tuned for a clip from The Revelators audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by MacLeod Andrews.”
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Ace Atkins and I discussed:- How his writing has been influenced by '70s noir
- Why his latest work echoes social issues of the deep South
- The music that helps him create
- Dinner with Dashiell Hammett
- And how to pick the best genre for your writing voice!
- AceAtkins.com
- The Revelators (A Quinn Colson Novel) by Ace Atkins [Amazon]
- Ace Atkins Amazon author page
- Ace Atkins on FaceBook
- Ace Atkins on Instagram
- Ace Atkins on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Laurell K. Hamilton Writes: Part One
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of paranormal fiction, Laurell K. Hamilton, took a break to talk with me about why her first fantasy novel nearly tanked her career, some of the systems that go into her world-building, and why writers need to stay off the internet and protect their writing time.
"I am very much a believer that if my characters have a better idea then that's magic. They've become alive enough to argue with me, to have an opinion. And I don't squash my own magic." — Laurell K. Hamilton
The trailblazing, genre-bending author of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, and the Merry Gentry series, is considered an influential pioneer to the urban-fantasy genre. Laurell has sold more than 20 million books worldwide.
The 27th novel in her wildly popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series is Sucker Punch, a mash-up of her signature blend of mystery, magic, horror, and romance.
Fellow #1 New York Times bestselling author, Charlaine Harris, said of the author, "Hamilton remains one of the most inventive and exciting writers in the paranormal field."
Stay tuned for a clip from the Sucker Punch audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by Kimberly Alexis.”
In this file Laurell K. Hamilton and I discussed:
- How she found her trailblazing, genre-busting style
- Why you have to be passionate to sustain a series
- How her characters take over the plot if they have better ideas
- On what unsettles her and how it "goes into the soup"
- And how to make more pages!
Show Notes:
- How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Laurell K. Hamilton Writes: Part Two
- LaurellKHamilton.com
- Sucker Punch (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) by Laurell K. Hamilton [Amazon]
- Laurell K. Hamilton Amazon author page
- Laurell K. Hamilton on FaceBook
- Laurell K. Hamilton on Instagram
- Laurell K. Hamilton on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How to Live to 100 with Science Journalist Marta Zaraska
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The lauded science journalist and author, Marta Zaraska, spoke with me about the impacts of loneliness on your health, why we need to think about aging earlier, and how smartphones ruin relationships.
"Too much concentration on our smartphones is definitely damaging our health. The reason for that is that it tends to damage our relationships ." — Marta Zaraska
Marta is the author of two non-fiction books (including Meathooked and Growing Young) two literary novels, and has contributed to two travel books published by National Geographic.
Her latest book is Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100, and is "A smart, research-driven case for why optimism, kindness, and strong social networks will help us live to 100."
Bestselling author Adam Grant said of the book, "If you care about the length and quality of your life but can’t stomach yet another diet or workout routine, this book is for you."
Marta has been published in the Washington Post, Scientific American, New Scientist, The Atlantic, Discover, and her articles and books have been turned into TV programs around the globe.
Note: This interview was recorded at the end of June, 2020.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Marta Zaraska and I discussed:- How she distills the essence of hundreds of research papers into highly-readable prose
- Why social isolation is so abnormal for humans and the double-edged sword of the pandemic
- How retirement can have negative side-effects
- And why introverted writers really only need one good friend
- Zaraska.com - Marta Zaraska's homepage
- GrowingYoungTheBook.com
- Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100 by Marta Zaraska [Amazon]
- Marta Zaraska on Facebook
- Marta Zaraska on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How to 'Hyperfocus' with Productivity Expert Chris Bailey
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The internationally bestselling author of The Productivity Project and Hyperfocus, Chris Bailey, took the time to chat with me about tricks for focusing on what matters most, and how writers can cultivate more calm and creativity through uncertain times.
"Tolkien said, 'Not all those who wander are lost.' I would argue that the exact same thing is true for our attention." — Chris Bailey
Fresh out of college Chris took a full year off to study productivity. He posted his experiments to his popular blog, A Life of Productivity, which went on to become the international bestseller, The Productivity Project.
His latest book is Hyperfocus: How to Manage Your Attention in a World of Distraction, "A practical guide to managing your attention--the most powerful resource you have to get stuff done, [and be] more creative."
Chris’s TEDx talk – How to Get Your Brain to Focus – on the subject of Hyperfocus has received over 5.4 million views.
David Allen, author of Getting Things Done said of the book, “Hyperfocus ... is an extraordinary, eye-opening and research-based report of what affects [our attention], and how to take advantage of [it] to achieve greater satisfaction in our lives.”
Chris also co-hosts the podcast Becoming Better with Ardyn Nordstrom, a self-described “nerdy economist,” a show that covers topics as diverse as productivity, procrastination, happiness, gratitude, and disconnecting.
Bailey’s work has received national and international media attention from outlets like the New York Times, Lifehacker, Fast Company, New York Magazine, and many others.
Note: This interview was recorded at the beginning of June, 2020.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Chris Bailey and I discussed:- Some of the neurobiology and behavioral psychology that went into his research and writing
- Why writers should always carry a notebook (even in the shower)
- How to stop beating yourself up and be less anxious
- Why calm is so important to the creative process
- And a lot more!
- ALifeofProductivity.com
- Hyperfocus: How to Manage Your Attention in a World of Distraction by Chris Bailey [Amazon]
- Chris Bailey Amazon author page
- How to Get Your Brain to Focus | Chris Bailey | TEDxManchester
- Becoming Better podcast w/ Chris Bailey
- Chris Bailey on Instagram
- Chris Bailey on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Author Shari Lapena Writes
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The internationally bestselling author of "domestic suspense" thrillers, Shari Lapena, took a few minutes to chat with me about her circuitous path to success, how she subverts the idea of the perfect "white picket fence" family, and her unique process as a novelist.
"I always just start with an idea and write chronologically all the way through to the end. I don't have a plan, but as I go along, ideas present themselves....it's all very organic" — Shari Lapena
She's the author of popular "suburban paranoia" thrillers – including The Couple Next Door and Someone We Know – and multiple New York Times and The Sunday Times (London) bestsellers.
The Couple Next Door was an international breakout and New York Times bestseller for an astounding 23 consecutive weeks. Her books have been sold in 37 countries and sold more than seven million copies worldwide.
Her latest is The End of Her, a book that "... will have readers questioning their spouse’s past and their own judgment as well."
#1 NY Times bestselling author Ruth Ware said of the book, “No one does suburban paranoia like Shari Lapena — this slowly unfurling nightmare will have you biting your nails until the end.”
Note: This interview was recorded at the end of July, 2020.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Shari Lapena and I discussed:- How her process starts from the kernel of a perfect murder
- Why she intentionally starts out not knowing the ending to her novels
- Her work ethic, daily routines, and inspiration
- And rules and no-nonsense advice to getting words on the page
- ShariLapena.com
- The End of Her: A Novel by Shari Lapena [Amazon]
- Shari Lapena Amazon author page
- Shari Lapena on FaceBook
- Shari Lapena on Instagram
- Shari Lapena on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How Bestselling Hugo-Nominated Author Robert Jackson Bennett Writes
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Award-winning speculative fiction and fantasy novelist, Robert Jackson Bennett, chatted with me about turning genre conventions upside down, how he incorporates critiques on modern society into his writing, and why truth is stranger than fiction.
He's the Hugo-nominated author of a handful of critically acclaimed novels including The Divine Cities trilogy and The Founders Trilogy.
He has received the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Phillip K. Dick Citation of Excellence, and he has been shortlisted for the World Fantasy, British Fantasy, and Locus Awards.
Bennett posited the idea of "industrialized magic" in book one of his Founders Trilogy, Foundryside (a Time, Paste, Vulture, and The Verge “Best Fantasy Books of 2018” pick).
His second installment in that series is Shorefall, which Kirkus Review called, "Tolkien meets AI .... neatly blending technology, philosophy, and fantasy ... An expertly spun yarn by one of the best fantasy writers on the scene today."
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Robert Jackson Bennett and I discussed:- The meaning of time and landmarks of an uncertain future
- How to write a bestselling trilogy
- Rules to world-building and staying organized as a fantasy author
- Robert's definition of technology
- And why writing is a space you have to design to be successful
- RobertJacksonBennett.com
- Shorefall: A Novel (The Founders Trilogy Book 2) by Robert Jackson Bennett
- Robert Jackson Bennett Amazon author page
- Robert Jackson Bennett on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How the Screenwriter of ‘The Batman’ and 'Project Power' Mattson Tomlin Writes
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Busy screenwriter and director, Mattson Tomlin, took a minute to rap with me about debuting a film during a pandemic, what it takes to break into Hollywood, and how he was brought on to co-write The Batman with Director Matt Reeves.
"Every script is an opportunity to change your life. Every script is an investment in yourself."—Mattson Tomlin
Mattson rose to prominence in 2017 after a bidding war for his original screenplay that became the Netflix film, Project Power, starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and breakout Dominique Fishback.
Hollywood Reporter describes the film as an "... action-packed tale that tackles themes [like] government control and the exploitation of marginalized communities."
Tomlin recently gained attention for being brought on board to co-write The Batman with Matt Reeves; the reboot will star Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, and Jeffrey Wright among others.
He is writing a film adaption of the video game character Mega Man for 20th Century Studios and sold a spec script, titled 2084, to Paramount Pictures.
While getting his Master’s Degree in directing at the American Film Institute, Mattson created over a dozen short films, most as writer-director. Tomlin has appeared on the annual Hollywood's Black List six times in the past four years.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Mattson Tomlin and I discussed:- How he writes 10 scripts a year
- Why you need to try to "find the film that's in your head"
- The curious tattoo he uses to stay on track
- His unique approach to Rubik's cubing genres
- How he became one of "Hollywood’s Busiest Screenwriters"
- And why every script is a chance to change your life!
- Mattson Tomlin - IMDb
- Project Power | Netflix Official Site
- How 'The Batman' and 'Project Power' Scribe Mattson Tomlin Became One of Hollywood’s Busiest Screenwriters
- Mattson Tomlin on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
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How NY Times Bestselling Novelist S. A. Cosby Writes: Part One
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Award-winning, neo-noir novelist and short story writer, S. A. Cosby, took time to speak with me about his pulp fiction influences, the hard work that went into his 10-year overnight success, and the cinematic timbre of his writing voice.
"Writing is like telling yourself a joke for nine months ... and hoping that everybody else gets the punchline."—S. A. Cosby
S.A. Cosby's short story, "The Grass Beneath My Feet," won an Anthony Award for Best Short Story, 2019, and his short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines.
His latest, Blacktop Wasteland, is a reinvention of the noir genre described as "...Ocean’s Eleven meets Drive, with a Southern noir twist ... [the] story of a man pushed to his limits by poverty, race, and his own former life of crime.”
Already an Amazon bestseller, the book has received extraordinary trade coverage -- starred reviews, a cover with ALA Booklist, an interview at Publishers Weekly -- and has a bevy of early supporters including legends of the genre Walter Mosley, Dennis Lehane, and Lee Child.
“Sensationally good—new, fresh, real, authentic, twisty, with characters and dilemmas that will break your heart. More than recommended.”—Lee Child, bestselling author
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file S. A. Cosby and I discussed:- How he amassed such critical acclaim from his heroes
- The $1 paperbacks that influenced his writing
- How early advice helped him "go to where the people are"
- Why he wanted to incorporate the modern, rural, Black Southern experience into his writing
- The many films that shaped his cinematic prose
- And how to develop a thick skin, stand up for your work, and defend your dreams!
- How NY Times Bestselling Novelist S. A. Cosby Writes: Part Two
- Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel by S. A. Cosby [Amazon]
- S. A. Cosby Amazon author page
- S. A. Cosby on Facebook
- S. A. Cosby on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
Anti-racism Resources Donate to any of the following: Podcasts to subscribe to:- 1619 (New York Times)
- About Race
- Code Switch (NPR)
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
- Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights)
- Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)
- Seeing White
- "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge" | Los Angeles Times
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
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How Bestselling Legal Thriller Author Marcia Clark Writes
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#1 NY Times bestselling author and famed criminal lawyer, Marcia Clark, dropped by to chat about the perils of celebrity, how she got her start as a TV producer, and the highs and lows of the writing process.
*This is another double-episode, with a surprise (12-year-old) debut author you won't want to miss.
"It's no big surprise that Marcia Clark knows her way around a courtroom and a murder mystery—but she's also a terrific writer and storyteller."—James Patterson
Marcia has been a practicing criminal lawyer since 1979 – she joined the LA District Attorney's office in '81 – and served as a prosecutor for the high-profile trials of Robert Bardo (convicted of killing actress Rebecca Schaeffer), and most notably, O. J. Simpson.
She co-wrote the #1 New York Times bestseller Without a Doubt, which chronicled her work on the Simpson trial.
Marcia writes the bestselling crime fiction series centered on a morally ambiguous criminal defense attorney, Samantha Brinkman.
Her latest is the conclusion of that critically acclaimed thriller series, Final Judgment (Samantha Brinkman). It debuted in 2016 with the publication of #1 Amazon bestseller Blood Defense.
“The plot twists are both plausible and shocking in this intelligent page-turner. Fans of whodunits featuring ethical dilemmas will be pleased.” —Publishers Weekly
Marcia's been a frequent commentator on Today, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, and MSNBC, and a legal correspondent for Entertainment Tonight.
Stay-tuned for this double-episode including a debut crime novelist who shares her story of rejection, stereotypes, and finding your voice.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Marcia Clark and I discussed:- How the author embraced "write what you know"
- How to outline ripped-from-the-headlines novels
- Why she misses being a prosecutor in the '80s
- The future of publishing
- And how to take a deep breath and keep going!
- MarciaClarkBooks.com
- Final Judgment (Samantha Brinkman) by Marcia Clark
- Marcia Clark's Amazon author page
- Marcia Clark Investigates The First 48
- The Black Sisterhood Files by Kristina Naydonova
- Marcia Clark on Facebook
- Marcia Clark on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
Anti-racism Resources Donate to any of the following: Podcasts to subscribe to:- 1619 (New York Times)
- About Race
- Code Switch (NPR)
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
- Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights)
- Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)
- Seeing White
- "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge" | Los Angeles Times
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The 'State of Travel Writing' Roundtable with Award-Winning Journalist Adam Skolnick
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Award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, co-hosted our pandemic edition "state of travel writing" roundtable with several like-minded travel junkies.
Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, travel, and human rights for The New York Times, Outside, Playboy, and many others. He recently began a co-hosting gig on The Rich Roll Podcast.
He’s traveled to over 50 countries, worked on six continents, and contributed to over 35 Lonely Planet travel guides.
He is also the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, and was the ghostwriter and narrator of David Goggins’ hit memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, which has sold over two million copies and counting worldwide.
MaSovaida Morgan is a travel journalist whose wayfaring tendencies have taken her to more than 50 countries across all seven continents.
As a Lonely Planet author, she contributes to guidebooks on destinations throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Prior to going freelance in 2018, MaSovaida spent four years in-house at Lonely Planet's Nashville office as a Destination Editor, where she oversaw all of the company's content on South America and Antarctica.
Celeste Brash has been a travel writer for Lonely Planet since 2005 and has contributed to over 80 books and countless articles.
Her travels have brought her to around 45 countries and have helped her learn to communicate in French, Spanish, Thai, Malay and Tahitian. Along the way, she's written for numerous other outlets such as Islands Magazine and National Geographic's Intelligent Travel. She's also had her photography published in magazines including Travel & Leisure and has starred in videos produced by Lonely Planet.
Aaron Millar is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, journalist, and podcast host who has worked for National Geographic Traveller (UK), The Times of London, The Guardian, The Telegraph and others. He has also taught travel writing at a university level.
His travel podcast, Armchair Explorer – "The world's greatest adventurers tell their best story from the road," – was named Best Podcasts for Pure Escapism by Sunday Times and Best Travel Podcasts 2020 by The Guardian.
*NOTE: Host Kelton Reid had technical difficulties on the recording thus Adam Skolnick took over most of the hosting duties.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Adam Skolnick and the panel discussed:
- The unknown and unstable future of travel, tourism, and travel writing
- How the industry can change for the better post COVID-19
- The different types of travel writers and the impacts of geo-tagging Instagram photos
- Why humans need to travel
- The pitfalls of being a female or a woman of color as a travel writer
- What the travel writing revolution means for the industry
- And insider tips on how to break into writing about exotic (and not so) locales
Show Notes:
- How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
- Masovaida.com
- MaSovaida Morgan on Instagram
- CelesteBrash.com
- Celeste Brash on Instagram
- Aaron Millar -- TheBlueDotPerspective.com
- Aaron Millar on Instagram
- Armchair Explorer podcast hosted by Aaron Millar
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Emmy-Winning Showrunner of 'The Handmaid’s Tale' Bruce Miller Writes
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The creator, executive producer, and showrunner of the award-winning TV series The Handmaid’s Tale, Bruce Miller, spoke with me about his storied career as a TV writer/producer, what it's like to work with author Margaret Atwood, and adapting a modern classic for the small screen.
The Emmy award-winning TV writer and producer has worked on dozens of shows and movies (including Medium, Eureka, Alphas, and The 100), and got his start working on NBC's long-running hit ER in the early '90s.
Miller's adaptation of Margaret Atwood's prescient, critically acclaimed 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale – considered by many to be a modern classic of dystopian literature – is a drama about a "... totalitarian society [that] subjects fertile women, called 'Handmaids,' into child-bearing slavery."
In its first season, the show won multiple Emmy awards – including Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Miller – and became the first on a streaming platform to win an Emmy for Outstanding Series (beating out nominees House of Cards, The Crown, Stranger Things from Netflix, HBO’s Westworld, AMC’s Better Call Saul, and NBC’s This Is Us).
"Handmaid’s” has gone on to win the Peabody Award; a Golden Globe for Best Television Series, Drama; Critics Choice Award for Best Drama Series; the PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama; two WGA Awards, for Best Drama Series and Best New Series; was honored by AFI as one of the top ten TV programs of the year, and garnered dozens of Emmy nominations.
The show has been picked up for a fourth season by Hulu.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Bruce Miller and I discussed:- How getting "fired" from so many gigs helped his career
- The brilliance of Margaret Atwood and the influence it had on both the writer and the adaptation
- Why TV production is all about schedule and writing is the opposite
- A day in the life of a TV writer
- Why he doesn't believe in tables in the writer's room
- And the one thing you have to be able to do when you get your big break
#PodcastersForJustice
Anti-racism Resources Donate to any of the following: Podcasts to subscribe to:- 1619 (New York Times)
- About Race
- Code Switch (NPR)
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
- Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights)
- Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)
- Seeing White
- "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge" | Los Angeles Times
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
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How 'It's Always Sunny' Creator and Star Rob McElhenney Writes
The writer, producer, and actor – best known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and recent hit Apple TV+ show Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet – Rob McElhenney took a timeout at the apocalypse to rap with me about how he runs his writer's room, his humble beginnings and admiration for the great TV comedies, and advice for aspiring TV producers.
"Everyone is going through the same things. At least, people that respect science are. That sense of loneliness and despair ... needs to be addressed in some way, but ultimately we want to leave people with a sense of optimism." – Rob McElhenney
FX recently renewed his irreverent "It’s Always Sunny..." for a 15th season, making it officially the longest-running live-action sitcom in US history.
The multihyphenate's latest, Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet, is a comedy series "...that follows a team of video game developers as they navigate the challenges of running a popular video game,"
The Apple TV+ show was co-created with "Sunny" alums Charlie Day and Megan Ganz (executive produced by McElhenney and Day), and has been described as "... the travails of a boisterous video game studio – think Silicon Valley meets Veep."
*Note: Though I was lucky enough to catch Rob in his natural LA habitat, sadly the interview was cut short due to technical difficulties, our apologies for the abrupt ending.
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In this file Rob McElhenney and I discussed:
How It's Alway Sunny in Philadelphia almost didn't make it to the fourth season
The inner-workings of a perpetual creativity engine
How little episodic and streaming models of TV differ from a sitcom producer's perspective
His relationships with Danny DeVito and F. Murray Abraham
The evolution of "It's Always Sunny..." and why it stays culturally relevant
And how the greatest indie production tool you own is in your pocket
Show Notes:
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet – Apple TV+
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How Bestselling Novelist Aris Janigian Writes
#PodcastersForJustice
The bestselling, award-winning novelist, Aris Janigian, had a candid conversation with me about the recently "mandated dystopia," his circuitous path to bestselling author, the city as muse, and what it means to be a transgressive writer.
“As a cognitive social psychologist, I can tell you without any hesitation that the human mind really is built for deception.” – Aris Janigian
The author of six novels (all without traditional representation), critics hailed his 2012 novel This Angelic Land – set during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots – as "today's necessary book," and his novel Waiting for Lipchitz at Chateau Marmont, spent 17 weeks on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list.
Janigian holds a PhD in psychology from the Claremont Graduate School and was formerly Senior Professor of Humanities at the Southern California Institute of Architecture.
He was a finalist for Stanford University's William Saroyan Fiction Prize and has been a contributing writer to West, the Los Angeles Times Sunday magazine.
The second book of Janigian's Waiting for... trilogy, Waiting for Sophia at Shutters on the Beach, "... is a satirical mashup of Nabokov's Lolita and Dostoevsky's Notes from the Underground."
The book has be described as "... an unflinching, deadly serious ... tragic-comic view of male sexuality in the era of #metoo."
*Note: This interview was recorded at the beginning of May, 2020.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Aris Janigian and I discussed:- The life of a lazy author
- Why graduate school corrupts good writers
- Wisdom on the importance of mentorship
- How the cruel mistress of Los Angeles plays a character in his works
- The self-censorship of academia
- And why life is the best teacher
- ArisJanigian.com
- Waiting for Sophia at Shutters on the Beach by Aris Janigian [Amazon]
- Aris Janigian Amazon author page
- “When the Lunatics Run the Asylum: On Aris Janigian’s “Waiting for Sophia at Shutters on the Beach” - LA Review of Books
- "Governors should trust mayors and county officials on reopening. California shows why." - Washington Post
- Aris Janigian on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
#PodcastersForJustice
Anti-racism Resources Donate to any of the following: Podcasts to subscribe to:- 1619 (New York Times)
- About Race
- Code Switch (NPR)
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
- Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights)
- Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)
- Seeing White
- "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge" | Los Angeles Times
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Write Commercial Fiction with NY Times Bestselling Author Jeffery Deaver
The internationally bestselling author of over 35 novels, Jeffery Deaver, took a few minutes to discuss his advice on how to write emotionally engaging fiction, the merits of plotters vs. pantsers, and a 5-step process for writing your novel.
"Rejection is just a speed bump ... it's not a brick wall. Keep at it." – Jeffery Deaver
Jeffery is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
The "master of suspense" has been nominated for seven Edgar Awards and gone on to sell 50 million books worldwide, translated into 35 languages.
His latest thriller is a sequel to The Never Game – The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel Book 2) – and once again features Colter Shaw, a rugged survivalist and "reward-seeker."
One of Bookpage's "Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers" of 2020, Publishers Weekly said of the book, “Deaver balances suspense and plausibility perfectly ... This is a perfect jumping-on point for readers new to one of today’s top contemporary thriller writers.”
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed:
- Why suspense writers are like airline pilots
- Wisdom from Joyce Carol Oates and the importance of outlining
- How having your novel read aloud to you can improve your prose
- A simple formula for writing "roller-coaster" fiction
- And much more!
Show Notes:
- JefferyDeaver.com
- How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeffery Deaver Writes: Part Two
- The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel) by Jeffery Deaver [Amazon]
- Jeffery Deaver Amazon author page
- NaturalReader app
- Jeffery Deaver on Instagram
- Jeffery Deaver on Facebook
- Jeffery Deaver on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Productivity Secrets from NY Times Bestselling Author John Zeratsky
New York Times bestselling author and productivity expert, John Zeratsky, made time to chat with me about his mission to help you improve your focus, find greater meaning in your work, and get more out of each day.
“All of the old structures and routines are gone.... When we have a schedule for ourselves ... that becomes scaffolding we can stand on, we're free to focus.” — John Zeratsky
John studied journalism in college and has spent over 15 years as a designer for tech companies like YouTube and Google. He was also Google Ventures's in-house copywriter, editor, and content strategist. At Google Ventures, he helped develop the design sprint process and worked with close to 200 startups, including Uber, Slack, 23andMe, and Nest.
As a result he co-authored the bestseller Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days – written with fellow "Time Dork" Jake Knapp. But they're by no means run-of-the-mill productivity experts, as you'll soon hear.
Their latest collaboration is Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day a book described by the bestselling author of The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, as "A charming manifesto [and] do-it-yourself guide to building smart habits that stick. If you want to achieve more (without going nuts), read this book."
Seems only fitting at a time when many of us are WFH (working from home), experiencing cabin fever (or worse), and questioning the future of work itself (i.e. "going nuts").
John is a keynote speaker whose writing has been published by The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Harvard Business Review, Wired, Fast Company, and many other publications.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file John Zeratsky (JZ – no not that Jay-Z) and I discussed:- Why your smartphone saps your energy, focus, and attention
- The origins of the "distraction-free" mindset
- How to rethink your definition of time
- Why now is the best time to write that novel
- Sustainable ways to tune out during a pandemic
- Why storytelling is still the universal solvent
- And the importance of recharging your soul
- MakeTime.blog
- JohnZeratsky.com
- Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky [Amazon]
- John Zeratsky Amazon author page
- John Zeratsky on LinkedIn
- John Zeratsky on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author James Swallow Writes: Part One
Award-winning New York Times, Sunday Times, and Amazon #1 bestselling author, James Swallow, spoke with me about his superhero origin story, how he found success channeling his own anger, and the most important lessons he's learned along the way.
"I try to make the details as authentic as I possibly can ... because a lot of the action in my books is 'heightened reality.'" – James Swallow
James is a former journalist and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nominated scriptwriter who has written for video games, TV, and radio.
The prolific author of over 50 books – who has written sci-fi for storied franchises including Star Trek, Dr. Who, and Stargate – is best known for his espionage thrillers.
His Marc Dane series – with over 750,000 books in print worldwide – includes novels Nomad, Exile, Ghost, Shadow, and his forthcoming novel Rogue, the fifth in the bestselling series featuring "Britain's answer to Jason Bourne," out May 28th (from Zaffre Books).
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file James Swallow and I discussed:
- Why the pandemic feels like "almost the end of the world"
- The renaissance of "high-speed, low-drag" thrillers inspired by the '80s
- His theories on the fallibility of action heroes
- How his journalism and TV writing experience set him up for success
- Why writers are always writing ... even when they're not
- His greatest influences
- And much more!
Show Notes:
- www.jswallow.com
- Rogue by James Swallow [Amazon]
- James Swallow on Amazon
- James Swallow on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Publish Your First Novel with Acclaimed Author Abbigail N. Rosewood
Award-winning writer and debut novelist, Abbigail N. Rosewood, joined me to discuss the roller coaster of emotions first-time authors face, how she overcame rejection and uncertainty, and her advice to aspiring scribes on how to rise above the noise.
"Seeking representation didn't prepare me well for what was to come..." – Abbigail N. Rosewood
Abbigail was born in Vietnam and lived there until the age of 12, so it's no surprise that she tapped into her past as a well for her fiction.
After a false start in International Business, she earned an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University where she studied with famed fictionist Gary Shteyngart.
Her lauded debut novel, If I Had Two Lives, has been described as "... [The] story [of] a young woman from her childhood in Vietnam to her life as an immigrant in the United States – and the necessary return to her homeland."
The Los Angeles Review of Books called it, “... a tale of staggering artistry,” and The New Yorker said "...the novel poignantly conjures the difficulties of reconciling the present with an 'ungraspable history.'"
** Note: This interview was recorded in mid-February, 2020.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Abbigail N. Rosewood and I discussed:- Why empathy is so critical in fiction and the human experience
- The surreal (and fleeting) feeling of holding your first book in print
- How she was compelled to write the story of a Vietnamese immigrant/protagonist
- Why rejection is such an integral part of the traditional publishing path
- The importance of music and coffee to the creative process
- And the most valuable traits for aspiring writers
- abbigailrosewood.com
- If I Had Two Lives – by Abbigail N. Rosewood [Amazon]
- Abbigail N. Rosewood on Facebook
- Abbigail N. Rosewood on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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Earth Day Special with Terrain.org Editor-in-Chief Simmons Buntin
Editor-in-Chief of Terrain.org, Simmons Buntin, helped me celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by discussing why we need strong writing voices now more than ever, how to deal with the current "infodemic" of misinformation, and resources for starting your own revolution.
“The voices in this essential anthology are anything but silent. Indeed, they are voices of hope, habitat, defiance, and, most importantly, democracy. Lend your ears, and then your own voice.” — Simmons Buntin
Simmons has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the CU, Denver, and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Arizona, so it's no surprise that he found the intersection of "... the built and natural environments [something he calls] 'the soul of place'."
As the editor-in-chief of Terrain.org, a nonprofit literary magazine that explores just that, he publishes works that examine how our environment influences us in profound ways.
He's also the co-editor of a new collection titled Dear America: Letters of Hope, Habitat, Defiance, and Democracy (Trinity University Press, April 22, 2020), described as a "patriotic anthology" that includes hundreds of writers, poets, artists, scientists, and political activists of all ages.
The more than 130 impassioned letters to America are calls to action for common ground and conflict resolution with a focus on the environment and social justice.
Lauded author and environmentalist, Bill McKibben, said of the book, “These letters come from a deep, real love of this place, and they imagine willing, receptive readers on the other end. We need a series of miracles looking forward, and this is one.”
Simmons is the author of 2 books of poetry, Riverfall, and Bloom, and also Unsprawl: Remixing Spaces as Places (co-authored with Ken Pirie). He has published poetry, essays, and technical articles in publications as varied as Edible Baja Arizona, North American Review, Kyoto Journal, and Bulletin of Science, Technology, and Society.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Simmons Buntin and I discussed:- How he became the editor-in-chief of Terrain.org
- The origin story of the "Dear America" letter
- Why bringing together so many impassioned writing voices is vital to our planet right now
- How the 2020 Presidential election will have a huge impact on climate change (and democracy)
- Why we need to question the direction of our nation and our part as patriots
- And why it's more important than ever to be active, not passive
- Terrain.org
- Dear America: Letters of Hope, Habitat, Defiance, and Democracy
- NRDC
- ACLU
- The Union of Concerned Scientists
- Terrain.org on Facebook
- Terrain.org on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Legacy of Robert Ludlum with Author Joshua Hood
Military thriller author, Joshua Hood, stopped by the podcast to talk with me about being given the keys to the Bentley of Robert Ludlum's storied writing legacy, the military toughness that's written into his own stories, and how impostor syndrome doesn't phase him.
"In my career, I've had almost every bad thing that could happen to a writer ... happen to a writer." – Joshua Hood
Joshua was an English major at the University of Memphis before joining the military where he spent five years in the 82nd Airborne Division.
As a team leader in the 3-504 Parachute Infantry Regiment in Iraq (2005-2006), the author conducted combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also served as a squad leader with the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Afghanistan (2007-2008) and he was decorated for valor in Operation Furious Pursuit.
Hood is also a decorated "life-saving" sniper team leader who was on a full-time SWAT team in Memphis, Tennessee, and he has conducted countless stateside operations with the FBI, ATF, DEA, Secret Service, and US Marshals.
His background and expertise lend to the popularity of his own Search and Destroy military thriller series, and also made him a shoo-in to reboot the brilliant legacy of the late Robert Ludlum (1927-2001), a literary legend whose books have sold in the hundreds of millions.
Joshua kicked off a new series inspired by Ludlum's Bourne universe with Robert Ludlum's The Treadstone Resurrection, a book that #1 New York Times bestselling author Mark Greaney called, “An intense and electrifying espionage adventure [and] ... a worthy addition to the Ludlum bookshelf.”
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Joshua Hood and I discussed:- How The Hobbit lured him into a lifelong love of books and writing
- Why writers are more than just people who jot down (ransom) notes
- How he was handed the keys to the opportunity of a lifetime
- His meticulous research and writing process
- How bad "writing" luck can build resolve and character
- And what it means to him to honor the legend of Robert Ludlum
- JoshuaHoodBooks.com
- Robert Ludlum's The Treadstone Resurrection by Joshua Hood [Amazon]
- Joshua Hood's Amazon Author Page
- Joshua Hood on Facebook
- Joshua Hood on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Editor-in-Chief of the LA Review of Books Tom Lutz Writes
Award-winning author, founder and editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Review of Books, Tom Lutz, took a timeout to talk with me about his early years as a literary ne'er-do-well, what it's like to hang out with your heroes, and why you can assume every writer is faking it just a little bit.
"Writing has never felt like a chore to me. It always feels like the space of freedom, and that I'm stealing the time from my job to do something I love." – Tom Lutz
In addition to editing the Los Angeles Review of Books, "... a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and disseminating ... engaging writing on every aspect of literature, culture, and the arts," Tom also founded The LARB Radio Hour, The LARB Quarterly Journal, The LARB/USC Publishing Workshop, and LARB Books.
He's a Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at UC Riverside, and the author of multiple bestselling and award-winning nonfiction titles – translated into dozens of languages – including Doing Nothing (American Book Award winner), Crying, and American Nervousness, 1903 (both New York Times Notables).
His fiction debut is, “A literary thriller that wanders the globe,” novel Born Slippy is described as part "... literary thriller, noir and political satire ... a darkly comic and honest meditation on modern life under global capitalism.”
Bestselling novelist James Ellroy said of the book, "Lutz has the seven deadly sins nailed and rethought for our 2020 world. You’ve got to dig this book!"
Tom's writing has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, New Republic, Chicago Tribune, ZYZZYVA, and many other newspapers and literary venues, as well as in dozens of books and academic journals.
He previously taught at Stanford University, University of Iowa, CalArts, and the University of Copenhagen.
** Note on the audio quality: I reached Tom in his natural environs of LA, and the sounds of that urban landscape dot our interview. This interview was recorded at the end of January. Stay well!
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Tom Lutz and I discussed:- His early years as a juvenile delinquent and the teacher that duped him into becoming a writer
- Why "... if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it."
- How he's happiest (and most creative) when playing hooky
- On impostor syndrome and sneaking in the back door of an exclusive club of writers
- What it's like to hang out with Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood
- And why you may not be the type of writer you think you are
- TomLutzWriter.com
- All things LARB
- Born Slippy by Tom Lutz [Amazon]
- Tom Lutz's Amazon Author Page
- Tom Lutz on Facebook
- Tom Lutz on Instagram
- Tom Lutz on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling True Survival Author Michael Tougias Writes
New York Times bestselling creative nonfiction author, Michael Tougias, joined me to talk about how he translated his success in the true survival genre for younger audiences, his unique research processes, and how he captures the "... heroism and humanity of people on life-saving missions..." during maritime disasters.
"You've interviewed these people that have lost loved ones ... They're counting on you to tell the story right, and ... as an author you really do feel that pressure." – Michael Tougias
Michael has written or co-written 29 books in a multitude of genres, including history, and humor, but found the most success with his popular true survival, creative nonfiction.
He's the author of the bestseller The Finest Hours (now a motion picture from Disney starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck), and Ten Hours Until Dawn (named an Editor's Choice by ALA and praised by Booklist as "the best story of peril at sea since The Perfect Storm").
With his latest "True Rescue Series" – adapted from his popular disaster at sea tales for YA and middle-grade audiences – Tougias is now on a mission to "... ignite the reading passion that he had as a student in young adults."
The most recent is Into the Blizzard: Heroism at Sea During the Great Blizzard of 1978, an adaptation of Tougias’ adult book Ten Hours Until Dawn, called “A blockbuster account of tragedy at sea,” by The Providence Journal.
The Amazon Best Book of the Month was described by Kirkus Reviews as a "riveting" book that, "Reads like a thriller, suspenseful and ultimately tragic."
** Note: This interview was recorded before the Coronavirus pandemic.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Michael Tougias and I discussed:- How he was a "late bloomer" who dreamt of a full-time writing career
- Why he recommends public speaking for any author or aspiring writer
- The intense and sometimes heartbreaking research that goes into his true survival and rescue stories
- Why he likes to always have two projects going at once
- His take on writer's block, persistence, and why "you can't edit a blank page"
- And much more ...
- MichaelTougias.com
- Into the Blizzard: Heroism at Sea During the Great Blizzard of 1978 [The Young Readers Adaptation] (True Rescue Series) by Michael Tougias [Amazon]
- Ten Hours Until Dawn by Michael Tougias [Amazon]
- Michael Tougias' Amazon Author Page
- Michael Tougias on Facebook
- Michael Tougias on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Emmy Nominated TV Writer Sandy Fries Writes
The Emmy-nominated TV writer and professor, Sandy Fries, joined me this week to talk about the lessons he learned over his storied, 20-year career in Hollywood, and how he wrote hundreds of popular TV episodes, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, NBC’s Quantum Leap, and Spider-Man: The Animated [TV] Series.
"We all have cracks, the sun shines through those cracks, and through those cracks is how one human being connects to another." – Sandy Fries
Sandy has rubbed elbows with an incredible assortment of media moguls including Sam Simon, co-creator of The Simpsons – who gave Sandy his first break – Marvel's Stan Lee, Star Trek's Gene Rodenberry, and Chuck Lorre of The Big Bang Theory fame.
He's written for almost every TV genre and has had feature film and television development deals with Warner Brothers and Dick Clark Productions throughout his career.
In addition to his Emmy nod he recently won the 101 Best Written TV Series in the History of Television award from the Writer’s Guild of America, for Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Sandy continues to write and share his wisdom with students as a Professor of Film and Mass Communication at the College of DuPage.
He recently poured many of his life lessons into the book, Secrets Your Textbook Will Not Tell You: About TV, Movies and Life, "... a view of Mass Communication, Film and TV from the down and dirty perspective [of] over twenty years..." in the industry.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyA quick note, I'm changing up the format of the show to present longer episodes presented in a single part, as opposed to two-parters split for a shorter, drive-time experience.
Reach out on Twitter or over at writerfiles.fm if you like the longer episode format better, I appreciate your feedback.
In this file Sandy Fries and I discussed:- Why his most revered TV writing credit is a cartoon
- How Sandy ditched his job in advertising and got a big break
- The writing life and lessons learned from master storytellers and titans of the TV industry
- Down-to-earth life advice and secrets to nailing that pitch meeting
- Stories behind his friendship with Stan Lee, and why Spider-Man was such a big hit
- How he missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime
- And how to persevere through good times and bad
- Sandy Fries on IMDB
- Secrets Your Textbook Will Not Tell You: About TV, Movies and Life by Sandy Fries [Amazon]
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Novelist Peter Heller Writes
Bestselling novelist, award-winning adventure writer, and journalist, Peter Heller, jumped on the phone to talk with me about his early life as a starving poet, breaking into journalism, how he makes things up for a living, and what it's like to be compared to your heroes.
"When I read [great] poetry or prose [it] comes through my skin and straight to my heart, and pretty much bypasses my head..." – Peter Heller
Peter is a longtime contributor to NPR, and a former contributing editor at Outside Magazine, Men’s Journal, and National Geographic Adventure. He received an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop in fiction and poetry, is the author of four nonfiction books, and winner of the National Outdoor Book Award for Literature.
Heller is a notable bestselling author of a half-dozen novels including The Dog Stars – a lauded breakout bestseller, published in 22 languages – The Painter, and Celine (a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and winner of the Reading the West Book Award, shared in the past by Western writer Cormac McCarthy).
His latest novel, Edgar Award Nominee, The River (recently released in paperback), has been called a "... the heart-pounding survival story of .... two college students on a wilderness canoe trip – [and] a gripping tale of a friendship tested by fire, white water, and violence."
The New York Times called The River, “[A] modern-day survival tale .... [with] the urgency of a thriller,” and The Denver Post called it, "A fiery tour de force ... terrifying and unutterably beautiful."
**A quick note on the audio quality, Peter joined me by phone, and the interview vastly improves after the first two minutes, so please stick with it, it's a great one.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Peter Heller and I discussed:
- How the author channels his fictional characters
- The only way to start a novel
- Why once you start "making it up" you can never go back
- Productivity hacks for writing 1000 words a day, rain or shine
- The importance of connecting with your #writingcommunity
- And fantastic advice from other award-winning authors to help you relax and let it rip
- PeterHeller.net
- The River: A novel by Peter Heller [Amazon]
- Peter Heller on Amazon
- Peter Heller on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Design Your Writing Space with Award-Winning Architect Donald M. Rattner
Author, educator, and award-winning architect, Donald M. Rattner, stopped by this week to expound on invaluable research into the latest psychology and productivity studies to offer practical tips for designing your writing space for maximum creative output.
“Unfortunately, once you go down this rabbit hole, you could go on and on forever...” – Donald M. Rattner
Donald has an art history degree from Columbia (where he graduated with honors), and a Masters of Architecture from Princeton.
He's now the founder of an award-winning architecture firm and a "Creativity Architect" whose work (on the psychology of creative spaces) has been featured on CNN, in The New York Times, Work Design Magazine, Better Humans, Town & Country, and many others.
His latest book, My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation, offers "48 Techniques to Boost Your Creativity at Home, According to Science."
The book has a coffee table slash textbook feel to it and includes "... over 200 high-quality photos of interiors from around the world, [from] top-tier architects, designers, and creatives."
So guess what we're going to dig into today?
A quick note, I'm changing up the format of the show to present longer episodes presented in a single part, as opposed to two-parters split for a shorter, drive-time experience.
Reach out on Twitter or over at the writerfiles.fm if you like the longer episode format better, I appreciate your feedback.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyIf you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Donald M. Rattner and I discussed:- The often disparate and misleading definitions of creativity
- Why writers have such a unique relationship to their creative space
- Science-based techniques to boost your creative output
- Secrets behind why creativity is a 24-hour occupation
- The optimal noise and clutter levels for idea generation
- Why nature plays such a critical role in creativity and productivity
- And so much more!
- DonaldRattner.com
- My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation by Donald M. Rattner [Amazon]
- Donald M. Rattner on Medium
- Donald M. Rattner on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How International Bestselling Crime Novelist Adam Croft Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the international bestselling hybrid author and crime novelist, Adam Croft, returned to chat with me from overseas about the processes, productivity hacks, and professionalism that have helped him become one of the most successful independently published authors in the world, and why writers need to develop a business mindset to do the same.
"Writing more books is going to earn you more money, and that should always be your priority.” – Adam Croft
Adam's previous career was as a freelance designer and editor, but his hard work and persistence over ten years have helped him become one of the biggest selling authors of the last decade.
How did Adam go on to sell close to two million books in over 120 countries in such a short time?
We'll dig into his inspiring story, including the stories behind his breakthrough worldwide bestseller Her Last Tomorrow, and his crime thriller Knight & Culverhouse series, which knocked J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child off the top spot in Canada only weeks after Her Last Tomorrow was also #1 in the same country.
His multiple bestsellers have also made him an authority on indie publishing, and he's been featured on BBC television, BBC Radio, the BBC World Service, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, The Bookseller and many other media outlets.
Adam now shares his unique expertise of the craft at The Indie Author Mindset where he offers to help "... authors cut through the overwhelming — and often conflicting — information that’s out there [with] solid help and information."
And Adam was kind enough to drop some of that wisdom here for you today, so I’ll tease the promo code I’ve also put in the show notes – WRITERFILES – for a 50% discount on every course at The Indie Author Mindset just for listeners of this show. Simply go to courses.indieauthormindset.com and pop that in there.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of the Writer Files is brought to you by Words Matter by Wix. Looking for that burst of inspiration to break your writer's block? Or maybe you just need some quick grammar and style tips? Words Matter has tons of articles to help you become a better writer, plus invites to intensive in-person writing workshops. Visit wix.com/wordsmatter/blog to learn more.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here, and you can find all previous episodes of the show in the archives at writerfiles.fm, and find the last 100 eps on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you tune in), and in the show notes.
Stay tuned ...
In Part Two of this file Adam Croft and I discussed:- Why the author doesn't sit still or look back
- The uphill battle ahead for aspiring indie authors
- How Adam stays organized and energized as an author slash entrepreneur
- The productivity hacks that help him stay prolific
- Why writers need to treat their craft with the respect it deserves
- And cutting through the bullsh*t of self-publishing
- Words Matter by Wix
- Use promo code WRITERFILES for 50% discount on any of Adam's online courses at The Indie Author Mindset
- 'The Writer's Brain' on Procrastination: Part One
- AdamCroft.net
- Partners in Crime podcast
- The Indie Author Mindset on Facebook
- The Indie Author Mindset
- The Indie Author Mindset: How Changing Your Way of Thinking Can Transform Your Writing Career by Adam Croft [Amazon]
- Adam Croft Readers Group on Facebook
- Adam Croft on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How International Bestselling Crime Novelist Adam Croft Writes: Part One
The international bestselling hybrid author and crime novelist, Adam Croft, spoke with me from overseas about the processes, productivity hacks, and professionalism that have helped him become one of the most successful independently published authors in the world, and why writers need to develop a business mindset to do the same.
"Writing more books is going to earn you more money, and that should always be your priority.” – Adam Croft
Adam's previous career was as a freelance designer and editor, but his hard work and persistence over ten years have helped him become one of the biggest selling authors of the last decade.
How did Adam go on to sell close to two million books in over 120 countries in such a short time?
We'll dig into his inspiring story, including the stories behind his breakthrough worldwide bestseller Her Last Tomorrow, and his crime thriller Knight & Culverhouse series, which knocked J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child off the top spot in Canada only weeks after Her Last Tomorrow was also #1 in the same country.
His multiple bestsellers have also made him an authority on indie publishing, and he's been featured on BBC television, BBC Radio, the BBC World Service, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, The Bookseller and many other media outlets.
Adam now shares his unique expertise of the craft at The Indie Author Mindset where he offers to help "... authors cut through the overwhelming — and often conflicting — information that’s out there [with] solid help and information."
And Adam was kind enough to drop some of that wisdom here for you today. Stay tuned for Part Two of this series for a promo code just for Writer Files listeners!
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of the Writer Files is brought to you by Words Matter by Wix. Looking for that burst of inspiration to break your writer's block? Or maybe you just need some quick grammar and style tips? Words Matter has tons of articles to help you become a better writer, plus invites to intensive in-person writing workshops. Visit wix.com/wordsmatter/blog to learn more.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
- The nine book "overnight success"
- How Adam's past life as a freelancer and small business owner helped him in self-publishing
- The three facets of a successful indie author mindset
- Why the author's not interested in chasing the latest gold rush
- And what it's like to outsell your heroes
- Words Matter by Wix
- AdamCroft.net
- Partners in Crime podcast
- The Indie Author Mindset on Facebook
- The Indie Author Mindset
- The Indie Author Mindset: How Changing Your Way of Thinking Can Transform Your Writing Career by Adam Croft [Amazon]
- Adam Croft Readers Group on Facebook
- Adam Croft on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Suspense Novelist Joseph Finder Writes
New York Times bestselling author, Joseph Finder, took a timeout to talk with me about how to write prescient, cutting-edge suspense, his writing rituals, overcoming impostor syndrome, and how to come to terms with a business built on rejection.
"My objective is not to present research...my objective is to make people turn the pages." – Joseph Finder
The award-winning author is known for his "cutting-edge suspense ripped straight from the headlines." He's written 16 novels and counting, including Judgment, The Switch, Guilty Minds, The Fixer, Suspicion, and the international bestseller Killer Instinct.
Two of his bestselling novels – Paranoia and High Crimes – have been turned into major motion pictures, and Vanished, Finder's instant bestseller, introduced readers to “private spy” Nick Heller.
His latest is House on Fire: A Novel (A Nick Heller Novel), focusing on "... a wealthy family who owns a pharmaceutical company at the epicenter of the opioid crisis."
The Washington Post said of the book, the thriller “Takes ‘ripped from the headlines’ to a new level," and The New York Times called Finder, "The master of a complex suspense formula."
He is a founding member of the International Thriller Writers, as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Association of Former Intelligence Officers. He is a graduate of Yale College and the Harvard Russian Research Center.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of the Writer Files is brought to you by Words Matter by Wix. Looking for that burst of inspiration to break your writer's block? Or maybe you just need some quick grammar and style tips? Words Matter has tons of articles to help you become a better writer, plus invites to intensive in-person writing workshops. Visit wix.com/wordsmatter/blog to learn more.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
- How setting himself a hard deadline helped him publish his first novel
- Powerful motivating factors for believable character development
- Why a writer's research needs to be like an iceberg
- Turning your writing into a ritual for success
- Why every novel presents its own unique challenges
- And the perils of selling the rights to a long-running fictional character
- Words Matter by Wix
- Creating Quality Content - Part 1: Research & Planning
- JosephFinder.com
- House on Fire: A Novel (A Nick Heller Novel) - by Joseph Finder [Amazon]
- America's Opioid Epidemic - NPR's Throughline Podcast
- Joseph Finder on Facebook
- Joseph Finder on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part Two
In Part Two of this file we return with an exclusive look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, researching, and indie publishing of a book that has sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year.
“If you’re struggling to figure out what to write, it means you don’t know what you want to say." – Adam Skolnick
Note: We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story – so this is truly an exclusive – but it’s no secret that the book was written by my good friend. A huge thank you to Mr. Goggins and his spirit, generosity, and ethos.
From ideation of his bestselling book Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by Author David Goggins – to publishing with Lioncrest, and the experimental new media formats like an audiobook/podcast and beyond, this is a glimpse behind the camouflage curtain.
“... Can't Hurt Me, shares [Goggins's] astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. He calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.”
The writer (or ghostwriter) is an award-winning international journalist, author, serial pundit, and “bad penny” Adam Skolnick, our own international correspondent.
Adam’s narrative nonfiction book is available in paperback — One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — is based on his award-winning New York Times sports coverage of the death of the greatest American freediver of all time.
The book has been compared to other classics of extreme sports journalism — like Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, and National Geographic Traveller called it “A vicarious thrill that you can enjoy in a little over 300 pages ... unless you read it in the bath...”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:
- The importance of a large social following for non-fiction authors
- How timing plays such a big role in self-publishing success
- Why an audiobook/podcast hybrid might be the next big thing for authors
- The Golden Age for ghostwriting opportunities
- How David Goggins's inspiring message goes beyond cookie cutter self-help
- And why "there is no finish line"
Show Notes:
- Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by Author David Goggins [Amazon]
- AdamSkolnick.com
- The Environmental Threat of Trump's Wall by Adam Skolnick
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One
Welcome back to a special edition of the show we traditionally call “Writer Porn.” To kick off 2020 we have a very enlightening show for you that you're not going to want to miss.
It’s an exclusive look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that has sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year! Did it beat Michelle Obama in 2019? TK
“If you’re struggling to figure out what to write, it means you don’t know what you want to say." – Adam Skolnick
Note: We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story – so this is truly an exclusive – but it’s no secret that the book was written by my good friend. A huge thank you to Mr. Goggins and his spirit, generosity, and ethos.
From ideation of his bestselling book Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by Author David Goggins – to publishing with Lioncrest, and the experimental new media formats like an audiobook/podcast and beyond, this is a glimpse behind the camouflage curtain.
“In Can't Hurt Me, [Goggins] shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. He calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.”
The writer (or ghostwriter) is an award-winning international journalist, author, serial pundit, and “bad penny” Adam Skolnick, our own international correspondent.
Adam’s narrative nonfiction book is available in paperback — One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — is based on his award-winning New York Times sports coverage of the death of the greatest American freediver of all time.
The book has been compared to other classics of extreme sports journalism — like Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, and National Geographic Traveller called it “A vicarious thrill that you can enjoy in a little over 300 pages ... unless you read it in the bath...”
The Writer Files is now available on Alexa! Because Apple Podcasts are available on Alexa-enabled Amazon devices in the United States, now all you have to do is say,
"Alexa, play The Writer Files on Apple Podcasts." She will probably grant your wish ;-)
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:- A definition of ghostwriting
- How Adam got tapped to ghostwrite for author and endurance athlete David Goggins
- Why Goggins turned down a major book publishing deal and decided to self-publish (with Adam still attached)
- The Joe Rogan effect for authors
- How Adam made the decision to help write David's story
- And the unique research and drafting process that went into a bestseller ...
- Words Matter by Wix
- How We Built the Wix Brand Voice
- Author Accelerator
- Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by Author David Goggins [Amazon]
- AdamSkolnick.com
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Novelist Juan Pablo Villalobos Writes
Acclaimed, award-winning Mexican author and critic, Juan Pablo Villalobos, spoke with me from Barcelona, Spain about making difficult subjects accessible to young adults, the challenge of shifting from fiction to non-fiction, and why finding the right voice and POV is so important to telling your story.
“If you know perfectly where you're going, the reader will feel the same ... he or she will get bored.” – Juan Pablo Villalobos
The tragicomic, avant-garde author (known to his friends as J.P.) has published film and literary criticism, short stories, and award-winning novels now translated into 15 languages.
His novels include Down the Rabbit Hole, shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award (2011), as well as I Don’t Expect Anyone to Believe Me, a Herralde Prize (2016) winner soon to be published in English.
New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay has called his writing “Excellent satire ... hilarious and smart, [that] takes on class in Mexico ... in a really useful way.”
The author's latest is a departure into Young Adult, narrative non-fiction titled The Other Side: Stories of Central American Teen Refugees Who Dream of Crossing the Border.
In a Kirkus starred review the heavily researched – and very timely book – was called, "A ... compilation of stories from unaccompanied Central American teen refugees who make tremendous sacrifices to cross the U.S.-Mexico border."
Told in short vignettes, the author spoke with me about how he employed the narrative techniques of fiction in order to protect the protagonists’ identities and to address the difficult subject matter gathered in interviews, and inspired by immigrant minors seeking asylum from both violence and poverty.
This is, quite obviously, the last show of the year and thank you for all of your support in 2019.
Happy New Year!We'll be back with some incredible interviews in 2020, including an exclusive with a chart-topping ghostwriter who you may know (spoiler alert: he's been a recurring guest on the show), a self-publishing phenom, an Emmy Award-winning TV writer, an expert on optimizing your creative space or office, a NY Times bestselling suspense writer, and way more neuroscience for your brain!
Also, The Writer Files is now available on Alexa! Because Apple Podcasts are available on Alexa-enabled Amazon devices in the United States, now all you have to do is say,
"Alexa, play The Writer Files on Apple Podcasts." She will probably grant your wish ;-)
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Juan Pablo Villalobos and I discussed:- The importance of unpredictability, point of view, and surprising yourself as a writer
- Why writing is (still) rewriting
- How the author told the stories of asylum seekers in the first person, and the challenging research process behind his latest work
- The power of literature for sharing difficult subjects with young readers
- How the author revisited Kurt Vonnegut's writing only after being compared to him
- And advice to scribes on why every writer's process should be unique
- Author Accelerator
- The Other Side: Stories of Central American Teen Refugees Who Dream of Crossing the Border by Juan Pablo Villalobos [Amazon]
- Juan Pablo Villalobos – Amazon author page
- Juan Pablo Villalobos on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Tony Award-Winning Broadway Producer Ken Davenport Writes
Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, writer, and artrepreneur, Ken Davenport, stopped by this week to talk with me about what it takes to consistently create hit musical theatre, his passion for storytelling, and lessons on today's business of Broadway.
“I'm on a mission to help 5000 shows get produced by 2025.” – Ken Davenport
Over his storied career Mr. Davenport has had multiple Tony Award wins and nominations for his productions including 2018's Best Revival of a Musical for Once on This Island.
His lengthy list of credits also includes The Play That Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Awakening (Tony nomination), Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway – Tony Award, National Tour, Toronto and West End), The Visit (Tony nomination), Mothers and Sons (Tony nomination), The Bridges of Madison County, Chinglish, Oleanna starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles, and Will Ferrell’s You’re Welcome America, to name only a few.
Ken is a co-founder of TEDxBroadway whose productions have been produced internationally in over 25 countries and his one-of-a-kind production and marketing savvy have been featured in the New York Times, MSNBC, Fox News, BBC and even Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" monologue.
His blog and podcast about the business of Broadway – TheProducersPerspective.com – have also been featured in Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, and The Gothamist and he's written several books including How to Succeed in the Arts . . . or in Anything, and How to Write a Script in 30 Days.
NOTE: This episode is marked explicit because we say a word that means "poop" a few times, as my daughter pointed out.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Ken Davenport and I discussed:- Why theatre is the original storytelling medium
- Secrets behind the intensely collaborative, NASCAR-like process to making a hit
- How creating a musical is like getting 17 people to recreate the Mona Lisa
- The power of deadlines and the greatest challenge of capturing an audience's attention
- Why ideas are worth nothing without a sh*tty first draft
- And advice and free resources for writers who want to break into Broadway
- Author Accelerator
- TheProducersPerspective.com
- 30 Day Script Challenge
- Davenport Theatrical
- Ken Davenport on Instagram
- Ken Davenport on Facebook
- Ken Davenport on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Oscar Nominated Screenwriter Kim Krizan Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the Academy Award nominated screenwriter, actor, and author, Kim Krizan, returned to discuss how she came to work with director Richard Linklater on the critically acclaimed Before Sunrise film series, her lifelong study of femme fatales, and the pioneering work of author Anaïs Nin.
"I write so the endangered thoughts roaming naked and vulnerable through the misty jungles of my mind aren't slain by the guns of practical living." – Kim Krizan
Kim earned her Masters degree in English and Literature and while she was writing her thesis – titled "Anaïs Nin and The Psychology of Creativity" – she auditioned for a film part on a lark.
As a result, she went on to act in some of acclaimed director Richard Linklater's best known films including Slacker, Dazed and Confused, and even played herself in Waking Life.
After taking interest in her Masters thesis, Linklater and Krizan went on to co-write the lauded film Before Sunrise (1995), featuring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, and they collaborated on the entire award-winning trilogy.
It's no surprise that her in-depth studies of the life of a visionary author also led to her latest book – Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin – "...a penetrating look at Nin’s incredible life and famous diary...Firmly placing Nin in her historical context as a feminist and visionary."
*A note on the audio quality of this episode, Kim did join me via telephone for this interview.*
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Kim Krizan and I discussed:- Why the liminal hours between waking and sleeping are so valuable for writers
- How Kim befriended Anaïs Nin's family and was granted access to her secret letters, papers, and original manuscripts
- What drove Nin to become the most groundbreaking self-published female author of her time
- How Nin's visionary work predicted the future
- The secrets of a literary legend and the many (often broke) famous authors she befriended and loved
- And why you're allowed to write a piece of crap and risk failure early on
- Author Accelerator
- How Oscar Nominated Screenwriter Kim Krizan Writes: Part One
- Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin by Kim Krizan [Amazon]
- Kim Krizan's author page on Amazon
- The Wild, Impassioned World of Anaïs Nin’s Diaries - Kim Krizan for Literary Hub
- Kim Krizan on IMDB.com
- Kim Krizan on Facebook
- Kim Krizan on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Oscar Nominated Screenwriter Kim Krizan Writes: Part One
Academy Award nominated screenwriter, actor, and author, Kim Krizan, joined me this week to discuss how she came to work with director Richard Linklater on the critically acclaimed Before Sunrise film series, her lifelong study of femme fatales, and the pioneering work of author Anaïs Nin.
"I write so the endangered thoughts roaming naked and vulnerable through the misty jungles of my mind aren't slain by the guns of practical living." – Kim Krizan
Kim earned her Masters degree in English and Literature and while she was writing her thesis – titled "Anaïs Nin and The Psychology of Creativity" – she auditioned for a film part on a lark.
As a result, she went on to act in some of acclaimed director Richard Linklater's best known films including Slacker, Dazed and Confused, and even played herself in Waking Life.
After taking interest in her Masters thesis, Linklater and Krizan went on to co-write the lauded film Before Sunrise (1995), featuring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, and they collaborated on the entire award-winning trilogy.
It's no surprise that her in-depth studies of the life of a visionary author also led to her latest book – Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin – "...a penetrating look at Nin’s incredible life and famous diary...Firmly placing Nin in her historical context as a feminist and visionary."
*A note on the audio quality of this episode, Kim did join me via telephone for this interview.*
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
In Part One of this file Kim Krizan and I discussed:- The effects her study of the experimental life of a literary pioneer had on her own path to creativity
- How her travels abroad influenced her screenwriting
- Why boredom is so important for writers
- How your observation of stranger's interactions is often interpreted into the language of storytelling
- And how to outsmart your own inner critic
- Author Accelerator
- How Oscar Nominated Screenwriter Kim Krizan Writes: Part Two
- Spy in the House of Anaïs Nin by Kim Krizan [Amazon]
- Kim Krizan's author page on Amazon
- The Wild, Impassioned World of Anaïs Nin’s Diaries - Kim Krizan for Literary Hub
- Kim Krizan on IMDB.com
- Kim Krizan on Facebook
- Kim Krizan on Instagram
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Netflix Showrunner Aron Eli Coleite Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the showrunner and Executive Producer of Netflix's Daybreak, Aron Eli Coleite, returned to chat with me about what it takes to survive high school (at the apocalypse), paying his dues in Hollywood, and the collaborative nature of world-building and scriptwriting for TV.
"Surviving high school is like surviving the apocalypse," – Aron Eli Coleite
Aron is a comic book writer, TV writer, and producer best known for his work on the popular NBC series Heroes and the CBS series Star Trek Discovery.
His latest is the dark, zombie comedy series Daybreak starring Matthew Broderick, co-created with Brad Peyton for Netflix. It's been called “Mad Max meets Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” by SyFy.com and is based on Brian Ralph's graphic novel series of the same name.
Aron also helped co-develop the newest version of Locke & Key for Netflix - including co-writing the first episode with comic book series creator Joe Hill. His upcoming projects include adapting Amulet for 20th Century Fox.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Aron Eli Coleite and I discussed:- Secrets behind how a hit Netflix show is written and produced
- Why the writers on Daybreak are like an elite special forces unit
- The importance of diverse voices in TV writing
- How "The Hero's Journey" plays such a big part in episodic storytelling
- Why Aron got into television writing early in his career
- And his advice to aspiring scribes looking to break into TV
- Author Accelerator
- How Netflix Showrunner Aron Eli Coleite Writes: Part One
- Daybreak on Netflix
- The Only Podcast Left - Daybreak on Spotify
- Aron Eli Coleite on IMDB.com
- Aron Eli Coleite on Wikipedia
- Daybreak on Facebook
- Daybreak on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Netflix Showrunner Aron Eli Coleite Writes: Part One
Showrunner and Executive Producer of Netflix's Daybreak, Aron Eli Coleite, took a break to chat with me about what it takes to survive high school (at the apocalypse), paying his dues in Hollywood, and the collaborative nature of world-building and scriptwriting for TV.
"Surviving high school is like surviving the apocalypse," – Aron Eli Coleite
Aron is a comic book writer, TV writer, and producer best known for his work on the popular NBC series Heroes and the CBS series Star Trek Discovery.
His latest is the dark, zombie comedy series Daybreak starring Matthew Broderick, co-created with Brad Peyton for Netflix. It's been called “Mad Max meets Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” by SyFy.com and is based on Brian Ralph's graphic novel series of the same name.
Aron also helped co-develop the newest version of Locke & Key for Netflix - including co-writing the first episode with comic book series creator Joe Hill. His upcoming projects include adapting Amulet for 20th Century Fox.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
In Part One of this file Aron Eli Coleite and I discussed:- How his lifelong love of comic books boosted his career
- What it was like to earn his stripes working with Tim Kring on Crossing Jordan and the groundbreaking Heroes series
- Why his latest show terrifies him as a writer
- How so much iconic film and TV informed the unique genre-bending world of Daybreak
- Why cliffhangers are so important for propelling your audience to a finale
- And the difference between writing for the streaming model vs. episodic TV
- Author Accelerator
- Daybreak on Netflix
- The Only Podcast Left - Daybreak on Spotify
- Aron Eli Coleite on IMDB.com
- Aron Eli Coleite on Wikipedia
- Daybreak on Facebook
- Daybreak on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Nonfiction Author Andrew Maraniss Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the award-winning, New York Times bestselling narrative nonfiction author, Andrew Maraniss, returned to chat about what it was like to grow up around so many famous journalists, why he chooses to weave social issues into sports history, and some age-old wisdom on how to beat writer's block.
"Just get started.” – Andrew Maraniss
Andrew is the son of Pulitzer Prize winning Washington Post journalist and author, David Maraniss, so it's no surprise that he has writing in his blood (and a touch of impostor syndrome).
His winding path to bestseller started out as a history writing assignment at Vanderbilt University that only years later became his award-winning book Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of Race and Sports in the South.
His lauded basketball biography went on to become a bestseller, and received the 2015 Lillian Smith Book Award for civil rights and the RFK Book Awards’ Special Recognition Prize for social justice, the first sports-related book to ever receive either honor.
The author's latest, Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's Germany, is a Young Adult title that chronicles "...the remarkable true story of the birth of Olympic basketball."
The book has been called "An insightful, gripping account of basketball and bias," and investigative journalist and No. 1 bestselling author Bob Woodward called it, "Shocking and triumphant."
Andrew is a Visiting Author at Vanderbilt University Athletics and a contributor to ESPN’s TheUndefeated.com. He has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered, NBC’s Meet The Press, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, ESPN’s Keith Olbermann Show, ESPN Radio, and many others.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Andrew Maraniss and I discussed:- Why narrative nonfiction is so valuable in the fiction-heavy Young Adult genre
- The importance of embedding relevant social issues into stories for younger audiences
- Apocryphal wisdom on how to beat writer's block and build momentum
- How being related to a Pulitzer Prize winning writer might give you impostor syndrome
- The viral nature of basketball's genesis and rise to international fame
- And why the writing community and indie bookstores are more vital than ever for important stories
- Author Accelerator
- How NY Times Bestselling Nonfiction Author Andrew Maraniss Writes: Part One
- AndrewMaraniss.com
- Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's Germany Hardcover – by Andrew Maraniss
- Andrew Maraniss at The Undefeated.com
- Andrew Maraniss on Instagram
- Andrew Maraniss on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Nonfiction Author Andrew Maraniss Writes: Part One
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling narrative nonfiction author, Andrew Maraniss, stopped by to chat about what it was like to grow up around so many famous journalists, why he chooses to weave social issues into sports history, and some age-old wisdom on how to beat writer's block.
"Just get started.” – Andrew Maraniss
Andrew is the son of Pulitzer Prize winning Washington Post journalist and author, David Maraniss, so it's no surprise that he has writing in his blood (and a touch of impostor syndrome).
His winding path to bestseller started out as a history writing assignment at Vanderbilt University that only years later became his award-winning book Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of Race and Sports in the South.
His lauded basketball biography went on to become a bestseller, and received the 2015 Lillian Smith Book Award for civil rights and the RFK Book Awards’ Special Recognition Prize for social justice, the first sports-related book to ever receive either honor.
The author's latest, Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's Germany, is a Young Adult title that chronicles "...the remarkable true story of the birth of Olympic basketball."
The book has been called "An insightful, gripping account of basketball and bias," and investigative journalist and No. 1 bestselling author Bob Woodward called it, "Shocking and triumphant."
Andrew is a Visiting Author at Vanderbilt University Athletics and a contributor to ESPN’s TheUndefeated.com. He has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered, NBC’s Meet The Press, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, ESPN’s Keith Olbermann Show, ESPN Radio, and many others.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Andrew Maraniss and I discussed:- His circuitous path to a full time writing career
- The untold story of the origins of the first U.S. Olympic basketball team and the young men who played on it
- Why they were overshadowed by the atmosphere surrounding the Berlin Olympic Games in Nazi Germany
- The importance of this story (and so many stories like it) in today’s political climate
- Author Accelerator
- How NY Times Bestselling Nonfiction Author Andrew Maraniss Writes: Part Two
- AndrewMaraniss.com
- Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's Germany Hardcover – by Andrew Maraniss
- Andrew Maraniss at The Undefeated.com
- Andrew Maraniss on Instagram
- Andrew Maraniss on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Write a Bestselling Children's Book with Laurie Wright
Bestselling children's author and publishing coach, Laurie Wright, joined me this week to talk about her mission to help the emotional welfare of kids around the world, how she self-published a bestseller, and tools and resources for writer's aspiring to pen their own illustrated children's books.
“I've realized, quickly, that what they say about 80% of people wanting to write a book really is true.” – Laurie Wright
The former kindergarten teacher and mom of three saw an opportunity in the classroom for both parents and educators seeking solutions to get their kids to overcome "learned helplessness," and undertake simple problem-solving.
She crowdfunded her first self-published, illustrated children's book in 2016, the hugely popular Amazon bestseller, I Can Handle It (a Mindful Mantras book), now translated into seven languages.
The book established her as a childhood mental health authority – even though her background is in education – and since 2016 Laurie has gone on to publish 11 kid's books, three of which are bestsellers.
Her Mindful Mantra books are described as "... quick, simple to read, useful resources for parents and teachers ... [that offer] a common language ... to help children self-regulate."
Laurie has turned her passion for helping other educators and aspiring children's writers into a lucrative coaching business and podcast that both provide tips and tools on how to write, self-publish, and market your book.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Laurie Wright and I discussed:- How 10 years as a kindergarten teacher (and mom) informs her work
- The greatest challenge she faced self-publishing an illustrated book
- Why quiet time with books is so important for young readers
- The new age of self-publishing and the barrier to entry for traditionally publishing kid's books
- How she turned her self-publishing know-how into entrepreneurial ventures
- Why children's authors face so much self-doubt
- And advice and free resources for authors dreaming about writing their own illustrated children's books
- Author Accelerator
- lauriewrighter.com
- The Writer's Way - podcast
- lauriewrightmedia.com
- creativewrighter.com
- I Can Handle It (Mindful Mantras) - by Laurie Wright [Amazon]
- Laurie Wright on Amazon
- Laurie Wright on YouTube
- Laurie Wright on Facebook
- Laurie Wright on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Author Tess Gerritsen Writes
International and New York Times bestselling author, Tess Gerritsen, dropped by to chat with me about the role of luck in finding success as a writer, where she draws inspiration for her thrillers, her love-hate relationship with writing for the screen, and her unique creative process.
“Make every single chapter feel that somebody is off balance, that something is not right. That is what propels readers to read the next chapter.” – Tess Gerritsen
The award-winning author graduated from medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, and began her writing career in earnest while on maternity leave from her work as a physician.
She published her first romantic thriller in 1987 and never looked back. Her books have since topped the charts in both the US and abroad, and sold more than 30 million copies in 40 countries.
Tess has now written 28 novels, including the acclaimed Rizzoli & Isles series (which inspired the TNT TV series of the same name starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander), as well as both romantic suspense and medical & crime thrillers.
Though she's been dubbed the “medical suspense queen,” her latest novel, The Shape of Night, is a departure in genre that Tess describes as an "erotic psychological thriller" with both supernatural and Gothic elements.
Publishers Weekly said of the book, “This supernatural thriller from bestseller Gerritsen ranks with the best of her crime fiction. . . .[A] magnetic haunted house story [that] will keep readers riveted from the very first page.”
And #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner wrote, "Gerritsen is at her atmospheric best in this spine-tingling tale of a lone woman, an old house, and all the secrets everyone tries to hide.”
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Tess Gerritsen and I discussed:- Her winding journey to bestseller and a "ten book" overnight success
- Why she prefers to pen novels over writing for Hollywood
- Navigating the mysteries and fairy dust of the publishing industry
- Tricks to master storytelling in any genre
- The secret to writing drafts that will never get lost in the cloud
- And her creativity hacks for beating writer's block
- Author Accelerator
- TessGerritsen.com
- The Shape of Night: A Novel by Tess Gerritsen [Amazon]
- The 13 Scariest Books Written This Year
- Tess Gerritsen on Facebook
- Tess Gerritsen on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Recharge Your Creative Batteries with Bestselling Author Kim Petersen: Part Two
In Part Two of this file bestselling author, Kim Petersen, returned to talk with me about tactics to tap into age-old wisdom, quiet your inner critic, get back to basics, rediscover your voice, and recharge your creative batteries.
“With how our lifestyles are, and the technology, we seem to have also become more disconnected from ourselves.” – Kim Petersen
The award-winning, USA Today Bestselling, Australian author of fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian fiction, writes The Ascended Angels Chronicles, and co-authors the Stone the Crows series.
Her latest is a foray into non-fiction titled Creative Writing Energy: Tools to Access Your Higher-Creative Mind - co-authored with colleague, romance writer Catherine Evans.
It's been described as a book "...written for creatives about developing pathways to access the higher-creative mind...alternative ways..." and tools for unlocking your creativity.
Before you dismiss this episode as a little "woo-woo," I assure you that we dig into the reasons behind the current shift for creatives toward alternative ways of thinking, New Age modalities, and a generation of writers looking to tune-out the noise and live more authentically.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Kim Petersen and I discussed:- Why writers are the bedrock of the long-standing tradition of making meaning of the world
- How the author incorporates divination into her storytelling process
- Why prolific writers throughout history have used tools for jumpstarting their creativity
- How ancient, esoteric practices can unplug your inner critic, FOMO, and beat "resistance"
- Why getting back in touch with your voice is so important
- And how to conjure your inner child (no, not by jumping off the garage Kim, lol)
- Author Accelerator
- KimPetersen.com
- WhisperingInkPress.com
- Creative Writing Energy: Tools to Access Your Higher-Creative Mind [Amazon]
- CatherineEvansAuthor.com
- Creative Writing Energy on Patreon
- Oblique Strategies - created by Brian Eno
- How millennials replaced religion with astrology and crystals - LA Times
- Kim Petersen on Facebook
- Kim Petersen on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Recharge Your Creative Batteries with Bestselling Author Kim Petersen: Part One
Bestselling author, Kim Petersen, spoke with me about tactics to tap into age-old wisdom, quiet your inner critic, get back to basics, rediscover your voice, and recharge your creative batteries.
“With how our lifestyles are, and the technology, we seem to have also become more disconnected from ourselves.” – Kim Petersen
The award-winning, USA Today Bestselling, Australian author of fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian fiction, writes The Ascended Angels Chronicles, and co-authors the Stone the Crows series.
Her latest is a foray into non-fiction titled Creative Writing Energy: Tools to Access Your Higher-Creative Mind - co-authored with colleague, romance writer Catherine Evans.
It's been described as a book "...written for creatives about developing pathways to access the higher-creative mind...alternative ways..." and tools for unlocking your creativity.
Before you dismiss this episode as a little "woo-woo," I assure you that we dig into the reasons behind the current shift for creatives toward alternative ways of thinking, New Age modalities, and a generation of writers looking to tune-out the noise and live more authentically.
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Kim Petersen and I discussed:- Her journey to finding her writing identity (or, how it found her)
- Why she chose to write about her own writing rituals and routines
- How technology is draining our creative batteries
- Why younger generations are turning away from traditional belief systems and finding alternative means to recharge
- The nuts and bolts of a good foundation for creativity
- Why writers need to dip back into the great mystery through storytelling
- Author Accelerator
- KimPetersen.com
- WhisperingInkPress.com
- Creative Writing Energy: Tools to Access Your Higher-Creative Mind [Amazon]
- CatherineEvansAuthor.com
- Creative Writing Energy on Patreon
- Oblique Strategies - created by Brian Eno
- How millennials replaced religion with astrology and crystals - LA Times
- Kim Petersen on Facebook
- Kim Petersen on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Write Impactful Historical Fiction with Award-Winning Author Talia Carner: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the award-winning novelist, speaker, and activist Talia Carner spoke with me about the intensive research processes that go into her novels, why she chose fiction to write about global social issues, the real-life crisis happening right before our eyes, and what we can do about it.
“I take a skeleton out of the closet and dance with it. The skeleton being the many social issues around the globe that vie for attention.” – Talia Carner
Ms. Carner writes suspense novels with a social message and her latest historical novel, The Third Daughter, aims to turn the issue of sex trafficking into real-world activism. Talia's mission is to transform the lessons of the past into action in the present.
Her fifth book has been described as, “A frightening journey into the New World of the late 1800s, told by a trusting young woman lured from Russia and forced into prostitution in Buenos Aires.”
Before becoming a professional novelist the author had a corporate career in the magazine business, started her own business as a marketing consultant for Fortune 500 companies, was a counselor and lecturer for the Small Business Administration, and even a member of the United States Information Agency.
Talia is a popular international speaker who has keynoted close to 300 events on pressing social issues facing women around the globe.
To learn more about human trafficking in the USA – and what you can do to help stop it – you can find a wealth of information that the author has provided for us in her article here: Take Action Against TraffickingThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Talia Carner and I discussed:- Why fiction writers are like comedians
- The importance of historical fiction for unearthing the skeletons in society’s closet
- The current crisis of sex trafficking, not only abroad, but right here in the US
- How we can educate and protect our children
- Why we need to apply lessons from the past to enact change now
- And her two big pieces of advice for aspiring fiction writers
- Author Accelerator
- How to Write Impactful Historical Fiction with Award-Winning Author Talia Carner: Part One
- TaliaCarner.com
- The Third Daughter: A Novel by Talia Carner [Amazon]
- Take Action Against Trafficking
- Protect Now, an educational program against sex trafficking taught in schools
- “The Man From Buenos Aires” by Sholem Aleichem (Translated from Hebrew by Talia Carner)
- Talia Carner on Facebook
- Talia Carner on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Write Impactful Historical Fiction with Award-Winning Author Talia Carner: Part One
Award-winning novelist, speaker, and activist Talia Carner spoke with me about the intensive research processes that go into her novels, why she chose fiction to write about global social issues, the real-life crisis happening right before our eyes and what we can do about it.
“I take a skeleton out of the closet and dance with it. The skeleton being the many social issues around the globe that vie for attention.” – Talia Carner
Ms. Carner writes suspense novels with a social message and her latest historical novel, The Third Daughter, aims to turn the issue of sex trafficking into real-world activism. Talia's mission is to transform the lessons of the past into action in the present.
Her fifth book has been described as, “A frightening journey into the New World of the late 1800s, told by a trusting young woman lured from Russia and forced into prostitution in Buenos Aires.”
Before becoming a professional novelist the author had a corporate career in the magazine business, started her own business as a marketing consultant for Fortune 500 companies, was a counselor and lecturer for the Small Business Administration, and even a member of the United States Information Agency.
Talia is a popular international speaker who has keynoted close to 300 events on pressing social issues facing women around the globe.
To learn more about human trafficking in the USA – and what you can do to help stop it – you can find a wealth of information that the author has provided for us in her article here: Take Action Against TraffickingThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Talia Carner and I discussed:- How the writer's natural form of expression is somewhere in the 100,000 word range
- Why historical fiction is so challenging to write well
- How she used researchers to trace details of landmarks long forgotten
- What it's like to channel characters from the distant past and write prose incorporating other languages
- What sparks the ideation that fuels her writing mission
- And why writers need to cull ideas from issues that move them most
- Author Accelerator
- How to Write Impactful Historical Fiction with Award-Winning Author Talia Carner: Part Two
- TaliaCarner.com
- The Third Daughter: A Novel by Talia Carner [Amazon]
- Take Action Against Trafficking
- Protect Now, an educational program against sex trafficking taught in schools
- Talia Carner on Facebook
- Talia Carner on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Secrets for Beating Writer’s Block with TV Writer & Comedian Jorjeana Marie: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the award-winning actress, comedian, and screenwriter, Jorjeana Marie, returned to talk with me about fulfilling her childhood dream of writing for Disney, how writers can rewire their inner-critic, improv as a writing (and life) philosophy, and secrets for beating block and creating countless ideas.
“In improv the philosophy is, there are no mistakes.” – Jorjeana Marie
The talented multi-hyphenate storyteller started out writing and producing plays during her stint at NYU's Dramatic Writing Program, and has gone on to write for several animated television shows, including a popular kids' series for Disney.
Jorjeana is also an actress with extensive film and TV experience, as well as a prolific, award-winning audiobook narrator who has voiced over 300 titles for multiple NY Times bestsellers.
She writes and performs comedy regularly on stage at UCB, The Improv, and The Comedy Store, and teaches improvisation to students across the country, including at studios in Hollywood where she's coached writers of all genres.
Her recent book, Improv for Writers: 10 Secrets to Help Novelists and Screenwriters Bypass Writer’s Block and Generate Infinite Ideas is aimed at "...Aspiring and professional writers, novelists, screenwriters ... suffering from writer’s block and even those new to the craft."
New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman said of the book, “Jorjeana Marie’s generous, joyful, and oh-so-useful book shows writers—both seasoned and new—how to unleash their creativity and find their best story.”
Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question surveyThis episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Jorjeana Marie and I discussed:- Reasons writers need to be in the present moment and less self-conscious
- How to turn off your inner-critic and jumpstart your creativity
- What it's like to work with and write for iconic Disney characters
- Why writers should unbox their childhood dreams and literary inspirations
- Her conspiracy theories about Shakespeare
- And why unplugging and creating boundaries are both so critical for beating block
- Author Accelerator
- JorjeanaMarie.com
- Improv for Writers: 10 Secrets to Help Novelists and Screenwriters Bypass Writer's Block and Generate Infinite Ideas by Jorjeana Marie [Amazon]
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King [Amazon]
- The 3 A.M. Epiphany: Uncommon Writing Exercises that Transform Your Fiction by Brian Kiteley [Amazon]
- Jorjeana Marie on Instagram
- Jorjeana Marie on Facebook
- Jorjeana Marie on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Secrets for Beating Writer’s Block with TV Writer & Comedian Jorjeana Marie: Part One
Award-winning actress, comedian, and screenwriter, Jorjeana Marie, took a break to talk with me about fulfilling her childhood dream of writing for Disney, how writers can rewire their inner-critic, improv as a writing (and life) philosophy, and secrets for beating block and creating countless ideas.
“In improv the philosophy is, there are no mistakes.” – Jorjeana Marie
The talented multi-hyphenate storyteller started out writing and producing plays during her stint at NYU's Dramatic Writing Program, and has gone on to write for several animated television shows, including a popular kids' series for Disney.
Jorjeana is also an actress with extensive film and TV experience, as well as a prolific, award-winning audiobook narrator who has voiced over 300 titles for multiple NY Times bestsellers.
She writes and performs comedy regularly on stage at UCB, The Improv, and The Comedy Store, and teaches improvisation to students across the country, including at studios in Hollywood where she's coached writers of all genres.
Her recent book, Improv for Writers: 10 Secrets to Help Novelists and Screenwriters Bypass Writer’s Block and Generate Infinite Ideas is aimed at "...Aspiring and professional writers, novelists, screenwriters ... suffering from writer’s block and even those new to the craft."
New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman said of the book, “Jorjeana Marie’s generous, joyful, and oh-so-useful book shows writers—both seasoned and new—how to unleash their creativity and find their best story.”
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Jorjeana Marie and I discussed:
- How to use improv to quickly generate some pages
- What it's like to work with Dave Chapelle and go on stage after Chris Rock
- Why successful storytelling starts with letting go of expectations
- How to use time-tested methods of writing on your feet to jumpstart your creativity
- Why writers need keep it fun to surprise themselves
- And how constraints and little bit of pressure can be so rewarding
- Author Accelerator
- JorjeanaMarie.com
- Improv for Writers: 10 Secrets to Help Novelists and Screenwriters Bypass Writer's Block and Generate Infinite Ideas by Jorjeana Marie [Amazon]
- Jorjeana Marie on Facebook
- Jorjeana Marie on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Memoirist Lisa Brennan-Jobs Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the New York Times bestselling memoirist and journalist, Lisa Brennan-Jobs, returned to talk about her decades long journey to publication, why it's so important to find yourself in the pages, the meaning of memory, and the impostor syndrome that all writers face ... especially the kids of celebrities.
"Writing can be the master, it can't be the servant of your time.” – Lisa Brennan-Jobs
Lisa is a Brooklyn based writer whose father was the widely worshipped tech pioneer and entrepreneur, Steve Jobs, best known as the co-founder of Apple.
Her first book, Small Fry, is her lauded memoir about growing up being shuffled between single parents in Silicon Valley during the 1980s and '90s, always in the orbit of her celebrity dad and struggling artist mom.
Small Fry was a New York Times, New Yorker, and People Magazine Top 10 Book of the Year for 2018, and Best Book of the Year for the LA Times, NPR, Amazon, GQ, Vogue (UK), and Publishers Weekly.
The book has been called, “Beautiful, literary, and devastating,” by the New York Times Book Review, “A masterly Silicon Valley gothic,” by Vogue, and “Mesmerizing, discomfiting reading,” by The New Yorker.
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Lisa Brennan-Jobs and I discussed:
- How being bored and uncomfortable can lead to breakthrough
- Why the writing process needs to be the master, not the servant, of your time
- The importance of not rushing to publish
- How the author minimizes distractions and comparative thinking while she writes
- What it's like to travel through time and get the things you’ve always longed for
- How big words can distract from the impact of your story
- And why you need to write the stories you thought you might take to your grave
Show Notes:
- Author Accelerator
- How NY Times Bestselling Memoirist Lisa Brennan-Jobs Writes: Part One
- LisaBrennanJobs.net
- Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs [Amazon]
- Lisa Brennan-Jobs on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How NY Times Bestselling Memoirist Lisa Brennan-Jobs Writes: Part One
The New York Times bestselling memoirist and journalist, Lisa Brennan-Jobs, joined me this week to talk about her decades long journey to publication, why it's so important to find yourself in the pages, the meaning of memory, and the impostor syndrome that all writers face ... especially the kids of celebrities.
"You find yourself in a whole net, in a constellation of stories, each one connecting to another. It was amazing how much I remembered.” – Lisa Brennan-Jobs
Lisa is a Brooklyn based writer whose father was the widely worshipped tech pioneer and entrepreneur, Steve Jobs, best known as the co-founder of Apple.
Her first book, Small Fry, is her lauded memoir about growing up being shuffled between single parents in Silicon Valley during the 1980s and '90s, always in the orbit of her celebrity dad and struggling artist mom.
Small Fry was a New York Times, New Yorker, and People Magazine Top 10 Book of the Year for 2018, and Best Book of the Year for the LA Times, NPR, Amazon, GQ, Vogue (UK), and Publishers Weekly.
The book has been called, “Beautiful, literary, and devastating,” by the New York Times Book Review, “A masterly Silicon Valley gothic,” by Vogue, and “Mesmerizing, discomfiting reading,” by The New Yorker.
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Lisa Brennan-Jobs and I discussed:- What it's like to be a writer with a celebrity parent
- The author's up-and-down, ten-year writing process peppered by the occasional profound revelation
- How the author's childhood memories returned to her so vividly
- Why shame and emotion are so helpful to unearthing the geological layers of fact in memoir and vice versa
- How she overcame writer's block, impostor syndrome, and her own doubts and fears to write a bestselling memoir
- And why part of writing a memoir is about bringing into consciousness things that were previously unconscious
- Author Accelerator
- How NY Times Bestselling Memoirist Lisa Brennan-Jobs Writes: Part Two
- LisaBrennanJobs.net
- Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs [Amazon]
- Lisa Brennan-Jobs on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'The Writer's Brain' on Procrastination: Part Two
In Part Two of another special edition of The Writer Files called "The Writer's Brain," a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, we dig further into the dreaded procrastination – a malady we all battle – what it is, how science looks at it, the difference between constructive and destructive procrastination, and some tips on how to overcome it.
"Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow." – Mark Twain
We're all guilty of it, let's be honest, it's really normal to procrastinate.
Who among us hasn't waited until the last minute to do something tedious or uncomfortable like contest a speeding ticket, study for a test?
Today, you're far more likely to grab your smartphone and search longingly for those little red notification flags from a social media app, or to pop open a rainbow colored game for that quick hit of dopamine your brain loves so much.
I'm guilty of dusting and straightening every shelf and book in my office until they look conspicuously like modern art before I'll sit down to write an important email or a blog post.
The truth is that procrastination is built into the human condition -- clearly we can't do everything on our to-do lists at the same time -- but why has it become so frowned upon in our culture of late?
And how can we reframe procrastination since we know it's so integral to the creative process?
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers from the perspective of neuroscience.
Stay tuned ...
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of 'The Writer's Brain' you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:- Why your inner-critic, stress, and anxiety hijack your productivity so easily
- Practical tips for breaking out of the wicked feedback loop of procrastination
- How social media, FOMO, and notifications mess with your self esteem and ability to focus
- Why we need to take breaks, practice mindfulness, and be nicer to ourselves
- How to trick yourself into being more productive
- And how to short circuit your amygdala, change your habits, and bootstrap incremental progress toward your goals
- Author Accelerator
- Challenges on the Writer's Journey with Prominent Book Editor Peter Guzzardi: Part One
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear [Amazon]
- Procrastination: A Scientific Guide on How to Stop Procrastinating
- Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky
- Why Your Procrastination Might Not Be as Bad as You Think
- Why Your Brain Loves Procrastination
- ‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part One
- The Best of 'The Writer's Brain' Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
- The Writer's Brain on Impostor Syndrome: Part One
- Productivity vs. Creativity, the Content Creator’s Catch-22
- Rethink Your Definition of Productivity to Squash Uninspired Filler
- How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
'The Writer's Brain' on Procrastination: Part One
Welcome to another special edition of The Writer Files called "The Writer's Brain," a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, and in this episode we dig into the dreaded procrastination – a malady we all battle – what it is, how science looks at it, the difference between constructive and destructive procrastination, and some tips on how to overcome it.
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time." - Leonard Bernstein
We're all guilty of it, let's be honest, it's really normal to procrastinate.
Who among us hasn't waited until the last minute to do something tedious or uncomfortable like contest a speeding ticket, study for a test?
Today, you're far more likely to grab your smartphone and search longingly for those little red notification flags from a social media app, or to pop open a rainbow-colored game for that quick hit of dopamine your brain loves so much.
I'm guilty of dusting and straightening every shelf and book in my office until they look conspicuously like modern art before I'll sit down to write an important email or a blog post.
The truth is that procrastination is built into the human condition -- clearly, we can't do everything on our to-do lists at the same time -- but why has it become so frowned upon in our culture of late?
And how can we reframe procrastination since we know it's so integral to the creative process?
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers from the perspective of neuroscience.
Stay tuned ...
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you missed previous episodes of The Writer's Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part One of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- The creative upside to "present bias" and delay
- How neuroscience defines procrastination
- Why writers often struggle with the bad kind
- How your brain's emotional, stress, and impulse responses can derail your productivity
- Why smartphones, shrinking attention spans, and "social acceleration" make it so hard to get meaningful work done
- And helpful hints on how to get out of that wicked feedback loop and back on track
The Show Notes:
- 'The Writer's Brain' on Procrastination: Part Two
- Why Your Procrastination Might Not Be as Bad as You Think
- ‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part One
- The Best of 'The Writer's Brain' Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
- The Writer's Brain on Impostor Syndrome: Part One
- ‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Impostor Syndrome: Part Two
- Rethink Your Definition of Productivity to Squash Uninspired Filler
- How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Outsmart Writer’s Block (with Neuroscience)
Welcome back to another special edition of the show with some thoughts on the malady that we rarely care to whisper of ... even on our most prolific days.
We’ll kick off the show with the iconic, international bestselling author of 14 novels, including the era-defining Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture – Douglas Coupland – with his thoughts on the subject.
"I don't believe in writer's block. Think about it -- when you were blocked in college and had to write a paper, didn't it always manage to fix itself the night before the paper was due? Writer's block is having too much time on your hands." – Jodi Picoult
Last year I wrote a piece for Copyblogger titled "How to Outsmart Writer’s Block with Neuroscience" – there are lots of good resources embedded there – and that piece explored a handful of solutions to the accursed ailment. I wanted to revisit it here with some past podcast guests thrown in for humor and context.
As you know if you’ve listened to enough of The Writer Files, I dig into the habits, habitats and brains of dozens of renowned and prolific authors, and I ask them roughly the same questions about their unique process as a survey of contemporary writers.
We’ve always billed the podcast as a hybrid of "Inside the Writer’s Studio" meets "The Proust Questionnaire," and this makes for a treasure trove of knowledge to pick and choose from for writers.
And just a reminder that you can find the entire archive at writerfiles.fm, where you can also support the show by just clicking the little yellow PayPal donation button on any of the episodes.
So we’ll kick it off with a little refresher course on the miracle of the human brain.
Stay tuned ...
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
Show Notes:- Author Accelerator
- How to Outsmart Writer’s Block with Neuroscience - Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- How to Kill Writer’s Block and Become a Master Copywriter in Only 3 Hours a Day
- The Physics of Productivity: Newton’s Laws of Getting Stuff Done – James Clear
- How to Beat Writer’s Block – Maria Konnikova
- Inside the Race to Hack the Human Brain - WIRED
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Challenges on the Writer's Journey with Prominent Book Editor Peter Guzzardi: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the prominent book editor-turned-author, Peter Guzzardi, spent some time with me this week to discuss how he pulled back the curtain on the writer's life, finding courage in front of the blank screen, and important lessons from the Yellow Brick Road for creatives.
"Somehow, despite having made a career of helping writers with their second and third and fourth drafts, I must have been harboring hopes that my first try would displace Shakespeare from his perch atop the literary pantheon." – Peter Guzzardi
Peter has been a professional book editor for nearly 40 years. After getting his start in marketing, writing catalog copy in New York City, he moved to the editorial side where he eventually took the reins at Harmony Books, an imprint of Random House, Inc.
Mr. Guzzardi has worked with some incredibly talented authors over the years, including Stephen Hawking on A Brief History of Time, Deepak Chopra on dozens of books, Douglas Adams on his Hitchhiker novels, Carol Burnett, Martin Amis, Arianna Huffington, and even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Like so many aspiring writers who "swear they're going to finally write that book," Peter decided to throw his hat in the ring and write about the wisdom he'd accumulated on his own journey.
The result of that hard work is his recently published Emeralds of Oz: Life Lessons From Over the Rainbow, an apropos title for 2019, the 80th anniversary of the film classic, The Wizard of Oz.
Emeralds of Oz is a book in the "...tradition of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten ... life lessons drawn from the most beloved movie of all time," and Carol Burnett said, "I loved this book as much as I loved the movie."
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Peter Guzzardi and I discussed:- Why the writer's journey is so iterative
- Lessons from the Yellow Brick Road for writers
- Why being compassionate with yourself is so important
- The reality that no book is ever really finished
- How fear can be so motivational in the face of adversity
- And the perils of being overly ambitious in your early drafts
- Author Accelerator
- PeterGuzzardi.com
- Emeralds of Oz: Life Lessons from Over the Rainbow by Peter Guzzardi [Amazon]
- The Wizard of Oz at 80: how the world fell under its dark spell - Luiza Sauma for The Guardian
- Peter Guzzardi on Instagram
- Peter Guzzardi on Twitter
- Peter Guzzardi on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Challenges on the Writer's Journey with Prominent Book Editor Peter Guzzardi: Part One
Prominent book editor-turned-author, Peter Guzzardi, spent some time with me this week to discuss how he pulled back the curtain on the writer's life, finding courage in front of the blank screen, and important lessons from the Yellow Brick Road for creatives.
"One thing I love about this work is the variety. I’ve edited novels by authors as different as Ruth Rendell and Martin Amis, memoirs by Tony Curtis...and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar..." – Peter Guzzardi
Peter has been a professional book editor for nearly 40 years. After getting his start in marketing, writing catalog copy in New York City, he moved to the editorial side where he eventually took the reins at Harmony Books, an imprint of Random House, Inc.
Mr. Guzzardi has worked with some incredibly talented authors over the years, including Stephen Hawking on A Brief History of Time, Deepak Chopra on dozens of books, Douglas Adams on his Hitchhiker novels, Carol Burnett, Martin Amis, Arianna Huffington, and even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Like so many aspiring writers who "swear they're going to finally write that book," Peter decided to throw his hat in the ring and write about the wisdom he'd accumulated on his own journey.
The result of that hard work is his recently published Emeralds of Oz: Life Lessons From Over the Rainbow, an apropos title for 2019, the 80th anniversary of the film classic, The Wizard of Oz.
Emeralds of Oz is a book in the "...tradition of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten ... life lessons drawn from the most beloved movie of all time," and Carol Burnett said, "I loved this book as much as I loved the movie."
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Peter Guzzardi and I discussed:- How he came to rub elbows with so many celebrity authors
- The unique skillsets of great editors and their importance to the publishing industry
- Why the challenges the author faced birthing his own book were so different than he could have imagined
- How he found courage in front of the blank page
- The importance of crappy first drafts and turning off your inner critic
- PeterGuzzardi.com
- Emeralds of Oz: Life Lessons from Over the Rainbow by Peter Guzzardi [Amazon]
- The Wizard of Oz at 80: how the world fell under its dark spell - Luiza Sauma for The Guardian
- Peter Guzzardi on Instagram
- Peter Guzzardi on Twitter
- Peter Guzzardi on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Write a Novel in One Month with NaNoWriMo's Grant Faulkner
The author, podcaster, and Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (AKA NaNoWriMo), Grant Faulkner, joined me this week to talk about the Fitbit for novelists, how to write a novel in a month (not just in November), why tracking your writing progress is a built-in reward system, and why you can't wait for inspiration to just get started.
"No matter who you are, where you live, how old you are, or what your background is, your story matters." - Grant Faulkner
Grant is a writer, speaker, and educator whose day job is to help run the non-profit, National Novel Writing Month, the world's largest writing event where every year 500,000 people commit to writing a novel in November, including 100,000 kids and teens via The Young Writers Program.
And Grant reminded me that NaNoWriMo provides year-round "...structure, community, and encouragement to help [writers of all ages and backgrounds] find their voice, achieve [their] creative goals, and build new worlds."
2019 is the 20th anniversary of the "seat-of-your-pants" creative writing marathon, and "...thousands of NaNoWriMo novels have been published, including best-sellers like Water for Elephants, The Night Circus, Wool, and many others."
Mr. Faulkner is the author of a book of essays on creativity titled Pep Talks for Writers, and his teen writing guide, Brave the Page, is forthcoming from Viking this August, 2019.
Grant also hosts a weekly inspirational podcast on writing and publishing called Write-minded, and his writing has appeared in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Writer's Digest, and Poets & Writers.
If you think you're ready to write a novel, stay tuned...
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Grant Faulkner and I discussed:- The magic of coffee and early morning writing sessions
- Why jumping in and writing your novel from word one to the end of your first draft without self-editing is so valuable
- How a goal and a deadline can help you give birth to your book
- Why writers fool themselves into thinking they've written more than they really have
- How "just getting started" can help you overcome the perils of procrastination
- Why the author preaches Robert Frost's mantra "No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader."
- Author Accelerator
- National Novel Writing Month (AKA NaNoWriMo)
- The Young Writers Program
- Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo by Grant Faulkner [Amazon]
- Brave the Page by Grant Faulkner [Amazon]
- GrantFaulkner.com
- Write-minded Podcast
- Grant Faulkner on Instagram
- Grant Faulkner on Facebook
- Grant Faulkner on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Get Unstuck and Back to Writing with Bestselling Author Jennifer Louden: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the bestselling author and creativity coach, Jennifer Louden, returned to talk with me about her twisty career path, the wicked feedback loop of procrastination, how to find your voice, and solutions for getting unstuck and back to writing.
"How do you get your creative & scary sh*t done? And how do you keep getting it done ... even when life is hard and busy and full of distractions?" - Jennifer Louden
Jennifer has been a professional writer since the early '90s and is considered a personal growth pioneer. Her first book, The Woman’s Comfort Book, was the bestseller that launched her career and she's since published six additional books with over a million copies in print in nine languages.
The author is also an international speaker and educator on the subject of self-care and has written a column for Martha Stewart magazine, been quoted by author Brene Brown in not one but two of her books, been profiled in dozens of major magazines, and appeared on hundreds of TV and radio programs including Oprah.
In addition to writing books Jennifer is also an entrepreneur who teaches writing and self-care retreats that regularly sell out.
She has created a large online community that touts, "Whether you’re a novelist, essayist ... artist or thought leader, [her] mission is to help you write more, share your ideas more boldly, and make your creative work a priority."
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Jennifer Louden and I discussed:- Why writers don't need to "freak out" when they get derailed
- How to re-center and tap back into your creative well
- The reasons writers lose their way trying to be "commercial"
- Why Jennifer decided to self-publish her next book
- How to overcome negativity bias and other tricks your brain plays on you
- Why you can't wait until you feel inspired or comfortable to write
- Author Accelerator
- JenniferLouden.com
- The Get Unstuck and Back to Creating - Email Signup & Guide
- Page Two Books
- Jennifer Louden on Amazon
- Jennifer Louden on YouTube
- Jennifer Louden on Instagram
- Jennifer Louden on Facebook
- Jennifer Louden on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Get Unstuck and Back to Writing with Bestselling Author Jennifer Louden: Part One
Bestselling author and creativity coach, Jennifer Louden, dropped by this week to talk with me about her twisty career path, the wicked feedback loop of procrastination, how to find your voice, and solutions for getting unstuck and back to writing.
"Claim your voice. Share your voice. Get your scary sh*t done." - Jennifer Louden
Jennifer has been a professional writer since the early '90s and is considered a personal growth pioneer. Her first book, The Woman’s Comfort Book, was the bestseller that launched her career and she's since published six additional books with over a million copies in print in nine languages.
The author is also an international speaker and educator on the subject of self-care and has written a column for Martha Stewart magazine, been quoted by author Brene Brown in not one but two of her books, been profiled in dozens of major magazines, and appeared on hundreds of TV and radio programs including Oprah.
In addition to writing books Jennifer is also an entrepreneur who teaches writing and self-care retreats that regularly sell out.
She has created a large online community that touts, "Whether you’re a novelist, essayist ... artist or thought leader, [her] mission is to help you write more, share your ideas more boldly, and make your creative work a priority."
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Jennifer Louden and I discussed:- How a struggling dyslexic screenwriter became a bestselling author
- The reasons writers might fall out of love and then back in love with their writing
- How to get unstuck by pulling back the curtain on your brain's weaknesses
- Why Jennifer brings compassion and cognitive awareness to jump-starting creativity
- How finding the "why" for your writing can reignite your spark
- Why technical writing hacks won't solve the deeper issues of why you're not writing
- Author Accelerator
- JenniferLouden.com
- Jennifer Louden on Amazon
- Jennifer Louden on YouTube
- Jennifer Louden on Instagram
- Jennifer Louden on Facebook
- Jennifer Louden on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Publishing Secrets from Top NY Literary Agent Mark Gottlieb: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the top-ranked New York literary agent, Mark Gottlieb – of Trident Media Group – returned to enlighten me about all things publishing including what it's like to work at one of the world's leading agencies, how to stand out as a writer, and the kinds of projects he's looking for right now.
"When approaching a publisher without that built-in platform, all you can really say to them is this is a great book. Please make an editorial evaluation." - Mark Gottlieb
Mark grew up around books and bestselling authors, and the writing life had an influence on him from an early age.
Inspired to go into the family business, he graduated with a degree in writing, literature & publishing, and began his career at Penguin. He's since gone on to become one of the top-ranked agents on Publishers Marketplace and has represented numerous award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors.
Trident Media Group is a prominent New York agency that represents a diverse stable of over 1,000 bestselling and emerging authors across a wide range of genres in fiction and nonfiction.
Mark has optioned books for both film and TV and is actively building a client list of authors at TMG. He previously ran their audiobook department, and has worked in foreign rights.
He has a passion for working directly with authors to help them manage and build their careers using the unique resources available to him at one of the world's leading literary agencies.
If you're interested in an insider's take on how to get traditionally published today, stick around, this is a good one.
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Mark Gottlieb and I discussed:- How to stand out as a writer today (including the importance of platform, timing, and talent)
- Why authors can't put the cart before the horse and the difference between selling non-fiction and fiction manuscripts
- The secrets of successful authors that aspiring writers can steal
- How a literary agent can improve an author's marketing and promotion plan
- The most critical time leading up to your "book's birthday"
- All the different ways big agencies think of your work beyond the book deal
- And Mark's sage advice and tips for authors ready to seek representation
- Author Accelerator
- Publishing Secrets from Top NY Literary Agent Mark Gottlieb: Part One
- Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group
- Trident Media Group
- Trident Media Group: Submissions Link
- LiteraryAgentMarkgottlieb.com - Mark's blog with author resources about all things writing, literature and publishing
- Publishers Marketplace
- How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part One
- The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad
- Autocomplete: The Book by Justin Hook
- Mark Gottlieb on Instagram
- Mark Gottlieb on Facebook
- Mark Gottlieb on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Publishing Secrets from Top NY Literary Agent Mark Gottlieb: Part One
Top-ranked New York literary agent, Mark Gottlieb – of Trident Media Group – dropped by this week to enlighten me about all things publishing including what it's like to work at one of the world's leading agencies, how to stand out as a writer, and the kinds of projects he's looking for right now.
"There's a lot out there that can really overwhelm an author when they're trying to figure out how to find an agent or how to get published." - Mark Gottlieb
Mark grew up around books and bestselling authors, and the writing life had an influence on him from an early age.
Inspired to go into the family business, he graduated with a degree in writing, literature & publishing, and began his career at Penguin. He's since gone on to become one of the top-ranked agents on Publishers Marketplace and has represented numerous award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors.
Trident Media Group is a prominent New York agency that represents a diverse stable of over 1,000 bestselling and emerging authors across a wide range of genres in fiction and nonfiction.
Mark has optioned books for both film and TV and is actively building a client list of authors at TMG. He previously ran their audiobook department, and has worked in foreign rights.
He has a passion for working directly with authors to help them manage and build their careers using the unique resources available to him at one of the world's leading literary agencies.
If you're interested in an insider's take on how to get traditionally published today, stick around, this is a good one.
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Mark Gottlieb and I discussed:- What it's like to grow up hanging out with Dean Koontz and Tom Clancy
- How to avoid overwhelm when you start your journey to publication
- Tried-and-true recommendations and resources for aspiring authors ready to reach out to an agent
- How to use Publishers Marketplace as your giant Rolodex for book publishing
- Why authors might choose traditional over self-publishing
- How agents advocate for authors to make sure they take advantage of every possible opportunity in publishing
- And the enduring power of paper books, audiobooks, indie bookstores, and the power of the #writingcommunity
- Author Accelerator
- Publishing Secrets from Top NY Literary Agent Mark Gottlieb: Part Two
- Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group
- Trident Media Group
- Trident Media Group: Submissions Link
- LiteraryAgentMarkgottlieb.com - Mark's blog with author resources about all things writing, literature and publishing
- Publishers Marketplace
- How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part One
- How WNYC Podcast Host and Author of ‘Bored and Brilliant’ Manoush Zomorodi Writes
-
Left to Their Own Devices: How Digital Natives Are Reshaping the American Dream Kindle Edition
by Julie M. Albright (Amazon) - Mark Gottlieb on Instagram
- Mark Gottlieb on Facebook
- Mark Gottlieb on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the prolific, award-winning, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, returned to talk about what it's like to be a literary legend with over 70 million copies of her books in print in over 100 countries.
"When the characters have chosen you ... you need to go tell their stories, because nobody else can do it, and they picked you for the job. Are you really going to disappoint them?" - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Sherrilyn is considered one of the most popular and influential writers in the world and the multi-genre author is best known for urban fantasy and paranormal romance, including her popular Dark-Hunters series (Amazon), now also a NY Times bestselling manga.
Since her debut in the mid-90s she has placed more than 80 novels on the NY Times list in all formats and genres, including YA, children’s books, coloring books, historical romance (under the pen name Kinley MacGregor), and even graphic novels – her Lords of Avalon novels were adapted by Marvel.
Ms. Kenyon's path to bestselling novelist was winding one, as you'll hear, but through all the ups and downs she has cultivated an incredibly loyal fan community who call themselves Menyons who even design tattoos in honor of her more popular genre-bending books.
Her latest bestseller in the expansive Dark-Hunters series, titled Stygian, is described as a "...blend of tortured heroes, strong heroines, [and] historical mythology...."
Stygian was named one of best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the year by Kobo and Publishers Weekly has called her work, "A delicious balance of suspense and sensuality."
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Sherrilyn Kenyon and I discussed:- Why she prefers her PC over a Mac
- Her unique workflow and organizational hacks for keeping all of her characters and worlds straight
- Why her intense workload and work ethic require "combat napping"
- On viewing creativity as an adventure
- How great writers make a human connection (and a huge shoutout to copywriters)
- And the author's great advice on storytelling and your obligation to the characters who choose you
- Author Accelerator
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/writerfiles
- How New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon Writes: Part One
- Sherrilyn Kenyon's Amazon Author Page
- Stygian: A Dark-Hunter Novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon
- SherrilynKenyon.com
- Sherrilyn Kenyon on Facebook
- Sherrilyn Kenyon on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon Writes: Part One
Prolific, award-winning, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, joined me this week to talk about what it's like to be a literary legend with over 70 million copies of her books in print in over 100 countries.
"To me, the characters are why I write. They're family. And I love the worlds." - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Sherrilyn is considered one of the most popular and influential writers in the world and the multi-genre author is best known for urban fantasy and paranormal romance, including her popular Dark-Hunters series (Amazon), now also a NY Times bestselling manga.
Since her debut in the mid-90s she has placed more than 80 novels on the NY Times list in all formats and genres, including YA, children’s books, coloring books, historical romance (under the pen name Kinley MacGregor), and even graphic novels – her Lords of Avalon novels were adapted by Marvel.
Ms. Kenyon's path to bestselling novelist was winding one, as you'll hear, but through all the ups and downs she has cultivated an incredibly loyal fan community who call themselves Menyons who even design tattoos in honor of her more popular genre-bending books.
Her latest bestseller in the expansive Dark-Hunters series, titled Stygian, is described as a "...blend of tortured heroes, strong heroines, [and] historical mythology...."
Stygian was named one of best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the year by Kobo and Publishers Weekly has called her work, "A delicious balance of suspense and sensuality."
This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Sherrilyn Kenyon and I discussed:- How she started out as one of the first female web developers in the '90s
- Why the author's determination and resilience through good times and bad led to her success (and superstition)
- How she stays sane, focused, and organized writing hundreds of characters across multiple genres (and how she still finds her car keys)
- On writer's block and why the author set aside an unfinished book for ten years before finishing it
- Author Accelerator
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/writerfiles
- How New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon Writes: Part Two
- Sherrilyn Kenyon's Amazon Author Page
- Stygian: A Dark-Hunter Novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon
- SherrilynKenyon.com
- Sherrilyn Kenyon on Facebook
- Sherrilyn Kenyon on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Finish Your Big Scary Book with Jennie Nash: Part Two
In Part Two of this special edition of the show the author, educator, book coach and founder of Author Accelerator, Jennie Nash, returned to go deeper on tools and strategies for writers on the winding, sometimes daunting journey, to finishing your big, scary book.
"Writing a book is a noble endeavor, it does something no other art does." - Jennie Nash
Jennie started her career in publishing at Random House and has over 30 years experience in all facets of the industry. She also taught at the UCLA Extension Writers' Program for 12 years and has spoken at writing conferences across the country.
She's the author of seven books including a self-help book for writers – The Writer's Guide to Agony and Defeat (Amazon) – and has written hundreds of magazine articles for national publications.
For nearly a decade now Jennie has been coaching authors "from inspiration to publication" (including Lisa Chron, author of Wired for Story and Story Genius, and Sam Polk, author of For the Love of Money: A Memoir), helping them to land top New York agents and book deals with major publishers.
As the founder of Author Accelerator, described as "A personal trainer for your writing life," she and her team of book coaches now provide writers the blueprint so often lacking in the traditional publishing world ... including the tools, nurturing, and encouragement needed to finish their work and get it into the world successfully.
In a serendipitous turn of events, after this interview Author Accelerator became a sponsor of this show, and I'll tell you all about a resource they've created just for listeners of this show during our chat.
This conversation is tailor-made for writers just starting out or well along on your journey to publish.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Jennie Nash and I discussed:- Why there is no such thing as a truly "original story"
- How book coaches keep up with trends and best practices across multiple genres
- Why authors need to understand the universe they're writing in
- The key to getting the most out of your investment in writing retreats, conferences, courses, and coaching
- The three top reasons writers want and need to write a book
- And why you have a duty to take the risk, be intentional, and persevere and write your book
- Author Accelerator
- The Writer's Guide to Agony and Defeat: The 43 Worst Moments in the Writing Life and How to Get Over Them by Jennie Nash (Amazon)
- For the Love of Money: A Memoir by Sam Polk
- Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron
- Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Author Accelerator on Facebook
- Jennie Nash on Twitter
- Author Accelerator on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Finish Your Big Scary Book with Jennie Nash: Part One
Author, educator, book coach and founder of Author Accelerator, Jennie Nash, joined me this week in a special edition of the show dedicated to unearthing tools and strategies for writers on the winding, sometimes daunting journey, to finishing your big, scary book.
"Writing a book is like childbirth." - Jennie Nash
Jennie started her career in publishing at Random House and has over 30 years experience in all facets of the industry. She also taught at the UCLA Extension Writers' Program for 12 years and has spoken at writing conferences across the country.
She's the author of seven books including a self-help book for writers – The Writer's Guide to Agony and Defeat (Amazon) – and has written hundreds of magazine articles for national publications.
For nearly a decade now Jennie has been coaching authors "from inspiration to publication" (including Lisa Chron, author of Wired for Story and Story Genius, and Sam Polk, author of For the Love of Money: A Memoir), helping them to land top New York agents and book deals with major publishers.
As the founder of Author Accelerator, described as "A personal trainer for your writing life," she and her team of book coaches now provide writers the blueprint so often lacking in the traditional publishing world ... including the tools, nurturing, and encouragement needed to finish their work and get it into the world successfully.
In a serendipitous turn of events, after this interview Author Accelerator became a sponsor of this show, and I'll tell you all about a resource they've created just for listeners of this show during our chat.
This conversation is tailor-made for writers just starting out or well along on your journey to publish.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this two part file Jennie Nash and I discussed:- Why the stages of writing a book are like the stages of grief
- How Jennie came up with a winning formula for helping writers bring their books to life
- The questions so many writers forget to ask before they start writing their book
- The frustrations and roadblocks authors run up against in the middle of a book
- How to make meaningful progress toward finishing
- Creativity and the myth of the lone genius
- And why writers can't wait around to be picked
- Author Accelerator
- The Writer's Guide to Agony and Defeat: The 43 Worst Moments in the Writing Life and How to Get Over Them by Jennie Nash (Amazon)
- For the Love of Money: A Memoir by Sam Polk
- Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron
- Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Author Accelerator on Facebook
- Jennie Nash on Twitter
- Author Accelerator on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Elizabeth Ann Atkins Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the multi-hyphenate and bestselling author of over 20 books, Elizabeth Ann Atkins, returned to share her inspiring and winding journey from Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist to groundbreaking novelist, ghostwriter, educator, TV host, and health & wellness expert.
"When you write from that intuitive voice, it's your truth. And writing from that is your power." - Elizabeth Ann Atkins
She received a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the San Diego Tribune, Essence, Ebony and the Detroit News, for her articles on race which were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.
Elizabeth has written 20 books, including novels White Chocolate, Dark Secret (Amazon), and Twilight (a collaboration with Billy Dee Williams), and she's also one half of the indie publishing duo Two Sisters Writing and Publishing, with sibling Catherine, where the two share the mission to promote diverse voices in the book world.
Their credo is to "... publish quality anthologies of exceptional short fiction and inspirational nonfiction..." and "... books by authors of color, [and] women writers." They offer consulting, editing, and ghostwriting services as well.
Elizabeth has been featured on Oprah, Montel, NPR, Good Morning America Sunday and CBS Evening News, and also co-hosts a weekly TV talk show, MI Healthy Mind, with a focus on mental health and wellness. She is presently working on her memoir.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
In Part Two of this file Elizabeth Ann Atkins and I discussed:- How intuitive writing can give your voice a turbo boost
- Why unplugging from notifications and the internet is so important to avoid burnout
- The importance of exercise for staying sane and getting into a flow state
- How the author juggles multiple deadlines and stays so prolific
- The power of rituals and routines for productivity
- How to use self-awareness and naps to supercharge your output
- And more inspired advice from an author with one amazing laugh
- Two Sisters Writing and Publishing
- Elizabeth Ann Atkins' author page on Amazon
- Power Journal: A 28-Day Challenge (Amazon)
- Gods Answer is Know by Elizabeth Ann Atkins - Godsanswerisknow.com
- "Mental training changes brain structure and reduces social stress" - Science Daily
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill (Amazon)
- Two Sisters Writing - @2sisterswriting on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Elizabeth Ann Atkins Writes: Part One
The multi-hyphenate and bestselling author of over 20 books, Elizabeth Ann Atkins, joined me this week to share her inspiring and winding journey from Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist to groundbreaking novelist, ghostwriter, educator, TV host, and health & wellness expert.
"I'm trying to help people see ourselves through our hearts and spirits instead of through our skin, our religions, and all the labels and divisions." - Elizabeth Ann Atkins
She received a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the San Diego Tribune, Essence, Ebony and the Detroit News, for her articles on race which were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.
Elizabeth has written 20 books, including novels White Chocolate, Dark Secret, and Twilight (a collaboration with Billy Dee Williams), and she's also one half of the indie publishing duo Two Sisters Writing and Publishing, with sibling Catherine, where the two share the mission to promote diverse voices in the book world.
Their credo is to "... publish quality anthologies of exceptional short fiction and inspirational nonfiction..." and "... books by authors of color, [and] women writers." They offer consulting, editing, and ghostwriting services as well.
Elizabeth has been featured on Oprah, Montel, NPR, Good Morning America Sunday and CBS Evening News, and also co-hosts a weekly TV talk show, MI Healthy Mind, with a focus on mental health and wellness. She is presently working on her memoir.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this two part file Elizabeth Ann Atkins and I discussed:- How the author wrote herself into American literature
- What it's like to write a novel with Billy Dee Williams of Star Wars fame
- Why the author leans toward underdog and against-the-odds stories
- How she combines her passion for writing and health and wellness in her work
- The power of journaling and meditation for writers
- And how mindfulness and writing notes by hand can help you cut through all of those modern distractions
- How Bestselling Author Elizabeth Ann Atkins Writes: Part Two
- Two Sisters Writing and Publishing
- Elizabeth Ann Atkins' author page on Amazon
- Power Journal: A 28-Day Challenge
- Gods Answer is Know by Elizabeth Ann Atkins - Godsanswerisknow.com
- "Mental training changes brain structure and reduces social stress" - Science Daily
- "Here's why writing things out by hand makes you smarter" - Business Insider
- Two Sisters Writing - @2sisterswriting on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Stay Creative with Bestselling Author Austin Kleon: Part Two
In Part Two of another special edition of The Writer Files focused squarely on creativity and how to keep the creative juices flowing under duress, New York Times bestselling author, Austin Kleon, returned to talk about his journey, a wariness of technology, and his new book.
"Do good work and share it with people." - Austin Kleon
Austin Kleon has been deemed “one of the most interesting people on the Internet” (The Atlantic Magazine), and he is “a writer who draws,” best known for illustrated creativity manifestos Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work!
His latest, Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad (Amazon), is the third book in his "box set." It offers ten simple, timeless, practical "...rules for how to stay creative, focused, and true to yourself — for life." Important messages for writers.
His work has been translated into over twenty languages and featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Kleon speaks about “creativity in the digital age” for organizations as varied as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this two part file Austin Kleon and I discussed:- Why unplugging is so important for writers
- A return to the importance of 'productive procrastination'
- The unsolvable tension for creatives between connection and disconnection
- The author's love of being lazy
- Why we need to redefine productivity
- The zen of Getting Things Done
- How 'you can be woke without waking to the news'
This podcast is produced solely by yours truly and New Media Dojo, my production moniker, and I'm incredibly thankful to you for your continued listenership and loyalty.
Please leave us a comment or question and visit the archives at writerfiles.fm where I humbly ask you to support the show with an anonymous, secure donation to help us keep going with more great writerly content.
For listeners who donate $25 or more and leave me a message, I will include your name and the type of writing you're working on, on air or in the show notes. Just head over to writerfiles.fm and click the Donate button.
Thank you, sincerely – Kelton
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
- How to Stay Creative with Bestselling Author Austin Kleon: Part One
- AustinKleon.com
- Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon (Amazon)
- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon (Amazon)
- Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
- Getting Things Done by David Allen
- 'The Writer's Brain' on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part One
- Austin Kleon on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Stay Creative with Bestselling Author Austin Kleon: Part One
Welcome back to another special edition of The Writer Files focused squarely on creativity and how to keep the creative juices flowing under duress. New York Times bestselling author, Austin Kleon, returned to talk about his journey, a wariness of technology, and his new book.
"Writers aren't born, they are made." - Austin Kleon
Austin Kleon has been deemed “one of the most interesting people on the Internet” (The Atlantic Magazine), and he is “a writer who draws,” best known for illustrated creativity manifestos Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work!
His latest, Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad (Amazon), is the third book in his "box set." It offers ten simple, timeless, practical "...rules for how to stay creative, focused, and true to yourself — for life." Important messages for writers.
His work has been translated into over twenty languages and featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Kleon speaks about “creativity in the digital age” for organizations as varied as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews
In Part One of this two part file Austin Kleon and I discussed:- How to stay inspired in crazy times
- Why life is hard and creative work is harder
- How to think of creativity like the movie Groundhog's Day
- Why you should stay mindful and 'practice in public'
- The importance of lists, rituals, routines, and writing every day
- And the authors that have shaped Austin's skepticism of technology and his creative journey
This podcast is produced solely by yours truly and New Media Dojo, my production moniker, and I'm incredibly thankful to you for your continued listenership and loyalty.
Please leave us a comment or question and visit the archives at writerfiles.fm where I humbly ask you to support the show with an anonymous, secure donation to help us keep going with more great writerly content.
For listeners who donate $25 or more and leave me a message, I will include your name and the type of writing you're working on, on air or in the show notes. Just head over to writerfiles.fm and click the Donate button.
Thank you, sincerely – Kelton
- Support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
- How to Stay Creative with Bestselling Author Austin Kleon: Part Two
- AustinKleon.com
- Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon (Amazon)
- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
- Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey
- 'The Writer's Brain' on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part One
- How WNYC Podcast Host and Author of 'Bored and Brilliant' Manoush Zomorodi Writes
- Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman (Amazon)
- The Real World of Technology by Ursula M. Franklin
- Austin Kleon on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part Two
In Part Two of another special edition of The Writer Files called “The Writer’s Brain,” with guest host neuroscientist Michael Grybko, we’ll dig back into the inextricable link between productivity and creativity, and the Catch-22 so many writers face as a result.
This all began when Michael and I started a conversation about why we need to rethink our definition of productivity.
As busyness, the cult of productivity, and multitasking seem to take over our lives, it’s easy to forget that the origins of the word productivity comes from the Latin, productivitas.
Translation: creative power.
Creativity — a topic Michael and I have discussed at length — is the beating heart of change, progress, and innovation, but our work-life scales are bending dangerously toward more busywork, distraction, inefficiency, and overall dissatisfaction.
Truly scaling creativity requires productivity, so a balance must be struck between the two. Writing is a great example of this push and pull in the human brain.
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers from the perspective of neuroscience.
If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- Why professional writers, musicians, and athletes all share similar brain activity
- How adrenaline, mind-wandering, dreams, and the default mode network affect productivity and creativity
- Einstein’s theory of “combinatory play” for greater productivity
- Why your brain’s ability to filter out irrelevant information is so important to creativity
- And tips for anyone “drowning in data and starved for wisdom”
The Show Notes
- ‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part One
- The Best of 'The Writer's Brain' Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
- The Writer s Brain on Impostor Syndrome: Part One
- Productivity vs. Creativity, the Content Creator’s Catch-22
- Rethink Your Definition of Productivity to Squash Uninspired Filler
- How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience
- Mapping Creativity in the Brain:
New research sheds some light on the neuroscience of improvising – The Atlantic - This Is Your Brain on Writing
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part One
Welcome back to another special edition of The Writer Files called “The Writer’s Brain,” a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, and in this episode we’ll dig into the inextricable link between productivity and creativity, and the Catch-22 so many writers face as a result.
This all began when Michael and I started a conversation about why we need to rethink our definition of productivity.
As busyness, the cult of productivity, and multitasking seem to take over our lives, it’s easy to forget that the origins of the word productivity comes from the Latin, productivitas.
Translation: creative power.
Creativity — a topic Michael and I have discussed at length — is the beating heart of change, progress, and innovation, but our work-life scales are bending dangerously toward more busywork, distraction, inefficiency, and overall dissatisfaction.
Truly scaling creativity requires productivity, so a balance must be struck between the two. Writing is a great example of this push and pull in the human brain.
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers from the perspective of neuroscience.
If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- How neuroscience views the complex interplay between productivity and creativity
- Why writers often struggle to finish longer projects
- The great irony of the “10 year overnight success”
- How memory plays such a big part in productivity
- Why so many writing instructors prescribe “life experience” for great writing
- How always on, open concept workspaces can actually hinder both productivity and creativity
- And the close study of musicians, artists, and the pitfalls of mapping creativity in the brain
The Show Notes:
- ‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part Two
- The Best of 'The Writer's Brain' Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
- The Writer s Brain on Impostor Syndrome: Part One
- Productivity vs. Creativity, the Content Creator’s Catch-22
- Rethink Your Definition of Productivity to Squash Uninspired Filler
- How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience
- Mapping Creativity in the Brain:
New research sheds some light on the neuroscience of improvising – The Atlantic - This Is Your Brain on Writing
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Happy Holidays! Coming Attractions 2019
Happy holidays from the Writer Files, this is just a quick update that we are on hiatus until 2019. Thank you so much for listening and helping us find our audience! I hope 2018 has been a creative, productive, and successful year for your writing life and career, and that you’re setting some ambitious goals for 2019.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews, and leave us a rating or a review on APPLE PODCASTS to help your fellow scribes find us.
I am very looking forward to wiping the slate clean myself and we have some great episodes to look forward to to kick off the podcast when we return in January.
We'll start the next year with a Writer's Brain episode, featuring my esteemed serial co-host and friend, neuroscientist Michael Grybko. He and I got a chance to sit down over coffee in the studio to talk about the fascinating, inextricable link between productivity and creativity on a double-wide special edition of the podcast.
Of course we have more bestselling authors and journalists in the queue where we ll continue our study of their habits, habitats, and brains to learn their secrets.
We'll have more self-publishing superstars in the mix for 2019 and of course more writer porn, so stay tuned for episodes with the illustrious Adam Skolnick and the reclusive Robert Bruce.
I hope you learned as much as I did about how successful writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving and avoid writer s block, and I also hope you had a chance to reflect on all you’ve accomplished or hope to accomplish in the coming year.
A big shout out to my two associate producers this year, long time collaborator Clare Garrett, and more recently, the talented Claire Emerson. This show couldn't happen without your help.
You can also explore our archives to find interviews with notable guests that include bestselling authors John Scalzi (Old Man’s War), Greg Iles (Natchez Burning), Jay McInerney (Bright Lights, Big City), Kevin Kelly (founder of WIRED magazine), Emma Donoghue (Oscar Nominee for Room), Maria Konnikova (The Confidence Game), Andy Weir (The Martian), Dan Buettner (The Blue Zones), Austin Kleon (Steal Like an Artist), Daniel Pink (When), and many others.
Thank you for tuning in, catch you next year!
Show Notes:- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
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The Bright Future of Audiobooks with Tina Dietz: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the audiobook publisher, award-winning podcast producer, and internationally acclaimed speaker, Tina Dietz, returned to wrap up our chat about her passion for helping authors grow their audiences, why you should produce an audiobook, and the bright future of audio content.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Tina is an entrepreneur and content marketing expert who has been featured on ABC, Inc.com, Huffington Post, and Forbes (to name a few), and her company, StartSomething Creative Business Solutions, helps authors and entrepreneurs expand their audiences with audio content.
She is an award-winning podcaster and an expert in leveraging and repurposing content, and her company specializes deeply in audiobook production and publishing for one simple reason …
It’s “… the fastest growing, in-demand segment of the book publishing industry,” and the barrier to entry is dropping rapidly.
Tina and her cohorts love to help authors expand their audiences, income, influence, and opportunities.
If you missed the first half you can find it here.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file Tina Dietz and I talk about:- The surprising truth about who should, and who should not, narrate their own audiobook
- How to decide whether to invest the time and money in professional voice narration or go DIY
- The art and science that goes into a bestselling audiobook
- Why you can’t rush professionally produced audio
- Where to send your audiobook once it s finished
- The future of audio content and smart coffee makers
- And why you need to fall in love with your own voice and message
- The Bright Future of Audiobooks with Tina Dietz: Part One
- StartSomething Creative Business Solutions – StartSomethingPositive.com
- StartSomething Creative Business Solutions on Facebook
- ACX
- Findaway
- Tina’s Blog & Free Resources (incl. Secrets of the 3 Billion Dollar Audiobook World)
- Tina Dietz on LinkedIn
- Tina Dietz on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Bright Future of Audiobooks with Tina Dietz: Part One
This week audiobook publisher, award-winning podcast producer, and internationally acclaimed speaker, Tina Dietz, took a timeout to chat with me about her passion for helping authors grow their audiences, why you should produce an audiobook, and the bright future of audio content.
Tina is an entrepreneur and content marketing expert who has been featured on ABC, Inc.com, Huffington Post, and Forbes (to name a few), and her company, StartSomething Creative Business Solutions, helps authors and entrepreneurs expand their audiences with audio content.
She is an award-winning podcaster and an expert in leveraging and repurposing content, and her company specializes deeply in audiobook production and publishing for one simple reason …
It’s “… the fastest growing, in-demand segment of the book publishing industry,” and the barrier to entry is dropping rapidly.
Tina and her cohorts love to help authors expand their audiences, income, influence, and opportunities.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Tina Dietz and I talk about:- The Renaissance of audiobooks, the fastest growing format in publishing
- When authors should start thinking about audiobook production
- The importance of reading your book out loud for editing
- Tina’s twisty journey from voice acting to helping authors’ tell their own stories with audio
- Why audiobooks are more popular than ever
- And who can benefit the most from publishing an audiobook today
- The Bright Future of Audiobooks with Tina Dietz: Part Two
- StartSomething Creative Business Solutions – StartSomethingPositive.com
- StartSomething Creative Business Solutions on Facebook
- The Messengers: A Podcast Documentary
- Tina’s Blog & Free Resources (incl. Secrets of the
3 Billion Dollar Audiobook World) - Tina Dietz on LinkedIn
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Sci-Fi Author Richard K. Morgan Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the acclaimed New York Times bestselling sci-fi author, Richard K. Morgan, spoke with me from overseas about his winding journey from English tutor to bestseller, having his novel adapted for the small screen, what it’s like to write for Marvel comics, and his unique take on creativity and the writing life.
Richard is best known as the award-winning author of the noir sci-fi novel Altered Carbon (Amazon), a New York Times Notable and Philip K. Dick Award winner, that was recently turned into a hit Netflix series.
[Beware: Some ‘explicit’ language.]The author of the hard-boiled, “carbon-black,” futuristic thriller series, the Takeshi Kovacs novels (including Altered Carbon), also writes the dark fantasy series A Land Fit for Heroes (The Steel Remains, The Cold Commands, and The Dark Defiles).
His award-winning novels also include stand-alones Market Forces (also optioned for film) and Thirteen, and he’s the author of two volumes of Black Widow comics for Marvel, as well as the Crysis 2 and Syndicate computer games.
His latest novel, Thin Air, is described as “an atmospheric tale of corruption and abduction set on Mars” and it’s a return to his signature hardboiled sci-fi that The New York Times Book Review called, “Ferociously readable.”
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of the file Richard K. Morgan and I discussed:- The writing life and the fallacy of “a hard day’s writing”
- How exercise, unplugging, and reading a lot jumpstart creativity
- Why good writers live inside of their work
- Richard’s candid takes on the incredible influence of Bladerunner and the critics reviews of the Altered Carbon Netflix series
- Why serious writers need grit, stamina, and self-confidence
- And his entreaty to all aspiring novelists
- How Bestselling Sci-Fi Author Richard K. Morgan Writes: Part One
- Thin Air: A Novel – Richard K. Morgan (Amazon)
- RichardKMorgan.com
- Fragments of a Jet-lagged Dream – Richard K. Morgan
- Richard K. Morgan on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Sci-Fi Author Richard K. Morgan Writes: Part One
Acclaimed New York Times bestselling sci-fi author, Richard K. Morgan, spoke with me from overseas about his winding journey from English tutor to bestseller, having his novel adapted for the small screen, what it’s like to write for Marvel comics, and his unique take on creativity and the writing life.
Richard is best known as the award-winning author of the noir sci-fi novel Altered Carbon (Amazon), a New York Times Notable and Philip K. Dick Award winner, that was recently turned into a hit Netflix series.
[Beware: Some ‘explicit’ language.]The author of the hard-boiled, “carbon-black,” futuristic thriller series, the Takeshi Kovacs novels (including Altered Carbon), also writes the dark fantasy series A Land Fit for Heroes (The Steel Remains, The Cold Commands, and The Dark Defiles).
His award-winning novels also include stand-alones Market Forces (also optioned for film) and Thirteen, and he’s the author of two volumes of Black Widow comics for Marvel, as well as the Crysis 2 and Syndicate computer games.
His latest novel, Thin Air, is described as “an atmospheric tale of corruption and abduction set on Mars” and it’s a return to his signature hardboiled sci-fi that The New York Times Book Review called, “Ferociously readable.”
Join us for this two-part interview.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of the file Richard K. Morgan and I discussed:- His American literary doppelganger
- The door that finally opened and dumped him onto the red carpet
- How The Sopranos helped change the zeitgeist toward darker fiction
- Why luck plays such a big part in success for writers
- The author’s hallucinatory visit to the set of the Altered Carbon Netflix series
- The two distinct DNA types of writers and the fallacy of block
- How Bestselling Sci-Fi Author Richard K. Morgan Writes: Part Two
- Thin Air: A Novel – Richard K. Morgan (Amazon)
- RichardKMorgan.com
- Fragments of a Jet-lagged Dream – Richard K. Morgan
- Richard K. Morgan on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the prolific pro comedy writer, author, and amateur parenting expert, James Breakwell, took a timeout to rap with me about @XplodingUnicorn and his rise to viral Twitter fame, how he juggles multiple writing projects, his family and his sanity, and the writer as entrepreneur.
In the early days of his writing career James told me that he knew he wouldn’t score a book deal sending out query letters or tossing his ideas over the transom, so he decided to build an online following for his unique, self-effacing comedy.
Finding inspiration in his family of four girls all under the age of eight, he turned his attentions to blogging, web comics, podcasting, and family humor on Twitter where he eventually found viral fame.
In 2016 Buzzfeed dubbed him “The Funniest Dad On Twitter” and shortly thereafter his audience grew … in a big way.
He has been featured on media outlets around the world, has attracted over a million followers on social media, has signed multiple book deals, and even writes a column for a newspaper.
His second book, Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child, comes out November 6th, 2018, and is “… a book about doing as little as possible without quite ruining your child.”
New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins said, “… Parents! Read this book and free yourself from the blood sport that parenting has become!” And bestselling author Liliana Hart wrote, “Breakwell has a hit … uproariously funny, and at times, unexpectedly poignant.”
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of the file James Breakwell and I discuss:- How he balances his work and family life
- The author’s unique workflow and process
- How his humor builds on real-life experiences
- The difference between comedy and non-fiction
- The conundrum of internet fame
- And why writers have to like what they’re writing to succeed over the long haul
- How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part One
- Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child – James Breakwell
- @XplodingUnicorn, James Breakwell on Twitter
- Exploding Unicorn on Facebook
- James Breakwell on Instagram
- This Guy With Four Daughters Just Might Be The Funniest Dad On Twitter – BuzzFeed
- Podcast: Wrong & Wronger – Steve Olivas & James Breakwell
- Podcast: 10 Minutes to Save Your Marriage – Steve Olivas & James Breakwell
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part One
Prolific pro comedy writer, author, and amateur parenting expert, James Breakwell, took a timeout to rap with me about @XplodingUnicorn and his rise to viral Twitter fame, how he juggles multiple writing projects, his family and his sanity, and the writer as entrepreneur.
In the early days of his writing career James told me that he knew he wouldn’t score a book deal sending out query letters or tossing his ideas over the transom, so he decided to build an online following for his unique, self-effacing comedy.
Finding inspiration in his family of four girls all under the age of eight, he turned his attentions to blogging, web comics, podcasting, and family humor on Twitter where he eventually found viral fame.
In 2016 Buzzfeed dubbed him “The Funniest Dad On Twitter” and shortly thereafter his audience grew … in a big way.
He has been featured on media outlets around the world, has attracted over a million followers on social media, has signed multiple book deals, and even writes a column for a newspaper.
His second book, Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child, comes out November 6th, 2018, and is “… a book about doing as little as possible without quite ruining your child.”
New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins said, “… Parents! Read this book and free yourself from the blood sport that parenting has become!” And bestselling author Liliana Hart wrote, “Breakwell has a hit … uproariously funny, and at times, unexpectedly poignant.”
Join us for this two-part interview.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of the file James Breakwell and I discussed:- The irony of the 10-year overnight success
- Why James hated journalism right out of college
- Why it’s better to practice your art in public
- How to be so good they can’t ignore you
- Why comedy writers need an audience to improve
- And the author’s unique process for writing 10,000 words in a day
- How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part Two
- Here’s where you can get the details for the copywriting course
- Bare Minimum Parenting: The Ultimate Guide to Not Quite Ruining Your Child – James Breakwell
- @XplodingUnicorn, James Breakwell on Twitter
- Exploding Unicorn on Facebook
- James Breakwell on Instagram
- This Guy With Four Daughters Just Might Be The Funniest Dad On Twitter – BuzzFeed
- Podcast: Wrong & Wronger – Steve Olivas & James Breakwell
- Podcast: 10 Minutes to Save Your Marriage – Steve Olivas & James Breakwell
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Self-Published Author Steff Green Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the prolific, bestselling author of the paranormal and dark fantasy, Steff Green, returned to talk with me about overcoming rejection, perseverance, her inspiring journey from copywriter to bestseller, and her advice to fellow scribes who may be facing adversity.
Steff Green is a New Zealander who is a fervent self-publishing advocate, public speaker, and a legally blind writer who has turned her disability into a superpower to self-publish 24 books and counting.
She has topped the USA Today bestsellers list writing paranormal romance under the pen name, Steffanie Holmes, and is also the author of six dark fantasy books under the name S C Green.
Steff received both the 2017 Attitude Award for Artistic Achievement, and was a finalist for the 2018 Women of Influence award.
She recently launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise interest and awareness for an anti-bullying storybook for kids that caught the eye of traditional publishing.
That book, Written and illustrated by two artists who were victims of bullying themselves, Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones uses darkly gothic humour to address the very real issue of being different.”
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of the file Steff Green and I discuss:- Her simple yet effective workflow and organizational hacks
- Why curiosity is a synonym for creativity
- What motivates the author to write 20,000 words in just a few days
- Jack London’s timeless and moving credo
- How to read an ebook … with your nose
- And why we need to remember why we’re doing this crazy thing called writing
- Copyblogger’s first persuasive copywriting course — coming this autumn
- How Bestselling Self-Published Author Steff Green Writes: Part One
- Steff Green’s author website
- Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones – Steff Green
- Story behind the crowdfunding of Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones
- Blind and bullied, now a bestselling author: Steff Green’s next book is personal
- Steff Green on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Self-Published Author Steff Green Writes: Part One
Prolific, bestselling author of the paranormal and dark fantasy, Steff Green, dropped by the show to talk with me about overcoming rejection, perseverance, her inspiring journey from copywriter to bestseller, and her advice to fellow scribes who may be facing adversity.
Steff Green is a New Zealander who is a fervent self-publishing advocate, public speaker, and a legally blind writer who has turned her disability into a superpower to self-publish 24 books and counting.
She has topped the USA Today bestsellers list writing paranormal romance under the pen name, Steffanie Holmes, and is also the author of six dark fantasy books under the name S C Green.
Steff received both the 2017 Attitude Award for Artistic Achievement, and was a finalist for the 2018 Women of Influence award.
She recently launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise interest and awareness for an anti-bullying storybook for kids that caught the eye of traditional publishing.
That book, Written and illustrated by two artists who were victims of bullying themselves, Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones uses darkly gothic humour to address the very real issue of being different.”
Join us for this two-part interview.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of the file Steff Green and I discussed:- Why you should never give up on your dreams, no matter the obstacles
- How a dare from a friend led to a big breakthrough
- Her “rocking” life as a full-time writer
- How to juggle multiple pen names and genres
- Her obsessions with heavy metal, ancient languages, and checklists
- And how to write yourself out of a corner
- How Bestselling Self-Published Author Steff Green Writes: Part Two
- Steff Green’s author website
- Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones – Steff Green
- Story behind the crowdfunding of Only Freaks Turn Things Into Bones
- Blind and bullied, now a bestselling author: Steff Green’s next book is personal
- Steff Green on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Literary Journalist and Novelist Michael Scott Moore Writes
The author of the captivity memoir, The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast, Michael Scott Moore joined me this week to talk about his fascinating journey as a writer, how he wrote his harrowing and detailed memoir (much of it without notes), and why it’s changed him as a writer and a person.
Michael is an investigative journalist, novelist, and author of a critically acclaimed folk history of surfing, Sweetness and Blood, named a book of the year by The Economist in 2010.
The author travelled to the Horn of Africa, while researching piracy along the coast of Somalia in 2012, where he was abducted and held captive for over two and half years, for a ransom of $20 million.
In his riveting personal account of the experience, chronicled in The Desert and the Sea, Mike deftly examines the history of piracy, religious extremism, geopolitical factors, and his own dark humor and humanity to capture what reviewers have called, “A harrowing and affecting account of … captivity at the hands of Somali pirates.” (Kirkus)
His story, described as a “Catch-22 meets Black Hawk Down,” has been featured on NPR s All Things Considered, Fresh Air, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, CBS This Morning, The Joe Rogan Experience, and many others.
The author has covered the European migration crisis for Businessweek, and politics, travel, and literature for The Atlantic, Der Spiegel, The New Republic, The New York Times, and The L.A. Review of Books.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Michael Scott Moore and I discuss:- How the author was able to write about his lengthy and traumatic time as a hostage
- Why the discipline of taking handwritten notes is so important for retention
- How memory shapes stories so deeply
- Why Mike recorded everything he could remember as quickly as he could once he was freed
- How the author found an existential detachment in order to stay sane
- Why revision is the scaffolding that allows inspiration
- radio free mike – Michael Scott Moore’s author website
- The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast – Michael Scott Moore
- What It’s Like To Be Held Hostage By Somali Pirates For 2 1/2 Years – NPR
- Michael Scott Moore on Instagram
- Michael Scott Moore on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Make a Living as a Pro Content Writer: Part Two
In the second half of this special edition of the show we’re shining the light on two more freelance writers out there who are making it happen as professional online content creators. These are scribes who have found success — and a very good living — doing what they love … writing and helping others achieve success.
In full disclosure, the two writers I’m highlighting in this show, Sharlyn Lauby and Trudi Roth, are both online content creators and strategists who run profitable freelance writing businesses.
The other thing they have in common, though they came to professional writing from very different paths, is that both writers graduated from Copyblogger’s Certified Content Marketer Training Course (a program that makes this show possible).
The program is usually closed, but it reopens periodically for a short time to invite new classes of students into the course. If you re interested in learning more you can simply head over to the Certified Content Marketer training program and get your name on the list.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
My first guest is HR pro turned consultant, speaker, and foodie, Sharlyn Lauby of HRbartender.com, who specializes in strategic human resources content with a focus on increased engagement and lead generation.
She is also the President of ITM Group, Inc. “… a training company focused on developing programs to retain and engage talent in the workplace,” and a Master Level Certified Content Marketer.
Her business creed is, “Great HR makes great organizations.”
In this segment Sharlyn Lauby and I discuss:
- Her unique path to blogging and content marketing
- Resources, tools, and teaching she found invaluable at the start of her journey
- The importance of feedback to mastery
- How a mindset shift makes all the difference for the growth of your business
- What it takes to find success and satisfaction in your chosen niche
My second guest is writer, editor, and content strategist, Trudi Roth of ItsTheTruStory.com, who runs the gamut of specialties from website copy, blog posts, video, and even social media strategy.
Trudi has been a hired gun for over twenty years doing client work on everything from website content, ecommerce, blogs, books, direct & email campaigns, and social media marketing.
CNN dubbed her a “popular mommy blogger” for her blog, “Bitch in Suburbia.” She has a B.S. in Economics from University of Michigan, and a Master s Degree in Mass Communications from Boston University. She is also a Certified Content Marketer.
Her business slogan is, “Superlative content, copy, and editing … You have my word.”
In this segment Trudi Roth and I discuss:- Why so many people need help “wordsmithing” today
- How she went from a VP of Marketing to a “mommy blogger” featured on CNN
- Why now’s as good a time as any to hang out your digital shingle
- The writer’s high praise for Copyblogger’s Certified Content Marketer Training Course
- The double-edged sword of working from home
- Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available.
- How to Make a Living as a Pro Content Writer: Part One
- ITM Group, Inc. – Sharlyn Lauby
- HRbartender.com – Sharlyn Lauby
- HR bartender on Twitter
- Freelance Writers Share the Surprising Keys to Their Successful Careers
- ItsTheTruStory.com – Trudi Roth
- It’s The TruStory – Trudi Roth on YouTube
- Profitable Writers Demonstrate How to Prosper from Your Words
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Make a Living as a Pro Content Writer: Part One
In this special edition of the show we’re shining the light on freelance writers out there who are making it happen as professional online content creators. These are scribes who have found success — and a very good living — doing what they love … writing and helping others achieve success.
In full disclosure, the two writers I’m highlighting in this show, Mark Crosling and Aaron Wrixon, are online content creators and strategists who both run profitable freelance writing businesses.
The other thing they have in common, though they came to professional writing from very different paths, is that both writers graduated from Copyblogger’s Certified Content Marketer Training Course (a program that makes this show possible).
The program is usually closed, but it reopens periodically for a short time to invite new classes of students into the course. If you re interested in learning more you can simply head over to the Certified Content Marketer training program and get your name on the list.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
My first guest is serial entrepreneur, copywriter, content marketer, and founder of StrategicContent.co, Mark Crosling, who offers content creation, social, and search strategy services. His business credo is “All roads lead to your inbox.”
Mark has founded numerous start-ups — four of which became stock exchange listed companies — he has an MBA from the University of New South Wales, and is a Certified Content Marketer through the Copyblogger Certification Program.
In this segment Mark Crosling and I discuss:- A look at the inner workings of the digital commerce ecosystem
- How to find a holistic approach to online marketing
- Why copywriters are the stonemasons of the digital age
- The upcoming voice search revolution for online writers
- How to get completely aligned with your audience
My second guest is the content maestro and journeyman Aaron Wrixon, of Wrixon.com, who specializes in content marketing services for web agencies and their clients. His business slogan is, “Repeatable process. Repeatable results.”
He has over 20 years experience in technical and online content writing, with over five million words and hundreds of projects in dozens of industries under his belt. He is also a Copyblogger Certified Content Marketer.
In this segment Aaron Wrixon and I discuss:- How to make a living as a writer without hitting the bestseller lists
- The timing and determination required to find a fulfilling freelance career
- Why there’s no bad time to become an online content creator
- The writer’s unique content creation framework for success
- Why so many online writers struggle with the “Sistine Chapel” effect
- Copyblogger’s Certification program is closing to new students on Wednesday this week! You can snag the details (and jump into the program) here..
- How to Make a Living as a Pro Content Writer: Part Two
- StrategicContent.co – Mark Crosling
- Mark Crosling on Twitter
- Freelance Writers Share the Surprising Keys to Their Successful Careers
- Wrixon.com – Aaron Wrixon
- Aaron’s BRAVER content framework
- Profitable Writers Demonstrate How to Prosper from Your Words
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this archival file from early 2016, the prolific international bestselling thriller author and self-publishing advocate, Mark Dawson, rapped with me about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 30 books.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Dawson’s multiple thriller series, self-publishing savvy, and an impressive email list of over 100,000 subscribers, have all helped him to build a large audience of loyal readers and unparalleled success.
In addition to international bestsellers, and stellar ratings from fans, Mark has become an indie author advocate and online marketing authority for writers.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file Mark Dawson and I discuss:
- How an 80s tv show can inspire your writing
- Why great writers have to understand story first
- How to write page-turning fiction
- Why you should leave out the parts that readers skip
- And best practices for new writers
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- Writers: Boost your credentials and visibility as a content marketer by becoming Copyblogger Certified. Learn more about the program here.
- How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One
- MarkJDawson.com
- Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer
- BookFunnel
- SelfPublishingFormula.com
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One
Prolific international bestselling thriller author and self-publishing advocate, Mark Dawson, dropped by the show back in early 2016 to talk with me about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 30 books.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Dawson’s multiple thriller series, self-publishing savvy, and an impressive email list of over 100,000 subscribers, have all helped him to build a large audience of loyal readers and unparalleled success.
In addition to international bestsellers, and stellar ratings from fans, Mark has become an indie author advocate and online marketing authority for writers.
Join us for this archival two-part interview.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of the file Mark Dawson and I discussed:
- The challenges and rewards of the writer’s life
- Why if your process isn’t broken … you don’t need to fix it
- How to write (and publish) one million words in one year
- And what the bestselling author does to unwind
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- Writers: Boost your credentials and visibility as a content marketer by becoming Copyblogger Certified. Learn more about the program here.
- How Bestselling Self-Published Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part Two
- MarkJDawson.com
- Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer
- BookFunnel
- SelfPublishingFormula.com
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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5 Things Only Serious Writers Do: Part Two
In Part Two of this special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn” I’ve invited back my old friend, award-winning international journalist, author, pundit, and bad penny, Adam Skolnick, to discuss with me a piece I wrote recently for Copyblogger titled, “5 Things Only Serious Writers Do.”
There are never enough words to thank all of you who reached out last week with your sweet thoughts, virtual hugs, and notes of encouragement following the sadder half of the show.
So on to the matter at hand …
As writers we all have our varied neuroses, methods of madness, well-worn manuals, muses, writer porn, and incantations that we feel grant us the strength to face the blank page.
But there are five fundamental things that set serious writers apart from the crowd, and Adam and I are going to discuss them.
You can find 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do here to follow along.
Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback.
In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file some highlights include:
- How all serious writers share a connective tissue
- Why work ethic outlasts talent every time
- The fallacy of motivation vs the power of habit and small incremental steps
- Why sitting down and getting started is often the hardest thing for writers
- What to write when you don’t know what to say
- On shitty first drafts as grist for the mill
- The unglamorous origins of the sentence
- Why deadlines are the pressure that make a diamond
- Sign up here if you’d like details about Copyblogger’s “small but mighty” checklist to help you publish great content every time
- 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do: Part One
- More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger
- 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do– Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- What s Your Writing Productivity Type? (with Bec Evans of Prolifiko): Part One
- How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing
- The Best of The Writer s Brain Part Four: Writer s Block
- On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
- How to Write a Book Without Losing Your Mind– Olga Khazan for The Atlantic
- Several Short Sentences About Writing– Verlyn Klinkenborg
- How WNYC Podcast Host and Author of ‘Bored and Brilliant’ Manoush Zomorodi Writes
- How to Be Bored– Eva Hoffman
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- OneBreathbook.com
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5 Things Only Serious Writers Do: Part One
Welcome to a special edition of The Writer Files, we’re back from an extended summer hiatus.
My old friend, the award-winning international journalist, author, pundit, and bad penny, Adam Skolnick, turned up this week to discuss with me a piece I wrote recently for Copyblogger titled, 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do.
But before Adam and I get into it I wanted to explain why I’ve been away from the microphone for so long.
It’s a heartbreaking story, and if you’re not into tragedies, feel free to fast-forward to the good stuff (or simply skip to Part Two). I apologize for the weight of it, but it seemed only right to share the story here for curious listeners.
A tremendous thank you is in order for those of you throughout the many communities who have reached out with your support, love, and thoughts for my family over the last few months. There are not enough words.
Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback.
In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Adam and I discuss:
- Why the show has been on hiatus for so long
- How human beings crowd source grief and loss in times of tragedy, and the limits of empathy
- Adam’s recent globetrotting journalism, including his piece on the Thai soccer team rescue
- And what it’s like to be a hired ghost writer
- Sign up here if you’d like details about our Copyblogger’s “small but mighty” checklist to help you publish great content every time
- More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger
- 5 Things Only Serious Writers Do– Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- How Divers Found the Thai Soccer Team
- Shooting For Truth – Adam Skolnick visits director Chris Weitz on the set of his new film, Operation Finale– Longreads
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- OneBreathbook.com
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What’s Your Writing Productivity Type? (with Bec Evans of Prolifiko): Part Two
In Part Two of another special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn,” writer, educator, and co-founder of Prolifiko, Bec Evans, returned to conclude our chat about writer personality types, productivity secrets, and understanding your writing psychology.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Bec is the co-founder of Prolifiko, a new digital coach aimed at helping writers beat writer’s blocks and find writing routines that work best for them. It’s been called the “Fitbit for writers,” by The Times (of London).
Prolifiko, set to launch in April, 2018, is a system based on neuroscience and psychology designed to help writers reflect on and improve their productivity with a “small-steps” methodology.
Ms. Evans has worked with thousands of writers throughout her career and used to run the Ted Hughes Arvon Centre for Writing, an international writing school in the UK (home of the late poet-laureate Ted Hughes).
She writes about productivity, writing habits and routines, and is currently working on a book about innovation.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Bec Evans and I talk about:
- Why there’s never been a “one-size-fits-all” productivity track for writers
- Tricks and tools for beating procrastination
- Why you need to build a practical, manageable system to support your craft
- The number one thing that separates good writers from great writers
- What a regular writing habit does to your brain
- One critical piece of advice writers can’t ignore
-
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- Prolifiko – Digital writing coach
- Productivity coaching for writers – Prolifiko
- Writing personality survey – Prolifiko
- Writing productivity types the quiz results are in!
- The writing productivity secrets of best selling authors from podcaster Kelton Reid – Prolifiko blog
- The Ted Hughes Arvon Centre
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- How Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One
- Prolifiko on Twitter
- Prolifiko on Facebook
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What’s Your Writing Productivity Type? (with Bec Evans of Prolifiko): Part One
Welcome to another special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn,” and this week the writer, educator, and co-founder of Prolifiko, Bec Evans, stopped by to chat with me about writer personality types, productivity secrets, and understanding your writing psychology.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Bec is the co-founder of Prolifiko, a new digital coach aimed at helping writers beat writer’s blocks and find writing routines that work best for them. It’s been called the “Fitbit for writers,” by The Times (of London).
Prolifiko, set to launch in April, 2018, is a system based on neuroscience and psychology designed to help writers reflect on and improve their productivity with a “small-steps” methodology.
Ms. Evans has worked with thousands of writers throughout her career and used to run the Ted Hughes Arvon Centre for Writing, an international writing school in the UK (home of the late poet-laureate Ted Hughes).
She writes about productivity, writing habits and routines, and is currently working on a book about innovation.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Bec Evans and I talk about:
- How simple psychology, persuasive technology, and a dash of neuroscience can help writers understand their process
- Why small behavior and habit changes can have such a big impact
- What your ideal writing routine says about your productivity type
- The pros and cons of daily vs binge writing
- Why writers can’t wait for inspiration
- The psychology of good writing
-
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- Prolifiko – Digital writing coach
- Productivity coaching for writers – Prolifiko courses
- Writing personality survey – Prolifiko
- Writing productivity types the quiz results are in!
- The writing productivity secrets of best selling authors from podcaster Kelton Reid – Prolifiko blog
- The Ted Hughes Arvon Centre
- What s the secret of good writing? Oliver Burkeman
- How to Outsmart Writer’s Block with Neuroscience
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- Prolifiko on Twitter
- Prolifiko on Facebook
- Bec Evans on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
In Part Two of this special edition of the show we traditionally call “writer porn” I’ve invited back award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, to discuss a piece I wrote for Copyblogger.com last year titled, “21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers.”
Over the last four years, I ve been given the fantastic opportunity to interview a wide range of more than 70 prolific, renowned, and bestselling authors for The Writer Files series.
As you may know, each interview digs into the habits, habitats, and brains of these writers, and I ask them all roughly the same set of questions on how they get words consistently onto the page.
So, I sifted through the extensive series archives (including the written interviews) and cherry-picked 21 highlights on productivity from these writers for you. You’ll definitely notice some themes from their advice on keeping the ink flowing and the cursor moving.
You can go to 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers to follow along. Audio snippets have been excerpted here from the available podcast episodes.
Guest host Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback.
In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file some highlights include:
- Emma Donoghue (Oscar nominee and international bestselling author of Room) on outlining and pre-planning
- Maria Konnikova (New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist) on standing desks and staying offline
- Mark Dawson (international bestselling author and entrepreneur) on finding time to publish a million words in a year
- Kevin Kelly (New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of Wired magazine) on first drafts and formulating ideas
- And more great tips from Adam and I as we round out all 21 productivity hacks
- Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
- Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger
- A journalist won her first tournament in under a year of being coached by a poker legend – USA Today
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
- How Bestselling Author Douglas Coupland Writes
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- OneBreathbook.com
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
In this special edition of the show I’ve invited back award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, to discuss a piece I wrote for Copyblogger.com last year titled, “21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers.”
Over the last four years, I've been given the fantastic opportunity to interview a wide range of more than 70 prolific, renowned, and bestselling authors for The Writer Files series.
As you may know, each interview digs into the habits, habitats, and brains of these writers, and I ask them all roughly the same set of questions on how they get words consistently onto the page.
So, I sifted through the extensive series archives (including the written interviews) and cherry-picked 21 highlights on productivity from these writers for you. You’ll definitely notice some themes from their advice on keeping the ink flowing and the cursor moving.
You can go to 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers to follow along. Audio snippets have been excerpted here from the available podcast episodes.
Guest host Adam Skolnick’s narrative nonfiction book, One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — based on his award-winning New York Times sports reporting — is now available in paperback.
In addition to his recent journalism, Adam has visited 45 countries and contributed to over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has written for ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times, and has appeared on NPR.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file some highlights include:
- Seth Godin (bestselling author of 18 books) on the power of deadlines
- Elizabeth Gilbert (#1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat Pray Love) on the inefficiency of perfectionism
- Joanna Penn (New York Times bestselling indie author and entrepreneur) on scheduling and writing every day
- Andy Weir (bestselling author of The Martian) on motivation
- And more great tips from Adam and I as we discuss all 21 productivity hacks The Show Notes
- 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- More Writer Files in the Archives at Copyblogger
- Being Busy Is Killing Our Ability to Think Creatively – Derek Beres for Big Think
- When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing – Daniel Pink
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Impostor Syndrome: Part Two
In Part Two of this special edition of the show we call “The Writer’s Brain,” a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, we dig into a phenomenon known as “impostor syndrome,” an experience many writers struggle with.
The Experience Known as “Impostor Syndrome”
The experience known as “impostor syndrome” has been recognized in over 70% of the population across a wide range of demographics. Everyone from bestselling authors, to A-list celebrities, and even genius-level scientists, have all admitted to feeling a kind of isolation from not wanting to be outed as a “fraud,” even though they’re far from it.
And it’s not just limited to high-achievers; it’s been found in men and women across a wide variety of groups, including those about to launch a new creative project or career, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, and many others.
Across all demographics, success tends to create an even deeper sense of the impostor experience, and although not considered a clinical psychological syndrome, the effects can be debilitating to writers at any level of experience or professional standing.
These feelings of self-doubt can snowball if not addressed, and leave you with a sinking depression, anxiety, and a sense of dread at taking on new or challenging tasks.
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers about the origins of anxiety in the human brain, and how to address the impostor experience from both a scientific and layperson’s perspective.
If you missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
And if you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- Why the “writer as athlete” trope undervalues the power of the human brain
- Small steps you can take to rewire your anxiety
- How writers can harness their interactional expertise to beat impostor experience
- Why you don’t need a PhD to sound like an expert
- Tips and tricks for overcoming your unfounded self-doubt
- Why a page a day keeps the impostor syndrome away
The Show Notes:
- The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
- What Happens When We Turn the World’s Most Famous Robot Test on Ourselves? – Evan Selinger for The Atlantic
- How a Famous Robot Test Can Help You Beat Impostor Syndrome – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- Sociologist fools physics judges – Nature (International Journal of Science)
- How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- This Is Your Brain on Writing
- The Physics of Productivity – James Clear
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Impostor Syndrome: Part One
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Writer’s Brain,” a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, and in this episode we dig into a phenomenon known as “impostor syndrome,” an experience many writers struggle with.
The Experience Known as “Impostor Syndrome”
The experience known as “impostor syndrome” has been recognized in over 70% of the population across a wide range of demographics. Everyone from bestselling authors, to A-list celebrities, and even genius-level scientists, have all admitted to feeling a kind of isolation from not wanting to be outed as a “fraud,” even though they’re far from it.
And it’s not just limited to high-achievers; it’s been found in men and women across a wide variety of groups, including those about to launch a new creative project or career, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, and many others.
Across all demographics, success tends to create an even deeper sense of the impostor experience, and although not considered a clinical psychological syndrome, the effects can be debilitating to writers at any level of experience or professional standing.
These feelings of self-doubt can snowball if not addressed, and leave you with a sinking depression, anxiety, and a sense of dread at taking on new or challenging tasks.
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers about the origins of anxiety in the human brain, and how to address the impostor experience from both a scientific and layperson’s perspective.
If you missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- How neuroscience can find a lens to look at the “impostor syndrome”
- Why some doubt and anxiety is good for you
- The problem with too much fear and the avoidance response
- Why the impostor phenomenon and writer’s block are similar
- How your whole brain plays a role in your fear of the blank page
The Show Notes:
- The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
- How a Famous Robot Test Can Help You Beat Impostor Syndrome – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience – Kelton Reid for Copyblogger
- This Is Your Brain on Writing
- Robogator robot in rat study of fear versus foraging
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!This is Part Five of the series and a rebroadcast of the Fact vs. Fiction edition of “The Writer’s Brain,” in which we discuss fake news, how it works, why it’s damaging, and how to combat it.
As we wrap up our Summer hiatus before the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place …
The Writer Files is a nonpartisan show in its attempt to explore all facets of the writing life, and in the last few months you can’t seem to throw a rock without hitting a social media article about fake news or alternative facts — especially on Twitter and Facebook.
Fake news isn’t new — some form of it has existed since the beginning of printed news, including examples by leaders of the American Revolution concocting stories to stoke the political engine (see: Benjamin Franklin or John Adams, historically) — but it seems to be on everyone’s mind now, especially since November, 2016.
Luckily research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — returned to the podcast to help me find some answers.
If you missed the first four episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this episode Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- The problem with the proliferation of biased fake news in our social media feeds
- Why people disregard evidence that is contrary to their strongly held beliefs
- How your emotional state can change the way you react to information that challenges your beliefs
- Why fake news works and the fallibility of our brains
- How to combat fake news with your own analytical curiosity
- Helpful tips to stop yourself from sharing false information
- Why you need to do your homework
Show Notes:
- The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
- Fake news? That’s a very old story. – Robert G. Parkinson
- Medium, and The Reason You Can’t Stand the News Anymore. – Sean Blanda
- Fake News Expert On How False Stories Spread And Why People Believe Them – Craig Silverman on NPR’s ‘Fresh Air’ [Transcript]
- Most Americans Who See Fake News Believe It, New Survey Says – The Ipsos poll conducted for BuzzFeed News
- Content Curation in an Age of Fake News, with Dave Pell – Unemployable podcast with Brian Clark
- Neural correlates of maintaining one’s political beliefs in the face of counterevidence – Sam Harris
- How to Overcome Political Irrationality About Facts – Olga Khazan
- Data shows that using science in an argument just makes people more partisan – Dan Kopf
- Trump’s Lies vs. Your Brain – Maria Konnikova
- How Bestselling Author Maria Konnikova Writes
- The Data That Turned the World Upside Down – Hannes Grassegger and Mikael Krogerus
- How To Recognize A Fake News Story – Nick Robins-Early
- Snopes.com – Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation
- Emergent is a real-time rumor tracker
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer’s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
Q: Have you ever wondered why writer’s block is such a widely disputed malady, if it’s curable, or even real?
As we wrap up our Summer hiatus before the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place …
In Part Four of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me pinpoint some possible origins and solutions to an ailment known only to writers.
If you missed the first three episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- Why writers argue about the definition of writer’s block
- What happens when your creativity dries up
- Why writers need to unplug to recharge
- 3 symptoms of writer’s block and how to cure them
- How small, attainable goals reward your brain
- Why changing work venues boosts productivity
- Hemingway’s personal tricks for getting words on the page
- The importance of regular rituals for eliminating self-doubt
The Show Notes:
- The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
- How to Beat Writer’s Block – Maria Konnikova
- This Is Your Brain on Writing – New York Times
- Famous Writers’ Sleep Habits vs. Literary Productivity, Visualized – Maria Popova
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind
- The End of Reflection – Teddy Wayne
- How To Concentrate Automatically Without Even Trying
- Seven Tips From Ernest Hemingway on How to Write Fiction
- Around the Writer’s Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer’s Resistance
- 8 Strange Rituals of Productive Writers
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Q: Have you ever wondered why storytelling is such an omnipresent theme of human life?
As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place …
In Part Three of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me define storytelling from a scientific standpoint.
If you missed the first two episodes of The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ you can find them on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- Why storytelling is the default mode of human communication
- How empathy makes storytelling such an effective tool
- Why Hollywood continually taps into ‘The Hero’s Journey’
- How blueprints can help writers connect with their audience
- Why reading fiction makes us more empathetic
- Writers’ addiction to stories (especially the dark ones)
- Where humanity would be without storytelling
The Show Notes:
- The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
- The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
- The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)
- Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
- “Reading literary fiction improves empathy, study finds” from The Guardian
- The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
Q: Have you ever wondered how great writing creates an emotional response in readers?
As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place …
In Part Two of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — back on the show to help me define empathy from a scientific standpoint and shed light on the darker corners of how writers can tap into the hopes, dreams, and fears of readers.
If you missed The Best of ‘The Writer s Brain’ Part One: Creativity you can find it on writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- How science is changing our definition of empathy
- What actors and doctors have in common with writers
- How to resist the dark side of empathy
- The difference between good storytelling and great storytelling
- How marketers tap into well-worn paths in our brains
- The key to empathizing with your readers
- Why great content starts with the desire to help people
The Show Notes:
- The Best of The Writer s Brain Part One: Creativity
- Mirror Neurons
- Empathy Maps: A Complete Guide to Crawling Inside Your Customer s Head
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part One: Creativity
Welcome back to a special edition of The Writer Files called “The Best of the Writer s Brain,” a series neuroscientist Michael Grybko and I started in 2015 where I enlisted his help to give us a tour of the inner workings of the writer’s process.
Q: Have you ever wondered how prolific writers summon vast stores of creativity without breaking a sweat?
As we take a short Summer hiatus to book new guests for the upcoming season, I thought I d put all of these enlightening episodes in one place, starting here …
In Part One of the series I invited my friend, research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — to come on the show and help pinpoint where exactly in the brain creativity lives.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- How science is expanding our definition of creativity
- Why memory plays such a big part in writing
- Where creative ideas come from
- Whether or not you can teach an old writer new tricks
- Why staying curious is so important to creativity
- How prolific writers are like pro athletes
- Why the adage “write what you know” is sound advice
The Show Notes:
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How Bestselling Author Douglas Coupland Writes
The iconic, international bestselling author of 14 novels, including the era-defining Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland, paid a visit to the show to rap with me about his latest collection, his strange ritual for starting a new book, and the timeless difficulties of getting published.
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Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Coupland started his career in journalism before rising to prominence after his acclaimed, bestselling debut in 1991. Since Generation X he has become an internationally recognized visual artist, designer, and author of 14 novels, two short story collections, a dozen nonfiction books, and scripts for the stage, TV, and film.
In addition to his many contributions to traditional and online publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice Doug has written and performed for England’s Royal Shakespeare Company and is a columnist for The Financial Times of London.
His latest, titled Bit Rot, is a collection of more than 65 thought-provoking essays, stories, and meditations “… on the different ways in which twentieth-century notions of the future are being shredded.”
The social critic and cultural observer has been prognosticating on how technology affects our brains since the advent of the internet.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Douglas Coupland and I discuss:
- How a visual artist became a generation-defining fiction author
- The writer’s love of serial journalism
- Why listeners of this show have won the biggest lottery in history
- How a Canadian professor in the ’60s predicted the influence of the internet we know today
- The magic of writing on airplanes
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Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
- If you re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- Douglas Coupland’s website
- Douglas Coupland for The Financial Times of London
- Douglas Coupland: ‘I’m actually at my happiest when I’m writing on a plane’
- Bit Rot: stories + essays – Douglas Coupland
- Marshall McLuhan: You Know Nothing of My Work! – Douglas Coupland
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- Douglas Coupland on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author & Investigative Journalist Scott Carney Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file, the award-winning New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and anthropologist, Scott Carney, returned to talk about the dangers of putting yourself into the story, what he’s learned in his 20+ years in mainstream publishing, and how he juggles his multiple creative adventures.
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Start getting more from your site today!Throughout his globe-trotting career as a journalist Scott has spent extensive time in South Asia, been a contributing editor at WIRED for over five years, and written for Mother Jones, Men s Journal, Playboy, Foreign Policy, Discover, Outside, Fast Company, and many others.
Mr. Carney is the author of a trio of nonfiction books that combine investigative journalism and anthropology, including The Red Market (where he explored the black market for human body parts), A Death on Diamond Mountain (an examination of the dark side of spiritual seekers), and most recently, the New York Times bestseller What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength.
As part of his research for What Doesn’t Kill Us, Scott spent time with Dutch extreme athlete and fitness guru Wim Hof to try to understand the science behind his now famous method to control his body temperature in extreme conditions and tap into ancient super-human abilities.
In addition to his writing, Scott is a public speaker and educator who has been a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism and a Scripps Fellow at the Center for Environmental Journalism in Boulder, Colorado.
His work has been featured on NPR and National Geographic TV.
His most recent project is a video course for writers, called The Fine Print, aimed at helping freelancers, journalists, and creative entrepreneurs to think of themselves as a startup business and help merge their creative and business sensibilities.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Scott Carney and I discuss:
- Tips for escaping the great “distraction machine” and focusing on only what’s in front of you
- Why the author’s whole life has been built around writer’s block
- Scott’s routines for successfully juggling multiple large writing projects
- How the author uses his investigative journalism to actualize his adventures and vice versa
- The importance of making a living vs writing simply for your own pleasure
- Why he wants to take Hemingway to rehab
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary – Scott Carney
- ScottCarney.com
- Scott Carney’s video course — The Fine Print.
- The Ice Guru [Wim Hof] Comes to Brooklyn – The Atlantic
- Scott Carney on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author & Investigative Journalist Scott Carney Writes: Part One
Award-winning New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and anthropologist, Scott Carney, stopped by the show recently to talk about the dangers of putting yourself into the story, what he’s learned in his 20+ years in mainstream publishing, and how he juggles his multiple creative adventures.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Throughout his globe-trotting career as a journalist Scott has spent extensive time in South Asia, been a contributing editor at WIRED for over five years, and written for Mother Jones, Men s Journal, Playboy, Foreign Policy, Discover, Outside, Fast Company, and many others.
Mr. Carney is the author of a trio of nonfiction books that combine investigative journalism and anthropology, including The Red Market (where he explored the black market for human body parts), A Death on Diamond Mountain (an examination of the dark side of spiritual seekers), and most recently, the New York Times bestseller What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength.
As part of his research for What Doesn’t Kill Us, Scott spent time with Dutch extreme athlete and fitness guru Wim Hof to try to understand the science behind his now famous method to control his body temperature in extreme conditions and tap into ancient super-human abilities.
In addition to his writing, Scott is a public speaker and educator who has been a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism and a Scripps Fellow at the Center for Environmental Journalism in Boulder, Colorado.
His work has been featured on NPR and National Geographic TV.
His most recent project is a video course for writers, called The Fine Print, aimed at helping freelancers, journalists, and creative entrepreneurs to think of themselves as a startup business and help merge their creative and business sensibilities.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Scott Carney and I discuss:
- Why he dropped out of his Anthropology PhD program to become a professional writer
- How to protect yourself from negotiating bad contracts
- Why you don’t have to fall into the traps so many broke journalists fall into
- The writer’s natural state of “productive procrastination”
- Why you need to gun for those “theme park” sized ideas
- The power of outlines and how to write 80,000 words in eight months
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Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary – Scott Carney
- ScottCarney.com
- Scott Carney’s video course — The Fine Print.
- The Ice Guru [Wim Hof] Comes to Brooklyn – The Atlantic
- Scott Carney on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How New York Times Bestselling Author Maria Konnikova Writes
The multiple New York Times bestselling non-fiction author and New Yorker columnist, Maria Konnikova, dropped by the show back in early 2016 to chat with me about what it’s like to be a contributing journalist for a storied institution, productivity hacks, and her own creative process.
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Start getting more from your site today!This is a fan favorite from the archives that I’m updating because it’s an insightful interview and Maria has also been in the news recently for winning her first premier professional poker title.
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and as the story goes — reported by Poker News — over “… a year ago … Konnikova decided to learn the game of poker and asked the infamous, Erik Seidel [winner of eight World Series of Poker and a World Poker Tour title] to help mentor/coach her. Her goal … was to play poker for a year, to learn the game, and then write a book about it.”
The book was pitched as a chronicle of her “… yearlong journey from poker neophyte to the World Series … an exploration of the balance of luck and skill in our daily lives and how we can become the best decision makers we possibly can.”
Lo and behold, an intensive one-year poker crash-course helped her win her first prestige pro tournament and a cool $85K in early 2018.
It’s a crazy story, and a fantastic reason to revisit our talk here, and to find her book, The Biggest Bluff, when it’s published in Summer 2019.
Her last bestseller — The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time — examined the psychology of the con, and as Forbes described the book, “One of the best science writers of our time examines the minds, motives, and methods of con artists — and the people who fall for their cons.”
Ms. Konnikova has a PhD in Psychology from Columbia University and has contributed countless articles and essays for The Atlantic, The New York Times, Slate, The Paris Review, The Wall Street Journal, WIRED, and Scientific American, to name only a few.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Maria Konnikova and I discuss:
- How to avoid writer’s block
- Why a standing desk isn’t for everyone
- How to simplify your research & writing process
- Why writing is hard … just like any other job
- The author’s definition of creativity
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- MariaKonnikova.com
- Maria Konnikova Wins the $1,650 PCA National Championship for $84,600
- Updates on her upcoming book The Biggest Bluff
- The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time
- Maria Konnikova New Yorker Contributor Page
- The Joy of Psyching Myself Out by M. Konnikova
- Freedom App
- The Paris Review Interviews
- Maria Konnikova on Facebook
- Maria Konnikova on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flaxman Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger, my colleague and friend, Stefanie Flaxman, returned to chat with me about her journey from solopreneur to headline honcho, the rules of “ruthless editing,” her philosophy of creativity, and much more.
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Start getting more from your site today!Stef is a professional writer and editor who manages the editorial team for Copyblogger.com, where she helps publish one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” available, for a very large audience of online writers.
[Incidentally Copyblogger is the reason The Writer Files exists and where the written series was started.]
A long-time contributor to the Copyblogger community, she officially joined the team in 2014 with a mission to help ensure stringent editorial standards, and create content aimed at helping fellow entrepreneurs stand out from the competition.
Ms. Flaxman’s weekly podcast, Editor-in-Chief (2015-2016), delivered her signature “… art of writing, updated for marketing in the digital age, to help you become the Editor-in-Chief of your own digital business.”
Before Copyblogger, Stef ran her own online writing and editing shop, Revision Fairy, which she started in 2008. She has also done stints as the West Coast Office Manager for Mediabistro and an editor for PR Newswire.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Stefanie Flaxman and I discuss:
- My very first day as a copywriter at Copyblogger
- Why you’re never as nervous as your first guest post for a huge online audience
- The inefficiency of perfectionism
- Stef’s philosophy of writer’s block, responsibility tangents, and creativity
- Why so much of the writing process doesn’t involve actual writing
- One great hack to jumpstart your own writing
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flaxman Writes: Part One
- Copyblogger.com – Build Your Online Authority with
Powerfully Effective Content Marketing - Stefanie Flaxman’s Author Page at Copyblogger
- Editor-in-Chief podcast archive
- Revision Fairy – Stef’s Website
- How Chief Content Officer Sonia Simone Writes
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flaxman Writes: Part One
Welcome to a double-stuffed episode of the show with the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger, my colleague and friend, Stefanie Flaxman, who stopped by this week to rap with me about her journey from solopreneur to headline honcho, the rules of “ruthless editing,” her philosophy of creativity, and much more.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Stef is a professional writer and editor who manages the editorial team for Copyblogger.com, where she helps publish one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” available, for a very large audience of online writers.
[Incidentally Copyblogger is the reason The Writer Files exists and where the written series was started.]
A long-time contributor to the Copyblogger community, she officially joined the team in 2014 with a mission to help ensure stringent editorial standards, and create content aimed at helping fellow entrepreneurs stand out from the competition.
Ms. Flaxman’s weekly podcast, Editor-in-Chief (2015-2016), delivered her signature “… art of writing, updated for marketing in the digital age, to help you become the Editor-in-Chief of your own digital business.”
Before Copyblogger, Stef ran her own online writing and editing shop, Revision Fairy, which she started in 2008. She has also done stints as the West Coast Office Manager for Mediabistro and an editor for PR Newswire.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Stefanie Flaxman and I discuss:
- Her early exposure to journalism and unique path to a career in writing and editing
- How her discovery of Brian Clark’s trailblazing blog helped take her own business to the next level
- Why great things happen when you make yourself vulnerable
- How Stef became a true “triple threat” in her field
- Why you should write every day no matter how busy you are
- How to incorporate balance and philosophy into your content mindset
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flaxman Writes: Part Two
- Copyblogger.com – Build Your Online Authority with
Powerfully Effective Content Marketing - Stefanie Flaxman’s Author Page at Copyblogger
- Editor-in-Chief podcast archive
- Revision Fairy – Stef’s Website
- How Chief Content Officer Sonia Simone Writes
- Behind the Scenes: How The Writer Files Is Produced w/ Robert Bruce
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How the Creator of the ‘Lore’ Podcast (and TV Show) Aaron Mahnke Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file, the award-winning creator, producer, and host of the megahit Lore podcast, TV show, and book series, Aaron Mahnke, returned to share how he created his scary storytelling universe from scratch, his writing regimen for success, and advice to fellow scribes.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In less than three years the writer and former graphic designer grew his humble “true life scary story” podcast, Lore, from a small email list and an effort to market his self-published novels, into a critically acclaimed show with more than 100 million downloads.
The podcast won Apple Podcasts’ Best of 2015 & 2016, and picked up a “Best History Podcast 2016” from the Academy of Podcasters. Lore was also recently turned into an Amazon TV series by producers of The Walking Dead and The X-Files (with Aaron as a co-exec. producer), as well as a live tour, and a book series from Penguin Random House.
The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures is the first in a three-book series from the author. The books include both old and new tales from the world of Lore, with their signature blend of history and the macabre, to plumb the depths of our collective nightmares.
Entertainment Weekly noted that Mahnke “… dives deep into the world of folklore and the darker side of history in a quest to root out the fragment of truth at the bottom of our fears.”
The author has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, Esquire, The Atlantic, USA Today, and others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Aaron Mahnke and I discuss:
- The writer’s process and the advantages of a home office for a podcast producer
- How to turn a scary, spoken word podcast into a hit TV show
- Why the author leans on planning and outlining
- Aaron’s reliance on the cloud to sync all of his script editing and weekly tasks
- Why professional writers can’t wait for inspiration
- And more great advice for keeping the ink flowing
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- TheWorldofLore.com
- Subscribe to Lore on Apple Podcasts
- Aaron Mahnke’s author page at Amazon
- The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures – Aaron Mahnke
- Pints Pub has the largest selection of single-malt Scotch in Denver
- Aaron Mahnke on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How the Creator of the ‘Lore’ Podcast (and TV Show) Aaron Mahnke Writes: Part One
The award-winning creator, producer, and host of the megahit Lore podcast, TV show, and book series, Aaron Mahnke, joined me this week to share how he created his scary storytelling universe from scratch, his writing regimen for success, and advice to fellow scribes.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In less than three years the writer and former graphic designer grew his humble “true life scary story” podcast, Lore, from a small email list and an effort to market his self-published novels, into a critically acclaimed show with more than 100 million downloads.
The podcast won Apple Podcasts’ Best of 2015 & 2016, and picked up a “Best History Podcast 2016” from the Academy of Podcasters. Lore was also recently turned into an Amazon TV series by producers of The Walking Dead and The X-Files (with Aaron as a co-exec. producer), as well as a live tour, and a book series from Penguin Random House.
The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures is the first in a three-book series from the author. The books include both old and new tales from the world of Lore, with their signature blend of history and the macabre, to plumb the depths of our collective nightmares.
Entertainment Weekly noted that Mahnke “… dives deep into the world of folklore and the darker side of history in a quest to root out the fragment of truth at the bottom of our fears.”
The author has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, Esquire, The Atlantic, USA Today, and others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Aaron Mahnke and I discuss:
- The writer’s ten year journey (including the lows) to award-winning podcast producer
- How an indie novelist turned a crazy idea into a scary storytelling universe
- Why you need to get out of your writer’s bubble
- The meticulous research and writing regimen that goes into The World of Lore
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- TheWorldofLore.com
- Subscribe to Lore on Apple Podcasts
- Aaron Mahnke’s author page at Amazon
- The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures – Aaron Mahnke
- Aaron Mahnke on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How New York Times Bestselling Author of ‘The Bookseller’ Cynthia Swanson Writes
The award-winning literary suspense novelist and New York Times bestselling author of The Bookseller, Cynthia Swanson, took a break before her upcoming book tour to chat with me about her new thriller, The Glass Forest, the writer-slash-designer s process and unique relationship with creativity, and how she finds her ideas.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The bestselling author started out as a freelance marketing and technical writer before her debut novel, The Bookseller, became an Indie Next pick and winner of the 2016 WILLA Award for Historical Fiction. The book has been translated into over a dozen languages and was optioned for a film adaptation with Julia Roberts attached to star and produce.
Cynthia’s latest psychological thriller The Glass Forest, has been described as “… a gripping literary suspense novel set in the 1960s about a deeply troubled family and three women who will reveal its dark truths.”
The Library Journal said of the book, “… Swanson demonstrates her signature trait: a consistent, superbly executed sense of knife-edge disquiet…” and Publisher’s Weekly called it an “… intoxicating slow burn [that] builds to a conclusion rife with shocking reveals.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Cynthia Swanson and I discuss:
- How she targeted the time periods for her historical novels
- Why you shouldn’t research while you write
- How a professional novelist migrated to Scrivener
- Why you need to intentionally goof around to beat procrastination
- Great quotes for defeating self-doubt
- Why you need to find your own writer’s community
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- CynthiaSwansonAuthor.com
- The Glass Forest: A Novel – Cynthia Swanson
- The Bookseller: A Novel – Cynthia Swanson
- Cynthia Swanson, Author – Facebook Page
- Julia Roberts to Star in Adaptation of Cynthia Swanson s The Bookseller – Variety
- Cynthia Swanson on Instagram
- Cynthia Swanson on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How New York Times Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes
The multiple New York Times bestselling author of A Whole New Mind, Drive, and To Sell is Human, Daniel Pink, dropped by the show back in 2015 to chat with me about his experience as a TV producer, his take on writer’s block, and productivity & creativity hacks for non-fiction writers.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!This is a replay of the interview I did with Dan in honor of the publication of his latest book — When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing — a book that aims to unlock “… the scientific secrets to good timing to help you flourish at work, at school, and at home.”
The behavior expert’s sixth book is being hailed by many as one of the must-read business and leadership books of 2018, and The Wall Street Journal wrote, “Daniel H. Pink s deeply researched but never boring study could be a turning point.”
Mr. Pink has also written for The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Sunday Telegraph, Fast Company, and Wired, to name only a few.
In addition to having one of the most viewed TED talks of all time — “The puzzle of motivation” — Dan also hosted and co-executive produced the TV series “Crowd Control” for the National Geographic Channel.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Daniel Pink and I discuss:
- Why you should never check email before you write
- The effectiveness of word count quotas
- Why the adage “butt-in-chair” really works
- How to structure your writing schedule to beat “Resistance”
- The author’s exhaustive reading recommendations
- His fantasy Chipotle table guests
- Why you need to get over yourself and just get to work
- And if you want to hear Dan talking more in depth about his newest book, check out the Unemployable podcast interview he did with Brian Clark titled “The Power of Perfect Timing,” (available after Jan. 10th, 2018 at unemployable.fm)
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing – Daniel H. Pink
- DanPink.com
- Dan Pink’s TED talk: “The puzzle of motivation”
- Crowd Control on National Geographic Channel
- Daniel Pink on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Cartoonist & Bestselling Author Zach Weinersmith Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file, the celebrated cartoonist, writer, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Zach Weinersmith, took a break to rap with me about writing a research-intensive book with his wife, the difference between nerds and geeks, and how he draws inspiration for his many creative projects.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Zach is best known for his popular web-comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC), a “geek comic” with a vast following. His comics have been featured in The Economist, Glamour, BoingBoing, The Washington Post, Freakonomics, and many more.
His wife is noted research scientist, Kelly Weinersmith (who was also guest on this show), a top 20 podcast host, and co-author of their bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, a book recently named a Wall Street Journal Best Science Book of the Year.
The book is described as, … a hilariously illustrated investigation into future technologies — from how to fling a ship into deep space on the cheap to 3D organ printing,” and seemed like a natural progression for the couple and the comedic rapport they display on their own podcast,”The Weekly Weinersmith.”
The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.”
Zach also recently published a tongue-in-cheek sequel to Soonish titled Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness, a pocket-sized book that “… neatly summarizes every major field of science … for your favorite science nerd.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Zach Weinersmith and I discuss:
- How to think about writer’s block differently
- The author’s love/need for writing in the cloud
- How Zach picks his creative projects and why he can’t unwind at night
- Why the secret to creativity boils down to input and editing
- The virtues of writing prose in comparison to writing for the screen
- Where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis found their inspiration for fantasy
- How to answer the question, “Should I be a writer?”
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything – Kelly and Zach Weinersmith
- Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal – Zach’s web comic
- Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness – Zach Weinersmith
- Zach Weinersmith on Goodreads
- “Custom-Printed Cocktails On The Moon? ‘Soonish’ Shows Us How – NPR review
- How Noted Scientist & Bestselling Author of Soonish Dr. Kelly Weinersmith Writes
- Zach Weinersmith on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Cartoonist & Bestselling Author Zach Weinersmith Writes: Part One
Celebrated cartoonist, writer, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Zach Weinersmith, took a break to rap with me about writing a research-intensive book with his wife, the difference between nerds and geeks, and how he draws inspiration for his many creative projects.
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Start getting more from your site today!Zach is best known for his popular web-comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC), a “geek comic” with a vast following. His comics have been featured in The Economist, Glamour, BoingBoing, The Washington Post, Freakonomics, and many more.
His wife is noted research scientist, Kelly Weinersmith (who was also guest on this show), a top 20 podcast host, and co-author of their bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, a book recently named a Wall Street Journal Best Science Book of the Year.
The book is described as, … a hilariously illustrated investigation into future technologies — from how to fling a ship into deep space on the cheap to 3D organ printing,” and seemed like a natural progression for the couple and the comedic rapport they display on their own podcast,”The Weekly Weinersmith.”
The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.”
Zach also recently published a tongue-in-cheek sequel to Soonish titled Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness, a pocket-sized book that “… neatly summarizes every major field of science … for your favorite science nerd.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Zach Weinersmith and I discuss:
- How to intertwine science and comedy in your writing to great effect
- The author’s love of aphorisms and The Devil’s Dictionary
- Why converted basement offices have their downsides
- How the audience he built around his popular web-comic helped make for a bestselling book
- The complications and joys of being highly creative with kids
- How to write and draw a comic every day
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available.
- Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything – Kelly and Zach Weinersmith
- Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal – Zach’s web comic
- Science: Abridged Beyond the Point of Usefulness – Zach Weinersmith
- Zach Weinersmith on Goodreads
- “Custom-Printed Cocktails On The Moon? ‘Soonish’ Shows Us How – NPR review
- How Noted Scientist & Bestselling Author of Soonish Dr. Kelly Weinersmith Writes
- Zach Weinersmith on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers: Part Two
In the cliffhanger conclusion to my chat with author and publishing consultant, Jodie Archer, we are joined this week by Dr. Matthew Jockers, English Professor & Dean at the University of Nebraska, and co-author of the internationally acclaimed book The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel. We’ll talk about Matt’s game-changing research at the heart of the book, the two authors’ new consulting service for writers based on the algorithm they developed at Stanford, and the author report from my beta test of the service.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!For 11 years Matt was a Lecturer and “embedded” Academic Technology Specialist (ATS) in the Department of English at Stanford University. There he co-founded and directed the paradigm-shifting Stanford Literary Lab with Franco Moretti.
In 2014 Matt also worked as a Principal Research Scientist for iBooks at Apple. His work on the bleeding edge of text-mining and digital humanities established him as an expert at the crossroads of technology and fiction.
His work helped lead to the award-winning algorithm behind The Bestseller Code, honed over four years text-mining 20,000 contemporary novels, using around 300,000 data points, and able to predict bestsellers 80% of the time.
Matt and Jodie were hounded by writers from all over the world for help with their manuscripts. On the heels of their international success and winning the NUtech Ventures 2017 Breakthrough Innovation of the Year award, Jodie and Matt have founded a unique book consultancy for authors, publishers, and agents, based on the algorithm in The Bestseller Code.
Beginning December 1st, 2017, ArcherJockers.com will offer three tiers of service to authors: single manuscript analysis, series analysis, and a VIP service.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file Jodie Archer, Matt Jockers, and I discuss:
- How Matt found the intersection of words and computing at the dawn of the Internet
- Why Archer & Jockers became a personalized service for authors and not just another app
- Who should (and shouldn’t) send their manuscripts to the service
- What exactly the “bestseller-ometer” measures when it looks at your book
- The benefits of distant reading vs. close reading for fiction
- How to perfect your own manuscript before submission to the service
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available.
- ArcherJockers.com Manuscript Consulting Services
- How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie Archer: Part One
- MatthewJockers.net
- JodieArcher.com
- The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel – Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers
- Breakthrough Innovation of the Year – The Bestseller Code
- Jodie Archer on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie Archer: Part One
Writer, literary scholar, publishing consultant, and co-author of the internationally acclaimed book The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer, returns one year later to chat with me about the book’s runaway success, turning the algorithm into an innovative consulting service for writers, her own writer’s journey, and one very unexpected turn for the host of this show.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Before getting her PhD from Stanford, Ms. Archer studied English at Cambridge, worked in journalism and TV, and was an acquisitions editor for Penguin UK publishing.
At Stanford Jodie taught writing and researched both contemporary fiction and bestsellers. Upon completion of her doctoral work she was recruited by Apple where she was the lead in research on books.
The Bestseller Code is based on Jodie’s doctoral research with professor Matthew Jockers (co-founder of the cutting edge Stanford Literary Lab), an algorithm they honed for four years and refined by text mining over 20,000 contemporary novels using around 300,000 data points.
The Guardian predicted that the book would “… revolutionize the publishing industry,” because the technology could predict bestsellers 80% of the time, based on theme, plot, character, and many other signatures.
The authors were, of course, hounded by writers from all over the world for help with their manuscripts. And finally — following their breakthrough research — Jodie and Matt have founded a unique book consulting service for authors, publishers, and agents, based on the algorithm in The Bestseller Code.
Beginning December 1st, 2017, ArcherJockers.com will offer three tiers of service to authors: single manuscript analysis, series analysis, and VIP service. [This interview was recorded in anticipation of that date in mid-October.]
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Jodie Archer and I discuss:
- How writers from around the world convinced the authors to do consulting services
- The innovation behind the anticipated Archer Jockers’ service for novelists
- How to find your bestselling moment with integrity
- The power of “good” press, great agents, and selling the international rights to your book
- Jodie’s own multi-genre writing projects
- How yours truly took a leap of faith and became a beta tester for the service (cliffhanger pending)
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available.
- How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers: Part Two
- How the Author of The Bestseller Code Jodie Archer Writes: Part One
- JodieArcher.com
- The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel – Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers
- ArcherJockers.com Manuscript Consulting Services
- How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part One
- Jodie Archer on Good Reads
- Jodie Archer on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How the Bestselling Sci-Fi Author of ‘The Martian’ Andy Weir Writes
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian, Andy Weir, dropped by the show in 2015 to chat with me about his writing process in the days just prior to the release of the Oscar Nominated movie adaptation of his hit book, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon.
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Start getting more from your site today!This is a replay of the entire interview I did with Andy in honor of the publication of his latest book — Artemis: A Novel — described as “… a near-future thriller — a heist story set on the moon.”
Blake Crouch, the New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter, said of the book “Weir has done the impossible he s topped The Martian …,” and Ernest Cline, New York Times bestselling author of Ready Player One, called it “Everything you could hope for in a follow-up … another smart, fun, fast-paced adventure that you won t be able to put down.”
The author’s inspiring journey to #1 on the NY Times Best Sellers list with his first novel began as a humble series of blog posts that grew enough interest to demand self-publishing to Amazon. When The Martian’s popularity sky-rocketed, traditional publisher Random House called, and the rest is history.
From software engineer to sci-fi phenom, Andy is a down-to-earth writer and self-described “space nerd,” who still answers all of his fan mail.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Andy Weir and I discuss:
- How a science geek became a bestselling author
- One great trick for improving your dialogue
- Why your enthusiasm doesn’t determine the quality of your writing
- The creative power of a walk and a hot shower
- Mr. Weir’s unique relationship with NASA
- 3 tips and tricks to becoming an “actual” writer
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Copyblogger s Certified Content Marketer training is a powerful program that helps writers attract better clients — and more of them. New students will be able to sign up for a limited time soon. Add your name to join the waitlist and to get all of the details when they re available.
- andyweirauthor.com
- Artemis: A Novel – Andy Weir
- The Martian: A Novel – Andy Weir
- How Bestselling Sci-fi Thriller Author Blake Crouch Writes: Part One
- Notes from Hugh Howey’s Editor
- “The surprising story of how Andy Weir’s self-published book ‘The Martian’ topped best seller lists and got a movie deal”
- Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach
- Andy Weir on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Noted Scientist & Bestselling Author of ‘Soonish’ Dr. Kelly Weinersmith Writes
The noted research scientist, top 20 podcast host, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, took a timeout from her book tour to talk with me about the importance of good writing in the sciences, what it’s like to write a book with your husband, and finding time to be a writer and a mom.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Kelly is an adjunct faculty member in the Biosciences department at Rice University, as well as the co-host of two podcasts for the Brachiolope Media Network.
She co-hosts a top 20 natural sciences podcast, “Science … sort of,” as well as “The Weekly Weinersmith,” a podcast she produces with her husband, celebrated cartoonist Zach Weinersmith (creator of the web comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal) where the two discuss papers and interview scientists.
The natural progression for the couple was their New York Times bestseller Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, described as a “… snapshot of what’s coming next — from robot swarms to nuclear fusion powered-toasters.”
The Cofounder of Reddit said of the book, “Soonish will make you laugh and — without you even realizing it — give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time,” and NPR said, “The Weinersmiths … lay out, clearly and with a wry sense of humor, exactly what it might take to get us there.”
Kelly was a speaker at Smithsonian magazine s The Future Is Here Festival in 2015, and her work has been featured in The Atlantic, National Geographic, BBC World, Science, and Nature.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Kelly Weinersmith and I discuss:
- What it’s like to take a one-year-old on a nerdy book tour
- Her circuitous path to New York Times bestselling author
- How the author schedules research, writing, and interviews into her busy life
- The organizational tools that helped her stay on track
- How her natural comedic rapport with her husband bled into her writing
- Why sci-fi writers should read Soonish
- How to condition yourself to take criticism online
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything – Kelly and Zach Weinersmith
- Weinersmith.com – Kelly’s website
- “Science … sort” podcast –
Produced by Brachiolope Media Network - “The Weekly Weinersmith” podcast
- Soonish AR app
- Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal – Zach’s web comic
- How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of The Martian ) Writes: Part One
- Kelly Weinersmith on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How WNYC Podcast Host and Author of ‘Bored and Brilliant’ Manoush Zomorodi Writes
Award-winning podcast host, managing editor of WNYC Studios’ “Note to Self,” and author of Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, Manoush Zomorodi, took a break from her hectic schedule to rap with me about her claim to fame as a podcaster, the neuroscience of boredom, and how to recharge your creative batteries.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Manoush is a former globetrotting journalist and producer for both BBC and Reuters. She has won four New York Press Club awards for her work with New York Public Radio and was named 2017 s Best Tech Podcast by the Academy of Podcasters.
Her podcast is described as a tech show that “…searches for answers to life s digital quandaries through experiments and conversations with listeners and experts.”
Her first book, Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, is grounded in both neuroscience and cognitive psychology and based on a groundbreaking experiment she conducted with thousands of her podcast listeners to “…help them unplug from their devices, get bored, [and] jump-start their creativity…”
In addition to her popular TED talk “How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas,” she has appeared on NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, WNBC, and The Dr. Oz Show and contributes to NPR, Quartz, Inc., and Radiolab.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Manoush Zomorodi and I discuss:
- The miracle of technology and its inherent ills
- Why our favorite algorithms are programmed to distract us
- How the author enlisted thousands of podcast listeners for her one-of-a-kind experiment
- Why you need to change your digital habits to be more creative
- Why first drafts suck and the power of deadlines
- A refreshing definition of creativity
- Why you should beware of technology that claims to solve your problems with more technology
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self – Manoush Zomorodi
- ManoushZ.com
- Note to Self podcast –
Produced by WNYC Studios - TED talk: “How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas” – Manoush Zomorodi
- A Georgetown professor says the mindset that led us all to embrace Facebook could ultimately stall your career
- How Einstein Thought: Why “Combinatory Play” Is the Secret of Genius – Maria Popova
- Manoush Zomorodi on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Essayist & Author of Debut Novel ‘The Floating World’ C. Morgan Babst Writes
Acclaimed essayist, short fiction writer, and author of the debut novel The Floating World, C. Morgan Babst, took a few minutes to rap with me about the wrath of hurricanes, writing a love letter to the city of New Orleans, and her secrets to staying organized and productive.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Morgan is a New Orleans native who started her journey at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts), before studying writing at both Yale, and NYU. Her essays and short fiction have appeared in The Oxford American, Guernica, the Harvard Review, the New Orleans Review, among others.
An essay she wrote on New Orleans funeral culture (“Death Is a Way to Be,” Guernica, June 15, 2015) was named a Notable Essay in Best American Essays 2016.
Her ambitious and haunting first novel, The Floating World, was chosen as an Amazon Editor s Pick for Best Books of October 2017, and was called a “… beautiful, relentless portrait of the devastation [Hurricane Katrina] inflicted on a city, and a family…”.
In a Kirkus starred review, the book was called a “Deeply felt and beautifully written; a major addition to the literature of Katrina.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file C. Morgan Babst and I discuss:
- Her background in the arts and the long road to publishing her first novel
- Why a novel 12 years in the making is so relevant today
- How credit card bills can boost your productivity
- Why you need to turn off “creativity” while you’re writing
- How to keep track of your best ideas
- Why you need to get into a “Lynchian” state of mind as you write
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- The Floating World: A Novel – C. Morgan Babst
- CMorganBabst.com
- A New Orleans family is shattered and scattered by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath – Kirkus Review of The Floating World
- Book Notes [and Spotify playlist] – C. Morgan Babst “The Floating World” – largeheartedboy.com
- C. Morgan Babst on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How New York Times Bestselling Author & Mortician Caitlin Doughty Writes
Alternative mortician, YouTube personality, and New York Times bestselling nonfiction author of From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death, Caitlin Doughty, rang me up this week to chat about changing the West’s relationship to death, the challenges of running a non-profit funeral home, and how to write a bestselling book in your spare time.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Caitlin is the creator of “Ask a Mortician,” a web series that boasts over 300,000 subscribers, and the founder of The Order of the Good Death, a nonprofit that advocates for death acceptance and an alternative to Western funeral industry practices.
Her first bestselling book and memoir, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: and Other Lessons from the Crematory, chronicled her experiences as a young woman working in a crematorium.
Her latest, From Here to Eternity, resumes her exploration of the field to explore “… how other cultures care for the dead,” and “… is an immersive global journey that introduces compelling, powerful rituals almost entirely unknown in America.”
Her mission to reform the death industry has led to features on NPR, BBC, The New Yorker, Vice, The Atlantic, the New York Times, and many others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Caitlin Doughty and I discuss:
- Her strong voice for change and how that got her an agent
- How a full-time mortician finds time to write bestselling books
- The sense of doubt that all writers face
- How her greater mission overtook her fear of writing
- Why writers need to be less precious about their work
- The Muse of Death
- Why you need to Tweet an inspirational writing quote to Caitlin @TheGoodDeath – #TheWriterFiles – after you listen to this show
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death – Caitlin Doughty
- CaitlinDoughty.com
- Ask A Mortician on YouTube
- Caitlin Doughty on Instagram
- The Order of the Good Death
- Undertaking LA (is not your typical funeral home)
- There Are Better Ways to Mourn – Caitlin Doughty for Time
- Caitlin Doughty on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Content Marketing Pioneer & Serial Entrepreneur Brian Clark Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the self-confessed serial entrepreneur, founder of Copyblogger, and CEO of Rainmaker Digital, Brian Clark, stopped by to rap with me about his journey to success, the evolution of blogging and content marketing, and his culpability for the existence of this podcast.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The inaugural guest of The Writer Files is a content marketing trailblazer who launched his one-man blog, Copyblogger.com, in 2006. With a modest investment, no audience, and no connections, he slowly and steadily built it into a vital 8-figure business, and one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” for online writers.
He is considered a top marketing influencer on writing, a “Top 10 Online Marketing Expert,” and one of the “100 Most Influential Online Marketers.” Brian has been featured in over 20 books including Linchpin by Seth Godin, and Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink.
He is now the CEO of Rainmaker Digital, the digital commerce flagship behind Copyblogger, StudioPress, and Rainmaker Digital Services to name only a few. Brian is also the curator of the personal development newsletter Further, and Unemployable, a podcast and resource for freelancers, consultants, coaches, and like-minded entrepreneurs.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Brian Clark and I discuss:
- His recent study of writing & technology including automation and personalization
- Why all writers are somewhat crazy
- Great tricks for jump starting your productivity and beating procrastination
- How Brian invented a deliberate writing style for Copyblogger
- How Brian defines creativity and why you need to expose yourself to great stories
- The most important thing online content writers should study
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- Copyblogger.com – Build Your Online Authority with
Powerfully Effective Content Marketing - Brian Clark’s Author Page at Copyblogger
- Further – Achieve Your Goals and Live Your Best Life
- Unemployable – The Solution to Information Overload for Small Business Owners
- Here s How Brian Clark Writes
- Unemployable podcast – “Steal Like an Entrepreneur, with Austin Kleon”
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- This music production tool is the reason why all new music sounds the same – Shelby Hartman
- Brian Clark on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Content Marketing Pioneer & Serial Entrepreneur Brian Clark Writes: Part One
The self-confessed serial entrepreneur, founder of Copyblogger, and CEO of Rainmaker Digital, Brian Clark, stopped by this week to rap with me about his hero’s journey to success, the evolution of blogging and content marketing, and his culpability for the existence of this podcast.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The inaugural guest of The Writer Files is a content marketing trail blazer who launched his one-man blog, Copyblogger.com, in 2006. With a modest investment, no audience, and no connections, he slowly and steadily built it into a vital 8-figure business, and one of “… the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s]…” for online writers.
He is considered a top marketing influencer on writing, a “Top 10 Online Marketing Expert,” and one of the “100 Most Influential Online Marketers.” Brian has been featured in over 20 books including Linchpin by Seth Godin, and Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink.
He is now the CEO of Rainmaker Digital, the digital commerce flagship behind Copyblogger, StudioPress, and Rainmaker Digital Services to name only a few. Brian is also the curator of the personal development newsletter Further, and Unemployable, a podcast and resource for freelancers, consultants, coaches, and like-minded entrepreneurs.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Brian Clark and I discuss:
- How a reformed lawyer became an influential blogger
- The importance of compelling storytelling to successful online content
- The moment Brian realized he was an entrepreneur who could write and not a traditional writer
- How a near death experience led to an enlightening career change
- The birth of content marketing
- How Brian helped grow an online empire without any outside investments or advertising
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- Copyblogger.com – Build Your Online Authority with Powerfully Effective Content Marketing
- Brian Clark’s Author Page at Copyblogger
- Further – Achieve Your Goals and Live Your Best Life
- Unemployable – The Solution to Information Overload for Small Business Owners
- Here s How Brian Clark Writes
- Here s How Seth Godin Writes
- How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes
- Brian Clark on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Data Journalist & Author of ‘Nabokov’s Favorite Word is Mauve’ Ben Blatt Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the former Slate staffer, ultimate data/word nerd, and acclaimed author of Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve, Ben Blatt, dropped in to talk about crunching the numbers of classic and modern literature, debunking famous writerly wisdom, and how prolific writers establish their literary fingerprints.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Ben is a journalist, statistician, and author who takes a “fun” approach to data journalism on pop culture topics as varied as Seinfeld, The Beatles, and baseball (his last book I Don’t Care if We Never Get Back, was about a mathematically optimal baseball road trip).
The author studied applied mathematics at Harvard and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Deadspin, and others.
His most recent book, Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing, “… brings big data to the literary canon, exploring the wealth of fun findings that remain hidden in the works of the world s greatest writers.”
NPR called the book, A hell of a lot of fun …”, The Wall Street Journal, “Enlightening,” and The Boston Globe called it, “Brilliant.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Ben Blatt and I discuss:
- How to trick yourself out of writer’s block
- A data journalist’s book writing hacks, including when to add tables and graphs
- Why brevity and simplicity will always stand the test of time
- How a great writer sticks out in their own unique way
- Great tips to creating a long and rewarding writing career
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing – Ben Blatt
- Ben Blatt’s website bblatt.com
- The One Way Bestsellers Have Changed That You Probably Haven t Noticed – Ben Blatt
- ‘Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve’ Crunches The (Literary) Numbers – NPR
- One Writer Used Statistics to Reveal the Secrets of What Makes Great Writing – Smithsonian
- The Heretical Things Statistics Tell Us About Fiction – New Yorker
- Ben Blatt on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Data Journalist & Author of ‘Nabokov’s Favorite Word is Mauve’ Ben Blatt Writes: Part One
The former Slate staffer, ultimate data/word nerd, and acclaimed author of Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve, Ben Blatt, dropped in this week to talk about crunching the numbers of classic and modern literature, debunking famous writerly wisdom, and how prolific writers establish their literary fingerprints.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Ben is a journalist, statistician, and author who takes a “fun” approach to data journalism on pop culture topics as varied as Seinfeld, The Beatles, and baseball (his last book I Don’t Care if We Never Get Back, was about a mathematically optimal baseball road trip).
The author studied applied mathematics at Harvard and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Deadspin, and others.
His most recent book, Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing, “… brings big data to the literary canon, exploring the wealth of fun findings that remain hidden in the works of the world s greatest writers.”
NPR called the book, A hell of a lot of fun …”, The Wall Street Journal, “Enlightening,” and The Boston Globe called it, “Brilliant.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Ben Blatt and I discuss:
- How a math nerd became a pop culture data hound
- The challenges of turning thousands of books into big data to examine famous writing advice
- On Elmore Leonard’s reversal in exclamation point usage
- Why Nabokov used so many colors in his writing
- How a data journalist concocted experiments to debunk conventional wisdom about bestselling authors
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve: What the Numbers Reveal About the Classics, Bestsellers, and Our Own Writing – Ben Blatt
- How the Author of The Bestseller Code Jodie Archer Writes: Part One
- Ben Blatt’s website bblatt.com
- The One Way Bestsellers Have Changed That You Probably Haven t Noticed – Ben Blatt
- ‘Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve’ Crunches The (Literary) Numbers – NPR
- One Writer Used Statistics to Reveal the Secrets of What Makes Great Writing – Smithsonian
- The Heretical Things Statistics Tell Us About Fiction – New Yorker
- Ben Blatt on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More International ‘Writer Porn’ with Journalist Adam Skolnick
Award-winning journalist, author, and serial guest, Adam Skolnick, is back on the show as our international correspondent to catch us up on the globetrotting life of a travel writer, his journey to self-publishing, and more writer porn.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Adam s first narrative nonfiction book is now available in paperback One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits and is based on his award-winning New York Times sports coverage of the death of the greatest American freediver of all time.
The book has been compared to other classics of extreme sports journalism like Jon Krakauer s Into Thin Air, and National Geographic Traveller called it, “A vicarious thrill that you can enjoy in a little over 300 pages and unless you read it in the bath … ”
Adam has visited 45 countries and authored or coauthored over 30 Lonely Planet guidebooks, and has written for publications as varied as ESPN.com, Men s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, The New York Times, and appeared on NPR.
His latest collection of 81 verses of poetry and prose– Indolirium — takes its inspiration from Jack Kerouac’s Mexico City Blues, and is “… an insomnia-addled journey through the cities, villages and way out wilds of Indonesia …” based on what the author thought “… would be a painless three month assignment in a country he knew well, only to find his marriage and life threatened and his mind unravel as he groped for light in the darkness.”
In this file Adam Skolnick and I discuss:
- Investigating Elon Musk’s latest technology
- How a travel journalist reinvigorated his faith in the “American Dream”
- Making a living as an international content writer … in Mongolia
- How to carve out a “Man-vs-Water” beat at the New York Times
- The Olympic swimmers who organize in political protest
- Why an award-winning journalist chose to self-publish his personal insomniac poetry
- Modern poetics and the path to literary social media success
- The purpose of poetry in the age of the internet
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- Adam Skolnick’s Amazon Author Page
- Indolirium – Adam Skolnick
- AdamSkolnick.com
- High Speed American Dreams – Adam Skolnick
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- April Wong on Instagram
- One Breath – Adam Skolnick
- In a Swimmer s Two-Year Quest, a Final 21-Mile Challenge – Adam Skolnick for NYTimes
- Web Poets Society: New Breed Succeeds in Taking Verse Viral
- Donald Trump, the First President of Our Post-Literate Age
- A Neuroscientist s Perspective on Fake News, with Michael Grybko
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Busting the Myth of the Starving Artist with Jeff Goins: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the multiple bestselling author of five books, including his latest — Real Artists Don t Starve — Jeff Goins, returned for a special edition of the show to talk with me about “The New Renaissance,” his favorite books on creativity, and busting the commonly held beliefs of artists.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In addition to being an entrepreneur and speaker, Jeff is a writing and creativity consultant, and his popular blog, Goins, Writer, offers free tips about the writing life.
His podcast, The Portfolio Life, delves into many of the same topics via interviews with entrepreneurs and writers aimed squarely at helping listeners pursue work that matters.
On Jeff’s last visit to the show in 2015, we talked about his bestselling book, The Art of Work, and how to think like a professional writer.
His latest, Real Artists Don’t Starve, “… dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success …,” and bestselling author Daniel Pink said of the book, “Every entrepreneur, writer, and artist should read this book and take notes.”
Writers, I think you’re going to like this one.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Jeff Goins and I discuss:
- The secret life of Ernest Hemingway
- Debunking the idea of ‘natural talent’
- Why creatives need to either join a scene or create one
- How the idea of the “starving artist” has been romanticized through the ages
- Why you need to make money to make more and better art
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part One
- How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- Jeff Goins author page on Amazon
- Find bonus material for Real Artists Don’t Starve here
- How Russia Recruited Ernest Hemingway
- GoinsWriter.com
- The Portfolio Life Podcast with Jeff Goins
- Jeff Goins on Medium
- Jeff Goins on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Busting the Myth of the Starving Artist with Jeff Goins: Part One
The multiple bestselling author of five books, including his latest — Real Artists Don t Starve — Jeff Goins, returned for a special edition of the show to talk with me about “The New Renaissance,” his favorite books on creativity, and busting the commonly held beliefs of artists.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In addition to being an entrepreneur and speaker, Jeff is a writing and creativity consultant, and his popular blog, Goins, Writer, offers free tips about the writing life.
His podcast, The Portfolio Life, delves into many of the same topics via interviews with entrepreneurs and writers aimed squarely at helping listeners pursue work that matters.
On Jeff’s last visit to the show in 2015, we talked about his bestselling book, The Art of Work, and how to think like a professional writer.
His latest, Real Artists Don’t Starve, “… dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success …,” and bestselling author Daniel Pink said of the book, “Every entrepreneur, writer, and artist should read this book and take notes.”
Writers, I think you’re going to like this one.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Jeff Goins and I discuss:
- How the starving artist mindset is a choice not a condition
- Why now is the best time in history to do creative work
- How John Grisham overcame the odds and 40 rejections to become a bestselling author
- Why you don’t need to “go big or go home”
- The psychology of rule-breakers and creativity
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Jeff Goins author page on Amazon
- Find bonus material for Real Artists Don’t Starve here
- How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part One
- How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- GoinsWriter.com
- The Portfolio Life Podcast with Jeff Goins
- Jeff Goins on Medium
- Jeff Goins on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Short Story Writer Abigail Ulman Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the recent Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and acclaimed author of the award-winning short story collection Hot Little Hands, Abigail Ulman, visited the show this week to talk about having a beer with George Saunders, the life of a traveling freelancer, and the idiosyncrasies of great writers.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In addition to being a freelance copywriter and screenwriter, the native Australian author and self-confessed gypsy has followed in the footsteps of other famous itinerant writers.
At Stanford’s two-year creative writing fellowship she got the chance to study with great writers like Tobias Wolff and Colm Toibin. Other notable fellows — to name a few — have included Raymond Carver, Ken Kesey, Scott Turow, Thomas McGuane, and Larry McMurtry.
Abigail’s short stories invited the interest of publishers, and her first book, Hot Little Hands, went on to win a 2016 Best Young Australian Novelist Award and is a collection of “… heartbreakingly tender and often darkly funny fiction.”
Lena Dunham called it a “… highly inventive collection of short fiction which hits virtually all my buttons,” and Publishers Weekly said of the book, “The captivating women in this collection leave a lasting impression.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Abigail Ulman and I discuss:
- How she divides her writing day and the rarity of copywriting emergencies
- The autobiographical nature of writer’s block
- Why you need to be kind to yourself and the power of taking breaks
- The neurotic nature of writers
- Why the best way to beat anxiety is to eliminate self-doubt
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- How Award-Winning Short Story Writer Abigail Ulman Writes: Part One
- Hot Little Hands: Fiction – Abigail Ulman
- The Agony and the Ecstasy of Girlhood – The Atlantic review
- Abigail Ulman on writer’s block
- Sydney Writers Festival – Podcast
- Sydney Writers Festival
- Abigail Ulman on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Short Story Writer Abigail Ulman Writes: Part One
The recent Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and acclaimed author of the award-winning short story collection Hot Little Hands, Abigail Ulman, visited the show this week to talk about having a beer with George Saunders, the life of a traveling freelancer, and the idiosyncrasies of great writers.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In addition to being a freelance copywriter and screenwriter, the native Australian author and self-confessed gypsy has followed in the footsteps of other famous itinerant writers.
At Stanford’s two-year creative writing fellowship she got the chance to study with great writers like Tobias Wolff and Colm Toibin. Other notable fellows — to name a few — have included Raymond Carver, Ken Kesey, Scott Turow, Thomas McGuane, and Larry McMurtry.
Abigail’s short stories invited the interest of publishers, and her first book, Hot Little Hands, went on to win a 2016 Best Young Australian Novelist Award and is a collection of “… heartbreakingly tender and often darkly funny fiction.”
Lena Dunham called it a “… highly inventive collection of short fiction which hits virtually all my buttons,” and Publishers Weekly said of the book, “The captivating women in this collection leave a lasting impression.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Abigail Ulman and I discuss:
- How a love of travel and words led her to Stanford University
- The emotional challenges she faced finishing her first book
- On the shift from the solitude of writing fiction to the collaborative nature of screenwriting
- How she tested out her interview skills on the biggest stage available
- Why she nerds out about her coffee ritual
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- How Award-Winning Short Story Writer Abigail Ulman Writes: Part Two
- Hot Little Hands: Fiction – Abigail Ulman
- The Agony and the Ecstasy of Girlhood – The Atlantic review
- Abigail Ulman on writer’s block
- Sydney Writers’ Festival – Podcast
- Sydney Writers’ Festival
- Abigail Ulman on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Merriam-Webster Lexicographer and Author Kory Stamper Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the associate editor and lexicographer at Merriam-Webster, and acclaimed author of the book Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, Kory Stamper, paid me a visit to talk about being a celebrity word nerd, how she manages her time between the dictionary and her own writing, and the pending “pencil apocalypse.”
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In addition to writing and editing for the oldest dictionary in the U.S., Kory gained notoriety when she appeared in Merriam-Webster’s popular “Ask the Editor” video series, short video blogs that tackle topics of “lexical contempt” like irregardless.
Her non-fiction debut is titled Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, and it “… cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography, from the agonizing decisions about what to define and how to do it, to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language.”
Publishers Weekly called it a “… witty, sly, occasionally profane behind-the-scenes tour aimed at deposing the notion of real and proper English.” The New Yorker called it “illuminating,” and “An unlikely page-turner.”
Kory also blogs about language and “defining the words that define us” on her own website, and her writing has appeared in The Guardian and The New York Times, and on Slate.com.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Kory Stamper and I discuss:
- The importance of boredom, procrastination, deadlines, and staring into space
- Secrets on how lexicographers stays sane
- Why you should rethink your definition of creativity
- How to counteract the “tyranny of the alphabet”
- Her tendency to hoard rare pencils
-
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- How Merriam-Webster Lexicographer and Author Kory Stamper Writes: Part One
- Kory’s blog – KoryStamper.wordpress.com
- Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries – Kory Stamper
- Merriam-Webster
- Merriam-Webster’s “Ask the Editor” video series on YouTube
- The Case Against the Grammar Scolds – The Atlantic
- Kory Stamper on npr’s Fresh Air
- Kory Stamper on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Merriam-Webster Lexicographer and Author Kory Stamper Writes: Part One
The associate editor and lexicographer at Merriam-Webster, and acclaimed author of the book Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, Kory Stamper, paid me a visit to talk about being a celebrity word nerd, how she manages her time between the dictionary and her own writing, and the pending “pencil apocalypse.”
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In addition to writing and editing for the oldest dictionary in the U.S., Kory gained notoriety when she appeared in Merriam-Webster’s popular “Ask the Editor” video series, short video blogs that tackle topics of “lexical contempt” like irregardless.
Her non-fiction debut is titled Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, and it “… cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography, from the agonizing decisions about what to define and how to do it, to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language.”
Publishers Weekly called it a “… witty, sly, occasionally profane behind-the-scenes tour aimed at deposing the notion of real and proper English.” The New Yorker called it “illuminating,” and “An unlikely page-turner.”
Kory also blogs about language and “defining the words that define us” on her own website, and her writing has appeared in The Guardian and The New York Times, and on Slate.com.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Kory Stamper and I discuss:
- How a want ad in a print newspaper led to her writing career
- The viral video blog that catapulted her into the spotlight
- Why your high school English teacher lied to you
- How Kory’s book will make you feel better about your frustrations with usage
- Why writing a book is also a full-time job
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why more than 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — swing by StudioPress.com for all the details.
- How Merriam-Webster Lexicographer and Author Kory Stamper Writes: Part Two
- Kory’s blog – KoryStamper.wordpress.com
- Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries – Kory Stamper
- Merriam-Webster
- Merriam-Webster’s “Ask the Editor” video series on YouTube
- Kory Stamper on npr’s Fresh Air
- The Case Against the Grammar Scolds – The Atlantic
- Kory Stamper on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Ryan Holiday Writes
Reformed “media manipulator,” proponent of stoic philosophy, expert marketer, and bestselling writer, Ryan Holiday, has accomplished more in ten years than most will in a lifetime. He spoke with Robert Bruce about how he does it …
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Start getting more from your site today!Note: This episode contains a few phrases that some may find explicit.
Ryan Holiday has written six bestselling books on topics as diverse as growth hacker marketing, practical stoicism, and the dark arts of the digital media landscape … and his next book — Perennial Seller — will be published in July.
He ran marketing for American Apparel, one of the most notoriously successful brands in modern times, and now runs a thriving marketing shop of his own.
The list of his accomplishments is a lot longer than that, but I think you get the idea.
Oh, and did I mention he’s just 29 years old?
Enjoy.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Ryan Holiday and Robert Bruce discuss:
- How Ryan approaches the problem of procrastination
- Where he writes his books and essays
- How writers can compete against the recorded history of … everything
- Media Manipulation in the age of Trump
- His next book Perennial Seller, and why the long game is the only game
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- Ryan Holiday
- Trust Me, I’m Lying
- Trust Me, I’m Lying Book Trailer
- Growth Hacker Marketing
- The Daily Stoic
- Perennial Seller
- Ryan Holiday on Twitter
- Robert Bruce on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Author & Educator K.M. Weiland Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the multiple award-winning, internationally published author, podcaster, and writing coach, K.M. Weiland, stopped by the show to chat with me about Helping Writers Become Authors, balancing creativity and logic, and beating writer’s block.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!As an award-winning author of acclaimed writing guides — including standouts Outlining Your Novel, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs — Ms. Weiland uses part of her writing day helping mentor authors via her online writer’s community.
Her website Helping Writers Become Authors has collected many accolades, including Writer’s Digest “Best Websites for Writers” multiple years running, and nurtures a community of scribes dedicated to helping “… show you how to write your best story — change your life — and astound the world.”
In addition to developing an app for writers, her weekly podcast, and steady social media presence, Katie also somehow finds time to write and self-publish both historical and speculative fiction.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file K.M. Weiland and I discuss:
- Her love of Scrivener for taking notes, organizing, and outlining her books
- How writers can combat “internet brain”
- Why tapping into your subconscious is vital for writers
- How to manage your creative energy
- Why writers need tap into their “rascal spirits”
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Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- Toby Lyles, podcast editor and wizard at TwentyFourSound.com
- How Award-Winning Author & Educator K.M. Weiland Writes: Part One
- KMWeiland.com
- HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com
- K.M. Weiland on Amazon
- Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast
– K.M. Weiland - Novel Finding: Reading Literary Fiction Improves Empathy
- K.M. Weiland on Facebook
- K.M. Weiland on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Author & Educator K.M. Weiland Writes: Part One
The multiple award-winning, internationally published author, podcaster, and writing coach, K.M. Weiland, stopped by the show to chat with me about Helping Writers Become Authors, balancing creativity and logic, and beating writer’s block.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!As an award-winning author of acclaimed writing guides including standouts Outlining Your Novel, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs Ms. Weiland uses part of her writing day to help mentor authors via her online writer’s community.
Her website Helping Writers Become Authors has collected many accolades, including Writer’s Digest “Best Websites for Writers” multiple years running, and nurtures a community of scribes dedicated to helping “… show you how to write your best story — change your life — and astound the world.”
In addition to developing an app for writers, her weekly podcast, and steady social media presence, Katie also somehow finds time to write and self-publish both historical and speculative fiction.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file K.M. Weiland and I discuss:
- How sharing her writing journey launched her career as both an author and educator
- What writers need to remember about the intersection of business and art
- Why if you’re going to be a writer … you have to read
- How her routine helps her easily shift gears from fiction to non-fiction
- On Conquering Writer’s Block and Summoning Inspiration
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- How Award-Winning Author & Educator K.M. Weiland Writes: Part Two
- KMWeiland.com
- HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com
- K.M. Weiland on Amazon
- Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast
– K.M. Weiland - Outlining Your Novel Workbook Computer Program
- Copyblogger.com
- K.M. Weiland on Facebook
- K.M. Weiland on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Fantasy & Sci-Fi Author Catherynne M. Valente Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the prolific, multiple award-winning, New York Times bestselling author, Catherynne M. Valente, took a break at her spooky writer’s island to chat with me about her superhero origin story, earning street cred with readers, and her truly unique process.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Since her first novel — The Labyrinth, published in 2004 — the hybrid author has gone on to pen over 24 volumes of both fiction and poetry across multiple genres (including fantasy, sci-fi, young adult, and horror).
In addition to being published and anthologized in dozens of print and online journals, Catherynne has won or been nominated for every major award in her field, including the Hugo Award (for both a novel and a podcast), and been a finalist for both the Nebula and World Fantasy Awards.
She is perhaps best known for her crowdfunded phenomenon The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making — a book launched by a dedicated online fan community that went on to become a NY Times bestseller.
The series — which recently concluded with book five, The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home — has been lauded by fellow author Neil Gaiman, and Time magazine called it, “One of the most extraordinary works of fantasy, for adults or children, published so far this century.”
The prolific author continues to find innovative ways to connect with her audience, and she recently launched a Patreon project called “The Mad Fiction Laboratory,” where she offers professional and personalized advice on the business and craft of writing, as well as a sneak peek at her multiple works-in-progress.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Catherynne Valente and I discuss:
- Her love of Spotify playlists for writing inspiration
- Why the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect
- Her organizational hack for Scrivener writers
- Why your personal creative outlet is important for your sanity
- Where the author keeps her three Oxford English Dictionaries and 24 tarot decks
- Why writers need to read everything
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- How Bestselling Fantasy & Sci-Fi Author Catherynne M. Valente Writes: Part One
- CatherynneMValente.com
- Catherynne M. Valente on Amazon
- Cat’s Patreon project – “The Mad Fiction Laboratory”
- Cat Valente on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Fantasy & Sci-Fi Author Catherynne M. Valente Writes: Part One
The prolific, multiple award-winning, New York Times bestselling author, Catherynne M. Valente, took a break at her spooky writer’s island to chat with me about her superhero origin story, earning street cred with readers, and her truly unique process.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Since her first novel — The Labyrinth, published in 2004 — the hybrid author has gone on to pen over 24 volumes of both fiction and poetry across multiple genres (including fantasy, sci-fi, young adult, and horror).
In addition to being published and anthologized in dozens of print and online journals, Catherynne has won or been nominated for every major award in her field, including the Hugo Award (for both a novel and a podcast), and been a finalist for both the Nebula and World Fantasy Awards.
She is perhaps best known for her crowdfunded phenomenon The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making — a book launched by a dedicated online fan community that went on to become a NY Times bestseller.
The series — which recently concluded with book five, The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home — has been lauded by fellow author Neil Gaiman, and Time magazine called it, “One of the most extraordinary works of fantasy, for adults or children, published so far this century.”
The prolific author continues to find innovative ways to connect with her audience, and she recently launched a Patreon project called “The Mad Fiction Laboratory,” where she offers professional and personalized advice on the business and craft of writing, as well as a sneak peek at her multiple works-in-progress.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Catherynne Valente and I discuss:
- How to write a novel in three to ten days
- The story behind her four-month “circus” book tour and the birth of a viral bestseller
- Her love of performance
- Previews of her three wildly different upcoming projects
- The umbrella cover museum that doubles as her office
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- How Bestselling Fantasy & Sci-Fi Author Catherynne M. Valente Writes: Part Two
- CatherynneMValente.com
- Catherynne M. Valente on Amazon
- Cat’s Patreon project – “The Mad Fiction Laboratory”
- James Patterson Teaches Writing
- Cat Valente on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Senior BuzzFeed Writer and Author of ‘Startup’ Doree Shafrir Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this interview the senior culture writer for Buzzfeed News and author of the debut novel Startup, Doree Shafrir, took a few minutes to talk with me about the early days at Gawker, her highly-anticipated fiction debut, and her tips for getting words onto the page.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The veteran online journalist started out at the Philadelphia Weekly before taking a position at Gawker in 2006. She went on to work as an editor and staff writer for Rolling Stone, The New York Observer, and has contributed to publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Slate, The Awl, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, and WIRED.
Her whip-smart debut novel is Startup, a satirical skewering of startup culture in New York City “…that proves there are some dilemmas that no app can solve.”
Vanity Fair’s Nick Bilton, former tech and business columnist for the New York Times, said of the book, “I was hooked from the first page and found myself lost in a beautifully-written fiction that so succinctly echoes today’s bizarre reality.”
Doree also co-hosts a podcast with husband and Nerdist alum, TV writer Matt Mira, titled “Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure,” described as an “…unintentionally hilarious journey through the world of infertility.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Doree Shafrir and I discuss:
- The reality and frustration of writer’s block
- Why she made the revelatory move from Microsoft Word to Scrivener
- How the author manages stress (hint: HGTV)
- The city as muse
- Why done is sometimes better than good
- Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
- Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Senior BuzzFeed Writer and Author of Startup Doree Shafrir Writes: Part One
- Doree-Shafrir.com
- Meet Startup Author Doree Shafrir – Tour Dates
- Startup: A Novel – Doree Shafrir
- Doree Shafrir is a culture writer for BuzzFeed
- Sex, Lies and Tech: How New Novel Skewers Startup Culture – Rolling Stone
- Episode 865: Nerdist Podcast – Doree Shafrir
- 24 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Write More – Doree Shafrir
- Doree Shafrir on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Senior BuzzFeed Writer and Author of ‘Startup’ Doree Shafrir Writes: Part One
The senior culture writer for Buzzfeed News and author of the debut novel Startup, Doree Shafrir, took a few minutes to talk with me about the early days at Gawker, her highly-anticipated fiction debut, and her tips for getting words onto the page.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The veteran online journalist started out at the Philadelphia Weekly before taking a position at Gawker in 2006. She went on to work as an editor and staff writer for Rolling Stone, The New York Observer, and has contributed to publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Slate, The Awl, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, and WIRED.
Her whip-smart debut novel is Startup, a satirical skewering of startup culture in New York City “…that proves there are some dilemmas that no app can solve.”
Vanity Fair’s Nick Bilton, former tech and business columnist for the New York Times, said of the book, “I was hooked from the first page and found myself lost in a beautifully-written fiction that so succinctly echoes today’s bizarre reality.”
Doree also co-hosts a podcast with husband and Nerdist alum, TV writer Matt Mira, titled “Matt and Doree’s Eggcellent Adventure,” described as an “…unintentionally hilarious journey through the world of infertility.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files you can find us on Apple Podcasts, and please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews as soon as they’re published.
In Part One of this file Doree Shafrir and I discuss:
- The writer’s journey from Gawker content creator to buzzworthy debut novelist
- How her user-generated Tumblr got her a book deal
- Why she doesn’t own her personal domain name
- How to research and create a believable antagonist
- The challenges she faced making the shift from journo to fictionist
The Show Notes:
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Senior BuzzFeed Writer and Author of ‘Startup’ Doree Shafrir Writes: Part Two
- Doree-Shafrir.com
- Meet Startup Author Doree Shafrir – Tour Dates
- Startup: A Novel – Doree Shafrir
- www.PostCardsfromYoMomma.com
- Doree Shafrir is a culture writer for BuzzFeed
- Sex, Lies and Tech: How New Novel Skewers Startup Culture – Rolling Stone
- Episode 865: Nerdist Podcast – Doree Shafrir
- 24 Quotes That Will Inspire You To Write More – Doree Shafrir
- Doree Shafrir on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Hugo Award Winning Sci-Fi Author John Scalzi Writes: Part Two
The Hugo winner and multiple New York Times bestselling science fiction author, John Scalzi, took a break from his whirlwind new book tour to chat with me about The Collapsing Empire, the timely importance of great storytelling, and what makes a writer truly great.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!His wildly popular debut novel, Old Man’s War, began as a serialized blog before attracting attention from an agent. Its 2006 publication earned him a Hugo nomination and multiple awards.
Since then he’s written dozens of novels including New York Times bestsellers The Last Colony, Fuzzy Nation, Redshirts (2013’s Hugo winner for Best Novel), and Lock In. His work has been translated into over 20 languages and multiple projects have been optioned for film and TV.
It’s no surprise that the prolific author has been a professional writer since the early ’90s. In addition to his award-winning blog, “Whatever,” John has written: freelance journalism, novellas, short stories, a wide-range of non-fiction, video games, been a Creative Consultant for a hit TV series, and remains a Critic at Large for the LA Times.
In 2015 the author signed a multi-million dollar deal with Tor Books for 13 titles over 10 years, and the first of those is The Collapsing Empire, a bestselling interstellar space opera that’s been described as “Game of Thrones meets Dune.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file John Scalzi and I discuss:
- Why this isn’t the worst time in human history … by a long shot
- The writer’s unique workflow and technological polyglotism
- Creativity as a survival instinct
- How luck and persistence can play a part in your success as a writer
- Why you really only need to focus on the things you can control
The Show Notes:
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Hugo Award Winning Sci-Fi Author John Scalzi Writes: Part One
- Whatever – John Scalzi’s Hugo Award winning blog
- Announcing The Expanding Tour 2017! 24 Cities! Five Weeks!
- The Collapsing Empire – John Scalzi
- John Scalzi’s author page on Amazon
- John Scalzi, Science Fiction Writer, Signs $3.4 Million Deal for 13 Books – New York Times
- John Scalzi on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Hugo Award Winning Sci-Fi Author John Scalzi Writes: Part One
The Hugo winner and multiple New York Times bestselling science fiction author, John Scalzi, took a break from his whirlwind new book tour to chat with me about The Collapsing Empire, the timely importance of great storytelling, and what makes a writer truly great.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!His wildly popular debut novel, Old Man’s War, began as a serialized blog before attracting attention from an agent. Its 2006 publication earned him a Hugo nomination and multiple awards.
Since then he’s written dozens of novels including New York Times bestsellers The Last Colony, Fuzzy Nation, Redshirts (2013’s Hugo winner for Best Novel), and Lock In. His work has been translated into over 20 languages and multiple projects have been optioned for film and TV.
It’s no surprise that the prolific author has been a professional writer since the early ’90s. In addition to his award-winning blog, “Whatever,” John has written: freelance journalism, novellas, short stories, a wide-range of non-fiction, video games, been a Creative Consultant for a hit TV series, and remains a Critic at Large for the LA Times.
In 2015 the author signed a multi-million dollar deal with Tor Books for 13 titles over 10 years, and the first of those is The Collapsing Empire, a bestselling interstellar space opera that’s been described as “Game of Thrones meets Dune.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file John Scalzi and I discuss:
- How publishing is like giving birth
- The secret behind most overnight successes
- How a prolific sci-fi writer researches ideas
- On beating laziness, and the author’s daily ritual
- The writer’s greatest challenge
The Show Notes:
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Hugo Award Winning Sci-Fi Author John Scalzi Writes: Part Two
- Whatever – John Scalzi’s Hugo Award winning blog
- Announcing The Expanding Tour 2017! 24 Cities! Five Weeks!
- The Collapsing Empire – John Scalzi
- John Scalzi’s author page on Amazon
- John Scalzi, Science Fiction Writer, Signs $3.4 Million Deal for 13 Books – New York Times
- John Scalzi on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Greg Iles Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file, the hyper-prolific, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Greg Iles, returned to chat with me about the conclusion to his epic trilogy, his unique writing process, and making the move to television.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!At 16 novels and counting — all but one of which have hit bestsellers lists — Greg has been called the “…William Faulkner for the Breaking Bad generation,” and his books have been adapted for film, translated into over 20 languages, and published in more than 35 countries.
His epic Natchez Burning trilogy clocks in at close to 750,000 words and started out as a single novel that he expanded after a near death experience — a car crash that left him in a coma — which ultimately changed his mind about how he wanted to write it.
His final installment in the series, Mississippi Blood, concludes the story of Southern lawyer Penn Cage, (the protagonist of six of his books including The Quiet Game, Turning Angel, and New York Times #1 bestseller The Devil’s Punchbowl).
Iles’s epic tale of “… love and honor, hatred and revenge … explores how the sins of the past continue to haunt the present,” and Stephen King described the series as “… extraordinarily entertaining and fiendishly suspenseful.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Greg Iles and I discuss:
- The author’s take on writer’s block
- A tour of Greg’s “space shuttle” desk setup
- The mad science of how the author intertwined multiple narratives and historical flashbacks over three epic novels
- Why truly creative people never get bored
- Some great writing advice from a truly prolific author
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- GregIles.com
- Greg Iles Event Dates
- Greg Iles – Author page on Amazon
- Greg Iles concludes his spectacular Natchez Burning trilogy – The Washington Post
- Greg Iles on Facebook
- Greg Iles on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Greg Iles Writes: Part One
The hyper-prolific, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Greg Iles, took a few minutes to chat with me this week about the conclusion to his epic trilogy, his unique writing process, and making the move to television.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!At 16 novels and counting — all but one of which have hit bestsellers lists — Greg has been called the “…William Faulkner for the Breaking Bad generation,” and his books have been adapted for film, translated into over 20 languages, and published in more than 35 countries.
His epic Natchez Burning trilogy clocks in at close to 750,000 words and started out as a single novel that he expanded after a near death experience — a car crash that left him in a coma — which ultimately changed his mind about how he wanted to write it.
His final installment in the series, Mississippi Blood, concludes the story of Southern lawyer Penn Cage, (the protagonist of six of his books including The Quiet Game, Turning Angel, and New York Times #1 bestseller The Devil’s Punchbowl).
Iles’s epic tale of “… love and honor, hatred and revenge … explores how the sins of the past continue to haunt the present,” and Stephen King described the series as “… extraordinarily entertaining and fiendishly suspenseful.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Greg Iles and I discuss:
- Why the author decided to take a break from rock’n’roll to start writing novels
- The importance of finding your unique writing voice
- How Greg tries to go as long as possible without writing a word
- On the author’s frenetic writing sprints and impressive word counts
- Why writers need to not “overthink” the process
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- GregIles.com
- Greg Iles Event Dates
- Greg Iles – Author page on Amazon
- Greg Iles concludes his spectacular Natchez Burning trilogy – The Washington Post
- Greg Iles on Facebook
- Greg Iles on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How New Yorker Writer and Author of ‘The Rules Do Not Apply’ Ariel Levy Writes
The New Yorker staff writer, award-winning journalist, and author of a new memoir The Rules Do Not Apply, Ariel Levy, took a moment out of her hectic schedule to rap with me about the writing life, advice from the impeccable Gay Talese, and turning her personal story into a book.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The author was a contributing editor for New York magazine for 12 years before becoming a staff writer at The New Yorker where she has written acclaimed pieces on a wide range of subjects from swimmer Diana Nyad to the hallucinogen ayahuasca.
Ariel’s work has appeared in The Washington Post, Vogue, Slate, Men’s Journal, and many others. She was the editor of The Best American Essays 2015, a collection in which she was also anthologized in 2008.
Her latest, The Rules Do Not Apply, is a book based on her heartbreaking personal story, “Thanksgiving in Mongolia.” After winning the National Magazine Award for Essays and Criticism, she expanded it into a memoir “… about a woman overcoming dramatic loss and finding reinvention.”
Bestselling author David Sedaris said of the book, “Every deep feeling a human is capable of will be shaken loose by this profound book.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Ariel Levy and I discuss:
- How an award-winning journalist started out as a gossip columnist
- Why it was easy for the author to turn the lens onto her own painful past
- How to report a great story for The New Yorker
- Analog writer hacks for creating order from chaos
- How great writers are like chocolate
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- The Rules Do Not Apply: A Memoir – Ariel Levy
- The New Yorker Contributor page – Ariel Levy
- ArielLevy.net
- A Litany Of Tragedy In ‘The Rules Do Not Apply’ – Ariel Levy on NPR
- The Drug of Choice for the Age of Kale – Ariel Levy on ayahuasca
- Ariel Levy on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the Author of ‘The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking’ Oliver Burkeman Writes: Part Two
In the second half of this file, The Guardian writer, psychology journalist, and author of the critically acclaimed book The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking, Oliver Burkeman, dropped by the program to talk to me about the writer’s journey, turning a weekly column into a book, and rethinking positive thinking.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Oliver writes about social psychology, self-help culture, productivity, and the science of happiness for his columns in both The Guardian (based in Brooklyn, New York), and Psychologies magazine. He has also interviewed a laundry list of celebrities ranging from Al Gore to Jerry Seinfeld.
In his critically acclaimed book, The Antidote (2012), the author went undercover into the heart of the “happiness industrial complex” to explore why our relentless pursuit of happiness and success often leaves us feeling the opposite.
The author looked to academics, psychologists, Buddhists, business consultants, philosophers, and many others in a unique search for an “… alternative path to happiness and success that involves embracing failure, pessimism, insecurity, and uncertainty – the very things we spend our lives trying to avoid.”
The Los Angeles Times said of the book, “Burkeman’s tour of the ‘negative path’ to happiness makes for a deeply insightful and entertaining book.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Oliver Burkeman and I discuss:
- Modest goal setting and how to be productive when you’re depressed
- The fallacies of overcoming ‘resistance’
- How to interview Jerry Seinfeld
- Why you need to just do a little writing every day
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- How the Author of ‘The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking’ Oliver Burkeman Writes: Part One
- OliverBurkeman.com
- The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking – Oliver Burkeman
- This column will change your life – Oliver Burkeman investigates routes to mental wellbeing for The Guardian
- Why time management is ruining our lives – Oliver Burkeman
- Oliver Burkeman for Psychologies magazine
- DropVox – Record Voice Memos to Dropbox
- Transcribe transcription tool
- Jerry Seinfeld on how to be funny without sex and swearing – Oliver Burkeman
- Oliver Burkeman on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the Author of ‘The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking’ Oliver Burkeman Writes: Part One
The Guardian writer, psychology journalist, and author of the critically acclaimed book The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking, Oliver Burkeman, dropped by the program to talk to me about the writer’s journey, turning a weekly column into a book, and rethinking positive thinking.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Oliver writes about social psychology, self-help culture, productivity, and the science of happiness for his columns in both The Guardian (based in Brooklyn, New York), and Psychologies magazine. He has also interviewed a laundry list of celebrities ranging from Al Gore to Jerry Seinfeld.
In his critically acclaimed book, The Antidote (2012), the author went undercover into the heart of the “happiness industrial complex” to explore why our relentless pursuit of happiness and success often leaves us feeling the opposite.
The author looked to academics, psychologists, Buddhists, business consultants, philosophers, and many others in a unique search for an “… alternative path to happiness and success that involves embracing failure, pessimism, insecurity, and uncertainty – the very things we spend our lives trying to avoid.”
The Los Angeles Times said of the book, “Burkeman’s tour of the ‘negative path’ to happiness makes for a deeply insightful and entertaining book.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Oliver Burkeman and I discuss:
- The author’s lifetime love of journalism
- How his own challenges with time management lead to his latest book project
- Why constraints can improve your productivity
- Time-tested advice for getting words onto the page
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 200,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- How the Author of ‘The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking’ Oliver Burkeman Writes: Part Two
- OliverBurkeman.com
- The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking – Oliver Burkeman
- This column will change your life – Oliver Burkeman investigates routes to mental wellbeing for The Guardian
- Why time management is ruining our lives – Oliver Burkeman
- Oliver Burkeman for Psychologies magazine
- How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Writer’s Block
- How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing – Paul J. Silvia
- Oliver Burkeman on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Journalist and Author of ‘The Power of Meaning’ Emily Esfahani Smith Writes: Part Two
In the second half of this file, the psychology and culture journalist, editor, and author of the recent book The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith, returned to talk to me about the writing life and why our search for meaning is so important right now.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Emily has an M.A. in applied positive psychology, and in addition to being a columnist for The New Criterion, Emily’s writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Time, The Atlantic, New York Magazine and other publications.
The author is also an editor at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where she manages “…an initiative to build purpose and community throughout the nation.”
The author’s new book, The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters, explores the latest insights in positive psychology as well as thinkers throughout history — from George Eliot, Aristotle, Buddha, and even Louis C.K. — to find answers on why our pursuit of happiness often leaves us unhappy, and how we can lead more meaningful lives.
Bestselling author Daniel Pink said, “The Power of Meaning deftly tells the stories of people, contemporary and historical, who have made the quest for meaning the mission of their lives. This powerful yet elegant book will inspire you to live a life of significance.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Emily Esfahani Smith and I discuss:
- The power of outlines and how to give yourself permission to write badly
- Why novelty helps you connect the dots in new ways
- How an old library can inspire new ideas
- The uniquely human pursuit of meaning and why we could all use a little more of it right now
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- How Journalist and Author of ‘The Power of Meaning’ Emily Esfahani Smith Writes: Part One
- How Journalist and Author of ‘The Power of Meaning’ Emily Esfahani Smith Writes: Part One
- EmilyEsfahaniSmith.com
- The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters – Emily Esfahani Smith
- There’s More to Life Than Being Happy – The Atlantic
- The Hoover Institution at Stanford University
- I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen – by Sylvie Simmons
- Emily Esfahani Smith on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Journalist and Author of ‘The Power of Meaning’ Emily Esfahani Smith Writes: Part One
The psychology and culture journalist, editor, and author of the recent book The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith, stopped by the show this week to talk to me about the writing life and why our search for meaning is so important right now.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Emily has an M.A. in applied positive psychology, and in addition to being a columnist for The New Criterion, Emily’s writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Time, The Atlantic, New York Magazine and other publications.
The author is also an editor at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where she manages “…an initiative to build purpose and community throughout the nation.”
The author’s new book, The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters, explores the latest insights in positive psychology as well as thinkers throughout history — from George Eliot, Aristotle, Buddha, and even Louis C.K. — to find answers on why our pursuit of happiness often leaves us unhappy, and how we can lead more meaningful lives.
Bestselling author Daniel Pink said, “The Power of Meaning deftly tells the stories of people, contemporary and historical, who have made the quest for meaning the mission of their lives. This powerful yet elegant book will inspire you to live a life of significance.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Emily Esfahani Smith and I discuss:
- Why you can’t let your fear of failure stop you from writing
- The extensive research that went into her investigation of an age-old question
- How the author discovered the four pillars of meaning
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 201,344 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to StudioPress.com
- How Journalist and Author of ‘The Power of Meaning’ Emily Esfahani Smith Writes: Part Two
- EmilyEsfahaniSmith.com
- The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters – Emily Esfahani Smith
- There’s More to Life Than Being Happy – The Atlantic
- The Hoover Institution at Stanford University
- How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes
- Emily Esfahani Smith on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Screenwriter and ‘All Our Wrong Todays’ Author Elan Mastai Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this interview, award-winning screenwriter and author of the debut novel All Our Wrong Todays, Elan Mastai, returned to talk about his fiction debut, the science of time travel, and finding inspiration in dark places.
The writer and producer has written movies for both indie and Hollywood studios, including scripts for Fox, Sony, Warner Brothers, and Paramount.
His most recent film – What If, a comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Adam Driver, and Mackenzie Davis – premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2013. Elan won the Canadian Academy Award and the Writers Guild of Canada Award for his script, and the movie played in over 30 countries.
His new novel – All Our Wrong Todays – is a sci-fi tinged, time-travel romance and much buzzed about debut that is rumored to have landed the writer a seven-figure book deal worth north of a million dollars.
The book has been described as “Dark Matter meets Back to the Future,” and even prior to the book’s publication, the film rights were sold to Paramount Pictures.
Andy Weir, bestselling author of The Martian, called it, “A thrilling tale of time travel and alternate timelines with a refreshingly optimistic view of humanity’s future.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Elan Mastai and I discuss:
- Why you should double check your facts before sending your manuscript to a celebrity
- How music can influence your writing style
- Why you need to give yourself permission to write badly
- The writer as entrepreneur whose one product is the inside of their brain
- Why your writing is a like a time machine
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Screenwriter and ‘All Our Wrong Todays’ Author Elan Mastai Writes: Part One
- All Our Wrong Todays – Elan Mastai
- ElanMastai.com
- Quit Social Media. Your Career May Depend on It. – Cal Newport
- How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part One
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- How Wired Magazine’s Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly Writes: Part One
- Elan Mastai on IMDb
- Elan Mastai on Goodreads
- Elan Mastai on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Behind the Scenes: How ‘The Writer Files’ Is Produced
This is a special edition of the show where we take a glimpse behind the scenes at how we produce the program, and the people responsible for it. As Rainmaker.FM approaches it’s 2nd anniversary, I thought it apropos to examine how we got here.
This is going to be fun!
It may seem like I’m just a guy in a garage – like so many podcasters – who interviews writers and then frantically scrambles to produce the show in the margins of my real job as a multimedia producer for Rainmaker Digital.
I do host and help produce the show of course, but I don’t record it in my garage, sorry. But you will learn how and where I do it. This week I also get the rare opportunity to shine a light on my talented production team and how this all happens.
Note: The conclusion of my chat with screenwriter and author of All Our Wrong Todays, Elan Mastai will be published Feb. 7th, the day his new book comes out.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this episode our production team and I talk about:
- How the show made the jump from a written interview to a podcast format with Robert Bruce
- The process we use to book our writers with Caroline Early
- How I research, record interviews, and write for the show’s website
- Why the raw audio for the shows needs a little massaging from a pro audio engineer with Toby Lyles
- How it all comes together to beam to your phone or desktop, and nestle neatly in your ears with Clare Garrett
The Show Notes
- Begin your free, 14-day trial of the Rainmaker Platform and start building your own digital marketing and sales platform today at Rainmaker.FM/Platform
- StudioPress.com
- Unusually Short Stories at RobertBruce.com
- Proust Questionnaire – Wikipedia
- Here’s How Brian Clark Writes – The inaugural issue of The Writer Files
- Longform Podcast #226: Terry Gross
- ScheduleOnce.com – Scheduling platform
- Caroline Early on Twitter
- Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid
- Auralex soundproofing
- Call Recorder for Skype
- Zencastr.com
- How Oscar Nominee Emma Donoghue (Screenwriter of ‘Room’) Writes: Part One
- How Bestselling Author Hugh Howey Writes
- TwentyFourSound – The premier podcast network editing service
- The Learn Podcast Production Podcast – TwentyFourSound
- Adobe Audition CC
- GarageBand for Mac
- Audacity – Free, open source, cross-platform audio software for multi-track recording and editing
- Trello – Workflow collaboration tool
- Rafal Tomal – Lead Designer at Rainmaker Digital
- Rev.com – Transcription service
- Kibin.com – Editing service
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Screenwriter and ‘All Our Wrong Todays’ Author Elan Mastai Writes: Part One
The award-winning screenwriter and author of the debut novel All Our Wrong Todays, Elan Mastai, dropped by the show this week to talk about his fiction debut, the science of time travel, and finding inspiration in dark places.
The writer and producer has written movies for both indie and Hollywood studios, including scripts for Fox, Sony, Warner Brothers, and Paramount.
His most recent film – What If, a comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Adam Driver, and Mackenzie Davis – premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2013. Elan won the Canadian Academy Award and the Writers Guild of Canada Award for his script, and the movie played in over 30 countries.
His new novel – All Our Wrong Todays – is a sci-fi tinged, time-travel romance and much buzzed about debut that is rumored to have landed the writer a seven-figure book deal worth north of a million dollars.
The book has been described as “Dark Matter meets Back to the Future,” and even prior to the book’s publication, the film rights were sold to Paramount Pictures.
Andy Weir, bestselling author of The Martian, called it, “A thrilling tale of time travel and alternate timelines with a refreshingly optimistic view of humanity’s future.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Elan Mastai and I discuss:
- His grandfather’s vintage sci-fi collection and how it inspired him
- How he launched his screenwriting career by translating Pulp Fiction into a kid’s movie
- Why writers need to know their weaknesses
- How the busy screenwriter and producer found time to write a novel
- The hard science of time travel and storytelling
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Screenwriter and ‘All Our Wrong Todays’ Author Elan Mastai Writes: Part Two
- All Our Wrong Todays – Elan Mastai
- ElanMastai.com
- How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part One
- Elan Mastai on IMDb
- Elan Mastai on Goodreads
- Elan Mastai on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the Editor of ‘Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living’ Manjula Martin Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the writer and managing editor of Francis Ford Coppola’s award-winning magazine Zoetrope: All-Story, Manjula Martin, returns to the show this week to talk about her new book and “…the realities of making a living in the writing world.”
Manjula is the founder of the website Who Pays Writers?, an invaluable service dedicated to helping freelance writers anonymously share current publication rates and their experiences getting paid.
As managing editor of Zoetrope: All-Story magazine, a title that has won every major story award including the National Magazine Award for Fiction, Ms. Martin sees to the quarterly publication of a stable of prominent contemporary writers and artists.
In her first book, Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living, the editor has collected interviews and “…essays from today’s most acclaimed authors–from Cheryl Strayed to Roxane Gay to Jennifer Weiner, Alexander Chee, Nick Hornby, and Jonathan Franzen…” on the intersection of writing and commerce.
The New Republic said of the writer, “Manjula Martin has done more than perhaps anyone else to shed light on the financial nitty-gritty of the writing profession.”
Her writing has also appeared in the Virginia Quarterly Review, Pacific Standard, Aeon Magazine, Hazlitt Magazine, The Awl, SF Weekly, The Rumpus, and many others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Manjula Martin and I discuss:
- Productivity, irregular hours, and the 400 hats of a working editor and writer
- Why finding your writing flow is so important when you have a day job
- One great hack for beating writer’s block
- How creativity resists definition
- Why writers need to share info about making a living
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living
- ManjulaMartin.com
- How Publishing Consultant, Educator, and Author Jane Friedman Writes: Part One
- Who Pays Writers?
- Zoetrope: All-Story Magazine
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
- three cents newsletter by Manjula Martin
- Manjula Martin on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the Editor of ‘Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living’ Manjula Martin Writes: Part One
The writer and managing editor of Francis Ford Coppola’s award-winning magazine Zoetrope: All-Story, Manjula Martin, paid a visit to the show this week to talk about her new book and “…the realities of making a living in the writing world.”
Manjula is the founder of the website Who Pays Writers?, an invaluable service dedicated to helping freelance writers anonymously share current publication rates and their experiences getting paid.
As managing editor of Zoetrope: All-Story magazine, a title that has won every major story award including the National Magazine Award for Fiction, Ms. Martin sees to the quarterly publication of a stable of prominent contemporary writers and artists.
In her first book, Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living, the editor has collected interviews and “…essays from today’s most acclaimed authors–from Cheryl Strayed to Roxane Gay to Jennifer Weiner, Alexander Chee, Nick Hornby, and Jonathan Franzen…” on the intersection of writing and commerce.
The New Republic said of the writer, “Manjula Martin has done more than perhaps anyone else to shed light on the financial nitty-gritty of the writing profession.”
Her writing has also appeared in the Virginia Quarterly Review, Pacific Standard, Aeon Magazine, Hazlitt Magazine, The Awl, SF Weekly, The Rumpus, and many others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Manjula Martin and I discuss:
- Why the school of real life is so valuable to writers
- How an unpaid internship led to a dream job
- The revenge of analog and print magazines
- How a Tumblr became an inspiring collection of stories on the writing life
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How the Editor of ‘Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living’ Manjula Martin Writes: Part Two
- Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living
- ManjulaMartin.com
- How Publishing Consultant, Educator, and Author Jane Friedman Writes: Part One
- Who Pays Writers?
- Zoetrope: All-Story Magazine
- three cents newsletter by Manjula Martin
- Manjula Martin on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Journalist and Bestselling Author of ‘The Revenge of Analog’ David Sax Writes: Part Two
The business and culture journalist and bestselling author of the recent book The Revenge of Analog, David Sax, returned to the show to talk about the writing life, the importance of real things in a digital world, and the revenge of paper.
David is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek, The New York Times, The New Yorker online, and other publications.
The author’s first book, Save the Deli, was an Los Angeles Times bestseller and won the James Beard Award for Writing and Literature.
His latest, The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter, “… looks at the resurgence of analog goods and ideas, during a time when we assumed digital would conquer all.” It was longlisted for the 2017 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence.
Kevin Kelly, founding editor of Wired magazine and author of The Inevitable, said of the book, “The better digital gets, the more important analog becomes….Sax s reporting is eye-opening and mind-changing.”
NOTE: This is the last episode of the year for us, due to the impending holiday break, but we will return with more great interviews for you in 2017. Thanks for listening!
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part Two of this file David Sax and I discuss:
- Why you should work regular hours and the author’s ‘Cinderella Clause’
- The significance of unplugging for writers
- How to record your audiobook in the same studio as Drake
- Why the reward is the work for sustaining your writing
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Journalist and Bestselling Author of ‘The Revenge of Analog’ David Sax Writes: Part One
- The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter
- David Sax books on Amazon
- What Barnes & Noble Doesn t Get About Bookstores – David Sax for The New Yorker
- Is the Novel Dead? Part One
- David Sax on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Journalist and Bestselling Author of ‘The Revenge of Analog’ David Sax Writes: Part One
The business and culture journalist and bestselling author of the recent book The Revenge of Analog, David Sax, dropped by the show to talk about the writing life, the importance of real things in a digital world, and the revenge of paper.
David is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek, The New York Times, The New Yorker online, and other publications.
The author’s first book, Save the Deli, was an Los Angeles Times bestseller and won the James Beard Award for Writing and Literature.
His latest, The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter,”…looks at the resurgence of analog goods and ideas, during a time when we assumed digital would conquer all.” It was longlisted for the 2017 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence.
Kevin Kelly, founding editor of Wired magazine and author of The Inevitable, said of the book, “The better digital gets, the more important analog becomes….Sax s reporting is eye-opening and mind-changing.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file David Sax and I discuss:
- Writing at the intersections of business and culture
- Why your best ideas come to you in the shower
- The importance of impeccable research for great non-fiction
- A road map for cranking out 3,000-4,000 words a day
- How printing and editing your work on paper can improve your writing
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Journalist and Bestselling Author of ‘The Revenge of Analog’ David Sax Writes: Part Two
- The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter
- David Sax books on Amazon
- What Barnes & Noble Doesn t Get About Bookstores – David Sax for The New Yorker
- Is the Novel Dead? Part One
- How Wired Magazine’s Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly Writes: Part One
- How Oscar Nominee Emma Donoghue (Screenwriter of ‘Room’) Writes: Part One
- David Sax on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the Bestselling Author of ‘The Blue Zones’ Dan Buettner Writes
The multiple New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Zones books and National Geographic Fellow, Dan Buettner, dropped by the show to talk about his world travels, life-saving longevity research, and some fantastic advice for writers.
The author is an internationally recognized explorer who discovered five places in the world — called Blue Zones — where humans live the longest and healthiest, and his 2005 National Geographic cover story “The Secrets of Living Longer” was a finalist for a National Magazine Award.
Based on his Blue Zones work, Dan founded a company of the same name to share “the world’s best practices in longevity and well-being” and has helped to successfully raise life expectancy in American cities including both Minnesota and Los Angeles.
Mr. Buettner has been featured on Real Time with Bill Maher, CNN, the Late Show with David Letterman, Good Morning America, and the TODAY show to discuss his research.
His TED talk “How to live to be 100+” has been viewed almost 2.9 million times, and he has given more than 500 keynote speeches over the last 10 years.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Dan Buettner and I discuss:
- Wise words from the author’s mentor George Plimpton
- Why good stories are the Trojan Horse to winning over readers
- How a decade of research and writing became a life-saving blueprint for American cities
- The coffee shop effect for productive writing
- One great trick for beating writer’s block
- Why building your brand is so important for writers
The Show Notes
- If you’re ready to see for yourself why over 194,000 website owners trust StudioPress — the industry standard for premium WordPress themes and plugins — just go to Rainmaker.FM/StudioPress
- How Award-Winning Sports & Travel Writer Adam Skolnick (Author of ‘One Breath’) Writes: Part One
- BlueZones.com
- Dan Buettner books on Amazon
- National Geographic Explorer – Dan Buettner
- Dan Buettner’s TED talk ‘How to live to be 100+’
- Dan Buettner on Facebook
- Blue Zones on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How #1 Hit Podcast ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ Co-Creator Jeffrey Cranor Writes: Part Two
The co-creator and co-writer of the #1 international hit podcast Welcome to Night Vale and New York Times bestselling co-author of the novel of same name, Jeffrey Cranor, dropped by the show to talk about the importance of collaboration, deadlines, and bad writing.
In addition to producing and touring with the theater ensemble The New York Neo-Futurists, the playwright and author tours with live shows for the Night Vale Presents production banner, co-created with Joseph Fink.
Night Vale Presents now produces four podcasts that regularly sit at the top of the charts — including Within the Wires, also created by the author — and recently published two volumes of episode transcripts that include extras for fans of their original show.
Welcome to Night Vale has been described as “NPR meets The Twilight Zone,” a sci-fi broadcast about a small desert community where strange mythologies abound, and all conspiracy theory is potentially real.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Jeffrey Cranor and I discuss:
- The power of productive procrastination
- How ‘making the familiar strange’ produces great writing
- Why it’s really hard to be good all the time
- How the battle against expectation can surprise readers
- The art of great audiobooks as performance
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- Welcome To Night Vale
- Welcome To Night Vale on Facebook
- Night Vale Presents
- Jeffrey Cranor on Amazon
- Jeffrey Cranor’s website
- NY Neo-Futurists Theater Company
- Jeffrey Cranor on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How #1 Hit Podcast ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ Co-Creator Jeffrey Cranor Writes: Part One
The co-creator and co-writer of the #1 international hit podcast Welcome to Night Vale and New York Times bestselling co-author of the novel of same name, Jeffrey Cranor, dropped by the show to talk about the importance of collaboration, deadlines, and bad writing.
In addition to producing and touring with the theater ensemble The New York Neo-Futurists, the playwright and author tours with live shows for the Night Vale Presents production banner, co-created with Joseph Fink.
Night Vale Presents now produces four podcasts that regularly sit at the top of the charts — including Within the Wires, also created by the author — and recently published two volumes of episode transcripts that include extras for fans of their original show.
Welcome to Night Vale has been described as “NPR meets The Twilight Zone,” a sci-fi broadcast about a small desert community where strange mythologies abound, and all conspiracy theory is potentially real.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Jeffrey Cranor and I discuss:
- Why writing collaboratively can help you become less ‘precious’ about your work
- How a hit podcast producer and novelist divides his time
- An author’s comforts in coffee and sports talk radio
- Why the law of averages says you won’t always find the words
- The import of building a platform and setting a deadline for publish
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- How #1 Hit Podcast ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ Co-Creator Jeffrey Cranor Writes: Part Two
- Welcome to Night Vale
- Welcome to Night Vale on Facebook
- Night Vale Presents
- Jeffrey Cranor on Amazon
- Jeffrey Cranor’s website
- NY Neo-Futurists Theater Company
- Jeffrey Cranor on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the Author of ‘The Bestseller Code’ Jodie Archer Writes: Part Two
Literary scholar, publishing consultant, and co-author of the critically acclaimed book The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer dropped by to chat with me about her journey, the coming revolution in publishing, and the insecurities that all writers face.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Before earning her PhD from Stanford, Ms. Archer studied English at Cambridge, worked in both journalism and TV, and became an acquisitions editor for Penguin UK publishing.
While at Stanford Jodie taught nonfiction and memoir writing, and researched both contemporary fiction and bestsellers. Upon completion of her doctoral work she was recruited by Apple where she was the lead in research on books.
Her book, The Bestseller Code, is based on her doctoral research with professor Matt Jockers, an algorithm that they tested over four years and refined by text mining over 20,000 contemporary novels.
The Guardian proclaimed that their book “… may revolutionize the publishing industry,” in part because their algorithm was able to predict bestselling books 80% of the time, based on a theme, plot, character and many other big data points.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Jodie Archer and I discuss:
- How to use Google Docs to co-write a book
- Why every writer is organized in their own disorganized way
- How to get into your creativity zone
- The worst question you can ask a book lover
- Why authenticity is critical for your productivity
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel – Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers
- ArcherJockers.com
- Jodie Archer on Good Reads
- Jodie Archer on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How the Author of ‘The Bestseller Code’ Jodie Archer Writes: Part One
Literary scholar, publishing consultant, and co-author of the critically acclaimed book The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer dropped by to chat with me about her journey, the coming revolution in publishing, and the insecurities that all writers face.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Before earning her PhD from Stanford, Ms. Archer studied English at Cambridge, worked in both journalism and TV, and became an acquisitions editor for Penguin UK publishing.
While at Stanford Jodie taught nonfiction and memoir writing, and researched both contemporary fiction and bestsellers. Upon completion of her doctoral work she was recruited by Apple where she was the lead in research on books.
Her book, The Bestseller Code, is based on her doctoral research with professor Matt Jockers, an algorithm that they tested over four years and refined by text mining over 20,000 contemporary novels.
The Guardian proclaimed that their book “… may revolutionize the publishing industry,” in part because their algorithm was able to predict bestselling books 80% of the time, based on a theme, plot, character and many other big data points.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Jodie Archer and I discuss:
- How a word nerd helped program a computer to predict bestsellers with a high degree of accuracy
- Why all writers of fiction should read The Bestseller Code
- How to turn years of research into an entertaining and educational non-fiction book
- The power of deadlines for beating procrastination
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- How the Author of The Bestseller Code Jodie Archer Writes: Part Two
- How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part One
- How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part One
- How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part One
- The Bestseller Code: Anatomy of the Blockbuster Novel – Jodie Archer & Matt Jockers
- ArcherJockers.com
- Jodie Archer on Good Reads
- Jodie Archer on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Sci-fi Thriller Author Blake Crouch Writes: Part Two
International bestselling sci-fi and thriller novelist and screenwriter, Blake Crouch, took time-out from his busy schedule to talk to me about his mind-bending new book Dark Matter, and adapting his work for both film and TV.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The hybrid author has penned more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over 30 languages, and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications.
In addition to having his Wayward Pines trilogy adapted into a #1 hit TV show by FOX, Blake wrote the screenplay for his latest novel, Dark Matter, for Sony Pictures. He also recently co-created Good Behavior, a TNT show based on his novellas, starring Michelle Dockery (set to premiere November 15th, 2016).
His novel Dark Matter was described by the NY Times as an, “… alternate-universe science fiction …. countdown thriller in which the hero must accomplish an impossible task,” and bestselling sci-fi author Andy Weir called it, “An exciting, ingeniously plotted adventure about love, regret, and quantum superposition.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Blake Crouch and I discuss:
- The author’s tips for conquering writer’s block
- Why versioning and backing up drafts is crucial
- How to lean into procrastination and find your most productive writing time
- Why understanding that ‘everything’s been written,’ can set your creativity free
- Why you need to write the kind of book you want to read
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- BlakeCrouch.com
- Dark Matter: A Novel – Blake Crouch
- Blake Crouch on Facebook
- Blake Crouch on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Sci-fi Thriller Author Blake Crouch Writes: Part One
International bestselling sci-fi and thriller novelist and screenwriter, Blake Crouch, took time-out from his busy schedule to talk to me about his mind-bending new book Dark Matter, and adapting his work for both film and TV.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The hybrid author has penned more than a dozen novels that have been translated into over 30 languages, and his short fiction has appeared in numerous publications.
In addition to having his Wayward Pines trilogy adapted into a #1 hit TV show by FOX, Blake wrote the screenplay for his latest novel, Dark Matter, for Sony Pictures. He also recently co-created Good Behavior, a TNT show based on his novellas, starring Michelle Dockery (set to premiere November 15th, 2016).
His novel Dark Matter was described by the NY Times as an, “… alternate-universe science fiction …. countdown thriller in which the hero must accomplish an impossible task,” and bestselling sci-fi author Andy Weir called it, “An exciting, ingeniously plotted adventure about love, regret, and quantum superposition.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Blake Crouch and I discuss:
- The power of self-publishing for a traditionally published author
- Why in-depth research is so crucial to writing believable fiction
- The importance of outlining for a bestselling author and screenwriter
- How the right soundtrack can boost your creativity
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- How Bestselling Sci-fi Thriller Author Blake Crouch Writes: Part Two
- How Oscar Nominee Emma Donoghue (Screenwriter of ‘Room’) Writes: Part One
- BlakeCrouch.com
- Dark Matter: A Novel – Blake Crouch
- Blake Crouch on Facebook
- Blake Crouch on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Jennifer Weiner Writes: Part Two
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 books, Jennifer Weiner, took a few minutes to talk with me about the writer’s life, her new memoir, and Revenge of the Nerds.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Before her prolific career as a novelist, Ms. Weiner started out as a small town newspaper reporter and freelancer, before signing her first big book deal for her novel Good in Bed (2001).
Since then her books have spent over five years on the New York Times bestseller list, she has had a novel made into a major motion picture — In Her Shoes, starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette (2005) — contributed op-eds to the New York Times, executive produced a TV series, and published a children’s book (The Littlest Bigfoot).
Her latest offering is the memoir Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing, and it “… is about yearning and fulfillment, loss and love, and a woman who searched for her place in the world, and found it as a storyteller.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of this file Jennifer Weiner and I discuss:
- How Creative People See the World Through Their Own Lenses
- Why Hard Work Alone Forges Enduring Writers
- Why Ebooks are Indispensable to Writers on the Go
- Why Just You Need Sit Down and Start Writing
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- JenniferWeiner.com
- So you want to be a novelist? Jennifer Weiner
- The Littlest Bigfoot – Jennifer Weiner
- Jennifer Weiner on Instagram
- Jennifer Weiner on Facebook
- Jennifer Weiner on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Jennifer Weiner Writes: Part One
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 books, Jennifer Weiner, took a few minutes to talk with me about the writer’s life, her new memoir, and Revenge of the Nerds.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Prior to her prolific career as a novelist, Ms. Weiner started out as a small town newspaper reporter and freelancer, before signing her first big book deal for her novel Good in Bed (2001).
Since then her books have spent over five years on the New York Times bestseller list, she has had a novel made into a major motion picture — In Her Shoes, starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette (2005) — contributed op-eds to the New York Times, executive produced a TV series, and published a children’s book (The Littlest Bigfoot).
Her latest offering is the memoir Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing, and it “… is about yearning and fulfillment, loss and love, and a woman who searched for her place in the world, and found it as a storyteller.”
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
In Part One of this file Jennifer Weiner and I discuss:
- How Her Iconic Writing Mentors Joyce Carol Oates and John McPhee Helped Guide Her
- Why Ten Years and 10,000 Hours in the Trenches Is Par for the Course
- How Working in Busy Environments Boosts Your Productivity
- Great Tricks to Keep the Ink Flowing, without Opening a Vein
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- How Bestselling Author Jennifer Weiner Writes: Part Two
- JenniferWeiner.com
- So you want to be a novelist? Jennifer Weiner
- The Littlest Bigfoot – Jennifer Weiner
- Jennifer Weiner on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is the Novel Dead? Part Two
In this special edition of the show, two writers joined me to opine the death of one of the most influential forms in the history of the written word. I posed the question that many great writers have pondered stretching across the last two centuries …
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Start getting more from your site today!Is the novel dead? And maybe a more up-to-date version of that question is, did the Internet kill books?
Of course these are famous — almost cliche — theoretical discussions that writers often chew on over stiff drinks, and they raise hackles for those of us who adore them.
What you won’t find here is a highbrow literary dissertation, or even a very strict definition as to what the novel is or isn’t. But you will find a lively discussion between friends who care about the writing life and its future.
Robert Bruce is a writer, voice actor, and copywriter, as well as the Vice President of Rainmaker Digital and the guy who runs the Rainmaker.FM podcast network.
Adam Skolnick is an award-winning journalist, author, and a returning guest on the show. His first book, One Breath, was published by Crown last January, and his work has appeared in publications including Playboy, The New York Times, and many others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews as soon as they’re published.
In Part Two of the file Robert, Adam, and I discuss:
- How Digital Culture Has Exploded Traditional Forms of Writing
- On the Millenial Generation’s Preference for Paper Books
- Why It’s so Hard to Define the Novel in the Internet Age
- How Click-Bait is Killing Journalism
- Why the Novel Will Never Die
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- Get More from Robert Bruce at RobertBruce.com
- Find more from Adam Skolnick at AdamSkolnick.com
- The novel is dead (this time it’s for real)- Will Self
- Reality Hunger – David Shields
- The Medium is the Message: How We Read and How It Affects Us – John Bradley
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is the Novel Dead? Part One
In this special edition of the show, two writers joined me to opine the death of one of the most influential forms in the history of the written word. I posed the question that many great writers have pondered stretching across the last two centuries …
Of course these are famous — almost cliche — theoretical discussions that writers often chew on over stiff drinks, and they raise hackles for those of us who adore them.
What you won’t find here is a highbrow literary dissertation, or even a very strict definition as to what the novel is or isn’t. But you will find a lively discussion between friends who care about the writing life and its future.
Robert Bruce is a writer, voice actor, and copywriter, as well as the Vice President of Rainmaker Digital and the guy who runs the Rainmaker.FM podcast network.
Adam Skolnick is an award-winning journalist, author, and a returning guest on the show. His first book, One Breath, was published by Crown last January, and his work has appeared in publications including Playboy, The New York Times, and many others.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews as soon as they’re published.
In Part One of the file Robert, Adam, and I discuss:
- How Longer Works of Writing Have Been Forced to Compete with Disposable Culture
- Why Herman Melville Died Penniless
- How the Novel has Stood the Test of Time
- The Role of Podcasting for Modern Writers
- Author Hugh Howey’s ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ Model of Book Retail
The Show Notes
- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- Is the Novel Dead? Part Two
- Get More from Robert Bruce at RobertBruce.com
- Find more from Adam Skolnick at AdamSkolnick.com
- How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part One
- How Bestselling Author Jay McInerney Writes: Part One
- The Passive Voice – After Months of Strong Sales, Bookstores See Drop in July
- Hugh Howey – Rock, Paper, Scissors
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Best of The Writer Files: Volume One
Before kicking off the next season of the show, we wanted to share with you some highlights from our previous seasons.
I don’t want to shortchange the most recent interviews with inspiring guests including Jay McInerney (’80s defining author of Bright Lights, Big City), Stephanie Danler (the bestselling author of Sweetbitter), the co-founder of Wired magazine Kevin Kelly, or How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defined Writer’s Block for us.
But I do want to dig into the archives with you and pull out a few of my favorites from a handful of the other 40 authors The Writer Files has cross-examined to learn how they keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block.
You’ll find links to the these shows in the show notes and past episodes are easy to find in the archives of your favorite podcast app, in iTunes, or at WriterFiles.fm.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, click subscribe in iTunes, to automatically see new interviews.
In this “Best of” Volume One, we’ll hear from a handful of past guests, including:
- Advice Columnist and Critic Heather Havrilesky on Social Media and Managed Procrastination
- NYTimes Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’ Andy Weir on Productivity vs Laziness
- Bestselling Debut Novelist Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney on Beating Fear and Procrastination
- Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson on How to Publish Over a Million Words in a Year
- And Bestselling Author Ann Handley on the Only Reason to Write a Book
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/rainmaker
- How Advice Columnist and Author Heather Havrilesky Writes: Part Two
- How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part One
- How Bestselling Debut Novelist Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Writes: Part Two
- How Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One
- How Bestselling Author Ann Handley Writes
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Jay McInerney Writes: Part Two
The bestselling author of 11 books, including the eighties defining Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney, took a break to chat with me about his new book, the writing process, and some timeless tips from his mentor, Raymond Carver.
Vanity Fair called Mr. McInerney “Our modern-day Fitzgerald,” and his most recent book — Bright, Precious Days — is described as “… a sexy, vibrant, cross-generational New York story — a literary and commercial triumph of the highest order.”
The author is a renowned short story writer, screenwriter, and actor, who has lived in New York for three decades and rubbed elbows with a laundry list of literary lions, including his mentors Tobias Wolff and Raymond Carver.
In addition to fiction, Jay writes a highly regarded wine column for Town & Country magazine, and has written several essay collections on wine.
The author most recently joined the Prince Street podcast as a culinary and arts correspondent and has interviewed director Francis Ford Coppola, author Stephanie Danler, and celebrity chefs including Eric Ripert, to name a few.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please subscribe in iTunes to automatically see new interviews, and help other writers find us.
In Part Two of the file Jay McInerney and I discuss:
- The Author’s Astute Anatomical Analogy for Writer’s Block
- How a Short Story Became a Series of Bestselling Novels
- Why Writers Need to Stretch the Boundaries of Their Genres
- The Big City as Creative Muse
- Some Timeless Advice from Raymond Carver on the Importance of Discipline
The Show Notes
- JayMcInerney.com
- Bright, Precious Days: A novel – Jay McInerney
- Prince Street Podcast
- Jay McInerney: why Gatsby is so great
- Jay McInerney on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Jay McInerney Writes: Part One
The bestselling author of 11 books, including the eighties defining Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney, took a break to chat with me about his new book, the writing process, and some timeless tips from his mentor, Raymond Carver.
Vanity Fair called Mr. McInerney “Our modern-day Fitzgerald,” and his most recent book — Bright, Precious Days — is described as “… a sexy, vibrant, cross-generational New York story — a literary and commercial triumph of the highest order.”
The author is a renowned short story writer, screenwriter, and actor, who has lived in New York for three decades and rubbed elbows with a laundry list of literary lions, including his mentors Tobias Wolff and Raymond Carver.
In addition to fiction, Jay writes a highly regarded wine column for Town & Country magazine, and has written several essay collections on wine.
The author most recently joined the Prince Street podcast as a culinary and arts correspondent and has interviewed director Francis Ford Coppola, author Stephanie Danler, and celebrity chefs including Eric Ripert, to name a few.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please subscribe in iTunes to automatically get new interviews, and help other writers find us.
In Part One of the file Jay McInerney and I discuss:
- Why It’s Not a Bad Thing to Be Compared to Your Betters
- How to Incorporate Your Passions into Your Writing
- Why You Need to Sit at Your Desk Every Day and Listen to the Voices in Your Head
- The Author’s Process of Discovery at the Level of Language
- How the Right Soundtrack Can Inspire Your Writing
The Show Notes
- How Bestselling Author Jay McInerney Writes: Part Two
- JayMcInerney.com
- Bright, Precious Days: A novel – Jay McInerney
- Prince Street Podcast
- Jay McInerney: why Gatsby is so great
- Book Excerpt: Jay McInerney on Joy Division’s Heyday
- Jay McInerney on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part Two
The instant national bestselling author of the acclaimed debut novel Sweetbitter, Stephanie Danler, stopped by the show to chat with me about her not-so-overnight success as a rising literary star.
Ms. Danler signed a six-figure deal with Knopf for her first book, the coming-of-age story of a young woman transplanted into New York City’s upscale, cutthroat restaurant world.
Bestselling author Jay McInerney called Sweetbitter “… a stunning debut novel, one that seems destined to help define a generation,” and the book has been compared to Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential.
Before returning to her love of writing, and earning an MFA in Fiction from The New School in NY, Ms. Danler spent much of her life working in the food and wine industry.
Stephanie has also written essays for The Paris Review, Vogue, Literary Hub, and Travel + Leisure.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please subscribe in iTunes to automatically see new interviews, and help other writers find us.
In Part Two of the file Stephanie Danler and I discuss:
- The Dichotomy of Procrastination and Deadlines
- Why Relationships Are Important to Writers
- On the Deconstruction and Sanctity of Creativity
- How Great Writers Leave ‘Blood on the Page’
- Some Great Advice on Why You Just Need to Finish
The Show Notes
- How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part One
- Sweetbitter: A novel – Stephanie Danler
- StephanieDanler.com with Links to Essays by Stephanie Danler
- This is Water – David Foster Wallace
- Stephanie Danler on Instagram
- Stephanie Danler on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part One
The instant national bestselling author of the acclaimed debut novel Sweetbitter, Stephanie Danler, stopped by the show to chat with me about her not-so-overnight success as a rising literary star.
Ms. Danler signed a six-figure deal with Knopf for her first book, the coming-of-age story of a young woman transplanted into New York City’s upscale, cutthroat restaurant world.
Bestselling author Jay McInerney called Sweetbitter “… a stunning debut novel, one that seems destined to help define a generation,” and the book has been compared to Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential.
Before returning to her love of writing, and earning an MFA in Fiction from The New School in NY, Ms. Danler spent much of her life working in the food and wine industry.
Stephanie has also written essays for The Paris Review, Vogue, Literary Hub, and Travel + Leisure.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please subscribe in iTunes to automatically see new interviews, and help other writers find us.
In Part One of the file Stephanie Danler and I discuss:
- Why You Should Write What You Know and Love
- The Unglamorous Yet Rewarding Work of Promoting a New Book
- Why Cultural Artifacts Are Great for Research
- An Author’s Careful Balance of Daily Beverage Consumption
- Why the Old Rules of Productivity Shouldn’t Apply to Writers
The Show Notes
- How ‘Sweetbitter’ Author Stephanie Danler Writes: Part Two
- Sweetbitter: A novel – Stephanie Danler
- StephanieDanler.com with Links to Essays by Stephanie Danler
- One Writer on Loving and Letting Go of Her Drug-Dependent Father – Stephanie Danler for Vogue
- Stephanie Danler on Instagram
- Stephanie Danler on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Wired Magazine’s Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly Writes: Part Two
New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of Wired magazine, Kevin Kelly, stopped by the show to chat with me about his journey from travel journalist to famed futurist.
Mr. Kelly’s storied and winding career has taken him around the world in search of visions of the new digital frontier.
Kevin is a renowned TED speaker and author of multiple bestsellers including his latest, The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future, a title that offers an optimistic roadmap of how new technologies will shape humanity.
Dubbed “the Most Interesting Man in the World” by Tim Ferris, Mr. Kelly began writing on the internet near its inception and never looked back. He has taken gigs including Editor for the Whole Earth Review, and presently Senior Maverick at Wired magazine, a magazine he co-founded in 1993, and where he served as Executive Editor until 1999.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click “subscribe” to automatically see new interviews, and help other writers find us.
In Part Two of the file Kevin Kelly and I discuss:
- Why the Author Can’t Write on the Road
- The Importance of Delegation as a Writer
- The Cool Tools Kevin Kelly Uses to Get Words on the Page
- A Futurist’s Expansive Definition of Creativity
- How Lateral Thinking Can Improve Your Writing
- Why Steven Spielberg Asked Mr. Kelly to Predict the Future
The Show Notes
- Kevin Kelly’s Personal Website
- The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future – Kevin Kelly
- 1,000 True Fans
- The Act of Creation – Arthur Koestler
- Oblique Strategies
- Writer Emergency Pack – John August
- Kevin Kelly on Google+
- Kevin Kelly on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Wired Magazine’s Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly Writes: Part One
New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of Wired magazine, Kevin Kelly, stopped by the show to chat with me about his journey from travel journalist to famed futurist.
Mr. Kelly’s storied and winding career has taken him around the world in search of visions of the new digital frontier.
Kevin is a renowned TED speaker and author of multiple bestsellers including his latest, The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future, a title that offers an optimistic roadmap of how new technologies will shape humanity.
Dubbed “the Most Interesting Man in the World” by Tim Ferris, Mr. Kelly began writing on the internet near its inception and never looked back. He has taken gigs including Editor for the Whole Earth Review, and presently Senior Maverick at Wired magazine, a magazine he co-founded in 1993, and where he served as Executive Editor until 1999.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click “subscribe” to automatically see new interviews, and help other writers find us.
In Part One of the file Kevin Kelly and I discuss:
- How an Amateur Photographer Became a Bestselling Author and Digital Visionary
- The Future of Artificial Intelligence
- How a Technologist Keeps His Finger on the Pulse of the Future
- Why You Should Write to Understand Your Ideas
- The Importance of the Incubation Phase for Writers
The Show Notes
- How Wired Magazine s Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly Writes: Part Two
- Kevin Kelly’s Personal Website
- The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future – Kevin Kelly
- 1,000 True Fans
- Cool Tools Website
- Kevin Kelly on Google+
- Kevin Kelly on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Writer’s Block: Part Two
Welcome to another guest segment of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ where we pick the brain of a neuroscientist about the elements of great writing. This week’s show covers some possible origins and solutions to an ailment known only to writers.
Research scientist Michael Grybko, of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington, returned to help me pinpoint the mysteries of writer’s block from a scientific standpoint.
If you missed the first three installments of The Writer’s Brain — on How Neuroscience Defines Creativity, Empathy, and Storytelling — you can find all of them in the show notes and on writerfiles.fm.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click “subscribe” to automatically see new interviews, and help other writers find us.
In Part Two of the file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- 3 Symptoms of Writer’s Block and How to Cure Them
- How Your Emotions Have a Profound Effect on Your Creativity
- Why Achieving Small, Attainable Goals Rewards Your Brain
- How Changing Work Venues Boosts Your Productivity
- Hemingway’s Personal Tricks for Getting Words on the Page
- The Importance of Regular Rituals for Eliminating Doubt
The Show Notes
- Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind
- The End of Reflection – Teddy Wayne
- How To Concentrate Automatically Without Even Trying
- Seven Tips From Ernest Hemingway on How to Write Fiction
- Around the Writer’s Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer’s Resistance
- 8 Strange Rituals of Productive Writers
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Writer’s Block: Part One
Welcome to another guest segment of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ where we pick the brain of a neuroscientist about the elements of great writing. This week’s show covers some possible origins and solutions to an ailment known only to writers.
Research scientist Michael Grybko, of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington, returned to help me pinpoint the mysteries of writer’s block from a scientific standpoint.
If you missed the first three installments of The Writer’s Brain — on How Neuroscience Defines Creativity, Empathy, and Storytelling — you can find all of them in the show notes and on writerfiles.fm.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click “subscribe” to automatically see new interviews, and help other writers find us.
In Part One of the file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- Why Writers Argue about the Definition of Writer’s Block
- What Happens When Your Creativity Dries Up
- How to Find Your Most Productive Writing Time
- Why Writers Need to Unplug to Recharge
- How an ‘Incubation Phase’ Can Improve Your Writing
The Show Notes
- How to Beat Writer’s Block – Maria Konnikova
- This Is Your Brain on Writing – New York Times
- Famous Writers’ Sleep Habits vs. Literary Productivity, Visualized – Maria Popova
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Publishing Consultant, Educator, and Author Jane Friedman Writes: Part Two
Award-winning blogger, publishing consultant, and author Jane Friedman, took a moment to talk with me about her writing process and the business of scribes.
Ms. Friedman is a digital media strategist with over 20 years in publishing, the co-founder and editor of The Hot Sheet, an “… essential publishing industry newsletter for authors,” as well as the author of the book Publishing 101, an astute collection of essential insights for first time authors.
In addition to her work as an accomplished blogger and former publisher of Writer’s Digest, Jane teaches about the current state of publishing and authorship as a professor at both the University of Virginia, and for The Great Courses.
Her expertise on new media and technology best practices for authors has been featured by NPR s Morning Edition, The Washington Post, the National Press Club, The Authors Guild, Publishers Weekly, PBS, and many others.
She is hard at work on her forthcoming book, The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press, 2017).
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you re a fan of the show, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of the file Jane Friedman and I discuss:
- Why You Should Do Your Hardest Tasks First
- A Thought on the Ephemeral Nature of Creativity
- How to Develop Your Voice as a Writer
- Why Discipline Can Take Your Writing from Good to Great
- One Very Important Tip on Creating a Sustainable Career
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- JaneFriedman.com
- Publishing 101: A First-Time Author’s Guide to Getting Published, Marketing and Promoting Your Book, and Building a Successful Career, by Jane Friedman
- The Great Courses: How to Publish Your Book
- The Hot Sheet: Essential Publishing Industry Newsletter for Authors
- Alain de Botton
- Roxane Gay
- Kevin Kelly
- Jane Friedman on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Publishing Consultant, Educator, and Author Jane Friedman Writes: Part One
Award-winning blogger, publishing consultant, and author Jane Friedman, took a moment to talk with me about her writing process and the business of scribes.
Ms. Friedman is a digital media strategist with over 20 years in publishing, the co-founder and editor of The Hot Sheet, an “… essential publishing industry newsletter for authors,” as well as the author of the book Publishing 101, an astute collection of insights for first time authors.
In addition to her work as an accomplished blogger and former publisher of Writer’s Digest, Jane teaches about the current state of publishing and authorship as a professor at both the University of Virginia, and for The Great Courses.
Her expertise on new media and technology best practices for authors has been featured by NPR s Morning Edition, The Washington Post, the National Press Club, The Authors Guild, Publishers Weekly, PBS, and many others.
She is hard at work on her forthcoming book, The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press, 2017).
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you re a fan of the show, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us.
In Part One of the file Jane Friedman and I discuss:
- Why There’s No Such Thing as an ‘Aspiring Writer’
- How Changing Venues Can Improve Your Focus
- Why You Need to Address Your Greatest Fears to get Words on the Page
- How to Harness the Cloud for Your Word-Processing
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Publishing Consultant, Educator, and Author Jane Friedman Writes: Part Two
- JaneFriedman.com
- Publishing 101: A First-Time Author’s Guide to Getting Published, Marketing and Promoting Your Book, and Building a Successful Career, by Jane Friedman
- The Great Courses: How to Publish Your Book
- The Hot Sheet: Essential Publishing Industry Newsletter for Authors
- Jane Friedman on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Debut Novelist Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Writes: Part Two
Instant New York Times bestselling author of The Nest, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, spoke with me about her life before fiction and how she gets words on the page.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Ms. Sweeney’s winding journey to bestselling author began with a journalism degree and lead to a career in Marketing Communications as a freelance copywriter and editor.
Her debut novel was a huge hit with critics and readers alike and skyrocketed onto bestseller lists. Most fascinating is that Cynthia penned the novel as a recent BFA graduate and then sold it in a seven figure publishing deal … at the age of 54.
The Nest has been described as “… an acutely perceptive …. novel about four adult siblings and the fate of their shared inheritance…” and bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert called it, “A masterfully constructed, darkly comic, and immensely captivating tale.”
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click “subscribe” to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us.
If you missed the first half you can find it right here.
In Part Two of the file Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney and I discuss:
- Why You Can’t Give in to Feeling Paralyzed
- How to Channel Your Creative Inspiration
- The Importance of Curiosity and Humility for Writers
- Why Writing is Like Driving at Night
- The Necessity of Drudgery to Keep the Ink Flowing
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
- LeechBlock: A Simple Free Productivity Tool (for Firefox Web Browser)
- Freedom: Internet, Social Media, and App Blocker
- Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Debut Novelist Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Writes: Part One
Instant New York Times bestselling author of The Nest, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, spoke with me about her life before fiction and how she gets words on the page.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Ms. Sweeney’s winding journey to bestselling author began with a journalism degree and lead to a career in Marketing Communications as a freelance copywriter and editor.
Her debut novel was a huge hit with critics and readers alike and skyrocketed onto bestseller lists. Most fascinating is that Cynthia penned the novel as a recent BFA graduate and then sold it in a seven-figure publishing deal … at the age of 54.
The Nest has been described as “… an acutely perceptive …. novel about four adult siblings and the fate of their shared inheritance…” and bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert called it, “A masterfully constructed, darkly comic, and immensely captivating tale.”
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click “subscribe” to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us.
In Part One of the file Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney and I discuss:
- How a Failed Short Story Became a Bestselling Book
- The Difference Between Copywriting and Fiction
- Why Writers Need to Eliminate Distractions
- The Double-edged Sword of Working from Home
- How to Avoid the Impostor Syndrome of a Big Writing Project
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Bestselling Debut Novelist Cynthia D Aprix Sweeney Writes: Part Two
- The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
- Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Advice Columnist and Author Heather Havrilesky Writes: Part Two
New York magazine’s “Ask Polly” advice columnist, Heather Havrilesky, stopped by the show to chat about her process and the many hats she has worn over her 20 year career as a critic, cartoonist, columnist, and essayist.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The author s new book — How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life (available July, 2016) — is a collection inspired by her popular advice column.
Bestselling author and comedian Patton Oswalt said about the author, “…that rare writer who can dish out tangy snark but never fails to aim the knife back at her own damaged, hilarious heart …” and called the book, “Required reading.”
In addition to her Best Seller List column for Bookforum, Heather is the author of the memoir Disaster Preparedness, and was Salon.com’s TV critic for seven years. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, The Awl, NPR’s All Things Considered, and several anthologies.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click the “subscribe” button to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us.
If you missed the first half you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file Heather Havrilesky and I discuss:
- The Author’s Old-School Suspicion of ‘The Cloud’
- A Comparison of Microsoft Word vs. Scrivener
- Why Social Media Can Help with a Writer’s Solitude
- The Upside of Procrastination
- How to Harness the Power of the Editing Process
- Why Hopelessness Can Lead to Great Writing
- How Your Greatest Weakness Can Become Your Greatest Strength
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life (Available July 12, 2016), by Heather Havrilesky
- Heather’s ‘Ask Polly’ Column and Essays for New York Magazine
- How to Write (The Awl)
- Heather’s Blog
- Tweetdeck for Twitter
- Heather Havrilesky on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Advice Columnist and Author Heather Havrilesky Writes: Part One
New York magazine’s “Ask Polly” advice columnist, Heather Havrilesky, stopped by the show to chat about her process and the many hats she has worn over her 20 year career as a critic, cartoonist, columnist, and essayist.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The author s new book — How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life (available July, 2016) — is a collection inspired by her popular advice column.
Bestselling author and comedian Patton Oswalt said about the author, “…that rare writer who can dish out tangy snark but never fails to aim the knife back at her own damaged, hilarious heart …” and called the book, “Required reading.”
In addition to her Best Seller List column for Bookforum, Heather is the author of the memoir Disaster Preparedness, and was Salon.com’s TV critic for seven years. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, The Awl, NPR’s All Things Considered, and several anthologies.
Join us for this two-part interview, and if you’re a fan of the show, please click the “subscribe” button to automatically see new interviews with your favorite authors, and help other writers find us.
In Part One of the file Heather Havrilesky and I discuss:
- Why You Should Never Give Up Your Dreams of Being a Writer
- How to Embrace the Scribe’s Daily Descent into Madness
- Why You Need to Find Your Most Productive Hours
- How a Daily Writing Exercise Helps You Hit Deadlines
- How to Turn off Your Inner Critic and Get in Shape at the Same Time
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Advice Columnist and Author Heather Havrilesky Writes: Part Two
- How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life (Available July 12, 2016), by Heather Havrilesky
- Heather’s ‘Ask Polly’ Column and Essays for New York Magazine
- How to Write (The Awl)
- Heather’s Blog
- Heather Havrilesky on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Hybrid Author Dean Wesley Smith Writes: Part Two
Wildly prolific, bestselling novelist — Dean Wesley Smith — has been a full-time writer since the ’80s, and he made a visit to the show to talk about how he has written (and ghostwritten) hundreds of titles over the years.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In edition to being the CFO of a traditional publisher, he is a non-fiction author, educator, and multi-genre writer whose short fiction has appeared in over 20 anthologies.
Dean shared with me the habits and habitats of a hyper-prolific fictionist who has written dozens of Star Trek novels, film novelizations, and a handful of licensed properties for favorites including Smallville, Spider-Man, X-Men, Aliens, and Men in Black.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file Dean Wesley Smith and I discuss:
- The ‘Midnight Disease’ of a Highly Prolific Author
- How to Find the Intersection of Creativity and Entertainment
- Why Writers Must Never Stop Learning
- The Courage Required to ‘Dare to Be Bad’
- Why Great Writers Aren’t Always the Best Dinner Guests
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- DeanWesleySmith.com
- Non-Fiction Titles by Dean Wesley Smith (including Heinlein s Rules and Writing into the Dark)
- The Works of John D. MacDonald
- Dean Wesley Smith on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Hybrid Author Dean Wesley Smith Writes: Part One
Wildly prolific, bestselling novelist — Dean Wesley Smith — has been a full-time writer since the ’80s, and he made a visit to the show to talk about how he has written (and ghostwritten) hundreds of titles over the years.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In edition to being the CFO of a traditional publisher, he is a non-fiction author, educator, and multi-genre writer whose short fiction has appeared in over 20 anthologies.
Dean shared with me the habits and habitats of a hyper-prolific fictionist who has also written dozens of Star Trek novels, film novelizations, and a handful of licensed properties for favorites including Smallville, Spider-Man, X-Men, Aliens, and Men in Black.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Dean Wesley Smith and I discuss:
- How ‘Heinlein’s Rules’ Can Change Your Writing Process
- Why Writers Have to Be Readers First
- How a Dedicated Writing Computer Can Boost Your Productivity
- The Origins of Writer’s Block
- Why You Should Always Write Yourself into a Corner
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Bestselling Hybrid Author Dean Wesley Smith Writes: Part Two
- DeanWesleySmith.com
- Non-Fiction Titles by Dean Wesley Smith (including Heinlein s Rules and Writing into the Dark)
- Freewrite: Your Distraction-Free Writing Tool
- How to Beat Writer’s Block by Maria Konnikova for The New Yorker
- Dean Wesley Smith on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Long-Form Journalist Kent Russell Writes: Part Two
Gonzo essayist and creative non-fiction author — Kent Russell — dropped by to chat about his hybrid reportage on the margins of society, and the process of a big city, freelance journalist.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Russell’s critically lauded first collection — I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son — was recently re-released in paperback, and Vanity Fair called it, “A ludicrously smart, tragicomic man-on-the-edge memoir in essays.”
The acclaimed writer has been compared to David Foster Wallace by the New York Times Book Review, and his writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Tin House, The New Republic, Harper’s, GQ, n+1, The Believer, and Grantland.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file Kent Russell and I discuss:
- Why Procrastination is Just as Important as Writing
- How to Break Away from Genre Constraints
- Why a Generous Point of View Can Make You a Better Writer
- The Joys and Tactile Sensations of Mechanical Keyboards
- How to Tell the One Story that Only You Can Tell
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son – by Kent Russell
- Letter of Recommendation: Hangovers – Kent Russell for the NYTimes Magazine
- ‘Timid Son’ Celebrates Mambas And Manly Men – NPR Interview with Kent Russell
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Long-Form Journalist Kent Russell Writes: Part One
Gonzo essayist and creative non-fiction author — Kent Russell — dropped by to chat about his hybrid reportage on the margins of society, and the process of a big city, freelance journalist.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Russell’s critically lauded first collection — I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son — was recently re-released in paperback, and Vanity Fair called it, “A ludicrously smart, tragicomic man-on-the-edge memoir in essays.”
The acclaimed writer has been compared to David Foster Wallace by The New York Times Book Review, and his writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Tin House, The New Republic, Harper’s, GQ, n+1, The Believer, and Grantland.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Kent Russell and I discuss:
- The Promiscuity of Freelance Writers
- Why You Should Overwrite Your First Drafts
- How to Research Your Stories Like RoboCop
- Why All Writing Is (Still) Rewriting
- A Writer’s Reliance on Cloud Word Processing
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Long-Form Journalist Kent Russell Writes: Part Two
- I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son – by Kent Russell
- Letter of Recommendation: Hangovers – Kent Russell for the NYTimes Magazine
- ‘Timid Son’ Celebrates Mambas And Manly Men – NPR Interview with Kent Russell
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Punk Rock Entrepreneur Jonny Nastor Writes: Part Two
Author and entrepreneur-hacker — Jonny Nastor — dropped in this week to talk about the transition from podcast to bestselling book, and how he helps digital entrepreneurs and creatives find shortcuts to success.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Nastor is the author of the bestseller Hack the Entrepreneur: How to Stop Procrastinating, Build a Business, and Do Work That Matters, a book that combines the wisdom of over 200 interviews with successful entrepreneurs from Jonny’s hit podcast of the same name.
Jon’s own remarkable journey has taken him from punk rock musician, to internet entrepreneur, podcaster, educator, author, and a guy who somehow still finds time to be a husband, father, and world traveler in-between.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file Jon Nastor and I discuss:
- How to Come to Terms with Procrastination
- Jonny’s Unique Definition of Creativity for Writers and Entrepreneurs
- The Effectiveness of Simple Sentences
- Why You Should Quit When You’re Done, Not When You’re Tired
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- HacktheEntrepreneur.com
- Hack the Entrepreneur: How to Stop Procrastinating, Build a Business, and Do Work That Matters – by Jon Nastor
- Jon Nastor Articles for Copyblogger
- Jon Nastor Articles for Entrepreneur
- Jon Nastor Articles for Foundr
- Jonny Nastor on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Punk Rock Entrepreneur Jonny Nastor Writes: Part One
Author and entrepreneur-hacker — Jonny Nastor — dropped in this week to talk about the transition from podcast to bestselling book, and how he helps digital entrepreneurs and creatives find shortcuts to success.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Nastor is the author of the bestseller Hack the Entrepreneur: How to Stop Procrastinating, Build a Business, and Do Work That Matters, a book that combines the wisdom of over 200 interviews with successful entrepreneurs from Jonny’s hit podcast of the same name.
Jon’s own remarkable journey has taken him from punk rock musician, to internet entrepreneur, podcaster, educator, author, and a guy who somehow still finds time to be a husband, father, and world traveler in-between.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Jon Nastor and I discuss:
- Why Most Writers Suck at Grammar
- The Importance of the DIY Mindset for Authors
- How to Get into Flow State and Write for 18 Hours Straight
- The Value of Outlining Your Projects
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Punk Rock Entrepreneur Jonny Nastor Writes: Part Two
- HacktheEntrepreneur.com
- Hack the Entrepreneur: How to Stop Procrastinating, Build a Business, and Do Work That Matters – by Jon Nastor
- Jon Nastor Articles for Copyblogger
- Jon Nastor Articles for Entrepreneur
- Jon Nastor Articles for Foundr
- Jonny Nastor on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Acclaimed Horror Author Jonathan Janz Writes: Part Two
Acclaimed horror author — Jonathan Janz — stopped by this week to talk about his passions, his workmanlike process as a writer, and the skeletons in his closet.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Award-winning horror and zombie maestro Brian Keene called Janz, “One of the best writers in modern horror to come along in the last decade.”
In addition to being a multi-genre author, Jonathan leads a double life as a full-time high school educator and family man.
He is the author of nine novels and recently signed an 11-book deal to offer limited-run, collector’s editions of his books.
Jonathan’s tenth novel — Children of the Dark — lands March 15th, 2016, and it has been likened by critics to Stephen King’s work.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file Jonathan Janz and I discuss:
- The Faustian Curse of All Talented Writers
- Why Empathy is Crucial to Finding Creative Success
- How Your Success as a Writer Depends on Your Work Ethic
- Why Reading Is Just as Important as Writing
- The Secret to Overcoming Your Terror of the Blank Page
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- JonathanJanz.com
- Jonathan Janz on Amazon
- Jonathan on Facebook
- Jonathan on Goodreads
- Jonathan on Instagram
- Jonathan on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Acclaimed Horror Author Jonathan Janz Writes: Part One
Acclaimed horror author — Jonathan Janz — stopped by this week to talk about his passions, his workmanlike process as a writer, and the skeletons in his closet.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Award-winning horror and zombie maestro Brian Keene called Janz, “One of the best writers in modern horror to come along in the last decade.”
In addition to being a multi-genre author, Jonathan leads a double life as a full-time high school educator and family man.
He is the author of nine novels and recently signed an 11-book deal to offer limited-run, collector’s editions of his books.
Jonathan’s tenth novel — Children of the Dark — lands March 15th, 2016, and it has been likened by critics to Stephen King’s work.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Jonathan Janz and I discuss:
- Why Rejection Should Only Strengthen Your Determination
- The Value of Humility for Writers
- How to Write 1000 Words an Hour without Distraction
- Why Nothing Is Lost on Writers
- The Secret of True Creative Expression
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Acclaimed Horror Author Jonathan Janz Writes: Part Two
- JonathanJanz.com
- Jonathan Janz on Amazon
- Jonathan on Facebook
- Jonathan on Goodreads
- Jonathan on Instagram
- Jonathan on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Poet Tyler Knott Gregson Writes
National bestselling poet — Tyler Knott Gregson — visited the podcast to discuss his writing process and his journey to finding success.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The New York Times called Mr. Gregson “the literary equivalent of a unicorn: a best-selling celebrity poet.” His latest collection recently “… hit No. 3 on Nielsen s top 10 best-selling poetry titles, ahead of Dante, Homer, Seamus Heaney and Khalil Gibran.”
The author is also a professional photographer and multimedia artist who started his writing career as a humble freelance copywriter.
His love of words, vintage typewriters, and photography have combined to inspire a new digital art form.
Tyler boasts over 500,000 social media followers that have translated into two bestselling volumes of poetry with a third on the way.
In this file, Tyler Knott Gregson and I discuss:
- Literary Unicorns and Celebrity Poets
- How a Hobby Turned into a Bestselling Book
- The Impostor Syndrome that Comes with Finding Success as a Writer
- Upcycled Art and the Hybrid Digital-Analog Revolution
- How a Daily Writing Practice Really Adds Up
- Why Nature is the Greatest Creative Muse in History
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- Web Poets Society: New Breed Succeeds in Taking Verse Viral (NY Times)
- Poetry by Tyler Knott Gregson on Amazon
- Tyler Knott Gregson on Instagram
- TylerKnott.com
- Tyler on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part Two
Prolific, international bestselling authorpreneur, Mark Dawson, dropped by to talk about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 23 books.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Dawson’s multiple thriller series, and self-publishing savvy, have helped him to build a vast, hungry audience of readers and unparalleled levels of success.
In addition to international bestsellers, and stellar ratings from fans, Mark has become an indie author advocate and online marketing authority for writers.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half, you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file, Mark Dawson and I discuss:
- How an 80s TV Show Can Inspire Your Writing
- Why Great Writers Have to Understand Story First
- How to Write Page-Turning Fiction
- Why You Should Leave Out the Parts that Readers Skip
- Best Practices for New Writers
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- MarkJDawson.com
- Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer
- BookFunnel
- SelfPublishingFormula.com
- The Business Behind Writing and Selling with Mark Dawson – Authorpreneur Podcast Interview
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part One
Prolific, international bestselling authorpreneur, Mark Dawson, dropped by to talk about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the productivity hacks that have helped him publish over 23 books.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Mr. Dawson’s multiple thriller series, and self-publishing savvy, have helped him to build a vast, hungry audience of readers and unparalleled levels of success.
In addition to international bestsellers, and stellar ratings from fans, Mark has become an indie author advocate and online marketing authority for writers.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Mark Dawson and I discuss:
- The Challenges and Rewards of the Writer’s Life
- Why If Your Process Isn’t Broken … You Don’t Need to Fix It
- How to Write (and Publish) One Million Words in One Year
- What a Bestselling Author Does to Unwind
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Bestselling Thriller Author Mark Dawson Writes: Part Two
- MarkJDawson.com
- Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer
- BookFunnel
- SelfPublishingFormula.com
- The Business Behind Writing and Selling with Mark Dawson – Authorpreneur Podcast Interview
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Bestselling Author Maria Konnikova Writes
New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist, Maria Konnikova, took a beat from her hectic schedule to talk with me about her new book and the writer’s process.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Her latest book — The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time — examines the psychology of the con, and The New York Times Book Review wrote, “Konnikova … is an insightful analyst of the dark art of the scam.”
As Forbes describes the book, “One of the best science writers of our time examines the minds, motives, and methods of con artists — and the people who fall for their cons.”
In addition to her past work as a TV producer for Charlie Rose, Ms. Konnikova has contributed countless articles and essays for The Atlantic, The New York Times, Slate, The Paris Review, The Wall Street Journal, WIRED, and Scientific American, among many others.
In this file Maria Konnikova and I discuss:
- How to Avoid Writer’s Block
- Why a Standing Desk Isn’t for Everyone
- How to Simplify Your Research & Writing Process
- Why Writing Is Hard … Just Like Any Other Job
- The Author’s Definition of Creativity
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- MariaKonnikova.com
- The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time
- Maria Konnikova New Yorker Contributor Page
- The Joy of Psyching Myself Out by M. Konnikova
- Freedom App
- The Paris Review Interviews
- Maria Konnikova on Facebook
- Maria Konnikova on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Sports & Travel Writer Adam Skolnick (Author of One Breath ) Writes: Part Two
Award-winning journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, returned to the podcast and we got down to brass tacks about his writer’s journey, his new book, and the globetrotting life of a travel writer.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Adam’s first narrative nonfiction book — One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — was recently published by Crown Archetype, and it’s based on his award-winning New York Times sports coverage of the death of the greatest American free diver of all time.
One Breath has been compared to other classics of extreme sports journalism — like Jon Krakauer s Into Thin Air — and early reviews have been very positive.
In addition to his most recent work, Adam is the author and co author of 25 Lonely Planet guidebooks, and has written for publications as varied as ESPN.com, Men’s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here.
In Part Two of the file Adam Skolnick and I discuss:
- How to Infuse Your Life with More Creativity
- What Kindness, Collaboration, and Community Bring to Your Writing
- How an Author’s Favorite Quote Reflects Their Psyche
- The Most Eccentric Writers’ Dinner Ever
- Why There’s No Room for Self-Doubt on First Drafts
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- AdamSkolnick.com
- OneBreathbook.com
- One Breath Book Trailer
- When ‘One Breath’ Tests Life: Author Explores Extreme Freediving – NPR Interview Adam Skolnick
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Award-Winning Sports & Travel Writer Adam Skolnick (Author of One Breath ) Writes: Part One
Award-winning journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, returned to the podcast to get down to brass tacks about his writer’s journey, his new book, and the globetrotting life of a travel writer.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Adam’s first narrative nonfiction book — One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits — was recently published by Crown Archetype, and it’s based on his award-winning New York Times sports coverage of the death of the greatest American freediver of all time.
One Breath has been compared to other classics of extreme sports journalism — like Jon Krakauer s Into Thin Air — and early reviews have been very positive.
In addition to his most recent work, Adam is the author and co author of 25 Lonely Planet guidebooks, and has written for publications as varied as ESPN.com, Men’s Health, Outside, BBC, Playboy Magazine, and The NY Times.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Adam Skolnick and I discuss:
- What It’s Like to do Environmental Work with Jack Johnson
- How to Become an Award-Winning Journalist … without Taking a Writing Class
- Why You Should Tell the Stories that Come to You
- Simple Hacks to Help You Beat Writer’s Block
- How Daily Word Counts Can Keep Your Writing on Track
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- AdamSkolnick.com
- OneBreathbook.com
- One Breath Book Trailer
- Jack Johnson Is Sailing In Search Of Plastic Smog
- When ‘One Breath’ Tests Life: Author Explores Extreme Freediving – NPR Interview Adam Skolnick
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Oscar Nominee Emma Donoghue (Screenwriter of ‘Room’) Writes: Part Two
International bestselling author and critically acclaimed screenwriter of Room — Emma Donoghue — talked with me about her writing process and adapting her best known work into an award-winning movie.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In addition to writing for the screen, stage, and radio over her prolific career, the multi-genre author has had her popular fiction translated into over 40 languages. Her 2010 novel Room was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won a New York Times Book of the Year award, among others.
The film adaptation of the book has been nominated for four Oscars — including Best Adapted Screenplay — for Ms. Donoghue’s stunning first full-length script.
Room (2015) boasts 54 international award wins and 102 nominations (as of this writing), including nods from The Golden Globes, Critics Choice Movie Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, AFI Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here: How Emma Donoghue (Bestselling Author of Room ) Writes: Part One
In Part Two of the file Emma Donoghue and I discuss:
- Why Setting Constraints Can Help Your Writing
- How Writing for Yourself Is the Key to Success
- Why a Great Screenwriter Can’t Recall any Movie Quotes
- How Planning Is the Rope that Guides Your Writing through the Wilderness
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- EmmaDonoghue.com
- Weekend Read App
- Workflowy App
- Room Movie on IMDb
- The Business Podcast: Lenny Abrahamson & Emma Donoghue Bring ‘Room’ to the Screen
- Emma Donoghue on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Oscar Nominee Emma Donoghue (Screenwriter of ‘Room’) Writes: Part One
International bestselling author and critically acclaimed screenwriter of Room — Emma Donoghue — talked with me about her writing process and adapting her best known work into an award-winning movie.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!In addition to writing for the screen, stage, and radio over her prolific career, the multi-genre author has had her popular fiction translated into over 40 languages. Her 2010 novel Room was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won a New York Times Book of the Year award, among others.
The film adaptation of the book has been nominated for four Oscars — including Best Adapted Screenplay — for Ms. Donoghue’s stunning first full-length script.
Room (2015) boasts 54 international award wins and 102 nominations (as of this writing), including nods from The Golden Globes, Critics Choice Movie Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, AFI Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Emma Donoghue and I discuss:
- How Getting Fired Can Boost Your Writing Career
- Why You Don’t Need a Magic Pen to Get It Done
- How Writing Is Like Sex
- Why Research and Preparation Informs Great Writing
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Emma Donoghue (Bestselling Author of Room ) Writes: Part Two
- EmmaDonoghue.com
- Weekend Read App
- Workflowy App
- Room Movie on IMDb
- Emma Donoghue on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part Two
The bestselling author of The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do — Jeff Goins — stopped by for a marathon return to The Writer Files to cap off 2015.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You ByDiscover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!His popular blog — Goinswriter.com — offers free tips on writing and creativity to help writers build an audience, get attention, and learn what it takes to turn pro.
In addition to being an entrepreneur, speaker, consultant, and author of four books, Jeff hosts The Portfolio Life podcast where he shares ideas to help listeners pursue work that matters and discover their true voice.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here: How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part One.
REMINDER: The Writer Files will be taking the last week of the year off but will return with new guests in January.
Season Three writer interviews include: Emma Donoghue (bestselling author and Golden Globe nominated screenwriter of Room), Adam Skolnick (award-winning journalist and author of One Breath), NYTimes bestselling author and New Yorker columnist Maria Konnikova, horror writer Jonathan Janz, bestselling thriller author Mark Dawson, and celebrity poet Tyler Knott Gregson, to name a few.
In Part Two of the file Jeff Goins and I discuss:
- Why Your Best Ideas Are Worthless Until You Act on Them
- The Spirituality of Writing
- Why You Can’t Wait for the Muse to Inspire You
- How Hemingway Got Famous from Stealing
- Great Writing Advice for the New Year
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- Goinswriter.com
- Jeff Goins on Medium
- The Art of Work Book
- The Portfolio Life Podcast with Jeff Goins
- Exit Through the Gift Shop — Documentary
- Jeff Goins on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part One
The bestselling author of The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do — Jeff Goins — stopped by for a marathon return to The Writer Files to cap off 2015.
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Start getting more from your site today!His popular blog — Goinswriter.com — offers free tips on writing and creativity to help writers build an audience, get attention, and learn what it takes to turn pro.
In addition to being an entrepreneur, speaker, consultant, and author of four books, Jeff hosts The Portfolio Life podcast where he shares ideas to help listeners pursue work that matters and discover their true voice.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Jeff Goins and I discuss:
- How to Think Like a Professional Writer
- Why You Need to Be Intentional about Your Next Project
- The Myths of Very Productive Writers
- Jeff’s Systematic ‘Workout’ for Effortless Writing
- Why You Need to Pare Down Your To-Do List
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Bestselling Author Jeff Goins Writes: Part Two
- Goinswriter.com
- Jeff Goins on Medium
- The Art of Work Book
- The Portfolio Life Podcast with Jeff Goins
- Jeff Goins on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NextDraft’s Dave Pell Writes
The most fascinating news on the internet always seems to find its way into Dave Pell’s carefully curated — and always entertaining — NextDraft email newsletter.
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In addition to being a successful venture capitalist, Dave carves out time to do a weekly podcast with veteran journalist Phil Bronstein called What Hurts, a unique blend of “fascinating news and personal angst.”
In this file Dave Pell and I discuss:
- The Downside of Technology
- How to Turn an Addiction to News into an Audience
- Video Game Music as a Productivity Hack
- Why You Should Always Delete Your First Paragraph
- The Real Difference Between Writing and Podcasting
- How Tony Soprano Raised Dave Pell’s Stock
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- NextDraft: The Day’s Most Fascinating News from Dave Pell
- ‘What Hurts’ Podcast By Phil Bronstein and Dave Pell
- Dave Pell on Medium
- Publishing Lessons from Dave Pell, the Most Fascinating Email Newsletter Writer in the Business
- Dave Pell on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Joanna Penn Writes: Part Two
Prolific, multi-brand entrepreneur Joanna Penn has turned her passion for writing into a successful career as both an educator and bestselling indie author.
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Start getting more from your site today!As her dark, alter ego — J.F.Penn — she has notched chart-toppers on both The New York Times and USA Today bestsellers lists.
As a nonfiction writer, professional speaker, podcaster, and entrepreneur, she’s been voted one of The Guardian UK’s Top 100 Creative Professionals.
Her site — TheCreativePenn.com — offers both publishing and marketing resources and is regularly voted a Top 10 website for writers.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here: How Bestselling Author Joanna Penn Writes: Part One
In Part Two of the file Joanna Penn and I discuss:
- Why It’s Still Hard to Write a Book in the Future
- How Getting Lost Can Inspire Your Writing
- Why the ‘Destination’ (and Reward of Writing) is the Journey
- How Trusting Your Creative Curiosity Can Reap Rewards
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- The Creative Penn
- J.F. Penn Thriller Author
- The Creative Penn Podcast
- Books by Steven Pressfield
- Joanna Penn on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Joanna Penn Writes: Part One
Prolific, multi-brand entrepreneur Joanna Penn has turned her passion for writing into a successful career as both an educator and bestselling indie author.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By
Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!As her dark, alter ego — J.F.Penn — she has notched chart-toppers on both The New York Times and USA Today bestsellers lists.
As a nonfiction writer, professional speaker, podcaster, and entrepreneur, she’s been voted one of The Guardian UK’s Top 100 Creative Professionals.
Her site — TheCreativePenn.com — offers both publishing and marketing resources and is regularly voted a Top 10 website for writers.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Joanna Penn and I discuss:
- How to Turn Your Passion into a Career
- The Cumulative Successes of Creating Every Day
- How Rewarding Your Inner Child Can Boost Productivity
- Why Input Equals Output for Writers
- How to Write Books While Competing in an Ultra-Marathon
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Bestselling Author Joanna Penn Writes : Part Two
- The Creative Penn
- J.F. Penn Thriller Author
- The Creative Penn Podcast
- Noisli.com
- Joanna Penn on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part Two
Mr. Gottschall is the author or editor of seven books, including The Storytelling Animal — a New York Times Editor’s Choice Selection and a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize — and most recently he published a fascinating book titled The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch.
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Start getting more from your site today!As a Distinguished Fellow at the English Department of Washington & Jefferson College his work lands at the intersection of science and art and is frequently covered in outlets like The New York Times, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and NPR.
For his latest book he personally climbed into the cage to research the world of mixed martial arts, violence, masculinity, and why society is attracted to violent spectacle.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here: How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part One
In Part Two of the file Jonathan Gottschall and I discuss:
- Why Creativity Is Not the Hard Part for Writers
- How Great Writing is Like Grasping for a Handful of Water
- How Our Memories Fool Us with Stories
- A Great Reminder that Writing is Work, Not Magic
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- JonathanGottschall.com
- Jonathan Gottschall’s Author Page on Amazon
- ‘When Writers Attack: On Boxing, Norman Mailer, and the art of Getting Hit’ by Jonathan Gottschall
- Jonathan Gottschall on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part One
Mr. Gottschall is the author or editor of seven books, including The Storytelling Animal — a New York Times Editor’s Choice Selection and a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize — and most recently he published a fascinating book titled The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By
Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!As a Distinguished Fellow at the English Department of Washington & Jefferson College his work lands at the intersection of science and art and is frequently covered in outlets like The New York Times, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and NPR.
For his latest book he personally climbed into the cage to research the world of mixed martial arts, violence, masculinity, and why society is attracted to violent spectacle.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Jonathan Gottschall and I discuss:
- Why Writers Need to Chase What Scares Them
- How ‘Drugs’ Can Boost Your Productivity
- Why Writing 365 Days a Year May Not Be Ideal
- The Sad Reality of Writer’s Block
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- JonathanGottschall.com
- Jonathan Gottschall’s Author Page on Amazon
- Jonathan Gottschall on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part Two
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How Hollywood Screenwriter and Director John August Writes: Part Two
Critically acclaimed screenwriter and director John August stopped by the show to chat with me about his writing process, the film business, and his hit podcast Scriptnotes.
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Start getting more from your site today!Since his breakthrough film debut Go (1999), John has penned an impressive list of big budget Hollywood films from Charlie’s Angels (2000), to a handful of Tim Burton films including Big Fish (2003), and Frankenweenie (2013).
The prolific author has also worked in TV, on Broadway, creates his own writing apps, and is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
He currently produces the Scripnotes Podcast with co-host Craig Mazin where they discuss the ins-and-outs of the screenwriting business.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed Part One you can find it here: How Hollywood Screenwriter and Director John August Writes: Part One
In Part Two of the file John August and I discuss:
- Creativity and How Writers Perceive the Future
- One Great Tool Writers Can Use to Get Unstuck
- Why a Screenwriter’s ‘Road to Hell’ is Paved with Adverbs
- How to Read Oscar Nominated Screenplays on Your Phone
- Why You Need to Write the Stories You Like to Read
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- JohnAugust.com
- John August on IMDb.com
- Scripnotes Podcast
- The Writer Emergency Pack
- John’s Quote-Unquote Apps Including ‘Highland’ and ‘Weekend Read’
- John August on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Hollywood Screenwriter and Director John August Writes: Part One
Critically acclaimed screenwriter and director John August stopped by the show to chat with me about his writing process, the film business, and his hit podcast Scriptnotes.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By
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Start getting more from your site today!Since his breakthrough film debut Go (1999), John has penned an impressive list of big budget Hollywood films from Charlie’s Angels (2000), to a handful of Tim Burton films including Big Fish (2003), and Frankenweenie (2013).
The prolific author has also worked in TV, on Broadway, creates his own writing apps, and is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
He currently produces the invaluable Scriptnotes podcast with co-host Craig Mazin where they discuss the ins-and-outs of the screenwriting business.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file John August and I discuss:
- How a Journalism Major Became a Hollywood Director
- Why Screenwriting Is Truly a Team Sport
- What It’s Like to Rewrite a Film Like ‘Iron Man’
- How Hand Writing First Drafts Helps Your Process
- Why Public Writing Sprints Can Boost Your Output
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Hollywood Screenwriter and Film Director John August Writes: Part Two
- JohnAugust.com
- John August on IMDb.com
- Scripnotes Podcast
- John August on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Michelle Miller (Writer and Producer of ‘The Underwriting’) Writes: Part Two
From incredibly successful transmedia serial writer to internationally published author, this week’s guest — Michelle Miller — has tapped into her former life in high finance to create a hit franchise in The Underwriting.
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Start getting more from your site today!Billed as social satire, Ms. Miller’s original 12-part serial drew angel investors that helped her build it into a viral, multi-media maelstrom.
Her marriage of the cutthroat worlds of investment banking and tech landed her a traditional publishing deal, and her debut novel is now being developed into a TV series.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half, you can find it here: How Michelle Miller (Writer and Producer of ‘The Underwriting’) Writes: Part One
In Part Two of the file Michelle Miller and I discuss:
- The Slippery Definition of ‘Creativity’
- How Curiosity and Authenticity Are Essential to Great Writing
- Why You Need to Be Cool … Like a Cucumber
- Shakespeare’s Renewed Social Relevance … on The Writer Files
- How Traveling Creates a Vulnerability that Can Open Your Mind
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- hashtagmm.com — Michelle Miller’s Website
- The Underwriting (Book)
- Michelle Miler on Instagram
- Michelle Miler on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Michelle Miller (Writer and Producer of ‘The Underwriting’) Writes: Part One
From wildly successful transmedia serial writer to internationally published author, this week’s guest — Michelle Miller — has tapped into her former life in high finance to create a hit franchise in The Underwriting.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By
Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!Billed as social satire, Ms. Miller’s original 12-part serial drew angel investors that helped her build it into a viral, multi-media maelstrom.
Her marriage of the cutthroat worlds of both investment banking and tech landed her a traditional publishing deal, and her debut novel is now being developed into a TV series.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Michelle Miller and I discuss:
- Why Transmedia is Redefining Author Marketing
- How Different Workouts Can Change Your Writing Mindset
- The Creative Space Between Sleeping and Waking
- Why You Don’t Procrastinate the Fun Stuff
- One Perfect Analogy for Writer’s Block
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- hashtagmm.com — Michelle Miller’s Website
- The Underwriting (Book)
- Michelle Miler on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Joe Berkowitz (Journalist and Fast Company Editor) Writes: Part Two
Author and Fast Company Editor Joe Berkowitz stopped by the podcast this week. His latest, a humor book titled You Blew It!: An Awkward Look at the Many Ways in Which You’ve Already Ruined Your Life, lands this October. He took a break from his busy schedule to rap with me about how he survives the harried life of a big city journalist.
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Start getting more from your site today!In addition to his work for Fast Company, Joe’s writing has been featured in The Awl, Salon, The Village Voice, Vulture, RollingStone.com, GQ.com, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and many others.
For a writer who works with breakneck deadlines, and almost never gets a rest from the writing life, he has some pretty solid advice for keeping the cursor moving.
Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed Part One you can find it here:
How Joe Berkowitz (Journalist and Fast Company Editor) Writes: Part One
In Part Two of the file Joe Berkowitz and I discuss:
- How Creativity Makes the ‘Familiar Strange and the Strange Familiar’
- Why Your Audience Is Your Best Creative Motivation
- How Great Writers Hook You and Never Let Go
- The Reassuring Existence of Paper Book Collections
- Joe’s Reverence for David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest
- Why You Should Edit Until “… the Words Stop Moving on the Page”
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- Joe Berkowitz for Fast Company
- And Now for Something Completely Unnecessary … (Joe’s Tumblr)
- You Blew It!: An Awkward Look at the Many Ways in Which You’ve Already Ruined Your Life by Joe Berkowitz and Josh Gondelman
- Joe Berkowitz on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Joe Berkowitz (Journalist and Fast Company Editor) Writes: Part One
Author and Fast Company Editor Joe Berkowitz stopped by the podcast this week. His latest, a humor book titled You Blew It!: An Awkward Look at the Many Ways in Which You’ve Already Ruined Your Life, lands this October. He took a break from his busy schedule to rap with me about how he survives the harried life of a big city journalist.
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By
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Start getting more from your site today!In addition to his work for Fast Company, Joe’s writing has been featured in The Awl, Salon, The Village Voice, Vulture, RollingStone.com, GQ.com, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and many others.
For a writer who works on breakneck deadlines, and almost never gets a break from the writing life, he has some pretty solid advice for keeping the cursor moving.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Joe Berkowitz and I discuss:
- How a Bad Breakup Can Boost Your Productivity
- When to Throw Out the Rule “All Killer, No Filler”
- How to Build Your Writing Endurance
- Don Draper’s Advice for Beating Writer’s Block
- How Making Lists Can Help Your Head
- The Magical Power of 4 AM Dementia
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- Joe Berkowitz for Fast Company
- And Now for Something Completely Unnecessary … (Joe’s Tumblr)
- You Blew It!: An Awkward Look at the Many Ways in Which You’ve Already Ruined Your Life by Joe Berkowitz and Josh Gondelman
- “My Superpower Is Being Alone Forever” (links to all parts of the series at The Awl)
- Hemingwrite – A Distraction Free Smart Typewriter
- How Joe Berkowitz (Journalist and Fast Company Editor) Writes: Part Two
- Joe Berkowitz on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Coming soon …
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How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part Two
The New York Times bestselling author of The Martian dropped by to chat with me about his writing process and the upcoming movie adaptation of his hit book directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon (release date October 2nd, 2015).
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Start getting more from your site today!The author’s journey to #1 on the NY Times Best Sellers list began as a humble series of blog posts that grew enough interest to demand self-publishing to Amazon. When The Martian‘s popularity sky-rocketed, traditional publisher Random House called, and the rest is history.
From software engineer to sci-fi phenom, Andy is a down-to-earth writer and self-described “space nerd,” who still answers all of his fan mail.
Join us for this two-part interview.
If you missed Part One, you can find it here: How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part One
In Part Two of The File, Andy Weir and I discuss:
- How Recurring Daydreams Can Turn into Great Stories
- The Mystery of Truly Immersive Writing
- Why Peter Pan’s Tinker Bell Should Be in Prison
- Shakespeare’s and Kepler’s 16th Century Bromance
- How Mr. Weir’s Book Started a Relationship with NASA
- 3 Tips and Tricks to Becoming an “Actual” Writer
- Why Hollywood Adds Special Effects Last
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- The Martian: A Novel
- andyweirauthor.com
- Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach
- Andy Weir on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
Coming soon …
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part One
The New York Times bestselling author of The Martian dropped by to chat with me about his writing process and the upcoming movie adaptation of his hit book, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon (release date October 2nd, 2015).
Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By
Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting.
Start getting more from your site today!The author’s journey to #1 on the NY Times Best Sellers list began as a humble series of blog posts that grew enough interest to demand self-publishing to Amazon. When The Martian’s popularity sky-rocketed, traditional publisher Random House called, and the rest is history.
From software engineer to sci-fi phenom, Andy is a down-to-earth writer and self-described “space nerd,” who still answers all of his fan mail.
Join us for this two-part interview.
In Part One of the file Andy Weir and I discuss:
- How a Science Geek Became a Bestselling Author
- The Power of Setting Word Counts
- One Great Trick for Improving Your Dialogue
- Why Your Writer’s Block May Just Be Laziness
- How Your Enthusiasm Doesn’t Always Determine the Quality of Your Writing
- The Creative Power of a Walk and a Hot Shower
Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ...
Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes- How Andy Weir (Bestselling Author of ‘The Martian’) Writes: Part Two
- The Martian: A Novel
- andyweirauthor.com
- Notes from Hugh Howey’s Editor
- “The surprising story of how Andy Weir’s self-published book ‘The Martian’ topped best seller lists and got a movie deal”
- Andy Weir on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Storytelling
Have you ever wondered why storytelling is such an omnipresent theme of human life? Welcome to another guest segment of “The Writer s Brain” where I pick the brain of a neuroscientist about elements of great writing.
Research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — returned to the podcast to help me define storytelling from a scientific standpoint.
If you missed the first two installments of The Writer s Brain — on How Neuroscience Defines both Creativity and Empathy — you can find them in the show notes as well as on writerfiles.fm and iTunes.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- Why Storytelling is the Default Mode of Human Communication
- How Empathy Makes Storytelling Such an Effective Tool
- Why Hollywood Continually Taps into ‘The Hero’s Journey’
- How Blueprints Help Writers Connect with Their Audience
- Why Reading Fiction Makes Us More Empathetic
- Writers’ Addiction to Stories (Especially the Dark Ones)
- Where Humanity Would Be Without Storytelling
The Show Notes
- How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Creativity
- How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Empathy
- The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)
- Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
- “Reading literary fiction improves empathy, study finds” from The Guardian
- The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Hugh Howey Writes
Prolific, bestselling, multi-genre author Hugh Howey took me on a walk through the writer’s process.
Mr. Howey is the well-known author of Wool, and his self-published dystopian “Silo Series,” that has sold over two million copies worldwide. His books have been optioned for film and TV by well-known Hollywood director Ridley Scott and Heroes creator Tim Kring respectively.
He has been a fierce advocate for self-publishing authors and even inked a rare print-only contract with major publishers to retain the electronic rights to his early works. Hugh is a tireless proponent for the pure craft of writing, and he has built an intensely loyal following.
As he prepares to sail around the globe on his catamaran, Hugh took a time out from his busy schedule to talk with me on a short walk.
In this file Hugh Howey and I discuss:
- The Importance of Starting Each Day the Right Way
- Why You Need to Learn to Hit Publish from Anywhere
- How to Alleviate Your Natural Self-Doubts
- Why Writing is Like Exercise
- How Writers Can Fine Tune Their Creativity
- Where the True Magic of Writing Springs From
- Why You Should Be a Tourist in Your Own Town
The Show Notes
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How Veteran Podcaster and Content Marketer Jerod Morris Writes
The Showrunner behind multiple top-ranking podcasts and Vice President of Marketing for the Rainmaker.FM podcast network, Jerod Morris, paid me a visit this week to talk about his beginnings as a writer, podcaster, and digital marketer.
Mr. Morris started out online as a sports blogger and became the editor of a high-traffic blog that was tapped by Fox Sports.
His blogging has led to quite a few opportunities for the writer, including:
- Co-founding a WordPress hosting company
- Leading the editorial team for Copyblogger.com
- Launching and co-hosting multiple top-ranked podcasts
- … and becoming the VP of Marketing for the Rainmaker.FM podcast network — to name only a few
On the eve of the launch of his new Showrunner Podcasting Course, we had a chance to talk shop.
In this file Jerod Morris and I discuss:
- How Sports Blogging Led to a Host of Opportunities
- A Simple Writing Hack for Email Marketers
- Why Writing Makes You a Better Podcaster
- How Scheduling Greatly Increases Your Productivity
- Why Writers Need to Embrace Their Imperfection
- How to Infuse Everything You Do with Creativity
- Some Very Wise Words from Teddy Roosevelt
The Show Notes
- Jerod Morris on Copyblogger
- Primility
- The Showrunner Podcast
- The Lede Podcast
- The Showrunner Podcasting Course
- The Assembly Call — IU Basketball Postgame Show
- The Writer Runs This Show
- “The Credit Belongs to You” by Jerod Morris (Downloadable Teddy Roosevelt Quote & Poster)
- Jerod Morris on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Writes
Multiple New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink stopped by The Writer Files to chat about his secrets for getting words onto the page.
Mr. Pink is the author of five provocative titles on the subjects of business, work, and human behavior — including To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others — and has written for The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Sunday Telegraph, Fast Company, and Wired.
In addition to having one of the most viewed TED talks of all time — “The puzzle of motivation” — Dan recently hosted and co-executive produced the TV series “Crowd Control” for the National Geographic Channel.
In this file Daniel Pink and I discuss:
- Why You Should Never Check Email Before You Write
- The Effectiveness of Word Count Quotas
- Why the Adage “Butt-in-Chair” Really Works
- How to Structure Your Writing Schedule to Beat “Resistance”
- The Author’s Exhaustive Reading Recommendations
- His Fantasy Chipotle Table Guests
- And Why You Need to Get Over Yourself and Get to Work
The Show Notes
- http://www.danpink.com/
- Dan Pink’s TED talk: “The puzzle of motivation”
- Crowd Control on National Geographic Channel
- Daniel Pink on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How ProBlogger's Darren Rowse Writes
New media pioneer and entrepreneur Darren Rowse — creator of both Digital Photography School and ProBlogger — joined me to chat about the opportunities that 13 years of blogging have provided, his new podcast, and the importance of having the right mindset as a writer.
This sage blogging veteran and educator has blazed an inspiring path for enterprising online publishers.
His step-by-step blog series — 31 Days to Build a Better Blog — went from zero to viable business in no time, and now it’s a podcast every content creator can listen to … for free.
In this file Darren Rowse and I discuss:
- Why You Should Write Like You Talk
- How a Book Deal Was Born from a Blog Series
- How Writing Offline Can Boost Your Word Count
- The 3 Types of Writer’s Block All Bloggers Eventually Face
- How Public Accountability Can Light a Fire Under Your Ass
- Why You Need a Balance Between Dreaming and Doing
- How to Get the Maximum Impact From Your Writing
The Show Notes
- ProBlogger.com
- Digital Photography School
- Darren Rowse Speaking at WDS
- Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett
- 31 Days to Build a Better Blog
- Problogger Podcast
- Problogger on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Pamela Wilson (VP of Educational Content for Copyblogger) Writes
Award-winning designer and marketing consultant Pamela Wilson — who has helped small businesses and large organizations alike create ”big brands” since 1987 — stopped by to chat about what it’s like to run the blog at Copyblogger.com, and her mission to publish impeccable online content.
As head of the editorial team for Copyblogger Media, she helps guide an abundance of educational content for one of the top online marketing, blogging, and copywriting sites in the world.
Pamela’s unique point-of-view comes from the marriage of design, branding, content, and conversion — something she has coined “Customer Experience Design.”
In this file Pamela Wilson and I discuss:
- How Coming Late to Writing Can Work in Your Favor
- Why Useful Content Creates Priceless Inroads for Writers
- The Difficulty of Designing a Remarkable Online Presence
- How Writing Has Become Her Yoga Practice
- Why You Should Commit to Writing 750 Words a Day
- The Hallmarks of Great Online Writing
- Why Picasso is an Inspiring Model for Writers to Follow
The Show Notes
- Pamela’s Author Page on Copyblogger
- Big Brand System Blog
- The Bobby McFerrin Plan for Creating a Remarkable Business
- The Write Way to Answer Your Most Pressing Questions by Pamela Wilson
- 750words.com
- Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content by Mark Levy
- Pamela Wilson on Instagram
- Pamela Wilson on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Novelist and Prolific Podcaster Brad Listi Writes
Bestselling author and prolific lit interviewer Brad Listi was named One of LA s most fascinating people of 2015 by the LA Weekly. He stopped by to chat with me about podcasting and the secrets of successful writers.
On his “in depth and inappropriate” podcast, Otherppl with Brad Listi, he has interviewed over 350 leading contemporary authors — including George Saunders, Cheryl Strayed, Tao Lin, Jonathan Lethem, Austin Kleon, and Susan Orlean — and his takeaways for writers are often priceless and pointed.
In addition to his street-cred as a bestselling novelist, Brad is a screenwriter, and the founder and publisher of The Nervous Breakdown, an online culture magazine and literary community.
In this file Brad Listi and I discuss:
- Why Interviews with Beginners Can Be More Interesting Than Interviews with Superstars
- The Magic of Deadlines, Caffeine, and Word Counts
- Why First Drafts are Like Ironing a Shirt
- The Importance of Meditation for ‘Unplugging’
- How Great Writers Capture a Moment That Others Can’t
- 3 Key Takeaways from over 350 Interviews with Writers
The Show Notes
- The Otherppl Podcast hosted by Brad Listi
- The Otherppl App
- Books by Brad Listi
- The Nervous Breakdown — an online culture magazine and literary community
- Otherppl on Twitter
- Brad Listi on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part Two
New York Times bestselling author Austin Kleon has been called one of the most interesting people on the Internet by The Atlantic Magazine, and he stopped by The Writer Files to chat with me about creativity and the writing life.
Austin is the author of three illustrated books — Steal Like An Artist, Newspaper Blackout, and Show Your Work! — guides I recommend to all writers seeking insights for tapping into your endless reserves of creativity and innovation.
In addition to being featured on NPR s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Kleon speaks about creativity in the digital age for organizations as varied as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist.
In the second part of this two-part file, Austin Kleon and I discuss:
- Is “Imagination” Overrated?
- A Simpler Definition of Creativity
- Why You Should Write for Just One Person
- How Minimizing Distractions Can Help Your Creativity
- Why Your Audience Is Your Most Valuable Asset
- Is Being Boring the Key to Productivity?
- The Importance of Being Great at Both Art and Life
- Why You Need to Pick Your Partners Carefully
The Show Notes
- Here s How Austin Kleon Writes
- AustinKleon.com
- Here s How Daniel Pink Writes
- Here s How Elizabeth Gilbert (Bestselling Author of Eat, Pray, Love) Writes
- Air Guitar: Essays on Art & Democracy by Dave Hickey
- Austin’s Interviews at BookCon 2015
- Austin Kleon on Instagram
- Austin Kleon on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One
New York Times bestselling author Austin Kleon has been called one of the most interesting people on the Internet by The Atlantic Magazine, and he stopped by The Writer Files to chat with me about creativity and the writing life.
Austin is the author of three illustrated books — Steal Like An Artist, Newspaper Blackout, and Show Your Work! — guides I recommend to all writers seeking insights for tapping into your endless reserves of creativity and innovation.
In addition to being featured on NPR s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Kleon speaks about creativity in the digital age for organizations as varied as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist.
In the first part of this two-part file, Austin Kleon and I discuss:
- Why You Should Read More Than You Write
- How a Paper Dictionary Can Improve Your Writing
- The Difference Between Little Writing and Big Writing
- Why You Should Research Out in the Open
- How Your Daily Ritual Can Save You from Failure
- 3 Symptoms of Writer’s Block and How to Cure Them
- Why You Should Print Your Work and Read It Aloud
- How to Harness the Power of Productive Procrastination
The Show Notes
- How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part Two
- Here s How Austin Kleon Writes
- AustinKleon.com
- Clive Thompson, The Pencil and the Keyboard: How The Way You Write Changes the Way You Think
- Elizabeth Gilbert: “Your elusive creative genius”
- Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey
- Austin Kleon on Instagram
- Austin Kleon on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Empathy
Have you ever wondered why great writing creates an emotional response in readers? Welcome to another guest segment where I pick the brain of a neuroscientist.
Research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — returned to the show to help me define empathy from a scientific standpoint.
Mr. Grybko sheds some light into the darker corners of our understanding of how to tap into the hopes, dreams, and fears of your readers.
In this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- How Science is Changing Our Definition of Empathy
- Why Pathos is a Good Jumping Off Place for Writers
- What Actors and Doctors Have in Common with Writers
- Are Mirror Systems the Key to Human Empathy?
- How to Resist the Dark Side of Empathy
- The Difference Between Good Storytelling and Great Storytelling
- Why Writers Need to Crawl Inside the Heads of Their Audience
- How Marketers Tap into Well-Worn Paths in Our Brains
- The Key to Empathizing with Your Readers
- Why Great Marketing Starts with the Desire to Help People
The Show Notes
- Mirror Neurons
- Empathy Maps: A Complete Guide to Crawling Inside Your Customer s Head
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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Writer Porn: Standing Desks, Binge Reading, and James Patterson s MasterClass
This week, award-winning, globe-trotting travel journalist Adam Skolnick returns as guest host for another edition of Writer Porn, where we discuss pertinent, writerly paraphernalia that has crossed our collective radar.
Adam is the author and co author of 25 Lonely Planet guidebooks. He has also written for publications as varied as the New York Times, ESPN, Men’s Health, Outside, and Playboy.
He recently finished his first narrative non-fiction book — based on his award-winning New York Times coverage of the death of the greatest American free diver of all time — titled One Breath (slated for publication in January).
In this 41-minute file Adam Skolnick and I discuss:
- What is Writer Porn?
- How to Counteract the Negative Effects of Sitting All Day
- Why You Think Better on Your Feet
- Is Binge Reading Online Making Us Dumber?
- How Taking Notes by Hand Might Boost Comprehension
- Why Relaxing Your Process Can Help Your Productivity
- Learn How to Write a Bestseller with James Patterson
- Is the MasterClass Startup onto Something Huge?
- Adam Skolnick s Patterson MasterClass Experiment
- How to Listen to Moby Dick for Free
The Show Notes
- “Inside the Perilous, Marvelous World of Competitive Free Diving,” Adam Skolnick for Playboy
- Is Sitting a Lethal Activity?
- Everything Science Knows Right Now About Standing Desks
- Yoga Hacks: How to Undo the Damage of a Desk Job
- 5 Things You re Doing Wrong At Your Standing Desk
- You Won t Finish This Article
- Binge Reading Disorder
- James Patterson s MasterClass in Writing
- The Moby-Dick Big Read on iTunes
- AdamSkolnick.com
- Adam Skolnick on Instagram
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Writer Porn on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Copywriter and Entrepreneur James Chartrand (of Men with Pens) Writes
Writing can be a lonely sport, whether you re running a digital agency, or slaving away on the next great novel. In this week's episode, we'll examine the writing process of James Chartrand, a prolific online publisher, copywriter, and digital entrepreneur.
It s hard to settle on a specific title for my guest because James wears so many different hats — founder of the popular blog, web design, and copywriting agency Men with Pens — as well as an author, educator, and writing coach.
James s many accomplishments have been chronicled in such high profile publications as Forbes, Newsweek, and The New York Times, and we got the chance to sit down and talk shop.
In this 26-minute file James Chartrand and I discuss:
- How Wearing Many Hats Can Boost Your Productivity
- Why Simplicity Helps You Stay Focused
- The Cathartic Feeling of Crumpling Up Post-It Notes
- The Hardest Question in the World
- Why Good Ideas are Like Fishing
- The Difference Between Making Friends and Making Money
- Why Every Writer Should Have a Therapist
The Show Notes
- Men with Pens
- Damn Fine Words
- Demian Farnworth s Interview With James
- Why James Chartrand Wears Women s Underpants
- James Chartrand on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Sarah Stodola (Author of Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors ) Writes
Journalist and creative non-fiction author Sarah Stodola shared her writer s file with me in this episode. Her recent book Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors is a fascinating collection of the habits and habitats of heralded scribes.
Ms. Stodola is also an accomplished journalist and editor whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Mental Floss, The Daily Beast, The Fiscal Times, Conde Nast Traveler, The Nation, The Wall Street Journal, Storyboard, Slate, and many others.
Take a listen to learn about the process of an author who is a curator of true writer porn, a window into the processes of the greats.
In this 21-minute file Sarah Stodola and I discuss:
- How to Write About Great Writers
- The Weird Trick Coffee Shops Play on Productivity
- Sarah s New Definition of Writer s Block
- A Surefire Way to Find Freedom from The Internet
- Can a Season Be a Muse to Writers?
- Where Does True Writing Genius Really Come From?
- Why Writing is Rewriting
- The Three Rules for Writing a Novel
- Why You Shouldn t Worry About Your First Drafts
The Show Notes
- Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors by Sarah Stodola
- How the Hum of a Coffee Shop Can Boost Creativity
- Freedom – Block Digital Distractions
- Sarah Stodola on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Chief Content Officer Sonia Simone Writes
Coral-coiffed marketer and prolific online publisher Sonia Simone stopped by the show this week to share her writing secrets with us.
Ms. Simone is co-founder and Chief Content Officer of Copyblogger Media as well as an educator, speaker, and the devious mastermind behind the podcast Confessions of a Pink-Haired Marketer.
Sonia appeared in the written series over on Copyblogger.com and stopped by again to drop some writerly wisdom on us.
You can also see Sonia Simone live at Authority Rainmaker, a carefully designed live educational experience that presents a complete and effective online marketing strategy to help you immediately accelerate your business.
In addition to Ms. Simone you ll have the opportunity to see Dan Pink, Sally Hogshead, Ann Handley, punk legend Henry Rollins, and many other incredible speakers live. Get all the details at rainmaker.fm/event, and we look forward to seeing you in Denver, Colorado, May 13th, 2015.
In this 18-minute file Sonia Simone and I discuss:
- Why You Should Read Outside Your Echo Chamber
- Sonia s Secret of Reading the Tea Leaves
- Writer s Block Vs. Deadlines
- Productivity for Flakes, Head Cases, and Other Natural Disasters
- The Fetishization of Creativity
- Sonia Admits Her Most Unwholesome Writer s Addiction
- Why the More You Care, the More You ll Write
The Show Notes
- Here s How Sonia Simone Writes
- Copyblogger.com
- The Authority Community
- Are You a Talented Professional Writer? Read This
- Copyblogger Media Certified Content Marketers
- Confessions of a Pink-Haired Marketer
- Productivity for Flakes, Head Cases, and Other Natural Disasters
- Authority Intensive, May 13-15 in Denver, Colorado
- Sonia on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Bestselling Author Ann Handley Writes
In this episode I ve invited digital marketing pioneer Ann Handley to chat with me about her writing process. She s a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, brilliant keynote speaker, the world s first Chief Content Officer, and a prolific digital content creator.
Ann Handley appeared on the written interview series last year and stopped by again to share her methods of madness with us.
You can also see Ann live at Authority Rainmaker, a carefully designed live educational experience that presents a complete and effective online marketing strategy to help you immediately accelerate your business.
Ms. Handley will be speaking about creating content that makes a difference for your business objectives by showing you how to create content that is empathetic, useful, and inspired.
In addition to Ann, you ll have the opportunity to see Dan Pink, Sally Hogshead, punk legend Henry Rollins, and many other incredible speakers live. Get all the details at rainmaker.fm/event, and we look forward to seeing you in Denver, Colorado May 13th, 2015.
In this 28-minute file Ann Handley and I discuss:
- Everybody Writes: An ‘Elements of Style’ for the Digital Age
- The Art of Productive Procrastination
- Why Your Writer’s Block May Be a Research Problem
- How Hard Deadlines Help Writers Ship
- Why You Have to Find a Way to Shape Your Ideas for Sharing
- The Secret to What Makes a Good Writer Great
- Why Your Audience Is Key to Effective Writing
- Proof that Paper Books are Pure Writer Porn
- The Value of Patience
The Show Notes
- Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
- Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business
- Ann Handley on Entrepreneur.com
- Trello
- E.B. White
- Seth Godin on The Writer Files
- AnnHandley.com
- Authority Intensive, May 13-15 in Denver, Colorado
- Ann Handley on Twitter
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Neuroscientist Michael Grybko Defines Creativity
Have you ever wondered how prolific writers summon vast stores of creativity without seemingly breaking a sweat? I would like to introduce you to a guest segment where I enlist the help of a neuroscientist to give us a tour of The Writer s Brain.
I've invited research scientist Michael Grybko — of the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington — to help me define creativity from a scientific standpoint.
He will help us to pinpoint where exactly in the brain creative ideas come from, decide if you can teach an old writer new tricks, and test the theory that writer s brains are similar to professional athletes.
In this 22-minute file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
- How Science is Expanding Our Definition of Creativity
- Why Memory Plays Such a Big Part in Writing
- Don’t Take Your Typing Skills for Granted
- Where Creative Ideas Come From
- Can You Teach an Old Writer New Tricks?
- Why Staying Curious Is So Important to Creativity
- Are Prolific Writers Like Pro Athletes?
- Why “Write What You Know” Is Good Advice
The Show Notes
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How Award-Winning Journalist Adam Skolnick Writes
Sometimes word nerds just need a place to talk shop, and that s what we intend to do here. In this episode of the The Writer Files I ve asked award-winning journalist Adam Skolnick to join me on a guest segment we’re calling Writer Porn.
Adam is an award-winning, globetrotting travel journalist, which is kind of a rare thing these days. He is the author and co author of 25 Lonely Planet guidebooks, and has written for publications as varied as the New York Times (for whom he won a big award from the Associated Press Sports Editors last year), ESPN.com, Wired, Men’s Health, Outside, BBC, and Playboy Magazine.
He recently finished his first narrative non-fiction book based on his award-winning NY Times coverage of the death of the greatest American free diver of all time, titled One Breath (slated for publication in January).
Adam and I talk about how a page one New York Times story became a book, the secret literary legacy of Playboy Magazine, debunking Jack Kerouac’s prolificness, and tips and tricks to staying focused when you re working on multiple projects across multiple timezones.
In this 29-minute file Adam Skolnick and I discuss:
- How a Tragic New York Times Story Became a Book
- What a Globetrotting Journalist Does to Get a Story
- The Secret Literary Legacy of Playboy Magazine
- What Mr. Skolnick Has in Common with Hunter S. Thompson
- One Great Trick to Stay Focused on Multiple Deadlines
- Busting The Urban Legend of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road”
- Why You Shouldn’t Compare Yourself to Other Writers
- How to Stay Organized When You Have a Ton of Research
The Show Notes
- AdamSkolnick.com
- A Deep-Water Diver From Brooklyn Dies After Trying for a Record
- Top 10 Writers Published in Playboy
- ‘I Only Read It For The Interviews’
- The Fact and Fiction of ‘On the Road’
- Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors by Sarah Stodola
- Voice Recorder HD for Audio Recording, Playback, Trimming and Sharing
- Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Kaherine Boo
- Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Adam Skolnick on Twitter
- Writer Porn on Twitter
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How Demian Farnworth (Copyblogger's Chief Content Writer) Writes
Welcome to The Writer Files, a tour of the habits, habitats, and brains of renowned writers — from online content creators, to fictionists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and beyond.
Great writing is more vital and in demand than it’s ever been.
But sometimes writers get stuck — the right words don t appear, we get distracted, or worse, lose interest in our work — and that s when the solitary nature of writing can become a curse.
I m here to remind you that all writers have moments of doubt, feelings of ineffectiveness, and droughts where the words won t flow.
For writers like you and I to stay productive, creative, and sane, sometimes we just need to take a look at how other scribes find ways keep the ink flowing and the cursor moving.
In this episode, I want share the file of prolific online publisher, Demian Farnworth.
Between the writing he does for Copyblogger, his personal blog, and his two podcasts that regularly land at the top of iTunes, he promises to … deliver the essential writing advice you need to succeed online.
In this 32-minute file Demian Farnworth and I discuss:
- Why Demian Loves The Writer Files Interview Series
- How a Poet Learned to Make a Living Online
- Why You Should Treat Your Writing Like Music
- Demian’s Secret to His Prolificness
- Why You Need to Over-Sharpen Your Axe
- 3 Timeless Ideas that Lead to Enhanced Creativity
- Why So Many Writers Quit
- A Single Word that Will Help You Keep the Cursor Moving
The Show Notes
- The Writer Files Interview Series on Copyblogger
- Influence by Robert Cialdini
- Demian’s Author Page on Copyblogger.com
- The Copybot
- Rough Draft Podcast
- The Lede Podcast
- Journalist Michael Kruse
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
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Fler poddar
Podcasten The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience är skapad av Kelton Reid. Podcastens innehåll och bilderna på den här sidan hämtas med hjälp av det offentliga podcastflödet (RSS).
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.