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
151
How Bestselling Author & Pulitzer-Winner Gerald...
Bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Geraldine Brooks, spoke to me about why "truth is stranger than fiction," letting story drive narrative, and the overheard conversation that led to her latest, "Horse."
29 min
152
How Co-Creator of Emmy-Winning “How I Met Your ...
Seven-time Emmy nominee and co-creator of the hit TV series "How I Met Your Mother," Carter Bays, spoke to me about working with David Letterman, being a recovering TV writer, and his debut novel "The Mutual Friend."
31 min
153
How NY Times Bestselling Author Clare Pooley Wr...
New York Times bestselling author, Clare Pooley, spoke to me about rising from the ashes, writing as therapy, her nostalgia for the bygone commute, and her latest "Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting."
27 min
154
How Acclaimed Debut Horror Author Isabel Cañas ...
Mexican-American writer and historian, Isabel Cañas, spoke to me about how to binge-write a novel, her fear of the dark, and swinging for the fences with her gothic debut "The Hacienda."
29 min
155
How NY Times Bestselling Novelist Emma Straub W...
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
156
How Award-Winning Novelist & Pulitzer Finalist ...
Award-winning author and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Hernan Diaz, spoke to me about rejection, his unusual path to literary stardom, subverting reader expectations, and his latest novel "Trust."
33 min
157
How Bestselling Author & Podcast Host Elizabeth...
Award-winning author and broadcaster, Elizabeth Day, talked to me candidly about How to Fail, hanging out with Gloria Steinem, genre equality, and how she wrote her "compeller," Magpie.
29 min
158
How Award-Winning Author Michelle Huneven Writes
Critically acclaimed and award-winning author, Michelle Huneven, talked to me about her former life as an LA food critic, how to write self-referential fiction, and the spiritual detective work behind her latest novel "Search."
30 min
159
How Emmy-Nominated TV Writer & Novelist Sascha...
Emmy-nominated screenwriter and author, Sascha Rothchild, spoke to me about her humble beginnings in LA, working with Marc Maron on GLOW, and how to write a "bingeable" thriller like her debut, "Blood Sugar."
28 min
160
Bonus: Andrew Lipstein Reads Excerpts from ‘Las...
Andrew Lipstein reads excerpts from "Last Resort," backed by an original Storybound remix with sound design and arrangement by Jude Brewer.
34 min
161
How Bestselling Novelist & Educator Jennifer Cl...
The bestselling author and educator, Jennifer Close, spoke with me about writing her first book on unemployment, how to write a novel in 12 weeks, and her latest, Marrying the Ketchups.
38 min
162
A Mostly Uncensored Chat with Award-Winning Jou...
Award-winning international journalist, author, and serial pundit, Adam Skolnick, returned for a mostly uncensored chat about assholes, min
58 min
163
How #1 International Bestselling Crime Writer S...
Internationally bestselling and award-winning Danish novelist, Sara Blaedel, spoke to me about overcoming a learning disorder, how to write Nordic Noir, and her latest novel, "A Harmless Lie."
30 min
164
How NY Times Bestselling Author Rosie Walsh Writes
New York Times bestselling author, Rosie Walsh, talked with me about finding her voice, transitioning from romcom to "emotional thriller," and her latest, "The Love of My Life."
29 min
165
How Award-Winning Travel Journo & Author Brando...
Award-winning journalist and acclaimed author, Brandon Presser, spoke to me about his credo as a globetrotter, the Instagramification of travel, and his latest non-fiction novel, "The Far Land."
35 min
166
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author C.J. Box Writes
Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, C.J. Box, spoke to me about his early years as a small-town reporter, how to write a novel in 3-4 months, and his latest Joe Pickett book, "Shadows Reel."
25 min
167
How International Bestselling Novelist Stephani...
Critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling novelist, Stephanie Wrobel, spoke to me about her humble beginnings as a copywriter, turning her thesis into a bestseller, and the process of writing This Might Hurt.
28 min
168
How Award-Winning SF Author Kim Fu Writes
Award-winning short story writer and novelist, Kim Fu, spoke to me about speculative vs. science fiction, how to critique the future, and her collection "Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century."
34 min
169
Women in Writing and Publishing 2022 Roundtable
Four women with several combined decades of experience in the writing and publishing industries joined forces to talk about trends for 2022
54 min
170
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Mystery Writer Eliz...
#PodcastersForJustice New York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist, Elizabeth George, spoke to me about her exacting research, the discipline of psychological suspense, and interweaving cultural issues into her latest, "Something to Hide."
29 min
171
How Bestselling Thriller Writer Ruth Gilligan W...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning Irish author, Ruth Gilligan, spoke to me about researching the gothic wilds of Ireland, how to engineer a thriller, and her latest, The Butchers' Blessing. Ruth Gilligan is a writer and academic from Dublin and was...
33 min
172
How Acclaimed Debut Author Jean Chen Ho Writes
#PodcastersForJustice Critically-acclaimed debut author, Jean Chen Ho, spoke to me about the art of nonlinear storytelling, the shifting POVs in her novel Fiona and Jane, and the value of a strong writing community. Jean was born in Taiwan and grew up...
29 min
173
How NY Times Bestselling Biographer Laurence Le...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning journalist and bestselling biographer, Laurence Leamer, spoke to me about getting banned from Mar a Lago, why book proposals are a con job, and Truman Capote's Women (and terminal writer's block). Laurence is best...
29 min
174
How Award-Winning Novelist Vanessa Veselka Writes
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning author and essayist, Vanessa Veselka, spoke to me about her transformation as an artist, writing out of necessity, and the journey from nervy debut to National Book Award longlist. Vanessa is the author of the debut...
46 min
175
How the Screenwriting Duo of Marvel’s ‘Eternals...
Award-winning filmmakers and multi-hyphenate screenwriting duo, Kaz and Ryan Firpo, spoke to me about their breakout Hollywood moment, writing Marvel's Eternals, and how to eat a whale. The Firpos are cousins who grew up in Northern California –...
28 min