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

Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, brought me along on a creative journey not too long ago called Hey, Creator! and it was some of the most fun I’ve had as a podcast producer.

Here’s an episode from the last season we did together titled “How to Finish the First Draft of Anything.”

Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he shares his ongoing journey of transformation, inspiring creators to discover their voice and share it with the world.

He is also the founder of Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency that helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs turn their stories and ideas into books that change the way people think.

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In this file Jeff Goins and I discussed:

Why the first step to finishing is to begin

The secret to getting unstuck

Why nothing is ever really finished

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

goinswriter.com

freshcomplaint.com

Hey, Creator! Podcast

Jeff Goins Amazon Author Page

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Sullivan, spoke to me about the story that saved his life, how to write history’s darkest chapters, and his latest novel based on a true story, All the Glimmering Stars.

Mark Sullivan is a journalist and award-winning, bestselling author of 20 novels including Beneath a Scarlet Sky, The Last Green Valley, and the #1 New York Times bestselling Private series, which he writes with James Patterson.

His latest historical novel, All the Glimmering Stars (May 7, 2024), is “Inspired by a true story [of] two teens kidnapped by an African warlord [that] find salvation through love in a powerful [story] … set in 1990s Uganda.”

New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz, said of the book, “Mark Sullivan’s All the Glimmering Stars is the pinnacle of an already distinguished career. A searing piece of historical fiction steeped in a yearslong deep dive into the horrors of child soldiering, it is at its core something tender and rare: a love story between two profoundly good people striving for light in unimaginable darkness.”

Mark Sullivan graduated with a BA in English before working as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in West Africa. Upon his return to the US, he earned a graduate degree in Journalism at Northwestern University.

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In this file Mark Sullivan and I discussed:

His former life as an award-winning investigative journalist

How his cross-cultural skills inform his work today

Why he decided to make the transition from suspense to historical fiction

Searching for the deeper meaning behind his storytelling

The four things he has to have before he can write a story

His intensive research process

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

marksullivanbooks.com

All the Glimmering Stars: A Novel by Mark Sullivan (Amazon)

Mark Sullivan Amazon Author Page

Mark Sullivan on Facebook

Mark Sullivan on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author and TV producer, Tom Straw, spoke to me about breaking into television, the Gordian knot of ghostwriting, and his new “culinary, espionage, travel thriller” THE ACCIDENTAL JOE.

Tom Straw is an Emmy and Writers Guild of America–nominated writer-producer, New York Times bestselling author, and former Mystery Writers of America board member.

Writing as Richard Castle, Tom originated the hit Nikki Heat series, writing its first seven novels, all New York Times bestsellers, including Heat Rises, which reached number one.

The first book in his latest series is The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef (Regalo Press/May 14, 2024), described as the story of “...a maverick celebrity chef [who] reluctantly agrees to let the CIA use his hugely popular international food, culture, and travel TV series as cover for a dangerous espionage mission.”

Bestselling author Walter Mosley said of the book, “Tom Straw's Sebastian Pike is a wonderful addition to the annals of amateur sleuths of the crime/spy genre.” Culinary personality Alton Brown said of the author, “Tom Straw has set the bar for culinary, espionage, travel thrillers. Actually, I think he invented the bar. And it’s a bar I’d meet him at any time.”

Tom  Straw’s television career has included WGA and Emmy nominations for writing and executive producer stints for shows including Night Court, CBS’s Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Nurse Jackie with Edie Falco.

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In this file Tom Straw and I discussed:

His early life as an AM radio personality and professional weatherman

How he got a shot to write on his first TV show

Working with Craig Ferguson and his robot skeleton sidekick 

The short version of hitting #1 as a ghostwriter for a fictitious mystery author 

How he invented the snarky, bad-boy, maverick chef for his latest novel

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

tomstraw.com

Tom Straw on IMDb

The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef By Tom Straw (Amazon)

Tom Straw on Facebook

Tom Straw on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Emmy-winning TV journalist and CNN Chief Climate Correspondent, Bill Weir, spoke to me about finding his beat, seeking “hope in a changing world,” and his debut, Life as We Know It (Can Be).

Bill Weir is a veteran anchor, writer, producer, and host who joined CNN in 2013 after a decade of award-winning journalism at ABC News. After writing and hosting four seasons of the primetime CNN Original Series “The Wonder List with Bill Weir,” he was named the first Chief Climate Correspondent in network news in 2019.

His debut book is Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World, described as a “... positive and unabashed approach to exploring the science, politics, and human behavior that must be addressed to solve our most pressing problems.”

New York Times bestselling author and CNN anchor Jake Tapper said of the book, “Bill Weir provides insightful, alarming, but ultimately hopeful coverage of the climate crisis. His new book is a gorgeous love letter to his son but also to Earth and humanity,” and New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Safran Foer called it, “... a clear-eyed, heartfelt argument against despair.”

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In this file Bill Weir and I discussed:

How he incorporates the math and physics of storytelling into his journalism

The “crappy elf” method of writing and penning letters to his kids in the future

Why connection is more important than ever in the “golden age of distraction”

The difference between writing for the screen and the page

When he decided to focus on the dreamers and the doers

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

Bill Weir CNN Chief Climate Correspondent

Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World by Bill Weir (Amazon)

Bill Weir on Facebook

Bill Weir on Instagram

Bill Weir on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Tomi Adeyemi, spoke to me about the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, her evolution as a writer, and the final book in her Orisha trilogy, Children of Anguish and Anarchy.

Tomi Adeyemi is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Hugo and Nebula award-winning novelist and screenwriter who was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes’s 30 Under 30 in Media, and whose website was named one of the 101 Best Websites for writers by Writer’s Digest.

Her Children of Blood and Bone series continues to be a publishing phenomenon, acquired in a heated bidding war with the first two books becoming instant #1 NY Times bestsellers – spending over 150 weeks on the list – and over 1.5 million copies in print to date including recent paperback re-releases.

The Nigerian/American writer graduated from Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature and studied West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil

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In this file Tomi Adeyemi and I discussed:

Her newly found balance and definition of success as a writer 

Facing rejection early on in her career

How she persevered through meticulous planning

Why her acknowledgments are so lengthy in her long-awaited capstone to her trilogy

What’s next for the superstar

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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

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Stanford Professor, communications expert, and author, Matt Abrahams, spoke with me about tips and tricks to hone your communication skills as a writer, and his award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart.

Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of expertise as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting.

He also hosts Stanford Graduate School of Business' Think Fast, Talk Smart – the 2023 Webby Award-winning “Best Business Podcast." The podcast has topped 42 million downloads and has been the #1 Career podcast in over 95 countries.

Matt is the author of two books including Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot, based in part on his hit podcast.

Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestseller, said of the author, "Matt Abrahams has a gift for making complex concepts easy to understand and simple to enact. If you’ve ever struggled to summon the right words at the right time, this book is an essential read.”

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In this file Matt Abrahams and I discussed:

The TED talk that led to a podcast that led to a book 

Why writers need to find their focus through structure

His advice on pitching your book to agents in person

How it’s normal to be nervous; managing anxiety

Why most writers suffer the curses of knowledge and passion

How to nail that first book tour

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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

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#1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY.

Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada,  and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.

His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY (on sale 4/9/24; ages 8 & up), is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”

His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.

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In Part Two of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:

The crazy story behind Stephen King’s Misery

What it was like waiting for a call from Stephen Spielberg

How the author got to see his fiction turned into reality

Making the transition from adult sci-fi to middle grade novels

His shout outs to ET, Roald Dahl, Charles Portis

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part One

Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)

Ernest Cline Amazon Author Page

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY.

Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada,  and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.

His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY (on sale 4/9/24; ages 8 & up), is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”

His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.

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In Part One of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:

The signposts on the road to becoming a writer

His change of fortune (and opinion) as a screenwriter

The big idea behind Ready Player One 

Why 90% of Stephen King’s protagonists are school teachers or writers

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part Two

Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)

Ernest Cline Amazon Author Page

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling memoirist turned novelist, Garrard Conley, spoke with me about going from activist to fictionist, the isolation of being an artist, and his debut novel All the World Beside.

Garrard Conley is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Boy Erased, as well as the creator and co-producer of the podcast UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America. His memoir became a major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Lucas Hedges, directed by Joel Edgerton.

His debut novel is titled All the World Beside and described as “... an electrifying, deeply moving novel about the love story between two men in Puritan New England.”

Tess Gunty, National Book Award-winning author of Rabbit Hutch, called the book an “... accomplishment of breathtaking prose, expert pacing, and extraordinary psychological intelligence...” Garth Greenwell wrote, “... this novel contains some of the finest writing I've encountered in recent American fiction.”

Garrard’s work has been published by The New York Times, Oxford American, Time, and Virginia Quarterly Review, among others. Conley is a graduate of Brooklyn College’s MFA program, where he was a Truman Capote Fellow specializing in fiction, and he is an assistant professor of creative writing at Kennesaw State University.

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In this file Garrard Conley and I discussed:

What it was like to work with Radiolab on a podcast

Setting out to write “The Queer Scarlett Letter”

His intense historical research process 

How he inhabits his stories

Why writers can’t skimp on what the audience wants

How to un-Tik-Tok-ify your brain

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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

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Director of Publicity and Press Shop PR Founder, Leah Paulos, spoke with me about how authors can cut through the noise in a challenging news cycle, when to build your platform, and demystifying the book biz.

Leah Paulos is the Founder and Director of Publicity at Press Shop PR an independent book publicity firm based in Brooklyn. The Press Shop team has worked on campaigns for over 300 authors since its launch in 2012, including the #1 bestselling campaigns for ON TYRANNY by Timothy Snyder, MARCH by Rep. John Lewis, and WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

She also recently launched Book Publicity School to bring Press Shop’s expertise and guidance to more authors at an affordable price. The School offers workshops, coaching, and online groups to help authors advocate for their work as effectively as possible.

Leah has spoken on book publicity at Columbia Journalism School, CUNY Graduate Center, and as part of her regular workshop series, Book Publicity for Literary Agents.

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In this file Leah Paulos and I discussed:

• Why authors need a “Big Fat Book Promo” spreadsheet
• What works in social media now, and what’s a waste of time
• How and when to build an effective author platform
• What kind of promotion an author should expect from their publisher
• Why a full press, media, and event campaign doesn't make sense for every author
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• pressshoppr.com
• bookpublicityschool.com
• Book Publicity School on Facebook
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Oscar-nominated screenwriter turned novelist, Iris Yamashita, returns to chat with me about the difference between writing for the ear and the screen, fusing plotting and pantsing, and her anticipated follow-up thriller Village in the Dark.

Iris Yamashita has been working in Hollywood for over 15 years and was nominated for a “Best Original Screenplay”  Oscar for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima (directed by Clint Eastwood).

The sequel to her debut novel City Under One Roof is Village in the Dark, described as a riveting mystery perfect for fans of Twin Peaks, Mare of Easttown, and True Detective.

An Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense – New and continuing series. Kirkus Reviews called the book, “A sharp and gritty mystery with a compelling sociopolitical undercurrent.”

Iris continues to work in Hollywood, developing for both film and streaming media. She has taught screenwriting at UCLA and the American Film Institute.

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In this file Iris Yamashita and I discussed:

• Why you need to have a beginning, middle, and end in mind no matter what you’re writing
• What it’s like to be both the writer and the director as a novelist
• How to write for audio drama
• Why filmmakers don’t like to read
• Learning the rules so you can break them
• How to keep your dreams alive
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita (Amazon)
• Amazon Author Page for Iris Yamashita
• www.irisyamashita.com
• Iris Yamashita on Facebook
• Iris Yamashita on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Bestselling author, Adelle Waldman, spoke with me about her former life as a journalist, writerly wish fulfillment, and going undercover for her latest workplace novel, Help Wanted.

Adelle Waldman is a journalist and the bestselling author of The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P., which was named a best book of the year by The New Yorker, Economist, NPR, The New Republic, Slate, Bookforum, The Guardian and many others.

Her latest novel, Help Wanted, is from W.W. Norton in March of 2024, and described as a “funny, eye-opening tale of work in contemporary America.” It has been named one of New York Magazine's "23 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2024," VOGUE’s Best Books of the Year So Far, ELLE’s Best (and Most Anticipated) Fiction of 2024, Lit Hub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024, and one of Kirkus’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024.

A starred Kirkus Review called the book, "The workplace dramedy of the year." Publishers Weekly said of the book, "A bracing and worthwhile glimpse of the high stakes faced by low-wage workers."

Adelle attended Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, among others.

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In this file Adelle Waldman and I discussed:

Why she turned to journalism as a day job

Writing a hard-to-like protagonist

The breakout success of her first novel

How co-workers and friends at a Big Box store inspired her latest

Found comedy, unfortunate nerds, unrealistic dreams

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

adellewaldman.com

Help Wanted: A Novel by Adelle Waldman (Amazon)

Adelle Waldman Amazon Author Page

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Newbery Honor-winning children’s author, Veera Hiranandani, spoke with me about her former life in publishing, why no word is ever wasted, and her anticipated middle-grade novel Amil and The After.

Veera Hiranandani is an award-winning author of several books for young people, and a faculty member with the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at The Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Amil and The After is her latest work of children’s fiction, a stand-alone sequel to her Newbery Honor winner, The Night Diary. It was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month (January 2024).

A starred Kirkus Reviews called the book, “…a masterpiece of nuance, vulnerability, and emotional complexity. A quietly brilliant, deeply insightful story of living in uncertain times.”

Veera earned her MFA in fiction writing at Sarah Lawrence College and was a former book editor at Simon & Schuster.

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In this file Veera Hiranandani and I discussed:

Why writing is like slow cooking

How to write historical fiction if you’re not good at history

Why you need to follow your writerly instincts

The importance of accountability partners, learning from your mistakes

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

VeeraHiranandani.com

Amil and the After By Veera Hiranandani (Bookshop.org)

Veera Hiranandani Amazon Author Page

Veera Hiranandani on Instagram

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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NOTE: This is an updated replay of my amazing chat with Emma Straub, the New York Times bestselling author of six books for adults, including her novel This Time Tomorrow … She is also the author of three picture books, the first of which, Very Good Hats, was published in January 2023. Congrats Emma! Enjoy …

New York Times bestselling author, Emma Straub, spoke to me about why everything in life is timing, how to write a book for yourself, time travel, and her latest This Time Tomorrow.

Emma is the bestselling author of six novels — including All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, and Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures — the short story collection Other People We Married. Her books have been published in 20 countries. 

Her latest, This Time Tomorrow, has been named One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2022 by Vogue, Oprah, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Reader’s Digest, Today, Parade, Thrillist, Pop Sugar, Lithub and more.

Described as "...a moving father-daughter story and a playful twist on the idea of time travel," author Michael Chabon called the book "...a beautifully made, elegant music box of a novel that sets in motion its clever clockwork of delight—then breaks your heart with its bittersweet, lingering song.”

Emma and her husband also own Books Are Magic, a popular independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.

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In this file Emma Straub and I discussed:

Why getting an MFA helped her slow down her writing

How she met everyone in publishing at an indie bookshop 

The unique perspective of Xennials

How to find confidence and pages while being off-balance 

Why she'd drink less Olde English if she could go back 

And a lot more!

Stay calm and write on ...

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

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President of Manhattan-based literary agency Lucinda Literary turned author, Lucinda Halpern, returns to chat with me about how to crack the code of publishing, the four types of writers who get book deals, and her latest book Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author.

Lucinda Halpern is a literary agent with over 15 years of experience securing book deals with Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan, and now the author of Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author. (available for preorder now and landing 2/6/2024, Hay House - wherever fine books are sold)

“Packed with interviews from best-selling authors and leading book editors Get Signed is the indispensable roadmap you need … to get noticed and become a published author.” #1 New York Times best-selling author Adam Grant said of the book, “Lucinda Halpern has written the definitive guide to attracting an agent and laying the groundwork for a book well worth publishing.”

She represents a range of New York Times and internationally bestselling authors in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction. Her classes and coaching programs have been taught to hundreds of writers worldwide.

Stay tuned until the end of our interview for Lucinda’s special gift for listeners.

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In this file Lucinda Halpern and I discussed:

How her full-circle journey to becoming a published author has made her a better agent

Why having a book editor is like lying naked on the table at the doctor's office

The best way to diagnose what's wrong with your book

How she is still myth-busting publishing

Why a book for everyone is a book for no one

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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

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New York Times bestselling author, Ann Napolitano, spoke with me about overcoming rejection early on, how grief transformed her writing process, and getting that fateful call from Oprah about Hello Beautiful.

Ann Napolitano is the New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful which was selected as Oprah’s 100th Book Club pick; Dear Edward, an instant New York Times bestseller, a Read with Jenna selection, and an Apple TV+ series; A Good Hard Look, and Within Arm’s Reach.

Hello Beautiful has been called a “powerfully affecting” (People) family story that asks: Can love make a broken person whole? The Washington Post said of the book, “Another tender tearjerker . . . Napolitano chronicles life’s highs and lows with aching precision.”

It was named Chicago Public Library’s Ten Best Books of the Year and a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, Time, Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Post, She Reads, and Bookreporter.

Ann was the associate editor of the literary magazine One Story for seven years, and she received an MFA from New York University.

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In this file Ann Napolitano and I discussed:

Her long and rocky road to success

How an illness early in life helped her realize she was a writer

Why her first published book felt like a proving ground

The nine-month approach to planning your next novel

How to write the truest sentence possible

Why you need to string together as many Xs as you can

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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

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New York Times bestselling author, Jami Attenberg, spoke with me about documenting the process of being a writer online and off, building a global literary movement, and her latest, 1000 Words: A Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All-Year Round.

Jami Attenberg is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books of fiction, including The Middlesteins, All Grown Up, and her recent memoir, I Came All This Way to Meet You. Her work has been published in 16 languages, she is the founder of the annual #1000WordsofSummer project and maintains the popular Craft Talk newsletter.

Jami Attenberg’s latest is 1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round. “Inspired by [her] wildly popular literary movement #1000WordsofSummer, this writer’s guide features encouraging essays on creativity, productivity, and writing from [over 50] acclaimed authors including Roxane Gay, Lauren Groff, Celeste Ng, Meg Wolitzer, and Carmen Maria Machado.”

Lit Hub said of the book, “It will be the new Bird by Bird, you heard it here first.” A Booklist, Starred Review called it “A fantastic set of essays… Readers of this collection will feel surrounded and bolstered by like-minded people who have been in the trenches.”

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In this file Jami Attenberg and I discussed:

The blessing and the curse of knowing you’re a writer 

How she built an online writing community into a literary movement

Her tongue-in-cheek approach to the craft

The reason she uses the seasons as a metaphor for writers

How to harness the power of write-alongs

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

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

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This is the second part of a year-end retrospective with award-winning indie journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, who returns to rap with me about show highlights from the last half of 2023, hot takes, and shootin’ the breeze.

Adam Skolnick is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others. 

Adam is co-author of Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within, the follow-up to David Goggins’ smash hit memoir Can’t Hurt Me. Adam is also the author of One Breath, has narrated David Goggins’ bestselling audiobooks, and co-hosted The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.

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In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:

How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick Writes: Part Two: The sui generis of the Colleen Hoover effect

How Award-Winning Climate Journalist Amy Westervelt Writes: Why more writers need to set their stories in the real world

How Booker Prize-Winning Author Anne Enright Writes: The moment of burnout that changed her career

How National Book Award Winner & Bestselling Author James McBride Writes: Why  some writers find no joy in being well-known

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part Two: What it feels like to live inside a lightning strike

Show Notes:

Best of 2023 - Hot Takes and Shootin’ the Breeze with Adam Skolnick: Part One

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!

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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]

In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:

How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick Writes: Part Two: The sui generis of the Colleen Hoover effect

How Award-Winning Climate Journalist Amy Westervelt Writes: Why more writers need to set their stories in the real world

How Booker Prize-Winning Author Anne Enright Writes: The moment of burnout that changed her career

How National Book Award Winner & Bestselling Author James McBride Writes: Why  some writers find no joy in being well-known

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part Two: What it feels like to live inside a lightning strike

Show Notes:

Best of 2023 - Hot Takes and Shootin’ the Breeze with Adam Skolnick: Part Two

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 ...

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In this file Lucinda Halpern and I discussed:

Her mission statement, ethos, and the future of publishing

How good agents build lifelong marriages with their authors

Why you don't have to be famous to get published

Counterintuitive tips about the industry

The old-fashioned art of crafting a book

And more!

Show Notes:

Ready to get your book noticed? Get Lucinda's essential guide for writers: The 6 Things Every Book Pitch Needs – Click here to receive your guide: lucindaliterary.com/subscribe

Lucinda Literary on Medium

Lucinda Literary on Facebook

Lucinda Literary on Instagram

Lucinda Literary on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Acclaimed debut novelist, Jo Segura, spoke with me about her love of the romance writing community, why natural history and archaeology are her jam, and her debut romcom RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART.

Jo Segura’s debut, Raiders of the Lost Heart, is described as an adventure romance about “Rival archaeologists [who] must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, [that] could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.

Entertainment Weekly called it, “Romancing the Stone meets Indiana Jones in this thrilling adventure romance.” And Publishers Weekly said of the book, “Segura’s rip-roaring debut is sure to put her on the map."

The book was named a LibraryReads Pick and Indie Next pick for December, Entertainment Weekly’s 41 New Fall Books We're Most Excited To Read, and Book Riot’s 8 Of The Best Romance Books With Action.

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In this file Jo Segura and I discussed:

Why she dedicated a whole year to getting published

How she turned to escapist fare during the Pandemic

Writing her debut novel for NaNoWriMo

The reason she named her main character after her great-aunt

Why writers have to find their people 

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

Josegura.com

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura [Amazon]

Jo Segura on Twitter

Jo Segura on Instagram

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Yale educator and TV writer/producer, Aaron Tracy, returns to chat with me about surviving the WGA writer’s strike, finally teaching the podcast at Yale, and his latest audio thriller on Audible, Nowhere Man, starring Lee Pace and Zosia Mamet.

Aaron Tracy also teaches “The Art and Craft of Television Drama” at Yale University, and his TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal, The Tap, and Sequestered, a serialized thriller that ran two seasons, for which he was Creator and Executive Producer. 

He is also a Creator, Director,  and Exec. Producer of scripted audio dramas for iHeartRadio, Audible, and Spotify, with various production partners including: Supreme: The Battle For Roe, his 9-part audio drama starring Eva Longoria (feat. Maya Hawke and William H. Macy); Murder in Bermuda (feat. Mary-Louise Parker); and many others.

His most recent is Nowhere Man, a noir political thriller Executive Produced by and starring Lee Pace, with co-stars Zosia Mamet, and Chazz Palminteri. “Set in the mid-1980s, Nowhere Man is a dark, paranoid thriller about temptation and obsession through the prism of a profession most people don’t even know exists.”

Aaron’s debut audio drama, The Coldest Case, a detective thriller starring Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter, and Alexis Bledel, premiered as the #1 download on Audible in 2021, and has since become the most downloaded show in Audible Plus history.

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In this file Aaron Tracy and I discussed:

Why he loves the ‘80s period pieces

How his directing experience has shaped his writing

Why he teaches the narrative podcast the same way he teaches Television Drama

The two greatest innovations of the modern TV art form 

What aspiring TV writers should be reading

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

How to Write a Bestselling Audio Drama with Writer/Producer Aaron Tracy: Part One

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

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NOTE: This is an updated replay of an amazing chat I had with New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner, James McBride. His latest novel, THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE, was named Amazon’s #1 Book of the Year Pick, and Barnes & Noble's Book of the Year, among many other accolades for 2023. Congrats James!

New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner, James McBride, spoke to me about eschewing literary fame, his friendship with Spike Lee, and his latest novel THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE.

James McBride is a musician, screenwriter, and award-winning author of New York Times bestselling Oprah’s Book Club selection Deacon King Kong, the National Book Award–winner The Good Lord Bird (now a Showtime limited series starring Ethan Hawke), and the American classic The Color of Water.

His debut novel, Miracle at St. Anna, was turned into a 2008 film by Oscar-winning writer and director Spike Lee, with a script written by McBride. 

The author’s latest novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, was an Instant New York Times Bestseller and Named a Must Read for the Summer by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Time, Town & Country, and others.

Described as “... a novel about small-town secrets and the people who keep them,” it begins in 1972 when workers in Pottstown, PA, find a skeleton at the bottom of a well. The New York Times Book Review called the book, “A murder mystery locked inside a Great American Novel.”

James McBride received a National Humanities Medal from President Obama, “... for humanizing the complexities of discussing race in America.” He is a distinguished writer in residence at New York University.

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In this file James McBride and I discussed: 

• Why he finds no joy in being well-known
• How The Color of Water changed his career
• The lessons he learned from Michael Jackson
• The hyperbole of the literary world and standing on the shoulders of giants
• How we’re all more alike than we are different
• Why writers must seek out their mentors
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• jamesmcbride.com
• The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel by James McBride (Amazon) 
• James McBride on Facebook
• James McBride on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Publishing legend, art historian, and author, Charles Scribner III, spoke with me about growing up surrounded by publishing, Hemingway’s Three Rules to Life, and his memoir/family history SCRIBNERS: FIVE GENERATIONS IN PUBLISHING.

Charles Scribner III is an art historian, author, editor, and lecturer, who received his BA, MFA, and PhD from Princeton University in art and archaeology. 

He worked in publishing for nearly thirty years and is a prominent authority on Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens, and other artists. He has written biographies on Rubens and Bernini; articles for Vanity Fair, Art & Antiques, among other publications; and has lectured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery, the Smithsonian, Christie’s, and various universities. 

His forthcoming family history, Scribners: Five Generations in Publishing, is about the inside story of 5 generations – over 150 years – at the legendary publishing house of Charles Scribner's Sons.

“The author, the fifth of the Charleses to work at that house of celebrated authors, provides … an inside view – ‘between the covers’ of illustrious and notorious books – of the family members, editors, and authors of this colorful literary history.”

Kirkus Reviews called it "A charming memoir of a life in books," and Publishers Weekly called it “... a lively and refreshing must-read for those interested in the history of book publishing.”

Charles remained at Scribners through three changes in ownership (Macmillan, Maxwell, and Viacom), overseeing the publication of its literary classics. He was also a commentator for TV documentaries on Edith Wharton (BBC/PBS), Fitzgerald and Hemingway (A&E Biography).

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In this file, Charles Scribner III and I discussed: 

• How manuscripts and galleys symbolized the world he grew up in 
• Why he chose now to share the stories of the literary lions his father worked with
• Some of the greatest editors of the 20th Century
• How to write a book in two months
• Why loyalty is the most important thing in publishing
• The secret behind Hemingway’s will
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• charlesscribner.com
• Scribners: Five Generations in Publishing by Charles Scribner III (Amazon)
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jim Butcher, spoke with me about how he outlined a hit 20-novel series (years before he had an agent), why all steampunks wear goggles, and the second book in his Cinder Spires series, THE OLYMPIAN AFFAIR.

Jim Butcher is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and the Cinder Spires novels.

The long-anticipated second novel in his Cinder Spires series is The Olympian Affair, described by the author as “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Sherlock meets Hornblower,” in a series “... about noble families, magic-wielding warriors, and airship battles.”

Library Journal called it “... an exciting epic fantasy, set in the sky and filled with airships, magic, and the connections of blood and found family." And New York Times bestselling author David Weber said of the book, “It’s steampunk meets magic with a dose of sci-fi for seasoning.”

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In this file, Jim Butcher and I discussed: 

• Why “breaking into print is an arduous and discouraging process”
• The Genre Fiction Novel class that changed his writing for good
• Keeping your writing time sacred
• When your fans become your boss
• How to write a “steam opera”
• His most important legacy as a writer
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• jim-butcher.com
• The Olympian Affair (The Cinder Spires Book 2) by Jim Butcher (Amazon) 
• Jim Butcher Amazon Author Page
• Jim Butcher on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, returns to chat with me about her island writing hideout, rescuing two puppies at the same time, holiday genre tropes, and her latest Christmas book THE TWELVE DOGS OF CHRISTMAS.

Susan Wiggs is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 50 published novels, with over 25 million copies in print, published in 30 countries, and translated into over 20 languages.

Her latest, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas: A Novel, is described as, “The ultimate holiday gift from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs: a delightful novel about a Christmas transport of rescue puppies that’s guaranteed to warm readers’ hearts.”

#1 New York Times bestselling author of Must Love Flowers, Debbie Macomber, said of the book, "Don't miss this charming Christmas tale of thawing hearts, escaping dogs, and finding home. I couldn't help digging into this book with both paws."

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In this file, Susan Wiggs and I discussed: 

• Writing on planes, trains, and automobiles
• Her love of classic Christmas stories
• How the latest ties into her Lakeshore Chronicles series
• Why one of the easiest things in the world to do is “not write”
• Getting snowed in with Toni Morrison
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs Writes: Part One
• Susanwiggs.com
• The Twelve Dogs of Christmas: A Novel by Susan Wiggs (Amazon) 
• Susan Wiggs Amazon Author Page
• Susan Wiggs on Instagram
• Susan Wiggs on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Longtime literary critic and publishing insider, Bethanne Patrick, is back to chat with me about the return of her hit podcast Missing Pages, her front-row seat to the sea change in publishing, and her life-affirming first memoir LIFE B.

Bethanne Patrick is a world-renowned literary critic, author, and host of the chart-topping and Signal Award-winning podcast Missing Pages. Her work appears frequently in the Los Angeles Times as well as in The Washington Post, NPR Books, and Literary Hub.

Missing Pages is back – the Webby Award-nominated podcast named a “must-listen” by The Washington Post and The Guardian – has a second season on deck that features authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites.

Host Bethanne Patrick sits down with notable guests to set the record straight on the secretive world of book publishing again. From the rise of Colleen Hoover and book bans across America to the idea of who owns what in fan fiction, Missing Pages investigates it all. 

Bethanne also recently published her first memoir, Life B, “A bracing and fresh look at a lifelong struggle with depression and mental illness,” described by NY Times bestselling author Lori Gottlieb as, “Insightful, honest, [and] ultimately life-affirming …”

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In this file Bethanne Patrick and I discussed:

• What it was like to have her podcast nominated for a Webby Award
• The sui generis of the Colleen Hoover effect
• What the ambitious second season of Missing Pages plans to tackle
• The origins and evolution of the novel 
• How she wrote her first memoir
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Missing Pages on Apple Podcasts
• Missing Pages on Twitter
• How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick (AKA TheBookMaven) Writes: Part One
• bethannepatrick.com
• Life B By Bethanne Patrick [Amazon]
• Bethanne Patrick on Instagram
• Bethanne Patrick on Facebook
• Bethanne Patrick on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 NY Times bestselling author, Andrew Child, spoke to me about his lifelong obsession with storytelling, working with Jack Reacher co-author and brother Lee Child, and their latest in the series THE SECRET.

In addition to four Reacher novels, Andrew Child – the pen name of author Andrew Grant – has also written his own hit thriller series including RUN, False Positive, False Friend, False Witness, Invisible, and Too Close to Home. 

His brother Lee Child is the creator of the international bestselling, award-winning, 28-book series of Jack Reacher novels, and winner of Author of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards.

NPR said of the books, “The Reacher novels are easily the best thriller series going,” and James Patterson said of the brother’s collaboration, “Two Childs are better than one.”

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In this file Andrew Child and I discussed:

• His past lives in theater and the corporate world
• The two saddest words in the English language
• What it was like being a Beta reader for Lee’s early Reacher novels
• The evolution of the Child brother’s low-tech writing process
• How to outwrite self-doubt 
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• jackreacher.com
• The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child and Andrew Child [Amazon]
• Andrew Grant Amazon Author Page
• Jack Reacher on Facebook
• Jack Reacher on Instagram
• Jack Reacher on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Critically acclaimed debut novelist, Molly McGhee, spoke with me about the best day of her life, her part in The Great Publishing Resignation, losing a parent, and her first book JONATHAN ABERNATHY YOU ARE KIND.

Molly McGhee writes fiction and essays and taught in the undergraduate creative writing department at Columbia University where she also graduated with an MFA in fiction.

Her debut novel is Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind, described by The New York Times as a story about, “... debt-laden citizens [who] are recruited to ‘audit’ others’ dreams — all in the name of productivity.”

In a starred review Booklist said of the book, “… a superlative state-of-the-nation novel like no other. Full of astoundingly resonant and eminently quotable points about labor, capital, and depression, this wondrous literary creation brilliantly captures the excessive demands of contemporary work.”

Molly has worked in the editorial departments of McSweeney’s, The Believer, NOON, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and helped launch a horror imprint at Tor. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, LitHub, and others.

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In this file Molly McGhee and I discussed: 

• Her past life as a NY Times bestselling editor
• Using writing as a coping mechanism for grief
• The nightmare that became a book
• Why she thinks of herself as a reader first
• Learning how to give yourself grace
• The importance of authenticity and vulnerability in your writing
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• mollymcghee.com
• Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind: A Novel By Molly McGhee [Amazon]
• This Science Fiction Novel Scrapes the Work Force of Human Suffering
• The "Great Publishing Resignation" Exposes the Failings of the Industry
• Men Who Don’t Know Women: On Unlearning the Lessons of “Dick Lit” - Molly McGhee for LitHub
• Molly McGhee on Instagram
• Molly McGhee on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Bonus Episode – Climate Edition: Award-winning investigative journalist and Executive Podcast Producer, Amy Westervelt, spoke to me about her accidental career in climate accountability, the greatest threat to free speech, and her deep dive into the origins of climate denial.

Amy Westervelt is an independent investigative climate journalist who has been on the climate beat for more than 20 years, reporting for a wide range of outlets over the years, including Inside Climate News, The Guardian, The Nation, The Intercept, NPR, and many others.

She is the Executive Producer of the independent podcast production company Critical Frequency, and in 2021, she helped produce This Land S2—an investigative podcast revealing the forces behind efforts to unravel tribal sovereignty in the U.S.— nominated for a Peabody Award in April 2022. In 2020 she produced Unfinished: Short Creek with Stitcher which was named a best podcast of the year by The New Yorker and The Atlantic

She also hosted her award-winning climate podcast Drilled, a Critical Frequency original, and was most recently awarded Covering Climate Now's Journalist of the Year Award 2023, a global journalism collaboration co-founded by Columbia Journalism Review, The Nation, and others.

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In this file Amy Westervelt and I discussed:

• Why journalists and protesters are being jailed for speaking out
• How the early days of climate denialism set the tone for our current dilemma 
• How to record a hit podcast in your car while your kids sleep
• Why we need climate fiction storytellers now more than ever
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Drilled.media
• Amy Westervelt on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Critically acclaimed debut novelist, Isa Arsén, spoke with me about humanizing machines and the creative process, how to write soft sci-fi, and her genre-bending, “timey-wimey” literary debut SHOOT THE MOON.

Isa Arsén is an author and audio engineer based in South Texas and has published several short stories and pieces of experimental interactive media.

Shoot the Moon is Arsén’s debut novel, inspired by her own childhood in New Mexico. Named a BookBub Best Book of Fall and Shondaland Best Book for October 2023 among others, it has been described as “...a puzzle box time travel story,” about an “... [intelligent] but lonely NASA secretary and her relentless drive to live a big life in a world that would keep her small.”

Publishers Weekly called it an, "Innovative . . . [novel that] navigates the back-and-forth of the story’s time-travel events, threading them into the highlights of women’s scientific achievements."

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In this file Isa Arsén and I discussed: 

• Studying music composition and blending the organic and machine
• Why “music is how we decorate time”
• Her unique blend of interests, including Dr. Who
• What it means to write in the age of genre-benders
• Why storytelling is a quirk of evolution
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• inarsen.com
• Shoot the Moon by Isa Arsén [Amazon]
• Isa Arsén on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Laurell K. Hamilton, returns to talk about how her writing process has evolved over the last 30 years, how to find words, wisdom, and mental wellness, and celebrating the 30th in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series with SLAY.

Laurell K. Hamilton is the trailblazing, genre-bending author of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, and the Merry Gentry, Fey Detective series, and is considered an influential pioneer in the urban-fantasy genre.

In the 30th novel of the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Hunter series, Slay, wedding bells are ringing. “But before Anita can make it to the altar, she must face an obstacle more daunting than any supernatural threat.”

Laurell K. Hamilton is one of the most successful and popular paranormal fiction authors publishing today, has published over 40 novels, and has sold more than 20 million copies of her books.

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In this file Laurell K. Hamilton and I discussed: 

• Why she doesn’t outline or do research before her first drafts
• How she became a lean, mean writing machine over the years
• Why you can’t beat yourself up if the pages aren’t coming
• How to refill your creative tank
• Tapping science, history, and mythology for realism in your fiction
• The rarefied air of a 30-book series
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Laurell K. Hamilton Writes: Part One
• LaurellKHamilton.com
• Slay (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) by Laurell K. Hamilton [Amazon]
• Laurell K. Hamilton Amazon author page
• Laurell K. Hamilton on FaceBook
• Laurell K. Hamilton on Instagram
• Laurell K. Hamilton on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Bestselling, Booker Prize-winning author, Anne Enright, spoke to me about eagles and moles, the interior engineering of a novel, her love of Irish poetry, and her latest THE WREN, THE WREN.

Anne Enright won the Man Booker Prize and the Irish Fiction Award for her novel The Gathering. She has also been awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish Book Awards, and was the first Laureate for Irish Fiction (2015-2018).

Her latest novel The Wren, the Wren, was named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year by TIME, The Millions, Literary Hub, and others, and is described as the story of “... three generations of … women who must contend with inheritances―of poetic wonder and of abandonment by a man who is lauded in public and carelessly selfish at home.”

The New York Times called it, "... a powerful, thoughtful book by one of the great living writers on the subject of family," and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan said of the book, “The Wren, the Wren is an electrifying romp through language itself―its dizzying possibilities and satisfactions―led by one the most gifted writers working in English today."

Anne Enright has also published two books of short stories, her essays on literary themes have appeared in the London Review of Books and The New York Review of Books, and she writes for the books pages of The Irish Times and The Guardian.

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In this file Anne Enright and I discussed: 

• The moment of burnout that changed her career
• How she used to be a night owl scribe
• Why you shouldn’t over-panic, or over-plan
• The fallacies of impostor syndrome and inspiration
• How to create a fictional poet out of thin air
• Taking a long look at James Joyce across the table
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Anne Enright - Wikipedia
• The Wren, the Wren: A Novel by Anne Enright (Amazon)
• Anne Enright Amazon Author Page
• Book Review: ‘The Wren, the Wren,’ by Anne Enright - The New York Times
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Bestselling author and award-winning screenwriter, Dwain Worrell, spoke to me about making the move from the writers' room to the cafe, the art and science of suspense, and his debut novel ANDRONE.

Dwain Worrell is an award-winning Marvel and Disney+ TV producer, filmmaker, and novelist whose writing credits include Marvel’s Iron Fist, CBS’s Fire Country, Amazon Studios’ The Wall, and the Disney+ series National Treasure, among others. Dwain also worked as a translator of Mandarin Chinese in Beijing for nearly a decade.

His bestselling debut novel, Androne, is described as a “... near future … highly cinematic and propulsive story [centered] around a terrifying event called the Ninety-Nine, where all major military installations on Earth [are] eviscerated, heralding humanity's start of a war with an unknown enemy.”

Niels Arden Oplev, Director of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo called the book “A crazy-cool ride into the unknown …. [Androne] reads like a high-end videogame on steroids with a destiny of Shakespearean magnitude.”       

Publishers Weekly wrote, “... taut intrigue … reels readers into a thrilling yet thoughtful narrative about the futility of war and the cost of doing the right thing…”

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In this file Dwain Worrell and I discussed: 

• Making the move from screenwriter to novelist during a WGA strike
• How he discovered theater after having his basketball dreams dashed
• Why writing for TV is harder (and easier) than prose
• The inspiration that went into his latest sci-fi thriller
• Our mutual love of Hans Zimmer soundtracks
• Hanging out with Shakespeare at Chili’s
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Dwainworrell.com
• Dwain Worrell - IMDb
• Behind the Science of Writing Good Suspense - Writer's Digest
• Androne By Dwain Worrell (Amazon)
• Dwain Worrell on Instagram
• Dwain Worrell on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, spoke to me about how to write seven novels in 18 months, the psychology of fiction and fandom, and her latest YA mystery, THE BROTHERS HAWTHORNE.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 acclaimed young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games trilogy, Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals, The Lovely and the Lost, and The Naturals series.

Her latest is The Brothers Hawthorne, described as “Knives Out-esque” by Publishers Weekly, it is a story of [two brothers] “Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, [who] —with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.”

Jen is a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science including a Ph.D. from Yale University, and “...is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of fandom and the cognitive science of fiction and the imagination.”

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In this file Jennifer Lynn Barnes and I discussed: 

• Her study of autism and why neurodivergents rely so heavily on story
• How her bestselling trilogy went viral on TikTok
• Why she writes for reluctant readers
• How to write mysteries with intricate puzzles, twists, turns, and reveals
• Her theories on why readers love fiction
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Jenniferlynnbarnes.com
• The psychology of fiction with Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Re:Thinking with Adam Grant - TED Audio Collective
• The Brothers Hawthorne By Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Amazon)
• Jennifer Lynn Barnes Amazon Author Page
• Jennifer Lynn Barnes on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, James Rollins, spoke to me about his alter ego, veterinarian Dr. Jim, how to write two staccato-paced novels a year, and his latest Sigma Force installment, TIDES OF FIRE.

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the Sigma Force series, six standalone adventure thrillers, a novelization of the Indiana Jones franchise, and many others totaling over 44 novels (even he can’t remember the exact number).

His latest in his most popular series is Tides of Fire: A Sigma Force Novel, [set on] “...an international research station in the Coral Sea [that] comes under siege during a geological disaster that triggers massive quakes, deadly tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. To stop the world from burning, it’s up to Sigma Force to uncover a secret buried at the heart of our planet…”

Publishers Weekly said of the book, "The X-Files meets Seal Team Six in Rollins’s imaginative, pulse-pounding 17th Sigma Force thriller . . . . Rollins’s gleeful everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach works well here, nimbly balancing popcorn action with mind-blowing scientific speculation. The author has rarely been better at making the implausible feel plausible."

James Rollins’s novels have sold over 20 million copies and are published in more than 40 languages worldwide.

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In this file James Rollins and I discussed: 

• How 49 rejections early in his career didn’t sway his passion for writing
• Keeping all of the plots and characters organized in his many series
• The panic that comes with every undertaking
• Why he adds illustrations and appendices to his books
• The unique research process that goes into his prescient novels
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• JamesRollins.com
• Tides of Fire: A Sigma Force Novel by James Rollins (Amazon)
• James Rollins Amazon Author Page
• James Rollins on Instagram
• James Rollins on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Internationally bestselling author, Lucy Clarke, spoke to me about how her love of travel morphed into a destination thriller, building your readership organically, and the chewy female dynamics in her latest novel THE HIKE.

Lucy Clarke is a Sunday Times bestseller and the author of eight destination thrillers including Waterstones Thriller of the Month, The Castaways, Richard and Judy Book Club pick, One of the Girls, and most recently, The Hike. 

Told in alternating perspectives her latest thriller “explores the wild side of female friendship and the transportive power of the wilderness.”

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Pearse said of the book, “THE HIKE transports you to the Norwegian wilderness where a group of female friends are pushed to their absolute limits and beyond.”

Lucy’s novels have sold over a million copies and are published in over 25 territories worldwide. An adaptation of her book The Castaways was filmed on location in Fiji and Greece, and the five-part series is airing on Paramount+.

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In this file Lucy Clarke and I discussed: 

• Her past life in advertising and making the transition to fiction
• The explosion of the thriller genre and her place in it
• Why she likes to write characters at their crossroads
• Her remote Zen writing hideout
• Why maintaining author friendships is so important to longevity
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Lucy-clarke.com
• The Hike by Lucy Clarke (Amazon)
• Lucy Clarke Amazon Author Page
• Lucy Clarke on Facebook
• Lucy Clarke on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Bonus Episode: ADHD Coach, researcher, and Doctoral Candidate, Skye Waterson, spoke to me about writing a dissertation with neurodiversity, conquering burnout, and her unconventional approach to writing routines for writers with time blindness and more.

Skye Waterson is the Founder of Unconventional Organization, a worldwide, research-based ADHD support service that has helped academics, playwrights, and authors with ADHD “...build strength-focused writing routines so they can meet their goals while managing struggles with executive functioning”

An academic with over seven years of experience working in adult education, she has studied in various fields, including Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health, and is now a Doctoral Candidate in Population Health.

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In this file Skye Waterson and I discussed: 

• How she got her ADHD diagnosis at age 30
• Why procrastination and neurodiversity go hand-in-hand
• How neurotypical writers differ from those with real struggles
• When you need to seek out unconventional wisdom for help
• The strengths of writers with ADHD
• Leaning on self-care to promote productivity
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• unconventionalorganisation.com
• 'The Writer's Brain' on Procrastination: Part One - The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience (podcast)
• Unconventional Organization on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Acclaimed TV and movie writer, Adam Lorenzo, spoke to me about owning a college bar … while still in college, his work ethic and what keeps him hustling pages, and his latest college survival guide ALL I NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM MY COLLEGE BAR.

Adam Lorenzo is a writer/producer who works in both live-action and animation who started as a joke writer, selling material to Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update''; Jimmy Kimmel; and David Letterman, which resulted in his first staff-writing job, on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (co-created and executive produced by Letterman).

Other notable TV credits include the Emmy-winning Everybody Loves Raymond, Are We There Yet? (starring Terry Crews and Ice Cube), and Everybody Hates Chris, based on the life of Chris Rock.

Before successfully pursuing his dream of being a writer, he owned a college bar... while still a student at Syracuse University.

The author’s debut in publishing, naturally, is All I Need To Know I Learned From My College Bar, a whimsical look at what Adam calls the "valuable life lessons learned working and laughing with people from all over the world in that cathedral of knowledge known as a college bar."x

The self-described “college survival guide” is based on his life and has illustrations by Antonio Giovanni Pinna of The New Yorker.

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In this file Adam Lorenzo and I discussed: 

• How he faked and faxed his way into Dave Letterman’s heart
• Why his writing career effectively ended his marriage
• How a kid from Buffalo, NY made it in Hollywood 
• Why he spent so much time at a little-known library at The Writers Guild of America
• The Sicilian barber that got him a big break into sitcoms
• My own #TheCollegeBarChallenge
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• collegebarbook.com
• Adam Lorenzo on IMDb
• All I Need To Know I Learned From My College Bar by Adam Lorenzo (Amazon)
• Adam Lorenzo on YouTube
• Adam Lorenzo on Instagram
• Adam Lorenzo on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner, James McBride, spoke to me about eschewing literary fame, his friendship with Spike Lee, and his latest novel THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE.

James McBride is a musician, screenwriter, and award-winning author of New York Times bestselling Oprah’s Book Club selection Deacon King Kong, the National Book Award–winner The Good Lord Bird (now a Showtime limited series starring Ethan Hawke), and the American classic The Color of Water.

His debut novel, Miracle at St. Anna, was turned into a 2008 film by Oscar-winning writer and director Spike Lee, with a script written by McBride. 

The author’s latest novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, was an Instant New York Times Bestseller and Named a Must Read for the Summer by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Time, Town & Country, and others.

Described as “... a novel about small-town secrets and the people who keep them,” it begins in 1972 when workers in Pottstown, PA, find a skeleton at the bottom of a well. The New York Times Book Review called the book, “A murder mystery locked inside a Great American Novel.”

James McBride received a National Humanities Medal from President Obama, “... for humanizing the complexities of discussing race in America.” He is a distinguished writer in residence at New York University.

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In this file James McBride and I discussed: 

• Why he finds no joy in being well-known
• How The Color of Water changed his career
• The lessons he learned from Michael Jackson
• The hyperbole of the literary world and standing on the shoulders of giants
• How we’re all more alike than we are different
• Why writers must seek out their mentors
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• jamesmcbride.com
• The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel by James McBride (Amazon) 
• James McBride on Facebook
• James McBride on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Critically acclaimed memoirist, Melissa Bond, spoke to me about her dark night of the soul, crowd-funding her lauded memoir, and the paperback release of BLOOD ORANGE NIGHT: A Memoir of Insomnia, Motherhood, and Benzos.

Melissa Bond is a narrative journalist, editor, award-winning poet, and speaker/performer whose breakout debut memoir, Blood Orange Night, is a Barnes & Noble non-fiction book of the month, and was selected by both The New York Times as one of the Best Audiobooks of 2022.

Publishers Weekly (in a Starred Review) said of the book, “In this raw and captivating debut, journalist Bond chronicles her volatile descent into a benzodiazepine addiction …. Bond’s narrative casts a burning light onto the hazards of overprescribing and the threat it poses to vulnerable people. This cautionary tale stuns.”

Melissa Bond blogged and became a regular contributor for Mad in America in the years of her dependence on benzodiazepines. She is a respected speaker and writer on the perils of over-prescribing benzodiazepines and has been featured on podcasts including The New York Times Book Review, and others.

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In this file Melissa Bond and I discussed: 

• Her guerilla street poet/poverty phase and hosting National Poetry Slams
• Why she never imagined writing a memoir 
• How she Kickstarted her hit book in just three days
• The transformative process of finding gems in the rubble of difficult times
• Her process, meditation practice, and “sitting beyond oneself”
• How to quiet the gnome of self-doubt
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• melissaabond.com
• Blood Orange Night: A Memoir of Insomnia, Motherhood, and Benzos By Melissa Bond (Amazon) 
• Melissa Bond on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author, Tracey Lange, spoke to me about finding literary success later in life, her past life working with inner-city gang kids, and exploring messy family dynamics in her latest THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN.

Tracey Lange is the author of debut novel, We Are the Brennans, an instant New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Finalist, praised by The New York Times, Good Morning America, PEOPLE and more.

Her latest novel, The Connellys of County Down (Celadon, August 1), is described as “... a story about fierce family loyalty, good intentions gone awry, and the consequences of improbable love.” Kirkus called it “A compassionate look at family dynamics and a reminder that it’s never too late to heal.”

Country Living named it a "28 Best Fall Books for 2023" and wrote, "This is a novel about resilience and what it means to be a family, especially when times are really hard."

Tracey Lange has a degree in psychology, has worked in mental health, and owned and operated a behavioral healthcare company with her husband for fifteen years.

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In this file Tracey Lange and I discussed: 

• How writing about mental health helped fuel her fiction
• Why you’re never too old to publish
• What sets her sophomore novel apart from her debut
• Writing characters who cross good intentions with bad decision-making
• Why you need to find your writers group if you haven’t already
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• traceylange.com
• The Connellys of County Down: A Novel By Tracey Lange (Amazon) 
• Tracey Lange Amazon Author Page
• Tracey Lange on Instagram
• Tracey Lange on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Critically acclaimed author, Hilary Leichter, spoke to me about why she thinks of herself as a realist, how her life imitates art, finding a novel hidden in her closet, and her latest, TERRACE STORY.

Hilary Leichter is an award-winning short story writer, and author of the novel Temporary, which was a finalist for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and an NYPL Young Lions Fiction Prize, that was also longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award, was named a New York Times Editors’ Choice as well as a Best Book of 2020 by NPR, Elle, Vulture, and Publishers Weekly.

Her latest novel, Terrace Story (Ecco; on sale: August 29, 2023), is described as “... an intimate exploration of time, a fable about love,[and] an epic daydream for a broken-hearted world.” Booklist said of the book, “Terrace Story is fun and profound, fickle and erudite. It is an irresistibly cool book.”

Hernan Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Trust, said of the author, ”Hilary Leichter, [is] one of our most original novelists, [and] amazes us again with a beautifully unclassifiable novel. Step out onto the terrace, where space and time, cause and effect, and fiction and reality have been redefined and gorgeously subverted. Terrace Story isn’t a novel you merely read; it’s a book you inhabit.”

Hilary teaches at Columbia University where she is the Undergraduate Creative Writing Adviser in Fiction. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, n+1, The New York Times, Conjunctions, and elsewhere. Her work in Harper’s Magazine won the 2021 National Magazine Award in Fiction.

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In this file Hilary Leichter and I discussed:  

• Why it never seems to get easier
• Sling-shotting from rejection to literary darling
• Why her first book was about a woman with many jobs set in the gig economy
• The writing habits she fears are unhealthy
• Revisiting The Poetics of Space
• The definition of “reverse research”
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• hilaryleichter.com
• Terrace Story: A Novel By Hilary Leichter (Amazon) 
• Andrea Bartz Amazon Author Page
• How Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Hernan Diaz Writes: Redux
• Hilary Leichter on Instagram
• Hilary Leichter on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author and journalist, Andrea Bartz, spoke to me about her previous life as a magazine editor, how to write feminist psychological thrillers, and all the tension, twists, and toxic relationships in her latest novel THE SPARE ROOM.

Andrea Bartz is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor whose last thriller, We Were Never Here, was a Reese’s Book Club pick and an instant New York Times bestseller that’s in development at Netflix.

Her latest, The Spare Room, is described as a “... a dark, twisted, sultry tale about a lockdown pod that turns deadly,” and was named ​​a People Magazine Best New Book, Marie Claire’s July Book Club Pick, an Elle.com Best New Summer Book, a Glamour Best New Summer Thriller, and a Goodreads’ Most Anticipated Mysteries & Thrillers of 2023, among many others.

People Magazine called it, “A fresh and sexy ride, perfect for reading poolside,” and #1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley called it, “Sexy, atmospheric, deliciously creepy, and ingeniously plotted: the best kind of up-all-night page-turner.”

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In this file Andrea Bartz and I discussed: 

• How she decided to turn the domestic suspense genre on its head
• What happens when life hits the “Stop” button 
• The loneliness, fear, and claustrophobia that helped her write the latest
• How she taps her inner journalist to write fiction
• Turning the dial to “11” on human relationships 
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Andreabartz.com
• The Spare Room By Andrea Bartz (Amazon) 
• Andrea Bartz Amazon Author Page
• Pacemaker.press
• Andrea Bartz on Instagram
• Andrea Bartz on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Critically acclaimed author, Andrew Lipstein, spoke to me about failure as an MFA, how he sold his first novel, why time spent not writing is also important, and his latest THE VEGAN.

Andrew Lipstein is a Brooklyn-based writer who also works in finance and has a mathematics degree. His debut novel, Last Resort, was named a Top 10 Book of the Year by Slate, a 2022 Best Book by The New Yorker, a 2022 Best Book by Vulture, and a New York Times Editors’ Choice.

His latest, The Vegan is described as a book about “....high finance, moral reckonings, veganism … guilt, greed, and how far we'll go to be good.” It was named one of Town & Country’s Must-Read Books of Summer, an i-D Magazine, ELLE, Literary Hub, and Our Culture Magazine’s Most Anticipated Book of 2023.

Author Andrew Martin called it, “Crime and Punishment for the Brooklyn brownstone set," and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joshua Cohen called it, “... a meaty comedy with a bleeding heart, highly recommended for all animals who read."

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In this file Andrew Lipstein and I discussed: 

• Why he chose to use a pseudonym to sell his first book
• The moral ambiguities of money
• Why having a great editor feels like cheating
• What to do if you can’t find the time to write
• Why all of our best ideas come to us in the shower
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• alipstein.com
• The Vegan By Andrew Lipstein (Amazon) 
• Andrew Lipstein Amazon Author Page
• Andrew Lipstein on Instagram
• Andrew Lipstein on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, spoke to me about why writers need to follow their bliss, how her stories come together like patchwork quilts, and her most “summery” novel yet, WELCOME TO BEACH TOWN.

Susan Wiggs is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 50 published novels, with a combined 25 million copies in print, published in 30 countries, and translated into over 20 languages.

Her latest, Welcome to Beach Town: A Novel, is described as the “... tale of an idyllic California beach town forced to reckon with scandal when a high school valedictorian’s speech reveals secrets that shake the town to its core.”

Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds called the book ​​"... a masterclass in storytelling…. a novel, [where] one thing is for sure: In this beach town, there is always more happening than meets the eye," and Booklist called it, "The perfect beach read...full of surf, rediscovered love, and second chances."

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In this file, Susan Wiggs and I discussed: 

• Why no one will pay you to be an “aspiring writer” 
• How her writing has changed over her 36-year career
• Her immersive research process
• Why she never reads her published books
• How a left-handed, office supply geek writes all her prose
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Susanwiggs.com
• Welcome to Beach Town: A Novel by Susan Wiggs (Amazon) 
• Susan Wiggs Amazon Author Page
• Susan Wiggs on Instagram
• Susan Wiggs on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author and educator, Helen Schulman, spoke to me about her winding path to bestseller, why a writing career is 90% sweat and rejection, and how the #MeToo movement inspired her latest novel, LUCKY DOGS.

Helen Schulman is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including Come with Me and This Beautiful Life, and she is currently the Fiction Chair of the Creative Writing Program at The New School.

Her latest, Lucky Dogs, is described as a novel that “... lays bare what happens to women—no matter how fortunate they may appear to be on the surface—whose lives have been warped by brutality and misogyny.”

Best-selling author Jennifer Egan called the book, "Part thriller, part Hollywood satire [and] a brash, sometimes heartbreaking saga in which trauma and self-preservation converge across decades and continents. This is Helen Schulman's best novel yet."

Helen Schulman’s fiction, non-fiction, and reviews have appeared in such places as Vanity Fair, Time, Vogue, GQ, The New York Times Book Review, and The Paris Review. She also serves as Executive Director for WriteOn NYC, a fellowship program that provides free creative writing instruction to underserved New York City school children.

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In this file, Helen Schulman and I discussed: 

• Why her latest book isn’t funny 
• Her intensive research process
• Why she wrote her latest from bed
• Her passion for helping underprivileged kids discover a love of writing
• How to tell if a writer is going to “make it”
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Helen Schulman | The New School
• Lucky Dogs: A Novel By Helen Schulman (Amazon) 
• Helen Schulman Amazon Author Page
• WriteOn NYC – Connecting passionate writers to New York City students
• Aspen Words
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author, James Swallow, returns to chat with me about the solitary life of a writer, his undying love of ‘80s and ‘90s cinema, why you’re only as good as your last title, and his latest novel DARK HORIZON.

James Swallow is the Award-winning New York Times, Sunday Times, and Amazon #1 bestselling author, former journalist, and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nominated scriptwriter who has written for video games, TV, and radio.

His latest, Dark Horizon, is described as stemming from, "A fatal crash and a brutal murder in an English village [that] sets off a deadly chain of events leading from the stormy skies over the Mediterranean to an explosive confrontation on a remote airstrip in North Africa.”

The prolific author of over 50 titles and millions of books in print worldwide has written sci-fi for storied franchises including Star Trek, Dr. Who, Stargate, and is best known for his espionage thrillers.

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In this file, James Swallow and I discussed: 

• The definition of “book head”
• What it’s like for a novelist to be stuck in an airport
• Why he makes his protagonists deliberately fallible
• How videogames have eclipsed most popular media
• Why you can’t automate the hardest part of writing
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• How NY Times Bestselling Author James Swallow Writes: Part One
• www.jswallow.com
• James Swallow on Amazon 
• James Swallow on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Audrain, spoke to me about giving herself permission to write sh*tty first drafts, writing in public, and her second novel THE WHISPERS.

Ashley Audrain’s debut novel, The Push, was a New York Times, Sunday Times (London), #1 international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. It has sold in more than 40 territories, and a limited TV series is currently in development. 

Her latest, The Whispers, is described as “ … a propulsive page-turner about four families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens – and what is lost when we give in to our own worst impulses.”

The New York Times Book Review wrote, "Expertly, subtly and powerfully rendered …. [The Whispers] delivers a sucker-punch ending you’ll have to read twice to believe.” And #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called it, “[An] electrifying … razor-sharp page-turner.”

Ashley Audrain previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada, and prior to that, worked in public relations.

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In this file, Ashley Audrain and I discussed: 

• Why she felt intimidated by writers while working in PR
• How to write claustrophobic, voyeuristic fiction
• Why she is drawn to the darker side of literature
• Tapping into the messiness of midlife ennui
• How to escape your kids
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• ashleyaudrain.com
• The Whispers By Ashley Audrain (Amazon) 
• Ashley Audrain Amazon Author Page
• Ashley Audrain on Instagram
• Ashley Audrain on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Internationally bestselling authors, Lynne & Valerie Constantine – AKA Liv Constantine – spoke to me about the importance of writers’ conferences, how to write perfidy with your best friend, and their latest thriller THE SENATOR'S WIFE.

Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne and Valerie Constantine who are the WSJ, USA Today, and Internationally bestselling authors of Reese’s Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish, which has sold over 500,000 copies and is soon to be adapted for Netflix

Their latest, The Senator's Wife, is described as “... a psychological thriller that upends the private lives of those who walk the halls of power. Because when you have it all, you have everything to lose.”

#1 New York Times bestselling author A. J. Finn called the book, “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle meets The West Wing, a high-stakes paranoia thriller, slippery as a politician’s handshake, that's both sophisticated and irrepressibly fun.”

Lynne is a former marketing executive with a Master’s degree in Business from Johns Hopkins University who also writes The Jack Logan series under the pen name L.C. Shaw.

Early in her career, Valerie worked in Washington D.C. as a White House Assistant in the President’s Scheduling and Advance Office planning presidential trips and travel.

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In this file, Lynne, Valerie and I discussed: 

• How to team up with your sister to write a thriller
• Setting a book in the halls of power, Washington, D.C.
• How they plot their novels over Zoom
• Why they call Thiller Fest their “summer camp”
• The importance of freelance editors
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• livconstantine.com
• The Senator's Wife by Liv Constantine (Amazon) 
• Liv Constantine Amazon Author Page
• thrillerwriters.org
• Liv Constantine on Instagram
• Liv Constantine on Facebook
• Liv Constantine on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author, Fiona Barton, spoke to me about why so many famous journalists have turned to crime fiction, the power of the deadline, and her latest hit novel LOCAL GONE MISSING.

Fiona Barton is the award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of novels The Widow, The Child, and The Suspect – all three featuring journalist Kate Waters.

Her latest thriller, Local Gone Missing, follows a new protagonist in Detective Elise King and follows the brewing changes of a small seaside town. 

Kirkus Reviews said of the book, “Barton presents such an embarrassment of riches … Layers and layers of unlovely revelations about people who seemed perfectly nice.” And BookPage wrote, “Thanks to Barton’s airtight plotting and impeccable characteri­zation, a minibreak by the sea will never seem relaxing again."

In her past life, Fiona was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, a news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday. She has trained and worked with journalists all over the world.

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In this file, Fiona Barton and I discussed: 

• What it was like to be a Chief Reporter in the UK during the 90s and Noughties 
• Why crime reporters don’t have time to write fiction
• How she made the transition to bestselling novelist
• Why journalism is so akin to crime fiction
• The definition of a “duvet writer”
• How to beat procrastination
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• fionabartonauthor.com
• Local Gone Missing By Fiona Barton (Amazon)
• Fiona Barton Amazon Author Page
• Fiona Barton on Facebook
• Fiona Barton on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Carley Fortune, spoke to me about her storied career as a journalist, writing a breakout hit in just four months, and her latest novel, MEET ME AT THE LAKE.

Carley Fortune is an award-winning Canadian journalist and the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of Meet Me at the Lake and Every Summer After. 

Her latest, Meet Me at the Lake, is described as a “...love story about two strangers who come together when they need each other most. Once, in their early twenties, and again a decade later.”

GMA said of the book, "Fortune explores the aftermath of losing a beloved parent and reclaiming a relationship in this unputdownable, witty, soulful and stirring novel." And New York Times bestselling author Jill Santopolo called Meet Me at The Lake “... a beautiful, heart-tugging, love story about secrets, lies, missed connections and second chances.”

Carley has worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and a now-defunct weekly paper, The Grid. She was most recently the Executive Editor of Refinery29 Canada.

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In this file, Carley Fortune and I discussed: 

• What prompted her to reclaim her creative energy
• How to write 80 thousand words in just four months
• Why writers need to keep their expectations realistic and protect their mental health
• How she starts planning her novels 
• Why extroverted writers need to get into real clothes and out of the house
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• 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

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry, returns to chat with me about depressing first drafts, what it's like to be a genre-bending, commercial fiction superstar, and her “glittering” new novel HAPPY PLACE.

Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read, and has sold over three million copies of her novels.

Her latest is Happy Place, an instant ​​#1 New York Times bestseller and her first hardcover novel, described as a book “...about reluctant exes who make a pact to pretend to date during an annual friends’ trip...”

Author Taylor Jenkins-Reid called it "Another knock-out from the champ.” The Washington Post wrote that the book, “Blur[s] the lines between women’s and literary-leaning commercial fiction, departing from the fantasy spaces of bodice rippers and misty moors to depict a world that looks a lot more like, well, our own…”

Emily's books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, and many more. 

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In this file, Emily Henry and I discussed: 

• What it feels like to (still) be living inside a lightning strike
• Why it’s easy for her to stay humble as a writer
• How to write rom-com at the top of readers’ intelligence
• Her take on superhero movie tropes
• Why making a reader laugh is so much harder than making them cry
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part One
• emilyhenrybooks.com
• Happy Place By Emily Henry (Amazon) 
• Emily Henry Amazon Author Page
• Emily Henry on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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NOTE: This is an updated replay of an amazing chat I had with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, Hernan Diaz, who spoke to me exactly one year ago about rejection, his unusual path to literary stardom, subverting reader expectations, and his latest novel TRUST.

A big congrats to Hernan who recently won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

His novel, Trust, shared the Pulitzer Books prize with Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, Demon Copperhead. Trust was named one of 2022’s Most Anticipated Books by The New York Times, OprahDaily, The Today Show, Vogue, Vulture, AV Club, and many others.

Described as "...an immersive story and a brilliant literary puzzle .... about money, power, intimacy, and perception," The NY Times called Trust, “Intricate, cunning and consistently surprising ..."

Hernan was also a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award and his first novel, In the Distance, won the Saroyan International Prize, the Cabell Award, the Prix Page America, and the New American Voices Award, among other distinctions. He holds a Ph.D. from NYU, edits an academic journal at Columbia University, and his stories and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, Playboy, The Yale Review, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere.

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In this file Hernan Diaz and I discussed:

• Why the path to publication is a Catch-22 for authors
• The lonely road to Pulitzer Nominee and the disorientation of fame
• What he learned from Jorge Luis Borges
• Re-mapping the isthmus of referential reality
• How he unlearned academic writing 
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• hernandiaz.net
• Trust by Hernan Diaz (Amazon Affiliate)
• Hernan Diaz Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
• Pulitzer Prizes 2023: A Guide to the Winning Books and Finalists - NY Times
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Ruta Sepetys, spoke to me about what she learned in the music industry, the secrets to strong, vivid writing, and her non-fiction debut YOU: THE STORY: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory.

Ruta Sepetys is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Her acclaimed “crossover” YA literature includes the Carnegie Medal-winning Salt to the Sea. 

Her latest is the creative guide to writing, You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory (available May 16, 2023), which “... provides aspiring writers with a roadmap to crafting compelling stories by encouraging them to look inward and excavate their own memories in order to discover authentic voices and compelling details.”

In a starred review Booklist said of the book, “Part writing guide, part memoir, Sepetys’ fresh, fun handbook is all inspiration.”

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In this file, Ruta Sepetys and I discussed: 

• What she learned about storytelling working in the music industry
• Why she’s drawn to underrepresented stories and “history in hiding”
• How to discover the Four Hs of the "excitement of life"
• Her intensive research process for each book
• Why writers need to examine their own lives for authenticity
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• rutasepetys.com
• You: The Story: A Writer's Guide to Craft Through Memory by Ruta Sepetys (Amazon)
• Ruta Sepetys Amazon Author Page
• Ruta Sepetys on Instagram
• Ruta Sepetys on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author, J. Ryan Stradal, spoke to me about the unsurpassed passive aggressiveness of Midwesterners, writing about the restaurant industry during the pandemic, and his latest novel SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE LAKESIDE SUPPER CLUB.

J. Ryan Stradal is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest and national bestseller The Lager Queen of Minnesota, named one of the year's best books by NPR, USA Today, Booklist, and many others.

His latest novel is Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club, described as “... a sharp and poignant tale of a couple from two different restaurant families in rural Minnesota – one has inherited her grandparents’ old-fashioned supper club, and the other is heir to a chain of homestyle diners (known for putting those supper clubs out of business).” The book was named An Amazon Best Book of April 2023.

New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay said of the novel, “This is a perfect book.” And in a starred review, Kirkus called it, “A loving ode to supper clubs, the Midwest, and the people there who try their best to make life worth living.”

J. Ryan Stradal has also worked extensively in TV, story editing and producing shows for VH-1, MTV, ABC, FOX, TLC, A&E, Discovery, and History. Working primarily for Original Productions from 2008 to 2014, he was the senior story producer on “Deadliest Catch” and “Ice Road Truckers” and a supervising producer on "Storage Wars," and “Storage Wars: Texas.”

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In this file, J. Ryan Stradal and I discussed: 

• What it was like during the sunset of the halcyon days at MTV and VH1
• Producing a popular reality TV show in the Canadian Arctic
• How he wrote a novel in the margins of editing Storage Wars 
• The unique dining experience of a Midwestern supper club
• Why writers need to ditch perfection
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• jryanstradal.com
• Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal (Amazon)
• J. Ryan Stradal Amazon Author Page
• J. Ryan Stradal on Instagram
• J. Ryan Stradal on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author, Chanel Cleeton, spoke to me about her passion for exploring Cuban-American identity via women's perspectives throughout history, how she plots her popular historical fiction, and her latest novel THE CUBAN HEIRESS.

Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana, as well as instant New York Times bestsellers When We Left Cuba, and The Last Train to Key West.

Her most recent historical fiction entry is The Cuban Heiress, described as a novel inspired by true events that “ … follows two women whose lives become intertwined during a fateful journey upon the S.S. Morro Castle—a luxury cruise liner that caught fire and sank on its way from Havana to New York in September 1934”

Booklist wrote of the book, “Nothing is what it seems in Cleeton's latest gripping historical novel.... Handsome con men, clever thieves, desperate rebels, and our valiant heroines all convene on this elegant but doomed ocean liner. Cleeton includes vivid details about the mysterious final voyage of the Morro Castle and provides further reading about this historic disaster.”

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In this file Chanel Cleeton and I discussed: 

• How she turned a law degree into a writing career
• Why every writer needs to write a terrible first book
• The research process of a book-a-year writer
• Exploring lesser known events shaping Cuban-American culture
• How her characters speak to her in her daily life
• Why writers need to dig deep to overcome rejection
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• ChanelCleeton.com
• The Cuban Heiress By Chanel Cleeton (Amazon)
• Chanel Cleeton Amazon Author Page
• Chanel Cleeton on Instagram
• Chanel Cleeton on Facebook
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#1 New York Times bestselling author, Bonnie Garmus, spoke to me about the evolution of her craft, how her protagonist changed her life, getting blurbed by Stephen King, and the never-ending book tour for her lauded debut LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY.

Bonnie Garmus is a copywriter, creative director, and author of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel, Lessons in Chemistry, named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, and Newsweek.

The book introduced the main character, “Elizabeth Zott, a headstrong, gifted chemist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show.”

BuzzFeed wrote of the book, “A kicky debut, this book tackles feminism, resilience, and rationalism in a fun and refreshing way.” And Stephen King called it, “witty, sometimes hilarious…the Catch-22 of early feminism.”

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In this file Bonnie Garmus and I discussed: 

• How her copywriting career supported her fiction writing
• Why courses will never make you a writer
• Plotters vs Pantsers and why she can't write from an outline
• Overcoming a fear of the blank page
• Why writing a synopsis is one of The Circles of Hell
• Getting a phone call from Academy Award Winner Brie Larson
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• BonnieGarmus.com
• Lessons in Chemistry By Bonnie Garmus (Amazon)
• Bonnie Garmus on Instagram
• Bonnie Garmus on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author, Gregg Hurwitz, spoke with me about why all writing is a process of self-discovery, how to humanize a trained assassin, and the latest Orphan X thriller, THE LAST ORPHAN.

Gregg Hurwitz is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author of 23 thrillers including the ORPHAN X series. He has been published in 33 languages, and the Los Angeles Times called him “... a thriller giant." 

He is also a NY Times bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for AWA (Knighted and the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin).

His eighth Orphan X novel is The Last Orphan, the ongoing series featuring The Nowhere Man, “Evan Smoak, a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past.”

#1 NY Times bestselling author Meg Gardiner said of the book, "Just when I thought the Orphan X novels couldn’t get any better, Gregg Hurwitz takes the series to an even higher level. The Last Orphan is pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, and thought-provoking.”

Gregg Hurwitz has written screenplays and TV scripts for many of the major studios and networks, has published poetry, numerous academic articles on Shakespeare, and has taught fiction writing at USC.

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In this file Gregg Hurwitz and I discussed: 

• The reason he never took a creative writing class
• Why Orphan X is the culmination of his career
• Plot as character in motion
• How every writer’s voice is as distinctive as a fingerprint
• Writing Batman vs Bruce Wayne and villains vs antagonists
• Grabbing a bourbon with William Faulkner
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• GreggHurwitz.net
• The Last Orphan By Gregg Hurwitz (Amazon)
• Gregg Hurwitz Amazon Author Page
• Gregg Hurwitz on Facebook
• Gregg Hurwitz on Instagram
• Gregg Hurwitz on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Critically acclaimed debut crime novelist and poet, Margot Douaihy, spoke with me about what she learned from Gillian Flynn, subverting the hard-boiled mystery, and writing a queer, iconoclastic, chain-smoking, punk rock nun, for her latest SCORCHED GRACE.

Margot Douaihy is an award-winning educator, editor, and poet whose first novel is Scorched Grace, the inaugural title published by Gillian Flynn Books, an imprint with Zando. It was named a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, Amazon Editors’ Choice
, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and one of the “most anticipated crime books” of the year by Barnes & Noble, Crime Reads, Electric Lit, LGBTQ Reads and many others.

The book has been described as a lyrical mystery that kicks off a series featuring protagonist “Sister Holiday, a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed, queer nun, [who] puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test…”

Don Winslow, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Power of the Dog and City on Fire, said of the book, “Margot Douaihy’s bold entry into the hard-boiled genre revitalizes it for our times. Skillfully plotted, propulsive, and deeply engaged with the communities it represents, Scorched Grace is one of the best crime fiction debuts I’ve come across in a long while.”

Margot has a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, is the co-editor of Cambridge’s Elements in Crime Narratives series, teaches Creative Writing and Editing/Publishing at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH, and is the author of four poetry collections.

Her writing has been featured in Colorado Review; The Florida Review; North American Review; PBS NewsHour; Portland Review, and many others.

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In this file Margot Douaihy and I discussed:

• The winding path to celebrated debut novel
• Why we uphold a tragic misconception about writers
• How to honor, and repudiate, masters of the noir genre
• The ecosystem of her deep immersion and channeling of the muse
• How to find the broad brush strokes of causality in crime
• Why writers need to double down and follow their curiosity
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• margotdouaihy.com
• Scorched Grace By Margot Douaihy (Amazon)
• Margot Douaihy on Instagram
• Margot Douaihy on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Yale educator and TV writer/producer, Aaron Tracy, spoke with me about what it takes to make it as a TV writer, breaking into the audio drama space, producing Audible’s most successful original fiction series, and working on the upcoming “Supreme” with Eva Longoria.

Aaron Tracy teaches “The Art and Craft of Television Drama” at Yale University, and his TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal, The Tap, and Sequestered, a serialized thriller that ran two seasons, for which he was Creator and Executive Producer. 

He is also the Creator, Head Writer, and Exec. Producer of scripted audio dramas for iHeartRadio, Audible, and Spotify, with various production partners. These include an underdog NBA story with Steve Nash, a legal thriller with James Patterson, a historical romance with Shonda Rhimes, and a courtroom drama with Eva Longoria.

His first show to be released, The Coldest Case, a detective thriller starring Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter, and Alexis Bledel, premiered as the #1 download on Audible in 2021, and has since become the most downloaded show in Audible Plus history.

His audio entertainment company, Parallax, is the home for “prestige scripted audio thrillers and thought-provoking unscripted fare.”

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In this file Aaron Tracy and I discussed:

• 
  
• The two paths available to aspiring TV writers 
• 
  
• Why you need to always be pitching ideas
• 
  
• How audio dramas harken back to the golden days of radio
• 
  
• Landing big stars for "TV shows without the visuals"
• 
  
• Working with Rob Reiner
• 
  
• How to write for the ear
• 
  
• Why the journey is the destination for writers
• 
  
• And a lot more!
• 
  

Show Notes:

• The Art and Craft of TV Drama with Aaron Tracy: Part Two
• Yale University – Aaron Tracy
• 
  
• Aaron Tracy Audible Page
• 
  
• Aaron Tracy on IMdB
• 
  
• Aaron Tracy on Twitter
• 
  
• Kelton Reid on Twitter
• 
  

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Award-winning author, visual artist, and filmmaker, Leopoldo Gout, spoke with me about making music videos for David Byrne, going from homeless auteur to working for James Patterson, his unique creative process, and his latest horror novel PIÑATA.

Leopoldo Gout is the author of the books Ghost Radio, the award-winning Genius YA trilogy, and the recently published fable for all ages, Monarca. He has also packaged, published, and developed books with other writers under his imprint at Simon & Schuster: Leopoldo & Co., and was co-president of the James Patterson Entertainment company for many years.

His latest novel is Piñata (Tor Nightfire), described as “... a bone-chilling possession tale perfect for fans of Hereditary and A Head Full of Ghosts. Based on the true, horrific story of the Spanish conquistadors that used piñatas to force Aztec children to destroy their gods…”

Publishers Weekly wrote of the author, “Gout puts a unique twist on a classic possession story by incorporating Indigenous Mexican lore into the gory plot.”

Leopoldo Gout is an accomplished visual artist, filmmaker, and writer from Mexico City, and studied sculpture at Central St. Martins School of Art in London. He is currently producing award-winning author Marlon James’ original debut for television: GET MILLIE BLACK (Channel 4 & HBO) and was the Exec. Producer of the film Molly's Game starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.

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In this file Leopoldo Gout and I discussed:

• How his early life in Mexico contributed to a life of curiosity
• Working with Pedro Pascal, star of The Mandalorian and The Last of Us
• Why the Horror genre was a great fit for his artistic sensibilities
• What it was like to work with Aaron Sorkin on Molly’s Game
• Using research and meditation to beat creative block
• Overcoming your fear of failure
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• LeopoldoGout.net
• Piñata A Novel By Leopoldo Gout (Amazon)
• Leopoldo Gout’s Amazon Author Page
• Leopoldo Gout on Facebook
• Leopoldo Gout on Instagram
• Leopoldo Gout on IMdB
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times and internationally bestselling author, Jill Santopolo, spoke with me about finding balance as a writer/publisher, writing as therapy, the universal power of myths, and her latest novel STARS IN AN ITALIAN SKY.

Jill Santopolo’s debut adult novel, The Light We Lost, was a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick, landed on the New York Times bestsellers list, and has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into more than 35 languages and she is also the associate publisher of Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, where she has edited critically-acclaimed, award-winning, and best-selling books including She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton, and Superheroes Are Everywhere by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Mechal Roe.

Her fourth novel is Stars in an Italian Sky, described as “… a sweeping story of two star-crossed lovers in post-World War II Italy, and a blossoming relationship generations later that will reveal a long-buried family secret.”

Publishers Weekly wrote of the author, “Santopolo skillfully weaves two love stories in which passionate and idealistic young couples contend with class differences, tension between their personal desires and familial obligations, and the ongoing ramifications of decisions made by earlier generations….”

Jill is also the author of three successful children's and young-adult series including the Alec Flint Mysteries, the Sparkle Spa series, and the Follow Your Heart books. She holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University, and an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

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In this file Jill Santopolo and I discussed:

• The importance of liking all the things you do
• Why you can’t write unless you know what’s been written before
• How she got her start in publishing and writing children’s books
• Why love and loss are the touchstones of storytelling
• Whether Venus would be on Tinder
• Researching for two hours to write a single sentence
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• JillSantopolo.com
• Stars in an Italian Sky By Jill Santopolo (Amazon)
• Jill Santopolo’s Amazon Author Page
• Jill Santopolo on Facebook
• Jill Santopolo on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer finalist, Rebecca Makkai, spoke with me about her love of the short story, the true crime industrial complex, and her latest “literary feminist boarding school murder mystery,” I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

Rebecca Makkai’s last novel, The Great Believers, was a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award finalist, won a slew of awards, and was one of The New York Times' Ten Best Books of 2018.

Her latest novel is I Have Some Questions for You, named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by TIME, The Seattle Times, Good Housekeeping, Today.com, CrimeReads, NPR, and many others.

Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as, "part true-crime page-turner, part campus coming-of-age," and The New York Times Book Review as, "A spellbinding work …" Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan called the book, “Part boarding school drama, part forensic whodunnit, I Have Some Questions for You is a true literary mystery—haunting and hard to put down.”

Rebecca is a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow, on the MFA faculties of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and Northwestern University, and is Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago. Her work has been translated into 20 languages, and her short fiction has been anthologized in The Pushcart Prize XLI (2017), The Best American Short Stories 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and many others.

Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU by Rebecca Makkai, read by Julia Whelan and JD Jackson.

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In this file Rebecca Makkai and I discussed:

• Why she chose to become an educator early on in her career
• The importance of 15 years of writing and publishing short stories
• How luck and maturity played a role in her career as a novelist
• The most underutilized tool in fiction
• Her Zen koan for fellow writers
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• I Have Some Questions for You A NOVEL By Rebecca Makkai (Amazon)
• Rebecca Makkai’s Amazon Author Page
• By the Book Interview: Rebecca Makkai - The New York Times
• A Novel That Confronts Our True-Crime Obsession | The New Yorker
• Rebecca Makkai on Facebook
• Rebecca Makkai on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Award-winning and New York Times bestselling novelist, William Landay, spoke with me about how former lawyers get pigeonholed in publishing, why we can’t get enough true crime, and his latest ALL THAT IS MINE I CARRY WITH ME.

William Landay is a former assistant district attorney, and the bestselling author of Defending Jacob, recently adapted into the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series starring Chris Evans.

His eagerly anticipated follow-up is All That Is Mine I Carry With Me (on sale 3/7; Bantam), a March 2023 LibraryReads pick, described by NY Times bestselling author Scott Turow as, “... masterful, original and riveting ... With its subtle mystery and compelling portraits of how lives are transformed in the aftermath of violent crime ...” 

NY Times bestselling author Joseph Finder said of the author, “With All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, the masterful author of Defending Jacob has created something … unforgettable, and original—unlike any other crime novel I’ve read.”

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In this file William Landay and I discussed:

• The double-edged sword of a two-book deal
• Why service industry jobs are great for writers
• The strange surprise of writing a runaway bestseller
• The long tail of Defending Jacob and the power of book clubs 
• Why we will always need books
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• All That Is Mine I Carry With Me: A NOVEL By William Landay (Amazon)
• William Landay’s Amazon Author Page
• William Landay on Facebook
• William Landay on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Former Shakespeare professor and author, Stephen Marche, spoke with me about how to roll with the punches, finding comfort in the history of writerly failure, and his candid guide on handling a lifetime of rejection, “On Writing and Failure.”

Stephen Marche is a novelist, essayist, and cultural commentator, and he was a contributing editor at Esquire, for which he wrote a monthly column entitled "A Thousand Words about Our Culture."

His latest is the book-length essay titled “On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer.” The Midwest Book Review called it “... essential reading for anyone seeking to write for a living, be it as a novelist, essayist, poet, columnist, or any other writing genre."

Stephen Marche received a doctorate in early modern English drama from the University of Toronto and taught Renaissance drama at CUNY. He is the author of half a dozen books, and has written opinion pieces and essays for The New Yorker, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, The Walrus, and many others.

He is also the host of the hit Audible series How Not to F*ck Up Your Kids Too Bad, and the sequel How Not to F*ck Up Your Marriage Too Bad.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Stephen Marche and I discussed:

• Why his career has been more than a little weird
• How to get back up after you’ve been knocked down
• Why good writers offer advice and great writers offer condolences
• What the writing life offers the uninitiated
• Where to hang out with Shakespeare
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• stephenmarche.com
• On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer by Stephen Marche (Amazon)
• Stephen Marche Amazon Author Page
• A Writer’s Lament: The Better You Write, the More You Will Fail - NY Times
• Stephen Marche on Facebook
• Stephen Marche on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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New York Times bestselling novelist, Deepti Kapoor, spoke with me about plumbing her subconscious for stories, a changing India and the trifecta of big business, crime, and corruption, and her sprawling saga AGE OF VICE.

Deepti Kapoor is the bestselling author of Age of Vice, a novel described as, “Deftly shifting through time and perspective in contemporary India, Age of Vice is an epic, action-packed story propelled by… seductive wealth, startling corruption, and bloodthirsty violence…”

The book was the “Good Morning America” book club selection for January, and it’s been purchased by FX for a series. It was also described by #1 internationally bestselling author Lee Child as, “Sensationally good — huge, epic, immersive and absorbing … certain to be a book of the year.”

After growing up in Northern India, Deepti Kapoor studied journalism at the University of Delhi and later completed an MA in Social Psychology. She worked for several years as a journalist in New Delhi, driving the city, finding stories, and learning the streets.

** Note: The audio quality during the interview varies, Deepti lives in a densely populated part of Portugal and sirens can be heard at times. And there is a mention of drug use, though theoretical.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Deepti Kapoor and I discussed:

• How to employ radical empathy in your storytelling
• Starting a novel without a plan or an outline 
• The importance of a strict routine and letting ideas incubate
• When characters insinuate themselves into your story
• How to write propulsive entertainment with a message
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Age of Vice: A NOVEL By Deepti Kapoor (Amazon)
• ‘Age of Vice’: A Lush Thriller Dives Into New Delhi’s Underworld - NY Times
• Deepti Kapoor on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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

New York Times bestselling debut author, Ana Reyes, spoke with me about the importance of the writing community, the evolution of a haunting tale from graduate thesis to instant bestseller, and her first thriller “The House in the Pines.”

Ana Reyes is the bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick The House in the Pines, her debut psychological thriller.

Described by New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager as, "Powerfully eerie and atmospheric, The House in the Pines is a compelling mix of psychological thriller and dark fairy tale."

An Amazon Best Book of January 2023 review also described it as “... an absorbing, cleverly plotted story of female friendship, loyalty repaid, maternal love, and the powerful desire to unlock secrets, even in the face of evil.”

Ana Reyes has an MFA from Louisiana State University and her work has appeared in Bodega, Pear Noir!, The New Delta Review, and others.

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In this file Ana Reyes and I discussed:

• How her work and process evolved over the seven years to publication
• Writing through and into the symptoms of withdrawal
• Why teaching is the best education for writers
• Weaving cultural heritage and magical realism into her work
• Embracing the thriller genre
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• anareyeswriter.com
• The House in the Pines a Novel By Ana Reyes (Amazon)
• Ana Reyes on Instagram
• Ana Reyes on Facebook
• Ana Reyes on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter, Grady Hendrix, spoke with me about getting serious about horror, turning genre tropes on their head, and his latest “How to Sell a Haunted House.”

Grady Hendrix is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and journalist best known for My Best Friend’s Exorcism (adapted into a feature film by Amazon Studios), and the New York Times bestsellers The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, and The Final Girl Support Group.

His latest is How to Sell a Haunted House, an #1 Indie Next List pick, described as a “...novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else.” The New York Times called it a “…gripping, wildly entertaining exploration of childhood horrors,” and Esquire called it “... an authentically frightening, genuinely funny reconfiguration of what a haunted house can be.”

New York Times bestselling author Chuck Wendig said of the book, “A spirited nightmare story about death, but also, what comes after: grief, guilt, family secrets, and estate administration. Oh, also, did I mention the evil puppets?” 

Grady Hendrix’s work is currently in multiple phases of adaptation at HBO and others, for both feature film and streaming.

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In this file Grady Hendrix and I discussed:

• How his novel about a haunted Scandinavian furniture store launched his fiction career
• Perseverance and writing what you know
• Stripping down the horror genre to its core
• The importance of sucky drafts 
• Why haunted house stories are always about families
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix (Amazon)
• Grady Hendrix Amazon Author Page
• Gradyhendrix.com
• The Smell of Fear - How To Sell A Haunted House Candle
• Grady Hendrix on Facebook
• Grady Hendrix on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and debut novelist, Iris Yamashita, spoke to me about working with Clint Eastwood, her journey from Hollywood to publishing, and falling down the rabbit hole with her first mystery “City Under One Roof.”

Iris Yamashita has been working in Hollywood for over 15 years and was nominated for a “Best Original Screenplay” Oscar for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima (directed by Clint Eastwood).

Her debut novel is City Under One Roof, described as “Alice in Wonderland meets Fargo,” and, “The ultimate locked room mystery, [the novel] drops readers into an isolated, snowy town and is perfect for fans of Twin Peaks, Mare of Easttown, and Broadchurch.”

A Publishers Weekly starred review noted, “Unusual topography plays a major role in screenwriter Yamashita’s atmospherically charged debut….This distinctively original perspective on a ‘community of stragglers, oddballs, and recluses’ heralds the arrival of a major new talent.”

#1 New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box called the book, “A compulsive page-turner that’s both atmospheric and claustrophobic at the same time.”

Iris continues to work in Hollywood, developing for both film and streaming media. She has taught screenwriting at UCLA and the American Film Institute.

Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita, read by Aspen Vincent, Shannon Tyo, and Anna Caputo.

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In this file Iris Yamashita and I discussed:

• How she kept her dream of becoming a novelist alive
• The reverse path from TV pilot to novel
• What her transition from the movie world to the book world was like
• Why nothing is precious
• Vomit drafting
• Finding flow state versus slow state
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita (Amazon)
• www.irisyamashita.com
• Iris Yamashita on Facebook
• Iris Yamashita on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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

Acclaimed debut novelist, Kai Thomas, spoke to me about writing historical fiction that interweaves Black and Indigenous cultures, the power of storytelling, keeping grounded in his work, and his novel “In the Upper Country.”

Kai Thomas is a writer, carpenter, and land steward of Soul Fire Farm a community-centered “… farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system.”

His debut novel is In the Upper Country and described as “... an unforgettable story that unearths the tangled fates of two resilient women from different generations with different pasts …. as they reveal the deeply connected histories of Black and Indigenous peoples of North America and their relationship to the land around them.”

A Publishers Weekly starred review called it, “... [a] mesmerizing debut [that] explores freedom, family, and the interconnections between white, Black, and Indigenous communities in 1859 Canada….”

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Kai Thomas and I discussed:

• How an MFA program helped him find his confidence as a writer
• The importance of mentorship, peer evaluation, and fiction workshops for honing his debut
• Gleaning inspiration from his own cultural heritage and an old photograph
• Exploring lesser-known chapters of history
• Finding a balance between research and writing
• Trusting the process
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas (Amazon)
• KaiThomasAuthor.com
• SOUL FIRE FARM
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Award-winning and NY Times bestselling author, Jayne Ann Krentz, spoke to me about how persistence has defined her career, why you need to describe your core story in three words, and her latest thriller, “Sleep No More.”

Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers with over 40 million copies of her books in print. She currently writes under three pseudonyms and her award-winning books have earned her the title of “Queen of Romantic Suspense.”

Her latest is Sleep No More, the first novel of the Lost Night Files series, described as a “... new romantic suspense trilogy about a night that changed three women forever—but that none of them can remember.”

Kirkus Reviews called the book, “A richly layered mystery full of pleasing paranormal elements from a master of the genre,” and Booklist wrote, in a starred review, “[Krentz] skillfully [taps] into the current vogue for true-crime podcasts with her heroine’s side hustle while at the same giving a clever nod to the eternal appeal of the Gothic …”

Jayne Ann earned a BA in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and went on to obtain a Master’s degree in library science from San Jose State University in California.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Jayne Ann Krentz and I discussed:

• Her warnings against using multiple pseudonyms
• How she invented the Futuristic Romance subgenre
• Finding her niche and why each writer has a unique universe
• Why she doesn't love police procedurals
• Leaning into dreams and the paranormal
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• JayneAnnKrentz.com
• Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz (Amazon)
• Jayne Ann Krentz Amazon Author Page
• Jayne Ann Krentz on Instagram
• Jayne Ann Krentz on Facebook
• Jayne Ann Krentz Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Award-winning indie journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, returns to discuss the “virus of dissatisfaction,” writing for modern-day samurai David Goggins, and their latest journey to bestseller with “Never Finished,” the sequel to a bestselling memoir.

Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within is the follow-up to Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins’ smash hit memoir. It’s been described as a tour of David’s “... Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning and that the quest for greatness is unending.”

Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others. 

Adam is also the author of One Breath, has narrated David Goggins’ bestselling audiobooks, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.

This is the last episode of the year but we’ll be back soon with more inspiration from your favorite authors. Happy Holidays!

Stay calm and write on ...

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In Part Three of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:

• How the sequel to a memoir hit #1 on Amazon and Audible in its week
• Battling Michelle Obama (once again)
• The pressure of publishing a follow-up to a longtime bestseller 
• “Goggins Grad School” and the pursuit of greatness
• Why ghostwriters need to stay out of the way, be a servant to the story…
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• AdamSkolnick.com
• Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
• Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
• Adam Skolnick on Instagram
• Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
• A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
• 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
• 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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

In Part Two of this file, we return with an exclusive look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that has sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year!

We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story, but it’s no secret that the book was co-written by my good friend Adam Skolnick.

Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others. 

He is also the author of One Breath, was the narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling audiobook for Can’t Hurt Me, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.

Adam returns later this month for the next installment of How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller: Part Three to talk about his journey with David to his latest bestseller Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In Part Two of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:

• The importance of a large social following for non-fiction authors
• How timing plays such a big role in self-publishing success
• Why an audiobook/podcast hybrid might be the next big thing for authors
• The Golden Age for ghostwriting opportunities
• How David Goggins's inspiring message goes beyond cookie-cutter self-help
• And why "there is no finish line" for writers

Show Notes:

• AdamSkolnick.com
• Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
• Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
• Adam Skolnick on Instagram
• Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
• A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
• 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
• 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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

We are rebroadcasting this incredible look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year! Did it finally beat Michelle Obama’s competing bestseller? Stay tuned to find out.

We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story, but it’s no secret that the book was co-written by my good friend Adam Skolnick.

Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others. 

He is also the author of One Breath, was the narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling audiobook for Can’t Hurt Me, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.

Adam returns later this month for the next installment of How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller to talk about his journey with David to his latest bestseller Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within. A huge thank you to Mr. Goggins.

Stay calm and write on ...

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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]

In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed:

• A definition of ghostwriting
• How Adam got tapped to ghostwrite for author and endurance athlete David Goggins
• Why Goggins turned down a major book publishing deal and decided to self-publish (with Adam still attached)
• The Joe Rogan effect for authors
• How Adam made the decision to help write David's story
• And the unique research and drafting process that went into a bestseller ...

Show Notes:

• AdamSkolnick.com
• Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
• Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
• Adam Skolnick on Instagram
• Adam Skolnick on The Rich Roll Podcast
• A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Journo Adam Skolnick
• 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part One
• 21 Productivity Hacks from 21 Prolific Writers: Part Two
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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

#PodcastersForJustice

Violinist and lauded debut novelist, Brendan Slocumb, spoke to me about how both music and writing saved his life, the darker side of the classical music world, and his debut "The Violin Conspiracy."

Brendan Slocumb is an accomplished violinist and concertmaster who has performed with major symphonies, has a degree in music education, and has over twenty-five years of teaching in the classroom and in his private studio.

His critically acclaimed debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, has been described as, "Part mystery thriller, part character study of a young Black man trying to make his way in the world of classical music..." It was a GMA Book Club Pick and named a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Mystery/Thriller, NPR’s Books We Love 2022, Audible’s 13 Best Debuts of 2022, and earned two Goodreads Choice Award nominations for Best Debut Novel and Best Mystery Thriller.

Publishers Weekly called the book "[A] gripping debut. . . . Slocumb sensitively portrays Ray’s resilience in the face of extreme racism. The author is off to a promising start.”

Brendan hosts the podcast How Music Can Save Your Life, is a Nobel Teacher of distinction, and serves as an educational consultant for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

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In this file Brendan Slocumb and I discussed:

• How he finds time to tour, write, practice for his string quartet, and teach students for an upcoming recital
• Why the Pandemic forced him to become a prolific novelist
• What it's like to sign your first paperback for a fan
• The importance of practice, routine, and banging out 3000 words a day 
• Why writers need to walk, stretch, and hit the gym
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• brendanslocumb.com
• The Violin Conspiracy - By Brendan Slocumb (Amazon)
• How Music Can Save Your Life Podcast
• Brendan Slocumb on Facebook
• Brendan Slocumb on Instagram
• Brendan Slocumb on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

#1 international bestselling author of over 40 novels, Jeffery Deaver, returns to rap about his prolific output, an award-winning handbook for mystery writers, and the latest Colter Shaw novel, "Hunting Time."

Jeffery Deaver is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.

The "master of suspense" has been nominated for eight Edgar Awards and served two terms as president of Mystery Writers of America, and was recently named a Grand Master of MWA, whose ranks include Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, and Walter Mosely.

His latest is Hunting Time (A Colter Shaw Novel), described as "... a riveting thriller, as reward seeker Colter Shaw plunges into the woods and races the clock in a case where nothing is quite what it seems." Kirkus Reviews described the book as "A fleet, irresistible tale."

Jeffery has sold over 50 million books worldwide in 150 countries, and been translated into 35 languages. He has also published three collections of short stories.

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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed:

• Pandemic survival
• How he finds the solitude of the writing life
• What it's like to be mentioned in the same breath as Agatha Christie
• How he keeps his Edgar Award nomination streak alive
• Why books are better than Netflix
• How the author structures his novels with questions and conflicts 
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• JefferyDeaver.com
• How to Write Commercial Fiction with NY Times Bestselling Author Jeffery Deaver
• Hunting Time (A Colter Shaw Novel) By Jeffery Deaver (Amazon)
• How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America (Amazon)
• Jeffery Deaver Amazon author page
• NaturalReader app
• Jeffery Deaver on Instagram 
• Jeffery Deaver on Facebook
• Jeffery Deaver on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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A quick note that this week we're resurfacing Part One of an enlightening chat I had with #1 internationally bestselling author Jeffery Deaver about his process for writing “ticking-time bomb suspense,” near the start of the Pandemic. Next week we are going to catch up with the author for the second part of that interview series with Jeff to talk about his latest novel and a lot more about the writing life. Until then …

The #1 internationally bestselling author of over 40 novels, Jeffery Deaver, took a few minutes to discuss his advice on how to write emotionally engaging fiction, the merits of plotters vs. pantsers, and a 5-step process for writing your novel.

"Rejection is just a speed bump ... it's not a brick wall. Keep at it." – Jeffery Deaver

Jeffery is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.

The "master of suspense" has been nominated for seven Edgar Awards and has gone on to sell 50 million books worldwide, translated into 35 languages.

His thriller featured here is a sequel to The Never Game – The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel Book 2) – and once again features Colter Shaw, a rugged survivalist and "reward-seeker."

One of Bookpage's "Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers" of 2020, Publishers Weekly said of the book, “Deaver balances suspense and plausibility perfectly ... This is a perfect jumping-on point for readers new to one of today’s top contemporary thriller writers.”

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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed:

• Why suspense writers are like airline pilots
• Wisdom from Joyce Carol Oates and the importance of outlining
• How having your novel read aloud to you can improve your prose
• A simple formula for writing "roller-coaster" fiction
• And much more!

Show Notes:

• JefferyDeaver.com
• The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel) by Jeffery Deaver [Amazon]
• Jeffery Deaver Amazon author page
• NaturalReader app
• Jeffery Deaver on Instagram 
• Jeffery Deaver on Facebook
• Jeffery Deaver on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning author and filmmaker, Priyanka Kumar, spoke to me about the language of cinema, her Zen leanings, returning to the solace of nature, and her latest, "Conversations with Birds."

Priyanka Kumar is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts and an alumna of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She is also the award-winning writer, director, and producer of the feature documentary The Song of the Little Road, starring Martin Scorsese and Ravi Shankar.

Her latest is Conversations with Birds, a Publishers Weekly “Top Ten Nonfiction Book for Fall 2022,” a Bookshop.org “Read Outside the Big Five” selection, and Apple, November Best Books of the Month, and been described in a Kirkus, starred review as, “An eloquent depiction of how birding engenders a deep love of our ecosystems and a more profound understanding of ourselves."

Priyanka's debut novel, Take Wing and Fly Here, was published in 2013 to critical acclaim, and her essays and criticism have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and many others. 

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In this file Priyanka Kumar and I discussed:

• How to find the perfect cover art
• Growing up in the most biodiverse part of the world
• Why we face unprecedented distraction
• The importance of bird song
• How technology rewires our creative spirit 
• Why you need to replace your insipid lawn with xeriscaping
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• priyankakumar.com
• Conversations with Birds By Priyanka Kumar (Amazon)
• Priyanka Kumar Author Page on Amazon
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

"Writing, at its best, is a lonely life." – Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway scholar and author, Professor Mark Cirino, spoke to me about the ethos of the late literary lion, how Hemingway outlived his myth, and his mission to uncover Hem's truest sentence.

Dr. Cirino hosts the popular Hemingway Society-sponsored podcast, One True Podcast. He is also the author of eight books about American literature as a writer or editor. His most recent is One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art (2022), with Michael Von Cannon.

Described as "A selection of the greatest sentences by the master, Ernest Hemingway..." selected and examined by contemporary authors. Publishers Weekly called it “A revelatory compendium ... a rewarding tapestry ... readers are likely to come away with a deepened understanding of—and even awe at—Hemingway’s vast talent.”

Mark Cirino serves as an editor for Kent State University Press’s Reading Hemingway series, and served as a consultant on the film adaptation of Hemingway's "Across the River and into the Trees." He taught creative writing and literature at NYU, and now teaches literature at the University of Evansville.

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In this file Mark Cirino and I discussed: 

• Why "Writing, at its best, is a lonely life"
• The importance of finding your writing community
• How The Sun Also Rises made Hem a literary celebrity
• The only thing you have to do as a writer
• Why each writing project requires new discipline
• An open invitation to Bob Dylan
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Dr. Mark Cirino - Professor and Department Chair
• One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art by Mark Cirino and Michael Von Cannon (Amazon)
• Mark Cirino Author Page on Amazon
• One True Podcast: Hosted by Mark Cirino and produced by Michael Von Cannon
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning and #1 NY Times bestselling author, Robert Crais, spoke to me about breathing life into the ur detective novel, the legacy of Raymond Chandler, his love of LA, and his latest, "Racing the Light."

Robert Crais is the author of 23 novels, 19 of which feature private investigator Elvis Cole and his laconic ex-cop partner, Joe Pike. The first in the series, The Monkey’s Raincoat, won the Anthony and Macavity Awards and was nominated for the Edgar Award.

The latest is Racing the Light, described as "... a pulse-pounding read and Elvis Cole's most dangerous case yet." Bestselling author David Baldacci called it "... another grand slam for the master storyteller Robert Crais. If there’s a better dynamic duo than Elvis Cole and Joe Pike in all of crime fiction, I’m not aware of it.”

On Reader's Digest's list of "30 new books we can't wait to read in 2022," Kirkus Reviews said that, "... [Crais] keeps the traditional detective novel alive and well."

In a previous life Robert Crais was an Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer and spent several years writing scripts for classic television series like Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice.

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In this file Robert Crais and I discussed:

• Burning out as a TV writer and chasing the dream of becoming a novelist
• Why he never anticipated fame
• How his novel LA Requiem changed the trajectory of his career
• When your author name gets bigger than the title
• Why he'll always be a meticulous outliner
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• robertcrais.com
• Racing the Light (An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel Book 19) by Robert Crais (Amazon)
• Robert Crais Author Page on Amazon
• Robert Crais on Facebook
• Robert Crais on Instagram
• Robert Crais on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Note: Hey, just a quick note that the podcast is on hiatus this week but we’re bringing back a fan favorite. Here is my interview with the amazing Tana French from late 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Catch you soon and thanks for your support!

The New York Times bestselling crime novelist, Tana French, took a break to talk with me about her early training as an actress, her definition of creativity, and how to write through the tough times.

"I didn't know if I could write a book. I'd written short stories and really galactically bad teenager poetry, but I'd never tried to write a book before." — Tana French

The author has written eight mystery novels and is considered a master of suspense and the modern psychological thriller. Her work has been compared to writers including James Ellroy and Donna Tartt, and has been called "incandescent" by Stephen King, and "absolutely mesmerizing" by Gillian Flynn.

Her novels have sold over three million copies and won numerous awards, including the Edgar and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction.

Her latest bestseller, The Searcher, is her second stand-alone novel, and she was described by The Washington Post as "...the most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years."

Stay tuned for a clip from The Searcher audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by Roger Clark.”

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In this file Tana French and I discussed:

• Her "galactically" bad poetry
• The archaeological dig that inspired “In the Woods,” her Edgar-winning 2007 debut novel
• How she came to riff on the Western genre in her latest
• And why writers need to fight off the struggle of isolation

Show Notes:

• TanaFrench.com
• The Searcher: A Novel by Tana French [Amazon]
• Tana French Amazon page
• The Essential Tana French, The New York Times
• Tana French on FaceBook
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning, queer, Jamaican-American writer, videographer, activist, and debut memoirist, Prince Shakur, spoke to me about James Baldwin's legacy, writing towards his father's murder, and his latest, "When They Tell You To Be Good."

Prince Shakur is a freelance journalist, videomaker, and New York Times recognized organizer whose debut memoir, When They Tell You To Be Good, is about his "political coming of age in Obama and Trump’s America." It is a Powell's Holiday Pick for 2022 and a TIME, Poets & Writers, Publishers Weekly, them, The Week, Debutiful, and Book Riot Best “Book of Fall.”

Described as an exploration of "... his radicalization and self-realization through examinations of place, childhood, queer identity, and a history of uprisings," the memoir won the Hurston/Wright Crossover Award and has earned him residencies with Sangam House, La Maison Baldwin, The Studios of Key West, and The Atlantic Center for the Arts. 

As a freelance journalist Shakur has penned numerous op-eds, essays, and features in Teen Vogue, Daily Dot, CodaStory, Cultured Magazine, AfroPunk, and more. His writings have been used in university classrooms, including Nikkita Oliver’s Prison Abolition course offered at the University of Washington.

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In this file Prince Shakur and I discussed:

• How he hustled as a young freelance journalist
• The black, queer, activist experience
• Why he feels the need to push past the notion of "bearing witness"
• What it's like to navigate anti-blackness abroad
• The urgency of artwork in the face of death
• Why artist residencies and grants are so important for writers
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• princeshakur.com
• When They Tell You To Be Good by Prince Shakur (Amazon)
• Prince Shakur on Instagram
• Prince Shakur on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, Deanna Raybourn, spoke to me about how she still feels like a debut author, why she doesn't read reviews, and her new contemporary thriller "Killers of a Certain Age."

Deanna Raybourn is the author of 19 books including the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Lady Julia Grey series, as well as the USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and several stand-alone works.

Her latest is Killers of a Certain Age, described as "a witty contemporary spy thriller perfect for fans of Killing Eve and Ocean’s Eight." 

An instant New York Times bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of Month 2022, Buzzfeed said of the book, “This Golden Girls meets James Bond thriller is a journey you want to be part of."

Deanna Raybourn graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, read by Jane Oppenheimer and Christina Delaine.

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In this file Deanna Raybourn and I discussed:

• Why her agent told her to stop writing for a whole year
• What it feels like to get that first three-book deal
• How she came to writing older women doing kick-ass things
• When she turns into a feral author in her pajamas
• Why writers need to trust their inner voice
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• deannaraybourn.com
• Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (Amazon)
• Deanna Raybourn on Instagram
• Deanna Raybourn on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Journalist, hit entertainment podcaster, and debut novelist, Bobby Finger, spoke to me about writing for Jezebel, turning a screenplay into a novel, and his debut, "The Old Place."

Bobby Finger is a writer and co-host of the popular celebrity and entertainment podcast, Who? Weekly, "The podcast that tells you everything you need to know about celebrities you don’t."

His debut novel is The Old Place, described as "A bighearted and moving debut about a wry retired schoolteacher whose decade-old secret threatens to come to light and send shockwaves through her small Texas town."

It has been named Washington Post‘s 10 Noteworthy Books for September, People‘s Best New Books, Town & Country’s 45 Must-Read Books of Fall, New York’s 25 Notable New Releases, Kirkus Review‘s 150 Most Anticipated Fall Books, LitHub‘s Most Anticipated Books of 2022, among many others.

New York Times bestselling author Emma Straub said of the book, “I loved being inside this skillful novel—at the planning parties for church fundraisers, learning to drive with a can of beer in the cupholder, and in the heads of some wonderfully tangy old Texan ladies. Bobby Finger has built a rich world in The Old Place, and I will think of it every time I make toast.”

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In this file Bobby Finger and I discussed:

• Growing up in a small Texas town
• His start in copywriting and freelance journalism
• Writing screenplays in the margins
• Becoming a full-time podcaster
• How to write autofiction with a twist
• What happens when people leave, and those left behind
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• whoweekly.us
• The Old Place By Bobby Finger (Amazon)
• Bobby Finger on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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Bestselling, award-winning author A.M. Homes, spoke to me about getting sued by J.D. Salinger, the irony of winning the Women's Prize for Fiction, and her latest "The Unfolding."

A.M. Homes is a TV producer, art critic, and the author of 13 books, including the bestselling memoir The Mistress’s Daughter. Her last novel, May We Be Forgiven, was the winner of the 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Her latest novel is The Unfolding, described as a "... darkly comedic alternative history that takes us into the heart of a fractured family living in a divided country."

New York Times bestselling author Salman Rushdie called the book, “A terrific black comedy, written almost entirely in pitch-perfect dialogue, that feels terrifyingly close to the unfunny truth.”

A.M. Homes was a Co-Executive Producer and Writer on David E. Kelly and Stephen King’s, Mr. Mercedes, and a writer/producer of the Showtime series The L Word.

Her work has been translated into 22 languages and appears frequently in Art Forum, Harpers, Granta, McSweeney's, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Zoetrope. She is a Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair, Bomb and Blind Spot, and she has taught in the Creative Writing Program at Princeton.

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In this file A.M. Homes and I discussed:

• Her early struggles with dyslexia
• Why awards and votes of confidence are so important for writers
• How she helped hire Dennis Lehane to write for Mr. Mercedes 
• Her strange obsession with George Washington and her claim to Capitol Hill
• How to write your way out of a jam
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• amhomesbooks.com
• The Unfolding: A Novel by A.M. Homes (Amazon)
• A.M. Homes on Facebook
• A.M. Homes on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Bestselling, award-winning author Candice Carty-Williams, spoke to me about the tragicomic nature of being, winning "Book of the Year" at the British Book Awards, and her latest "People Person."

Candice Carty-Williams is a TV producer, culture writer, and author of the international bestseller Queenie, a book that was named a best book of the year by NPR, TIME, PARADE, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, and many others.

She also became the first black woman to win the "Book of the Year" award at the British Book Awards for Queenie in 2020.

Her latest novel is People Person, a book described as an "... insightful novel about the power of family — even when they seem like strangers." The Guardian called it, “A big-hearted story of a young woman coming to terms with her complicated London family from the author of the game-changing Queenie.”

Candice created and launched the Guardian 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize in 2016, the first initiative of its kind in book publishing for underrepresented writers. 

She has written for The Guardian, i-D, Vogue, every iteration of The Sunday Times (London), BEAT magazine, Black Ballad, and more.

Her original drama, "Champion," will be airing on BBC One in the U.K., and on Netflix globally, in 2023.

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In this file Candice Carty-Williams and I discussed:

• Her early career in book marketing and the disparities she saw in publishing
• The inciting incident that inspired her latest
• How to balance humor and depth in fiction
• Why tragedy plus time equals comedy
• Great advice from Toni Morrison
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• candicecartywilliams.com
• People Person By Candice Carty-Williams (Amazon)
• Guardian 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize
• Candice Carty-Williams on Instagram
• Candice Carty-Williams on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning journalist and debut memoirist, Casey Parks, spoke to me about her lifelong reverence for journalism, the emotional cost of writing a memoir, and her debut "Diary of a Misfit."

Casey Parks is a reporter for The Washington Post who covers gender and family issues. She spent a decade at The Oregonian writing about race and LGBTQ+ issues and was a finalist for the Livingston Award.

A former Spencer Fellow at Columbia University, Parks was awarded the 2021 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award for her debut memoir, Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery. 

Described as "... a sweeping journalistic saga about sexuality and gender, family trauma and the redemptive force of love...," Publishers Weekly – in a starred review – called the book, “A tantalizing blend of personal history and reportage .... A brilliantly rendered and complex portrait of Southern life alongside a tender exploration of queer belonging [and] a marvel to witness.”

Casey's articles have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Oxford American, ESPN, USA Today, and The Nation.

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In this file Casey Parks and I discussed:

• Earning $50 per story at the outset of her career ...
• ... to working in a virtual newsroom for The Washington Post
• Why that first byline in the New Yorker changes everything
• Asking permission to tell the stories of ghosts
• Why you can never take "no" as the final answer
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• caseyparks.com
• Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery By Casey Parks (Amazon)
• Casey Parks for The Washington Post
• In the Deep South, a Search for Queer Identity - The New York Times Book Review
• Casey Parks on Facebook
• Casey Parks on Instagram
• Casey Parks on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

2021 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Abdulrazak Gurnah, spoke to me about life after becoming a laureate, the difference between authors and writers, and his latest novel "Afterlives." 

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2021 was awarded to Abdulrazak Gurnah "for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents"

The Tanzanian-born British novelist and Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Kent, has written short stories, essays, and ten novels including Paradise (shortlisted for the Booker Prize), By the Sea (longlisted for the Booker Prize and a finalist for the LA Times Book Award), and Desertion.

His latest novel, Afterlives, has been described as "... a sweeping, multi-generational saga of displacement, loss, and love, set against the brutal colonization of east Africa"

The New York Times Book Review called the author, "... a master of the art form who understands human failings in conflicts both political and intimate — and how these shortcomings create afflictions from which nations and individuals continue to suffer, needlessly, generation after generation."

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In this file Abdulrazak Gurnah and I discussed:

• Finding global readers and acclaim two years after the UK release of his latest book
• The irony of becoming a Nobel laureate in literature 
• Why he always writes the final episode first
• The intergenerational trauma of war and how he chooses his protagonists
• Why you may be in the wrong business
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Afterlives: A Novel by Abdulrazak Gurnah
• The Nobel Prize in Literature 2021
• Abdulrazak Gurnah
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Pushcart Prize-winning short story writer and debut novelist, LaToya Watkins, spoke to me about landing the cover of Publishers Weekly's Writers to Watch Fall 2022, the legacy of William Faulkner, and her debut "Perish."

LaToya Watkins holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas and her writing has appeared in A Public Space, The Sun, McSweeney's, Kenyon Review, The Pushcart Prize Anthology, and elsewhere.

Her debut is Perish, a novel "... about a Black Texan family, exploring the effects of inherited trauma and intergenerational violence as the family comes together to say goodbye to their matriarch on her deathbed."

It has been named A Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Good Morning America, Essence, Esquire, The Millions, among others, and named Amazon’s best debuts in August 2022. 

The New York Times Book Review called Watkins’s Perish, "... an impressive feat of storytelling ... a difficult read and a tender story of silences and secrets."

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In this file LaToya Watkins and I discussed:

• How she went from first-generation college grad to being compared to Alice Walker and Toni Morrison
• Carving out the time to write as a mother of three 
• How writing short stories prepared her to write the novel
• Why it takes her two hours to find her flow state
• Writing about intergenerational trauma and the cost of slavery
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• latoyawatkins.com
• Perish: A Novel by LaToya Watkins
• Writers to Watch Fall 2022 - PW
• Has Texas Finally Found Its William Faulkner?
• LaToya Watkins on Instagram
• LaToya Watkins on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Longtime literary critic and publishing insider, Bethanne Patrick, spoke to me about how she became a famed reviewer, where she puts all the books, and her new investigative podcast "Missing Pages."

Bethanne Patrick is a writer, author, and critic whose monthly column on hot books appears in The Washington Post. An influencer in the book world, Bethanne (@TheBookMaven) has over 200K Twitter followers and originated the popular #FridayReads tag.

She is also host to the all-new podcast Missing Pages, which investigates the good (rarely), the bad (frequently), and the messy (always) of the publishing industry.

Described as an investigative podcast, "Missing Pages uncovers the power struggles, mistaken identities, and unfathomably bad behavior within the secretive world of book publishing. Each episode brings in authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites to tell the real story; unfit for print."

Bethanne's book reviews and author profiles have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Poets & Writers magazine, NPR Books, Lit Hub and many others. She is the author of two books for National Geographic, an editor of an anthology for Regan Arts, and is currently writing a memoir for Counterpoint Press.

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In this file Bethanne Patrick and I discussed:

• How she became a self-styled book "maven"
• The logistical issues of receiving 20 books a week
• What it's like cracking the Cosa Nostra of publishing 
• Why disruption in the publishing industry can't come fast enough
• How to start your career by writing reviews
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

bethannepatrick.com

Missing Pages on Apple Podcasts

Inside the Push to Diversify the Book Business - NY Times

DOJ v. PRH: Agents, Publishers Move Center Stage by Bethanne Patrick for PW

Bethanne Patrick for The Washington Post

Bethanne Patrick on Instagram

Bethanne Patrick on Facebook

Bethanne Patrick on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

#1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Greaney, returned to talk about hanging out on the red carpet with Netflix "The Gray Man" stars Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, turning a failed screenplay into a hit audio play, and his latest, "Armored."

"Even if you finish a whole book and it doesn't get published, I promise you you're a much better author at the end of that process than you were at the beginning..." – Mark Greaney

Mark's debut international thriller, The Gray Man, was published in 2009 and became a national bestseller and highly sought-after Hollywood property. He's released twelve in that series to date including the #1 New York Times bestseller One Minute Out.

Netflix has now turned the first book in The Gray Man series into a blockbuster movie starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, available now.

His latest is Armored, a novel inspired by the author's popular Audible Original drama. Publishers Weekly wrote that the protagonist, Joshua Duffy, "... proves to be more than just a hardened military tactician. Readers will hope he’ll be back for an encore." A feature film adaptation of Armored is now in development with Sony.

Mark is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author or co-author of seven Tom Clancy novels – he co-wrote Clancy’s final three Jack Ryan thrillers prior to his passing.

Stay tuned until the show's end for a preview of the Audiobook, audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Armored by Mark Greaney, read by Adam Gold.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Mark Greaney and I discussed:

• His 15-year, overnight success
• How he continues to hit regular deadlines and write two books a year
• What it was like to see his Gray Man on the big screen 
• Why it's less important to be 100% accurate than to be entertaining
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Greaney Writes: Part One

MarkGreaneybooks.com

THE GRAY MAN | Official Trailer | Netflix

Armored by Mark Greaney (Amazon Affiliate)

Mark Greaney Amazon author page

Mark Greaney on Instagram

Mark Greaney on Facebook

Mark Greaney on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author, Sarah Pearse, spoke to me about Agatha Christie's legacy, how to write plausible police procedurals, and the place that inspired her latest, "The Retreat."

Sarah Pearse is the author of The Sanatorium, a stunning crime fiction debut, instant New York Times and international bestseller, as well as a Reese’s Book Club selection and critical success.

Her second novel, The Retreat, is Book Two in her bestselling Detective Elin Warner series, and another locked-room style thriller People magazine called, "The Shining but with a full house.”

New York Times bestselling author Ashley Audrain said of the book, “Sarah Pearse has expertly crafted another eerie, atmospheric thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder as you read. A wonderfully chilling story of grief, revenge, and family secrets. An absorbing escape!”

Sarah Pearse studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Warwick before completing a postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism and has worked in marketing and publicity for a variety of household brands.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Sarah Pearse and I discussed:

• The best writing advice she's ever received
• How this #writermom wrote a bestseller on maternity leave
• Using folklore, famously haunted, and sacred places in your writing
• What mind maps and natural descriptions can do for your setting
• The best way to conquer your nerves and win the day
• Her thoughts on rejection
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

sarahpearse.co.uk

The Retreat: A Novel by Sarah Pearse (Amazon Affiliate)

The Sanatorium: A Novel by Sarah Pearse (Amazon Affiliate)

Sarah Pearse on Facebook

Sarah Pearse on Instagram

Sarah Pearse on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

Addendum:

Hey just a quick addendum on this week's redux, I am out of town this week and enjoying the sweatiest summer of all time with my kids, but I wanted to revisit a fantastic episode with now National Book Award Winner, Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction Winner, Pushcart Prize nominee, NAACP Image Award nominee, and Carnegie Medals For Excellence Longlist nominee Jason Mott. Congrats! Enjoy, I’ll catch you next week with some fresh writerly wisdom.

New York Times bestselling author, Jason Mott, took a timeout to talk with me about the high-wire act of building Hell of a Book, talking about race in America, and NOT working with Brad Pitt.

Jason is the author of The Returned, a New York Times bestseller that was turned into a TV series that ran for two seasons.

His fourth novel is titled Hell of a Book, and is described as a "... funny and honest [work of fiction] that goes to the heart of racism, police violence, and the hidden costs exacted upon Black Americans, and America as a whole."

The book has been named to dozens of "Must Read" lists for 2021 including Entertainment Weekly, The NY Post, GMA, USA Today, Fortune's 21 Most Anticipated Books Coming out in the Second Half of 2021 and more. Charles Yu, author of National Book Award winner Interior Chinatown called the book, "Playful, searching, raw and necessary..."

Jason has BFA in fiction and an MFA in Poetry, both from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His poetry and fiction have appeared in various literary journals.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Jason Mott and I discussed:

• What it's like to write a book in your head for a decade
• Why he dared to dream to become a writer
• How to build a technically complex novel, draft by draft
• His study and love of film noir
• And why writers need to be nicer to themselves

Show Notes:

• JasonMottAuthor.com
• Hell of a Book: A Novel by Jason Mott
• Jason Mott Amazon author page
• Jason Mott on Facebook
• Jason Mott on Twitter
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

#1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry, spoke to me about her past life as a YA mid-lister, the Romance Renaissance, writing your way out of darkness, and her latest "Book Lovers."

Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read, and has sold over a million copies of her novels.

Her latest, Book Lovers, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, multiple Most Anticipated Read of 2022, and has been described as "... a love story between a by-the-book literary agent and a prickly book editor who fall in love in a small town straight out of a romance movie."

New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid called it “... a rom-com lover's dream of a book," and Emma Straub wrote, “I would follow Emily Henry anywhere. A small town, a literary enterprise, a bookstore to rescue, and ..." other sexy things.

Emily's books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, The Skimm, Shondaland, and more. 

Stay calm and write on ...

[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get The Writer Files Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]

In this file Emily Henry and I discussed:

• What it's like to live in a "lightning strike"
• Watching your friends succeed wildly
• Making Romance more accessible to the masses 
• The secrets behind Hallmark Christmas movies
• How to wake, Wordle, and write 2000 words a day
• And a lot more!

[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]

Show Notes:

emilyhenrybooks.com

Book Lovers by Emily Henry (Amazon Affiliate) 

Emily Henry Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)

Emily Henry on Instagram

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Poston, spoke to me about her pivot away from YA, the importance of fan fiction, and her paranormal romance debut "The Dead Romantics."

Ashley Poston’s bestselling YA novels have been featured by Teen Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, Buzzfeed, and more.

Her highly-anticipated pivot to romance is The Dead Romantics, a story about a millennial ghostwriter who believes romance is dead, a humorous and heartfelt novel with a fresh, slightly supernatural hook.  

The New York Times Bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club Pick has been called "‘While You Were Sleeping’ meets ‘Six Feet Under,'" by the NY Times, and bestselling author Emma Straub called it, "Smart, quick, and absolutely bubbling over with love for the genre of romance itself. Delicious.”

Ashley Poston has spent the last decade in the publishing industry as a social media coordinator, a marketing designer, and finally an author.

Stay calm and write on ...

[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get The Writer Files Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]

In this file Ashley Poston and I discussed:

• Her work behind the curtain in publishing
• What it's like to be a GMA Book Club Pick 
• How to stay in love with writing
• Why graveyards have curfews
• The power of deadlines
• And a lot more!

[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]

Show Notes:

ashposton.com

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (Amazon Affiliate)

Ashley Poston Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)

How New York Times Bestselling Author & Mortician Caitlin Doughty Writes

Ashley Poston on Twitter

Ashley Poston on Instagram

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#PodcastersForJustice

New York Times bestselling author, Eleanor Brown, spoke to me about the difference between writers and authors, why adoptive families are just like any other family, and her latest novel "Any Other Family."

Eleanor Brown's critically acclaimed debut novel, The Weird Sisters, was a New York Times and #1 international bestseller with over half a million copies sold. The novel earned excellent reviews from The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, People, USA Today, and more.

Her latest is Any Other Family, a novel "...about four children, three adoptive mothers, and one complicated, unforgettable family." Kirkus Reviews described it as, "A prismatic story of family, adoption, and how the people we choose to keep close shape who we are.”

Eleanor is also an anthologist, editor, teacher, speaker, and adoptive mother herself. She teaches writing workshops and conferences nationwide, including for The Writers' Table and Lighthouse Writers workshops in Colorado.

Stay calm and write on ...

In this file Eleanor Brown and I discussed:

• Her 15-year overnight success
• Why she doesn't read her reviews
• On becoming an adoptive mother and open adoption
• Why novelists have to outline at some point
• How to start with a destination in mind
• And why you need to start calling yourself a "writer"
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

eleanor-brown.com

Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown (Amazon Affiliate)

Eleanor Brown Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)

The Book Project - LighthouseWriters.org