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.
26
How Booker Prize-Winning Author Anne Enright Wr...
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.
32 min
27
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Kelly Yang W...
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang spoke with us about burning out at Harvard Law, navigating Hollywood’s power dynamics, and her adult fiction debut THE TAKE.
41 min
28
How Author and Social Media Sensation “The Work...
Social media phenom turned author, Liz Tenuto aka “The Workout Witch”, spoke to us about how she discovered somatic healing and being courted by publishers to write her first book WHEN THE BODY SPEAKS.
40 min
29
How NY Times Bestselling Author Emma Straub Wri...
New York Times bestselling author, Emma Straub, spoke to us about the cognitive dissonance, joy, and research process behind her highly anticipated next novel AMERICAN FANTASY.
33 min
30
How Award-Winning Journo & Author Ellen Huet Wr...
Award-winning journalist and author, Ellen Huet, spoke with us about the expose that set off an FBI investigation and the resultant book, EMPIRE OF ORGASM: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult.
41 min
31
How to Write a Hit Narrative Podcast with Aaron...
Yale educator and TV writer/producer, Aaron Tracy, returns to chat with us about why truth is stranger than fiction, what it’s like to teach at Yale, and his non-fiction narrative podcast “The Secret Life of Roald Dahl.”
41 min
32
The Art and Craft of TV Drama with Aaron Tracy:...
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.
38 min
33
How to Write a Bestselling Audio Drama with Wri...
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.
39 min
34
How Bestselling Author Emma Grey Writes
Bestselling and award-winning author, Emma Grey, spoke with us about the long path to publication, the catharsis of writing through grief, and her latest unexpected love story, START AT THE END.
44 min
35
How Award-Winning Author & Journo Elizabeth Arn...
Happy pub' day Elizabeth! Award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Arnott spoke with us about her early studies of serial killers, a wild journalism career, and her latest period-set crime novel THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES.
40 min
36
How NY Times Notable Novelist Emily Listfield W...
New York Times Notable author and journalist, Emily Listfield, spoke with us about quitting her waitressing job after her first advance, the true value of beta readers, and the rich people behaving badly in her latest thriller REASONS TO LIE.
40 min
37
How NY Times Bestselling Author Emma Straub Wri...
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.
28 min
38
How NY Times Bestselling Author Gregg Hurwitz W...
New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author, Gregg Hurwitz, returns to chat with us about his unflagging curiosity and fascinating research process, how to find your true writing voice, and his 11th Orphan X novel, ANTIHERO.
41 min
39
How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Rosie Storey Writes
Acclaimed debut novelist Rosie Storey spoke with us about her rejection advice for writers, chasing personal authenticity, and the "accidental catfishing" at the heart of DANDELION IS DEAD.
35 min
40
How Award-Winning Author & Journo Elizabeth Arn...
Award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Arnott spoke with us about her early studies of serial killers, a wild journalism career, and her latest period-set crime novel THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES.
41 min
41
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
42
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
43
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
44
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Marissa Meye...
29 min
45
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
46
The Writer Files Holiday Party 2025
Cheers! Welcome to our year-end Holiday Party for 2025
48 min
47
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
48
How NY Times Bestselling Author Peter Heller Wr...
38 min
49
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
50
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