The Writer Files: Writing, Productivi...
If you’re searching for a show that pulls back the curtain on the mystique of the writing life, look no further than The Writer Files. Hosts Kelton Reid and Milena Gonzalez study the habits, habitats, and brains of the biggest and brightest authors of our time.
Tune in each week to learn from bestselling and acclaimed writers on how to keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block. Please follow The Writer Files wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a rating or review to help other writers find us.
1
How NY Times Bestselling Author Gregg Hurwitz W...
In anticipation of the author's return to the pod ... 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.
33 min
2
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Dean Koontz ...
#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz spoke with me about his secret desire to run away with the carnival, struggling as a young writer, finding his voice, the evolution of his process, and his latest novel THE FRIEND OF THE FAMILY.
33 min
3
How Bestselling Author & Literary Agent Betsy L...
Listen to a replay of 2025's other 3rd most popular episode (it was a statistical tie)! Bestselling author and literary agent Betsy Lerner spoke with me about being a “late bloomer,” what 35 years in publishing has taught her, and portraying mental illness in her debut novel SHRED SISTERS.
32 min
4
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Marissa Meye...
29 min
5
How Award-Winning TV Writer & Novelist Georgia ...
Listen to a replay of 2025's 2nd most popular episode! Thank you for your ears and we look forward to a raucous writerly 2026 ... Award-winning TV writer/producer turned novelist Georgia Jeffries spoke with me about why Cagney and Lacey was her film school, teaching screenwriting at USC, and the ghosts, grief, and grievance in her debut novel THE YOUNGER GIRL.
44 min
6
The Writer Files Holiday Party 2025
Cheers! Welcome to our year-end Holiday Party for 2025
48 min
7
How NY Times Bestselling Author Emma Knight Wri...
Listen to a replay of 2025's most popular episode! New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and entrepreneur Emma Knight spoke to me about finding the courage to write fiction, the Loch Ness Monster of motherhood, and her breakout debut novel The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus.
28 min
8
How NY Times Bestselling Author Peter Heller Wr...
38 min
9
How Bestselling Ghostwriter, Award-Winning Jour...
Part 2 of 2 Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Adam Skolnick returns to chat with us about the mystery of the creative process, why timing is everything in crafting a story, and his much-anticipated debut novel, AMERICAN TIGER. I am joined by my co-host Milena Gonzalez.
40 min
10
How Bestselling Ghostwriter, Award-Winning Jour...
Part 1 of 2 Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Adam Skolnick spoke with us about earning his 10,000 hours, living with yours truly in a trailer in the mountains, and his much-anticipated debut novel, AMERICAN TIGER. I am joined by my co-host Milena Gonzalez.
46 min
11
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mitch Albom ...
#1 New York Times bestselling author Mitch Albom spoke with us about his humble beginnings as a sports journalist, the origins of Tuesdays with Morrie, and the universal themes he explores in his latest novel TWICE.
50 min
12
How Bestselling Author & Award-Winning Podcaste...
Bestselling author and award-winning podcaster Barbara DeMarco-Barrett spoke with me about producing 20+ years of Writers on Writing, why writers don’t retire, and her debut noir short story collection POOL FISHING
38 min
13
How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author E. Lo...
#1 New York Times bestselling author E. Lockhart spoke with us about her past life in academia, falling in love with the YA scene, and returning to the world of TikTok favorite We Were Liars with her latest beachy gothic WE FELL APART
34 min
14
How NY Times Bestselling Author Jami Attenberg ...
In honor of Novel November and every writer who needs 1000 Words, I'm republishing author Jami Attenberg's interview. Keep calm and write on ... 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.
31 min
15
The Writer Files x Diary of a Book Babe: Vol. 2
#bookstagram influencer, reviewer, and writer Milena Gonzalez (aka Diary of a Book Babe) returns to speak to me about hanging out with Jeneva Rose and Penny Zang, her latest five-star finds, and her top book pick of 2025.
35 min
16
How National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride ...
National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride, spoke with me about finding her authentic voice, getting yelled at by kids, near-death experiences and the story behind her latest novel-in-verse THE LEAVING ROOM.
32 min
17
How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Penny Zang Writes
Acclaimed debut novelist Penny Zang, spoke with us about making friendship bracelets for readers, why the world doesn’t stop when you lose a loved one, hanging out with Sylvia Plath, and her psychological thriller DOLL PARTS
39 min
18
How to Become a Professional Screenwriter with ...
WGA-nominated writer, director and USC professor Ted Braun, and TV and film writer and exec. producer Melissa Rosenberg, joined me to talk about reimagining screenwriting education with the MFA in Screenwriting at Bennington College.
30 min
19
How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Jinwoo Park Writes
Award-winning, acclaimed debut novelist Jinwoo Park spoke to me about breaking out of a creative rut, writing as “self-therapy,” cracking the #BookTok code, and his literary espionage thriller OXFORD SOJU CLUB
33 min
20
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jeneva Rose ...
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jeneva Rose, spoke with us about betting on herself, spurning the crown of “Queen of Twists,” her viral social media fame and latest post-apocalyptic romance, DATING AFTER THE END OF THE WORLD
36 min
21
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Lev Grossman...
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Lev Grossman, spoke to me about his tenure at Time magazine, how The Magicians poked holes in Narnia and Potter, and reimagining a legend with THE BRIGHT SWORD: A Novel of King Arthur.
29 min
22
How NY Times Bestselling Author Jayne Ann Krent...
32 min
23
How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Riley ...
29 min
24
How NY Times Bestselling Author Chevy Stevens W...
37 min
25
How NY Times Bestselling Author Chevy Stevens W...
36 min