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
301
How Bestselling Author & Investigative Journali...
In Part Two of this file, the award-winning New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and anthropologist, Scott Carney, returned to talk about the dangers of putting yourself into the story, what he’s learned in his 20+ years in...
30 min
302
How Bestselling Author & Investigative Journali...
Award-winning New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist, and anthropologist, Scott Carney, stopped by the show recently to talk about the dangers of putting yourself into the story, what he’s learned in his 20+ years in mainstream...
28 min
303
How New York Times Bestselling Author Maria Kon...
The multiple New York Times bestselling non-fiction author and New Yorker columnist, Maria Konnikova, dropped by the show back in early 2016 to chat with me about what it’s like to be a contributing journalist for a storied institution, productivity...
29 min
304
How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flax...
In Part Two of this file the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger, my colleague and friend, Stefanie Flaxman, returned to chat with me about her journey from solopreneur to headline honcho, the rules of “ruthless editing,” her philosophy of creativity,...
42 min
305
How Copyblogger’s Editor-in-Chief Stefanie Flax...
Welcome to a double-stuffed episode of the show with the Editor-in-Chief of Copyblogger, my colleague and friend, Stefanie Flaxman, who stopped by this week to rap with me about her journey from solopreneur to headline honcho, the rules of “ruthless...
37 min
306
How the Creator of the ‘Lore’ Podcast (and TV S...
In Part Two of this file, the award-winning creator, producer, and host of the megahit Lore podcast, TV show, and book series, Aaron Mahnke, returned to share how he created his scary storytelling universe from scratch, his writing regimen for...
20 min
307
How the Creator of the ‘Lore’ Podcast (and TV S...
The award-winning creator, producer, and host of the megahit Lore podcast, TV show, and book series, Aaron Mahnke, joined me this week to share how he created his scary storytelling universe from scratch, his writing regimen for success, and advice to...
19 min
308
How New York Times Bestselling Author of ‘The B...
The award-winning literary suspense novelist and New York Times bestselling author of The Bookseller, Cynthia Swanson, took a break before her upcoming book tour to chat with me about her new thriller, The Glass Forest, the writer-slash-designer s...
36 min
309
How New York Times Bestselling Author Daniel Pi...
The multiple New York Times bestselling author of A Whole New Mind, Drive, and To Sell is Human, Daniel Pink, dropped by the show back in 2015 to chat with me about his experience as a TV producer, his take on writer’s block, and productivity &...
25 min
310
How Award-Winning Cartoonist & Bestselling Auth...
In Part Two of this file, the celebrated cartoonist, writer, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Zach Weinersmith, took a break to rap...
24 min
311
How Award-Winning Cartoonist & Bestselling Auth...
Celebrated cartoonist, writer, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling non-fiction book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Zach Weinersmith, took a break to rap with me about writing a...
21 min
312
How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie A...
In the cliffhanger conclusion to my chat with author and publishing consultant, Jodie Archer, we are joined this week by Dr. Matthew Jockers, English Professor & Dean at the University of Nebraska, and co-author of the internationally acclaimed...
26 min
313
How to Crack the ‘Bestseller Code’ with Jodie A...
Writer, literary scholar, publishing consultant, and co-author of the internationally acclaimed book The Bestseller Code, Jodie Archer, returns one year later to chat with me about the book’s runaway success, turning the algorithm into an innovative...
39 min
314
How the Bestselling Sci-Fi Author of ‘The Marti...
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian, Andy Weir, dropped by the show in 2015 to chat with me about his writing process in the days just prior to the release of the Oscar Nominated movie adaptation of his hit book, directed by Ridley...
42 min
315
How Noted Scientist & Bestselling Author of ‘So...
The noted research scientist, top 20 podcast host, and co-author of the instant New York Times bestselling book Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything, Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, took a timeout from her book tour to...
38 min
316
How WNYC Podcast Host and Author of ‘Bored and ...
Award-winning podcast host, managing editor of WNYC Studios’ “Note to Self,” and author of Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, Manoush Zomorodi, took a break from her hectic schedule to rap...
44 min
317
How Essayist & Author of Debut Novel ‘The Float...
Acclaimed essayist, short fiction writer, and author of the debut novel The Floating World, C. Morgan Babst, took a few minutes to rap with me about the wrath of hurricanes, writing a love letter to the city of New Orleans, and her secrets to staying...
34 min
318
How New York Times Bestselling Author & Mortici...
Alternative mortician, YouTube personality, and New York Times bestselling nonfiction author of From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death, Caitlin Doughty, rang me up this week to chat about changing the West’s relationship...
34 min
319
How Content Marketing Pioneer & Serial Entrepre...
In Part Two of this file the self-confessed serial entrepreneur, founder of Copyblogger, and CEO of Rainmaker Digital, Brian Clark, stopped by to rap with me about his journey to success, the evolution of blogging and content marketing, and his...
37 min
320
How Content Marketing Pioneer & Serial Entrepre...
The self-confessed serial entrepreneur, founder of Copyblogger, and CEO of Rainmaker Digital, Brian Clark, stopped by this week to rap with me about his hero’s journey to success, the evolution of blogging and content marketing, and his culpability...
28 min
321
How Data Journalist & Author of ‘Nabokov’s Favo...
In Part Two of this file the former Slate staffer, ultimate data/word nerd, and acclaimed author of Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve, Ben Blatt, dropped in to talk about crunching the numbers of classic and modern literature, debunking famous...
22 min
322
How Data Journalist & Author of ‘Nabokov’s Favo...
The former Slate staffer, ultimate data/word nerd, and acclaimed author of Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve, Ben Blatt, dropped in this week to talk about crunching the numbers of classic and modern literature, debunking famous writerly wisdom, and...
21 min
323
More International ‘Writer Porn’ with Journalis...
Award-winning journalist, author, and serial guest, Adam Skolnick, is back on the show as our international correspondent to catch us up on the globetrotting life of a travel writer, his journey to self-publishing, and more writer porn. ...
52 min
324
Busting the Myth of the Starving Artist with Je...
In Part Two of this file the multiple bestselling author of five books, including his latest — Real Artists Don t Starve — Jeff Goins, returned for a special edition of the show to talk with me about “The New Renaissance,” his favorite books...
24 min
325
Busting the Myth of the Starving Artist with Je...
The multiple bestselling author of five books, including his latest — Real Artists Don t Starve — Jeff Goins, returned for a special edition of the show to talk with me about “The New Renaissance,” his favorite books on creativity, and busting...
27 min