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.

Arts
Books
Education
276
How Award-Winning Crime Writer Christopher Cham...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning writer, commentator, and Professor of Media Studies at Georgetown University, Christopher Chambers, chatted with me about why there's never been a better time to break through as a writer of color, unreliable...
40 min
277
How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeff L...
#PodcastersForJustice The international bestselling thriller writer of the Dexter series, Jeff Lindsay, chatted with me about his previous life in the dramatic arts, marrying into literary royalty, and what it's like to hang out with actor Andy...
26 min
278
How NY Times Bestselling Memoirist Dani Shapiro...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Dani Shapiro, chatted with me about the Groundhog's Day effect of the pandemic, the transition from fiction to memoir, and the hidden power of Family Secrets. "There's no check...
41 min
279
How NY Times Bestselling Author Craig Johnson W...
#PodcastersForJustice The award-winning mystery writer and popular crime novelist, Craig Johnson, spoke with me about his long-running Longmire series, shotgun self-realization, and how to write good books. "How am I ever gonna get seen? Write good...
26 min
280
How International Bestselling Novelist Emily Sc...
#PodcastersForJustice The internationally bestselling thriller writer, Emily Schultz, spoke with me about recollections of coming of age as a Gen-Xer, her creative process in multiple mediums, and how to funnel emotion onto the page. "You have to be...
28 min
281
The State of Publishing 2020 with Hybrid Publis...
#PodcastersForJustice Internationally bestselling author, publisher, and founder of Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press, Jesse Krieger, took time to chat with me about disruptions to the publishing industry, the intersection of creativity and commerce, and...
37 min
282
How to Design Your Book Cover with Designer & A...
#PodcastersForJustice Celebrated designer, Creative Director of Scribe Media, and author, Erin Tyler, spoke with me about how she overcame childhood trauma to become one of the industry's best book cover designers, why this is such an important time...
33 min
283
How Award-Winning Debut Novelist Bryan Washingt...
#PodcastersForJustice New York Times Notable author, Bryan Washington, dropped by to chat about how his short stories garnered so much acclaim, what cuisine tells us about the larger narrative around sharing a meal, and why writers need to ignore the...
30 min
284
How NY Times Bestselling Mystery Writer Tana Fr...
#PodcastersForJustice 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...
28 min
285
How NY Times Bestselling Novelist Ace Atkins Wr...
#PodcastersForJustice The New York Times bestselling Southern crime writer, Ace Atkins, took a minute to talk with me about his superhero origins as a journalist, the complicated, dark history of the American South, and the challenge and thrill of...
31 min
286
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Laurell K. H...
#PodcastersForJustice The #1 New York Times bestselling author of paranormal fiction, Laurell K. Hamilton, took a break to talk with me about why her first fantasy novel nearly tanked her career, some of the systems that go into her world-building,...
29 min
287
How to Live to 100 with Science Journalist Mart...
#PodcastersForJustice The lauded science journalist and author, Marta Zaraska, spoke with me about the impacts of loneliness on your health, why we need to think about aging earlier, and how smartphones ruin relationships. "Too much concentration on...
32 min
288
How to 'Hyperfocus' with Productivity Expert Ch...
#PodcastersForJustice The internationally bestselling author of The Productivity Project and Hyperfocus, Chris Bailey, took the time to chat with me about tricks for focusing on what matters most, and how writers can cultivate more calm and creativity...
40 min
289
How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Author Shari ...
#PodcastersForJustice The internationally bestselling author of "domestic suspense" thrillers, Shari Lapena, took a few minutes to chat with me about her circuitous path to success, how she subverts the idea of the perfect "white picket fence" family,...
24 min
290
How Bestselling Hugo-Nominated Author Robert Ja...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning speculative fiction and fantasy novelist, Robert Jackson Bennett, chatted with me about turning genre conventions upside down, how he incorporates critiques on modern society into his writing, and why truth is...
46 min
291
How the Screenwriter of ‘The Batman’ and 'Proje...
#PodcastersForJustice Busy screenwriter and director, Mattson Tomlin, took a minute to rap with me about debuting a film during a pandemic, what it takes to break into Hollywood, and how he was brought on to co-write The Batman with Director Matt...
31 min
292
How NY Times Bestselling Novelist S. A. Cosby W...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning, neo-noir novelist and short story writer, S. A. Cosby, took time to speak with me about his pulp fiction influences, the hard work that went into his 10-year overnight success, and the cinematic timbre of his...
40 min
293
How Bestselling Legal Thriller Author Marcia Cl...
#PodcastersForJustice #1 NY Times bestselling author and famed criminal lawyer, Marcia Clark, dropped by to chat about the perils of celebrity, how she got her start as a TV producer, and the highs and lows of the writing process. *This is another...
41 min
294
The 'State of Travel Writing' Roundtable with A...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, co-hosted our pandemic edition "state of travel writing" roundtable with several like-minded travel junkies. Adam is an award-winning independent...
77 min
295
How Emmy-Winning Showrunner of 'The Handmaid’s ...
#PodcastersForJustice The creator, executive producer, and showrunner of the award-winning TV series The Handmaid’s Tale, Bruce Miller, spoke with me about his storied career as a TV writer/producer, what it's like to work with author Margaret...
39 min
296
How 'It's Always Sunny' Creator and Star Rob Mc...
The writer, producer, and actor – best known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and recent hit Apple TV+ show Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet – Rob McElhenney took a timeout at the apocalypse to rap with me about how he runs...
35 min
297
How Bestselling Novelist Aris Janigian Writes
#PodcastersForJustice The bestselling, award-winning novelist, Aris Janigian, had a candid conversation with me about the recently "mandated dystopia," his circuitous path to bestselling author, the city as muse, and what it means to be a...
51 min
298
How to Write Commercial Fiction with NY Times B...
The internationally bestselling author of over 35 novels, Jeffery Deaver, took a few minutes to discuss his advice on how to write emotionally engaging fiction, the merits of plotters vs. pantsers, and a 5-step process for writing your novel. ...
31 min
299
Productivity Secrets from NY Times Bestselling ...
New York Times bestselling author and productivity expert, John Zeratsky, made time to chat with me about his mission to help you improve your focus, find greater meaning in your work, and get more out of each day. “All of the old structures and...
46 min
300
How NY Times Bestselling Author James Swallow W...
Award-winning New York Times, Sunday Times, and Amazon #1 bestselling author, James Swallow, spoke with me about his superhero origin story, how he found success channeling his own anger, and the most important lessons he's learned along the way. "I...
50 min