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
176
How Acclaimed Debut Author Jocelyn Nicole Johns...
#PodcastersForJustice Critically-acclaimed debut author, Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, spoke to me about becoming a late-stage "literary debutante," Walmart militias, and the #writinglife as an introvert. Jocelyn is a veteran public school art teacher,...
31 min
177
How to Write a Six-Word Memoir with Editor Larr...
#PodcastersForJustice Journalist and Founder of the bestselling Six-Word Memoirs series, Larry Smith, spoke to me about his evolution as a journalist, TEDxing the Six-Word Memoir, and famous micro-memoirists. In the early days of Twitter, with a...
36 min
178
How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Chevy ...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning, New York Times bestselling psychological thriller writer, Chevy Stevens, spoke to me about her life as a recluse, dreaming in prose, scaring the King, and her latest, Dark Roads. Chevy's debut novel Still Missing...
38 min
179
‘What You Will Learn’ from the Best Books Ever ...
#PodcastersForJustice Co-hosts of the top international podcast "What You Will Learn," Adam Ashton and Adam Jones, spoke to me about why writers should (and can) read more, how to turn a podcast into a book, and The Sh*t They Never Taught You. What...
44 min
180
How Internationally Bestselling Author Leïla Sl...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning writer and journalist, Leïla Slimani, spoke to me about the challenges of writing historical fiction, impostor syndrome, and what it's like to live In the Country of Others. “Imagination is the strongest, most...
37 min
181
How Bestselling Novelist Nickolas Butler Writes
#PodcastersForJustice Internationally bestselling novelist and short story author, Nickolas Butler, spoke to me about working sh*tty jobs, the irony of his latest title, Godspeed, and defining the modern western. Nickolas is an Iowa Writers' Workshop...
29 min
182
How Award-Winning Sci-Fi Author Charlie Jane An...
#PodcastersForJustice Decorated speculative fiction and YA author and pundit, Charlie Jane Anders, chatted with me about the genesis of storytelling, how to weather 20 years of rejection, write through hard times, and her latest how-to for writers...
30 min
183
How NY Times Bestselling Novelist Jason Mott Wr...
#PodcastersForJustice New York Times bestselling author, Jason Mott, took a timeout to talk with me about the high-wire act of building Hell of a Book, talking about race in America, and NOT working with Brad Pitt. Jason is the author of The...
28 min
184
Bonus: Matt Haig Reads an Excerpt from 'The Mid...
Matt Haig reads an excerpt from The Midnight Library, backed by an original Storybound remix with Robert Wynia, and sound design and arrangement by Jude Brewer. Robert Wynia is a founding member of the Portland band Floater. Known for their...
26 min
185
How Bestselling Thriller Writer Samantha Downin...
#PodcastersForJustice Internationally bestselling thriller author, Samantha Downing, took a break to chat about her "20-year, overnight" success, writing psychopaths, and how to write a novel in six months. Samantha's debut novel, My Lovely Wife –...
24 min
186
How NY Times Bestselling Novelist S. A. Cosby W...
#PodcastersForJustice New York Times bestseller, and award-winning neo-noir novelist, S. A. Cosby, returned to chat about his creative process, cinematic heroes, and fantasy casting his new revenge tale, Razorblade Tears. “I loved Blacktop...
28 min
187
How Award-Winning Novelist Claire Fuller Writes
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning novelist, Claire Fuller, talked to me about getting shortlisted for the Women’s Prize For Fiction 2021, what inspired her new novel Unsettled Ground, and her creative process. Claire is an accomplished artist who...
32 min
188
How to Reverse Engineer a Bestseller with Award...
#PodcastersForJustice Bestselling author and award-winning social psychologist, Ron Friedman, spoke to me about how remarkable artists and writers reverse engineer breakouts, and his new book Decoding Greatness. Ron is an expert on human motivation...
32 min
189
How Award-Winning Sci-Fi Author Sarah Pinsker W...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning short story writer and novelist, Sarah Pinsker, talked to me about neural implants, meeting Ursula Le Guin, and her latest, We Are Satellites. Sarah Pinsker is the 2019 Nebula Award winner for Best Novel for A Song...
29 min
190
How Award-Winning Debut Author Sanjena Sathian ...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning short story writer and debut novelist, Sanjena Sathian, talked to me about the true cost of the American dream, magical realism, and working with Mindy Kaling on the adaptation of Gold Diggers. Sanjena is an Iowa...
26 min
191
How Bestselling Children's Book Author Crystal ...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning children's book author and diversity publishing pro, Crystal Swain-Bates, spoke with me about what inspired her to launch her own publishing company and the challenges authors of color face. “When I recognized...
35 min
192
Myth-Busting Book Publishing with Agent Lucinda...
#PodcastersForJustice President and Founder of Manhattan-based agency Lucinda Literary, Lucinda Halpern, gave me an insider’s take on why literary agents can't just be deal-makers anymore. Lucinda Halpern is a literary, lecture, and PR agent with...
34 min
193
How NY Times Bestselling Author Lisa Scottoline...
#PodcastersForJustice New York Times bestselling author and Edgar award-winner, Lisa Scottoline, spoke with me about what she learned from literary lion Philip Roth, impostor syndrome, and her latest book, Eternal. “I think all writing is writing,...
36 min
194
'Diving Deep' with Award-Winning Documentarian ...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning documentarian, Mimi deGruy, joined me and author Adam Skolnick for a deep dive into the genesis of her documentary exploring the legacy and environmental activism of her late husband, trailblazing ocean filmmaker...
49 min
195
How Bestselling Crime Novelist Walter Mosley Wr...
#PodcastersForJustice Celebrated author, Walter Mosley, took a timeout to chat with me about how he didn't write a sentence he liked until age 35, the sprawling muse of Los Angeles, and his conflicted feelings after winning a big National Book Award....
27 min
196
How Critically Acclaimed Novelist Erik Raschke ...
#PodcastersForJustice Critically acclaimed novelist, short story writer, and educator, Erik Raschke, stopped by this week to talk about coming-of-age in Denver, Colorado, how The Beat Generation influenced his writing, and how your children consume...
64 min
197
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Greaney...
#PodcastersForJustice The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Greaney, dropped by to chat about hanging out with Tom Clancy at The Pentagon, the elements of a great spy novel, and the latest in The Gray Man series. "Even if you finish a whole...
29 min
198
How to Research Historical Fiction with Award-W...
#PodcastersForJustice Award-winning author, poet, and Emmy-nominee, Patrick Hicks, joined me this week to talk about his unique research process, how stories choose their authors, and how to talk about The Holocaust. "Whatever scares you to write......
36 min
199
How Award-Winning Artist & Author Jason Naylor ...
#BoulderStrong Brooklyn-based designer, artist, and creative director, Jason Naylor, rapped with me about his mission to inspire hope, how to write bite-sized wisdom for an attention-starved world, and why "love is the answer to everything." “Be...
32 min
200
How NY Times Bestselling Author Matt Haig Writes
#PodcastersForJustice Internationally bestselling author, Matt Haig, spoke with me about how the novelist became an accidental "mental health expert," why writers need resilience, and the process behind The Midnight Library. "The only reader you're...
36 min