The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

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.? [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 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) Bill Weir on Facebook Bill Weir on Instagram Bill Weir on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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 [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 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: tomiadeyemi.com thewritersroadmap.net Children of Anguish and Anarchy (Legacy of Orisha, 3) ? June 25, 2024 by Tomi Adeyemi (Amazon) Tomi Adeyemi Amazon Author Page Tomi Adeyemi on Instagram Tomi Adeyemi on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.? [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 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: mattabrahams.com 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 Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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. [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 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 Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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. [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 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 Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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: garrardconley.com All the World Beside: A NOVEL By Garrard Conley (Amazon) Garrard Conley Amazon Author Page Garrard Conley on Instagram Garrard Conley on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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: pressshoppr.com bookpublicityschool.com Book Publicity School on Facebook Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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: adellewaldman.com Help Wanted: A Novel by Adelle Waldman (Amazon) Adelle Waldman Amazon Author Page Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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: VeeraHiranandani.com Amil and the After By Veera Hiranandani (Bookshop.org) Veera Hiranandani Amazon Author Page Veera Hiranandani on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 ... emmastraub.net This Time Tomorrow a Novel by Emma Straub 'This Time Tomorrow' is the time travel book millennials need - USA Today Emma Straub on Facebook Emma Straub on Instagram Emma Straub on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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: GetSignedBook.com Download Lucinda?s free author training lucindaliterary.com 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 Lucinda Halpern on Twitter Lucinda Halpern on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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: AnnNapolitano.com Hello Beautiful (Oprah's Book Club): A NOVEL By Ann Napolitano (Amazon) Ann Napolitano Amazon Author Page Ann Napolitano on Twitter Ann Napolitano on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.? [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 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: JamiAttenberg.com 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 Jami Attenberg on Twitter Jami Attenberg on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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: 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 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! [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: 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 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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ... [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 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 Lucinda Literary on Medium Lucinda Literary on Facebook Lucinda Literary on Instagram Lucinda Literary on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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: Josegura.com Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura [Amazon] Jo Segura on Twitter Jo Segura on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Yale University ? Aaron Tracy Aaron Tracy Audible Page Amazon Author Page for William Goldman Story by Robert McKee [Amazon] Save the Cat by Blake Snyder [Amazon] Aaron Tracy on IMdB Aaron Tracy on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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). [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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.? [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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." [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ?? [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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.? [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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: Drilled.media Amy Westervelt on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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." [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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?? [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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.? [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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+. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Benzo?s By Melissa Bond (Amazon)  Melissa Bond on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.? [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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." [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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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." [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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. [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, 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: carleyfortune.com Meet Me at the Lake By Carley Fortune (Amazon)  Carley Fortune Amazon Author Page Carley Fortune on Instagram Carley Fortune on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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.  [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, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices