The Writer Files: Writing, Productivi...

Learn how acclaimed writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block.

Each week, host Kelton Reid chats with guests like Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah, on life after becoming a laureate; #1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry on her past life as a YA mid-lister; Celebrated author, Walter Mosley, on his conflicted feelings after winning a National Book Award; NY Times bestselling author, Lisa Scottoline, on what she learned from literary lion Philip Roth; #1 NY Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane on what he borrowed from Clint Eastwood; and bestselling author, Matt Haig, on the process behind his novel, The Midnight Library, and serial guest hosts: neuroscientist Michael Grybko, journalist Adam Skolnick, and short story writer Robert Bruce.

Arts
Books
Education
1
How NY Times Bestselling Author Peter Heller Wr...
38 min
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
How NY Times Bestselling Author Jayne Ann Krent...
32 min
16
How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Riley ...
29 min
17
How NY Times Bestselling Author Chevy Stevens W...
37 min
18
How NY Times Bestselling Author Chevy Stevens W...
36 min
19
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Bonnie Garmu...
27 min
20
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Josie Silver...
Josie Silver is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December, The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, One Night on the Island, and A Winter in New York, and her books have been published in over 25 languages.
32 min
21
The Writer Files x Diary of a Book Babe: Vol. 1
39 min
22
How #1 Sunday Times Bestselling Author Stuart M...
#1 Sunday Times bestselling author Stuart MacBride spoke to me about playing god, why there are no shortcuts for writers, and his latest Logan McRae novel THIS HOUSE OF BURNING BONES.
45 min
23
How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Priscilla Morris W...
Acclaimed debut novelist and English Professor Priscilla Morris spoke to me about finding her voice, and the germ of an idea that became her labor of love, acclaimed debut novel BLACK BUTTERFLIES.
46 min
24
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lyn...
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, returned to chat about why bestsellers stick around for years, why fiction is perfectly geared for the human mind, and her latest YA thriller, THE GRANDEST GAME.
36 min
25
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lyn...
#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.
33 min