The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
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543 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Tracey Lange Writes
4 augustus 2023 · 33 min
New York Times bestselling author, Tracey Lange, spoke to me about finding literary success later in life, her past life working with inner-city gang kids, and exploring messy family dynamics in her latest THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN.
Tracey Lange is the author of debut novel, We Are the Brennans, an instant New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Finalist, praised by The New York Times, Good Morning America, PEOPLE and more.
Her latest novel, The Connellys of County Down (Celadon, August 1), is described as “... a story about fierce family loyalty, good intentions gone awry, and the consequences of improbable love.” Kirkus called it “A compassionate look at family dynamics and a reminder that it’s never too late to heal.”
Country Living named it a "28 Best Fall Books for 2023" and wrote, "This is a novel about resilience and what it means to be a family, especially when times are really hard."
Tracey Lange has a degree in psychology, has worked in mental health, and owned and operated a behavioral healthcare company with her husband for fifteen years.
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In this file Tracey Lange and I discussed: Lees meerHow writing about mental health helped fuel her fiction
Why you’re never too old to publish
What sets her sophomore novel apart from her debut
Writing characters who cross good intentions with bad decision-making
Why you need to find your writers group if you haven’t already
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
traceylange.com
The Connellys of County Down: A Novel By Tracey Lange (Amazon)
Tracey Lange Amazon Author Page
Tracey Lange on Instagram
Tracey Lange on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Author Hilary Leichter Writes
28 juli 2023 · 37 min
Critically acclaimed author, Hilary Leichter, spoke to me about why she thinks of herself as a realist, how her life imitates art, finding a novel hidden in her closet, and her latest, TERRACE STORY.
Hilary Leichter is an award-winning short story writer, and author of the novel Temporary, which was a finalist for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and an NYPL Young Lions Fiction Prize, that was also longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award, was named a New York Times Editors’ Choice as well as a Best Book of 2020 by NPR, Elle, Vulture, and Publishers Weekly.
Her latest novel, Terrace Story (Ecco; on sale: August 29, 2023), is described as “... an intimate exploration of time, a fable about love,[and] an epic daydream for a broken-hearted world.” Booklist said of the book, “Terrace Story is fun and profound, fickle and erudite. It is an irresistibly cool book.”
Hernan Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Trust, said of the author, ”Hilary Leichter, [is] one of our most original novelists, [and] amazes us again with a beautifully unclassifiable novel. Step out onto the terrace, where space and time, cause and effect, and fiction and reality have been redefined and gorgeously subverted. Terrace Story isn’t a novel you merely read; it’s a book you inhabit.”
Hilary teaches at Columbia University where she is the Undergraduate Creative Writing Adviser in Fiction. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, n+1, The New York Times, Conjunctions, and elsewhere. Her work in Harper’s Magazine won the 2021 National Magazine Award in Fiction.
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In this file Hilary Leichter and I discussed: Lees meerWhy it never seems to get easier
Sling-shotting from rejection to literary darling
Why her first book was about a woman …
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Andrea Bartz Writes
21 juli 2023 · 35 min
New York Times bestselling author and journalist, Andrea Bartz, spoke to me about her previous life as a magazine editor, how to write feminist psychological thrillers, and all the tension, twists, and toxic relationships in her latest novel THE SPARE ROOM.
Andrea Bartz is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor whose last thriller, We Were Never Here, was a Reese’s Book Club pick and an instant New York Times bestseller that’s in development at Netflix.
Her latest, The Spare Room, is described as a “... a dark, twisted, sultry tale about a lockdown pod that turns deadly,” and was named a People Magazine Best New Book, Marie Claire’s July Book Club Pick, an Elle.com Best New Summer Book, a Glamour Best New Summer Thriller, and a Goodreads’ Most Anticipated Mysteries & Thrillers of 2023, among many others.
People Magazine called it, “A fresh and sexy ride, perfect for reading poolside,” and #1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley called it, “Sexy, atmospheric, deliciously creepy, and ingeniously plotted: the best kind of up-all-night page-turner.”
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In this file Andrea Bartz and I discussed: Lees meerHow she decided to turn the domestic suspense genre on its head
What happens when life hits the “Stop” button
The loneliness, fear, and claustrophobia that helped her write the latest
How she taps her inner journalist to write fiction
Turning the dial to “11” on human relationships
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Andreabartz.com
The Spare Room By Andrea Bartz (Amazon)
Andrea Bartz Amazon Author Page
Pacemaker.press
Andrea Bartz on Instagram
Andrea Bartz on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Critically Acclaimed Author Andrew Lipstein Writes
14 juli 2023 · 31 min
Critically acclaimed author, Andrew Lipstein, spoke to me about failure as an MFA, how he sold his first novel, why time spent not writing is also important, and his latest THE VEGAN.
Andrew Lipstein is a Brooklyn-based writer who also works in finance and has a mathematics degree. His debut novel, Last Resort, was named a Top 10 Book of the Year by Slate, a 2022 Best Book by The New Yorker, a 2022 Best Book by Vulture, and a New York Times Editors’ Choice.
His latest, The Vegan is described as a book about “....high finance, moral reckonings, veganism … guilt, greed, and how far we'll go to be good.” It was named one of Town & Country’s Must-Read Books of Summer, an i-D Magazine, ELLE, Literary Hub, and Our Culture Magazine’s Most Anticipated Book of 2023.
Author Andrew Martin called it, “Crime and Punishment for the Brooklyn brownstone set," and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joshua Cohen called it, “... a meaty comedy with a bleeding heart, highly recommended for all animals who read."
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In this file Andrew Lipstein and I discussed: Lees meerWhy he chose to use a pseudonym to sell his first book
The moral ambiguities of money
Why having a great editor feels like cheating
What to do if you can’t find the time to write
Why all of our best ideas come to us in the shower
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
alipstein.com
The Vegan By Andrew Lipstein (Amazon)
Andrew Lipstein Amazon Author Page
Andrew Lipstein on Instagram
Andrew Lipstein on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs Writes: Part One
7 juli 2023 · 35 min
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, spoke to me about why writers need to follow their bliss, how her stories come together like patchwork quilts, and her most “summery” novel yet, WELCOME TO BEACH TOWN.
Susan Wiggs is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 50 published novels, with a combined 25 million copies in print, published in 30 countries, and translated into over 20 languages.
Her latest, Welcome to Beach Town: A Novel, is described as the “... tale of an idyllic California beach town forced to reckon with scandal when a high school valedictorian’s speech reveals secrets that shake the town to its core.”
Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds called the book "... a masterclass in storytelling…. a novel, [where] one thing is for sure: In this beach town, there is always more happening than meets the eye," and Booklist called it, "The perfect beach read...full of surf, rediscovered love, and second chances."
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In this file, Susan Wiggs and I discussed: Lees meerWhy no one will pay you to be an “aspiring writer”
How her writing has changed over her 36-year career
Her immersive research process
Why she never reads her published books
How a left-handed, office supply geek writes all her prose
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Susanwiggs.com
Welcome to Beach Town: A Novel by Susan Wiggs (Amazon)
Susan Wiggs Amazon Author Page
Susan Wiggs on Instagram
Susan Wiggs on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Helen Schulman Writes
30 juni 2023 · 36 min
New York Times bestselling author and educator, Helen Schulman, spoke to me about her winding path to bestseller, why a writing career is 90% sweat and rejection, and how the #MeToo movement inspired her latest novel, LUCKY DOGS.
Helen Schulman is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including Come with Me and This Beautiful Life, and she is currently the Fiction Chair of the Creative Writing Program at The New School.
Her latest, Lucky Dogs, is described as a novel that “... lays bare what happens to women—no matter how fortunate they may appear to be on the surface—whose lives have been warped by brutality and misogyny.”
Best-selling author Jennifer Egan called the book, "Part thriller, part Hollywood satire [and] a brash, sometimes heartbreaking saga in which trauma and self-preservation converge across decades and continents. This is Helen Schulman's best novel yet."
Helen Schulman’s fiction, non-fiction, and reviews have appeared in such places as Vanity Fair, Time, Vogue, GQ, The New York Times Book Review, and The Paris Review. She also serves as Executive Director for WriteOn NYC, a fellowship program that provides free creative writing instruction to underserved New York City school children.
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In this file, Helen Schulman and I discussed: Lees meerWhy her latest book isn’t funny
Her intensive research process
Why she wrote her latest from bed
Her passion for helping underprivileged kids discover a love of writing
How to tell if a writer is going to “make it”
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Helen Schulman | The New School
Lucky Dogs: A Novel By Helen Schulman (Amazon)
Helen Schulman Amazon Author Page
WriteOn NYC – Connecting passionate writers to New York City students
Aspen Word…
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How NY Times Bestselling Author James Swallow Writes: Part Two
23 juni 2023 · 39 min
New York Times bestselling author, James Swallow, returns to chat with me about the solitary life of a writer, his undying love of ‘80s and ‘90s cinema, why you’re only as good as your last title, and his latest novel DARK HORIZON.
James Swallow is the Award-winning New York Times, Sunday Times, and Amazon #1 bestselling author, former journalist, and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nominated scriptwriter who has written for video games, TV, and radio.
His latest, Dark Horizon, is described as stemming from, "A fatal crash and a brutal murder in an English village [that] sets off a deadly chain of events leading from the stormy skies over the Mediterranean to an explosive confrontation on a remote airstrip in North Africa.”
The prolific author of over 50 titles and millions of books in print worldwide has written sci-fi for storied franchises including Star Trek, Dr. Who, Stargate, and is best known for his espionage thrillers.
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In this file, James Swallow and I discussed: Lees meerThe definition of “book head”
What it’s like for a novelist to be stuck in an airport
Why he makes his protagonists deliberately fallible
How videogames have eclipsed most popular media
Why you can’t automate the hardest part of writing
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How NY Times Bestselling Author James Swallow Writes: Part One
www.jswallow.com
James Swallow on Amazon
James Swallow on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Ashley Audrain Writes
16 juni 2023 · 29 min
New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Audrain, spoke to me about giving herself permission to write sh*tty first drafts, writing in public, and her second novel THE WHISPERS.
Ashley Audrain’s debut novel, The Push, was a New York Times, Sunday Times (London), #1 international bestseller, and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. It has sold in more than 40 territories, and a limited TV series is currently in development.
Her latest, The Whispers, is described as “ … a propulsive page-turner about four families whose lives are changed when the unthinkable happens – and what is lost when we give in to our own worst impulses.”
The New York Times Book Review wrote, "Expertly, subtly and powerfully rendered …. [The Whispers] delivers a sucker-punch ending you’ll have to read twice to believe.” And #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called it, “[An] electrifying … razor-sharp page-turner.”
Ashley Audrain previously worked as the publicity director of Penguin Books Canada, and prior to that, worked in public relations.
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In this file, Ashley Audrain and I discussed: Lees meerWhy she felt intimidated by writers while working in PR
How to write claustrophobic, voyeuristic fiction
Why she is drawn to the darker side of literature
Tapping into the messiness of midlife ennui
How to escape your kids
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
ashleyaudrain.com
The Whispers By Ashley Audrain (Amazon)
Ashley Audrain Amazon Author Page
Ashley Audrain on Instagram
Ashley Audrain on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Internationally Bestselling Author Liv Constantine Writes
9 juni 2023 · 34 min
Internationally bestselling authors, Lynne & Valerie Constantine – AKA Liv Constantine – spoke to me about the importance of writers’ conferences, how to write perfidy with your best friend, and their latest thriller THE SENATOR'S WIFE.
Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne and Valerie Constantine who are the WSJ, USA Today, and Internationally bestselling authors of Reese’s Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish, which has sold over 500,000 copies and is soon to be adapted for Netflix
Their latest, The Senator's Wife, is described as “... a psychological thriller that upends the private lives of those who walk the halls of power. Because when you have it all, you have everything to lose.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author A. J. Finn called the book, “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle meets The West Wing, a high-stakes paranoia thriller, slippery as a politician’s handshake, that's both sophisticated and irrepressibly fun.”
Lynne is a former marketing executive with a Master’s degree in Business from Johns Hopkins University who also writes The Jack Logan series under the pen name L.C. Shaw.
Early in her career, Valerie worked in Washington D.C. as a White House Assistant in the President’s Scheduling and Advance Office planning presidential trips and travel.
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In this file, Lynne, Valerie and I discussed: Lees meerHow to team up with your sister to write a thriller
Setting a book in the halls of power, Washington, D.C.
How they plot their novels over Zoom
Why they call Thiller Fest their “summer camp”
The importance of freelance editors
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
livconstantine.com
The Senator's Wife by Liv Constantine (Amazon)
Liv Constantine Amazon Author Page
thrillerwriters.org
Liv Consta…
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Fiona Barton Writes
2 juni 2023 · 34 min
New York Times bestselling author, Fiona Barton, spoke to me about why so many famous journalists have turned to crime fiction, the power of the deadline, and her latest hit novel LOCAL GONE MISSING.
Fiona Barton is the award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of novels The Widow, The Child, and The Suspect – all three featuring journalist Kate Waters.
Her latest thriller, Local Gone Missing, follows a new protagonist in Detective Elise King and follows the brewing changes of a small seaside town.
Kirkus Reviews said of the book, “Barton presents such an embarrassment of riches … Layers and layers of unlovely revelations about people who seemed perfectly nice.” And BookPage wrote, “Thanks to Barton’s airtight plotting and impeccable characterization, a minibreak by the sea will never seem relaxing again."
In her past life, Fiona was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, a news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday. She has trained and worked with journalists all over the world.
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In this file, Fiona Barton and I discussed: Lees meerWhat it was like to be a Chief Reporter in the UK during the 90s and Noughties
Why crime reporters don’t have time to write fiction
How she made the transition to bestselling novelist
Why journalism is so akin to crime fiction
The definition of a “duvet writer”
How to beat procrastination
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
fionabartonauthor.com
Local Gone Missing By Fiona Barton (Amazon)
Fiona Barton Amazon Author Page
Fiona Barton on Facebook
Fiona Barton on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Carley Fortune Writes
26 mei 2023 · 34 min
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Carley Fortune, spoke to me about her storied career as a journalist, writing a breakout hit in just four months, and her latest novel, MEET ME AT THE LAKE.
Carley Fortune is an award-winning Canadian journalist and the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of Meet Me at the Lake and Every Summer After.
Her latest, Meet Me at the Lake, is described as a “...love story about two strangers who come together when they need each other most. Once, in their early twenties, and again a decade later.”
GMA said of the book, "Fortune explores the aftermath of losing a beloved parent and reclaiming a relationship in this unputdownable, witty, soulful and stirring novel." And New York Times bestselling author Jill Santopolo called Meet Me at The Lake “... a beautiful, heart-tugging, love story about secrets, lies, missed connections and second chances.”
Carley has worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and a now-defunct weekly paper, The Grid. She was most recently the Executive Editor of Refinery29 Canada.
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In this file, Carley Fortune and I discussed:
What prompted her to reclaim her creative energy
How to write 80 thousand words in just four months
Why writers need to keep their expectations realistic and protect their mental health
How she starts planning her novels
Why extroverted writers need to get into real clothes and out of the house
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
carleyfortune.com
Meet Me at the Lake By Carley Fortune (Amazon)
Carley Fortune Amazon Author Page
Carley Fortune on Instagram
Carley Fortune on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part Two
19 mei 2023 · 34 min
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry, returns to chat with me about depressing first drafts, what it's like to be a genre-bending, commercial fiction superstar, and her “glittering” new novel HAPPY PLACE.
Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read, and has sold over three million copies of her novels.
Her latest is Happy Place, an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and her first hardcover novel, described as a book “...about reluctant exes who make a pact to pretend to date during an annual friends’ trip...”
Author Taylor Jenkins-Reid called it "Another knock-out from the champ.” The Washington Post wrote that the book, “Blur[s] the lines between women’s and literary-leaning commercial fiction, departing from the fantasy spaces of bodice rippers and misty moors to depict a world that looks a lot more like, well, our own…”
Emily's books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, and many more.
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In this file, Emily Henry and I discussed: Lees meerWhat it feels like to (still) be living inside a lightning strike
Why it’s easy for her to stay humble as a writer
How to write rom-com at the top of readers’ intelligence
Her take on superhero movie tropes
Why making a reader laugh is so much harder than making them cry
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part One
emilyhenrybooks.com
Happy Place By Emily Henry (Amazon)
Emily Henry Amazon Author Page
Emily Henry on Instagram
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Hernan Diaz Writes: Redux
12 mei 2023 · 37 min
NOTE: This is an updated replay of an amazing chat I had with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, Hernan Diaz, who spoke to me exactly one year ago about rejection, his unusual path to literary stardom, subverting reader expectations, and his latest novel TRUST.
A big congrats to Hernan who recently won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
His novel, Trust, shared the Pulitzer Books prize with Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, Demon Copperhead. Trust was named one of 2022’s Most Anticipated Books by The New York Times, OprahDaily, The Today Show, Vogue, Vulture, AV Club, and many others.
Described as "...an immersive story and a brilliant literary puzzle .... about money, power, intimacy, and perception," The NY Times called Trust, “Intricate, cunning and consistently surprising ..."
Hernan was also a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award and his first novel, In the Distance, won the Saroyan International Prize, the Cabell Award, the Prix Page America, and the New American Voices Award, among other distinctions. He holds a Ph.D. from NYU, edits an academic journal at Columbia University, and his stories and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, Playboy, The Yale Review, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere.
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In this file Hernan Diaz and I discussed: Lees meerWhy the path to publication is a Catch-22 for authors
The lonely road to Pulitzer Nominee and the disorientation of fame
What he learned from Jorge Luis Borges
Re-mapping the isthmus of referential reality
How he unlearned academic writing
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
hernandiaz.net
Trust by Hernan Diaz (Amazon Affiliate)
Hernan Diaz Amazon Author Page (Amazon Affiliate)
Pulitzer Prizes 2023: A Guide to the Winning Books and Finalists - NY Times
Kelton Reid …
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ruta Sepetys Writes: Part One
5 mei 2023 · 34 min
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Ruta Sepetys, spoke to me about what she learned in the music industry, the secrets to strong, vivid writing, and her non-fiction debut YOU: THE STORY: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory. Lees meer
Ruta Sepetys is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Her acclaimed “crossover” YA literature includes the Carnegie Medal-winning Salt to the Sea.
Her latest is the creative guide to writing, You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory (available May 16, 2023), which “... provides aspiring writers with a roadmap to crafting compelling stories by encouraging them to look inward and excavate their own memories in order to discover authentic voices and compelling details.”
In a starred review Booklist said of the book, “Part writing guide, part memoir, Sepetys’ fresh, fun handbook is all inspiration.”
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In this file, Ruta Sepetys and I discussed:
What she learned about storytelling working in the music industry
Why she’s drawn to underrepresented stories and “history in hiding”
How to discover the Four Hs of the "excitement of life"
Her intensive research process for each book
Why writers need to examine their own lives for authenticity
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
rutasepetys.com
You: The Story: A Writer's Guide to Craft Through Memory by Ruta Sepetys (Amazon)
Ruta Sepetys Amazon Author Page
Ruta Sepetys on Facebook
Ruta Sepetys on Instagram
Ruta Sepetys on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author J. Ryan Stradal Writes
28 april 2023 · 33 min
New York Times bestselling author, J. Ryan Stradal, spoke to me about the unsurpassed passive aggressiveness of Midwesterners, writing about the restaurant industry during the pandemic, and his latest novel SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE LAKESIDE SUPPER CLUB.
J. Ryan Stradal is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest and national bestseller The Lager Queen of Minnesota, named one of the year's best books by NPR, USA Today, Booklist, and many others.
His latest novel is Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club, described as “... a sharp and poignant tale of a couple from two different restaurant families in rural Minnesota – one has inherited her grandparents’ old-fashioned supper club, and the other is heir to a chain of homestyle diners (known for putting those supper clubs out of business).” The book was named An Amazon Best Book of April 2023.
New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay said of the novel, “This is a perfect book.” And in a starred review, Kirkus called it, “A loving ode to supper clubs, the Midwest, and the people there who try their best to make life worth living.”
J. Ryan Stradal has also worked extensively in TV, story editing and producing shows for VH-1, MTV, ABC, FOX, TLC, A&E, Discovery, and History. Working primarily for Original Productions from 2008 to 2014, he was the senior story producer on “Deadliest Catch” and “Ice Road Truckers” and a supervising producer on "Storage Wars," and “Storage Wars: Texas.”
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In this file, J. Ryan Stradal and I discussed: Lees meerWhat it was like during the sunset of the halcyon days at MTV and VH1
Producing a popular reality TV show in the Canadian Arctic
How he wrote a novel in the margins of editing Stor…
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Chanel Cleeton Writes: Part One
21 april 2023 · 30 min
New York Times bestselling author, Chanel Cleeton, spoke to me about her passion for exploring Cuban-American identity via women's perspectives throughout history, how she plots her popular historical fiction, and her latest novel THE CUBAN HEIRESS. Lees meer
Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana, as well as instant New York Times bestsellers When We Left Cuba, and The Last Train to Key West.
Her most recent historical fiction entry is The Cuban Heiress, described as a novel inspired by true events that “ … follows two women whose lives become intertwined during a fateful journey upon the S.S. Morro Castle—a luxury cruise liner that caught fire and sank on its way from Havana to New York in September 1934”
Booklist wrote of the book, “Nothing is what it seems in Cleeton's latest gripping historical novel.... Handsome con men, clever thieves, desperate rebels, and our valiant heroines all convene on this elegant but doomed ocean liner. Cleeton includes vivid details about the mysterious final voyage of the Morro Castle and provides further reading about this historic disaster.”
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In this file Chanel Cleeton and I discussed:
How she turned a law degree into a writing career
Why every writer needs to write a terrible first book
The research process of a book-a-year writer
Exploring lesser known events shaping Cuban-American culture
How her characters speak to her in her daily life
Why writers need to dig deep to overcome rejection
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
ChanelCleeton.com
The Cuban Heiress By Chanel Cleeton (Amazon)
Chanel Cleeton Amazon Author Page
Chanel Cleeton on Instagram
Chanel Cleeton on Facebook
Kelto…
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How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Bonnie Garmus Writes
14 april 2023 · 31 min
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Bonnie Garmus, spoke to me about the evolution of her craft, how her protagonist changed her life, getting blurbed by Stephen King, and the never-ending book tour for her lauded debut LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY.
Bonnie Garmus is a copywriter, creative director, and author of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel, Lessons in Chemistry, named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, and Newsweek.
The book introduced the main character, “Elizabeth Zott, a headstrong, gifted chemist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show.”
BuzzFeed wrote of the book, “A kicky debut, this book tackles feminism, resilience, and rationalism in a fun and refreshing way.” And Stephen King called it, “witty, sometimes hilarious…the Catch-22 of early feminism.”
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In this file Bonnie Garmus and I discussed: Lees meerHow her copywriting career supported her fiction writing
Why courses will never make you a writer
Plotters vs Pantsers and why she can't write from an outline
Overcoming a fear of the blank page
Why writing a synopsis is one of The Circles of Hell
Getting a phone call from Academy Award Winner Brie Larson
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
BonnieGarmus.com
Lessons in Chemistry By Bonnie Garmus (Amazon)
Bonnie Garmus on Instagram
Bonnie Garmus on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Gregg Hurwitz Writes
7 april 2023 · 37 min
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.
Gregg Hurwitz is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author of 23 thrillers including the ORPHAN X series. He has been published in 33 languages, and the Los Angeles Times called him “... a thriller giant."
He is also a NY Times bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for AWA (Knighted and the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin).
His eighth Orphan X novel is The Last Orphan, the ongoing series featuring The Nowhere Man, “Evan Smoak, a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past.”
#1 NY Times bestselling author Meg Gardiner said of the book, "Just when I thought the Orphan X novels couldn’t get any better, Gregg Hurwitz takes the series to an even higher level. The Last Orphan is pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, and thought-provoking.”
Gregg Hurwitz has written screenplays and TV scripts for many of the major studios and networks, has published poetry, numerous academic articles on Shakespeare, and has taught fiction writing at USC.
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In this file Gregg Hurwitz and I discussed: Lees meerThe reason he never took a creative writing class
Why Orphan X is the culmination of his career
Plot as character in motion
How every writer’s voice is as distinctive as a fingerprint
Writing Batman vs Bruce Wayne and villains vs antagonists
Grabbing a bourbon with William Faulkner
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
GreggHurwitz.net
The La…
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How Critically Acclaimed Author Margot Douaihy Writes
31 maart 2023 · 46 min
Critically acclaimed debut crime novelist and poet, Margot Douaihy, spoke with me about what she learned from Gillian Flynn, subverting the hard-boiled mystery, and writing a queer, iconoclastic, chain-smoking, punk rock nun, for her latest SCORCHED GRACE.
Margot Douaihy is an award-winning educator, editor, and poet whose first novel is Scorched Grace, the inaugural title published by Gillian Flynn Books, an imprint with Zando. It was named a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, Amazon Editors’ Choice , Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and one of the “most anticipated crime books” of the year by Barnes & Noble, Crime Reads, Electric Lit, LGBTQ Reads and many others.
The book has been described as a lyrical mystery that kicks off a series featuring protagonist “Sister Holiday, a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed, queer nun, [who] puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test…”
Don Winslow, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Power of the Dog and City on Fire, said of the book, “Margot Douaihy’s bold entry into the hard-boiled genre revitalizes it for our times. Skillfully plotted, propulsive, and deeply engaged with the communities it represents, Scorched Grace is one of the best crime fiction debuts I’ve come across in a long while.”
Margot has a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, is the co-editor of Cambridge’s Elements in Crime Narratives series, teaches Creative Writing and Editing/Publishing at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH, and is the author of four poetry collections.
Her writing has been featured in Colorado Review; The Florida Review; North American Review; PBS NewsHour; Portland Review, and many others.
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In this file Margot Douaihy and I discussed: Lees meer…
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How to Write a Bestselling Audio Drama with Writer/Producer Aaron Tracy: Part One
24 maart 2023 · 43 min
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.
Aaron Tracy teaches “The Art and Craft of Television Drama” at Yale University, and his TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal, The Tap, and Sequestered, a serialized thriller that ran two seasons, for which he was Creator and Executive Producer.
He is also the Creator, Head Writer, and Exec. Producer of scripted audio dramas for iHeartRadio, Audible, and Spotify, with various production partners. These include an underdog NBA story with Steve Nash, a legal thriller with James Patterson, a historical romance with Shonda Rhimes, and a courtroom drama with Eva Longoria.
His first show to be released, The Coldest Case, a detective thriller starring Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter, and Alexis Bledel, premiered as the #1 download on Audible in 2021, and has since become the most downloaded show in Audible Plus history.
His audio entertainment company, Parallax, is the home for “prestige scripted audio thrillers and thought-provoking unscripted fare.”
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In this file Aaron Tracy and I discussed: Lees meerThe two paths available to aspiring TV writers
Why you need to always be pitching ideas
How audio dramas harken back to the golden days of radio
Landing big stars for "TV shows without the visuals"
Working with Rob Reiner
How to write for the ear
Why the journey is the destination for writers
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
The Art and Craft of TV Drama with Aaron Tracy: Part Two
Yale University – Aaron Tracy
Aaron Tracy Audible Page
Aaron Tracy…
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How Award-Winning Author, Artist & Filmmaker Leopoldo Gout Writes
17 maart 2023 · 1 uur 1 min
Award-winning author, visual artist, and filmmaker, Leopoldo Gout, spoke with me about making music videos for David Byrne, going from homeless auteur to working for James Patterson, his unique creative process, and his latest horror novel PIÑATA.
Leopoldo Gout is the author of the books Ghost Radio, the award-winning Genius YA trilogy, and the recently published fable for all ages, Monarca. He has also packaged, published, and developed books with other writers under his imprint at Simon & Schuster: Leopoldo & Co., and was co-president of the James Patterson Entertainment company for many years.
His latest novel is Piñata (Tor Nightfire), described as “... a bone-chilling possession tale perfect for fans of Hereditary and A Head Full of Ghosts. Based on the true, horrific story of the Spanish conquistadors that used piñatas to force Aztec children to destroy their gods…”
Publishers Weekly wrote of the author, “Gout puts a unique twist on a classic possession story by incorporating Indigenous Mexican lore into the gory plot.”
Leopoldo Gout is an accomplished visual artist, filmmaker, and writer from Mexico City, and studied sculpture at Central St. Martins School of Art in London. He is currently producing award-winning author Marlon James’ original debut for television: GET MILLIE BLACK (Channel 4 & HBO) and was the Exec. Producer of the film Molly's Game starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.
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In this file Leopoldo Gout and I discussed: Lees meerHow his early life in Mexico contributed to a life of curiosity
Working with Pedro Pascal, star of The Mandalorian and The Last of Us
Why the Horror genre was a great fit for his artistic sensibilities
What it was like to work with Aaron Sorkin on Molly’s Game
Usi…
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Jill Santopolo Writes
10 maart 2023 · 33 min
New York Times and internationally bestselling author, Jill Santopolo, spoke with me about finding balance as a writer/publisher, writing as therapy, the universal power of myths, and her latest novel STARS IN AN ITALIAN SKY.
Jill Santopolo’s debut adult novel, The Light We Lost, was a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick, landed on the New York Times bestsellers list, and has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into more than 35 languages and she is also the associate publisher of Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, where she has edited critically-acclaimed, award-winning, and best-selling books including She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton, and Superheroes Are Everywhere by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Mechal Roe.
Her fourth novel is Stars in an Italian Sky, described as “… a sweeping story of two star-crossed lovers in post-World War II Italy, and a blossoming relationship generations later that will reveal a long-buried family secret.”
Publishers Weekly wrote of the author, “Santopolo skillfully weaves two love stories in which passionate and idealistic young couples contend with class differences, tension between their personal desires and familial obligations, and the ongoing ramifications of decisions made by earlier generations….”
Jill is also the author of three successful children's and young-adult series including the Alec Flint Mysteries, the Sparkle Spa series, and the Follow Your Heart books. She holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University, and an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
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In this file Jill Santopolo and I discussed: Lees meerThe importance of liking all the things you do
Why you can’t write unles…
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Rebecca Makkai Writes
3 maart 2023 · 37 min
New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer finalist, Rebecca Makkai, spoke with me about her love of the short story, the true crime industrial complex, and her latest “literary feminist boarding school murder mystery,” I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
Rebecca Makkai’s last novel, The Great Believers, was a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award finalist, won a slew of awards, and was one of The New York Times' Ten Best Books of 2018.
Her latest novel is I Have Some Questions for You, named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by TIME, The Seattle Times, Good Housekeeping, Today.com, CrimeReads, NPR, and many others.
Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as, "part true-crime page-turner, part campus coming-of-age," and The New York Times Book Review as, "A spellbinding work …" Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan called the book, “Part boarding school drama, part forensic whodunnit, I Have Some Questions for You is a true literary mystery—haunting and hard to put down.”
Rebecca is a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow, on the MFA faculties of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and Northwestern University, and is Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago. Her work has been translated into 20 languages, and her short fiction has been anthologized in The Pushcart Prize XLI (2017), The Best American Short Stories 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and many others.
Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU by Rebecca Makkai, read by Julia Whelan and JD Jackson.
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In this file Rebecca Makkai and I discussed: Lees meerWhy she chose to become an educator early on in her career
The importance of 15 years of writing a…
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How NY Times Bestselling Author William Landay Writes
24 februari 2023 · 44 min
Award-winning and New York Times bestselling novelist, William Landay, spoke with me about how former lawyers get pigeonholed in publishing, why we can’t get enough true crime, and his latest ALL THAT IS MINE I CARRY WITH ME.
William Landay is a former assistant district attorney, and the bestselling author of Defending Jacob, recently adapted into the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series starring Chris Evans.
His eagerly anticipated follow-up is All That Is Mine I Carry With Me (on sale 3/7; Bantam), a March 2023 LibraryReads pick, described by NY Times bestselling author Scott Turow as, “... masterful, original and riveting ... With its subtle mystery and compelling portraits of how lives are transformed in the aftermath of violent crime ...”
NY Times bestselling author Joseph Finder said of the author, “With All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, the masterful author of Defending Jacob has created something … unforgettable, and original—unlike any other crime novel I’ve read.”
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In this file William Landay and I discussed: Lees meerThe double-edged sword of a two-book deal
Why service industry jobs are great for writers
The strange surprise of writing a runaway bestseller
The long tail of Defending Jacob and the power of book clubs
Why we will always need books
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
All That Is Mine I Carry With Me: A NOVEL By William Landay (Amazon)
William Landay’s Amazon Author Page
William Landay on Facebook
William Landay on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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‘On Writing and Failure’ with Author Stephen Marche
17 februari 2023 · 31 min
Former Shakespeare professor and author, Stephen Marche, spoke with me about how to roll with the punches, finding comfort in the history of writerly failure, and his candid guide on handling a lifetime of rejection, “On Writing and Failure.”
Stephen Marche is a novelist, essayist, and cultural commentator, and he was a contributing editor at Esquire, for which he wrote a monthly column entitled "A Thousand Words about Our Culture."
His latest is the book-length essay titled “On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer.” The Midwest Book Review called it “... essential reading for anyone seeking to write for a living, be it as a novelist, essayist, poet, columnist, or any other writing genre."
Stephen Marche received a doctorate in early modern English drama from the University of Toronto and taught Renaissance drama at CUNY. He is the author of half a dozen books, and has written opinion pieces and essays for The New Yorker, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, The Walrus, and many others.
He is also the host of the hit Audible series How Not to F*ck Up Your Kids Too Bad, and the sequel How Not to F*ck Up Your Marriage Too Bad.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Stephen Marche and I discussed: Lees meerWhy his career has been more than a little weird
How to get back up after you’ve been knocked down
Why good writers offer advice and great writers offer condolences
What the writing life offers the uninitiated
Where to hang out with Shakespeare
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
stephenmarche.com
On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer by Stephen Marche (Amazon)
Stephen Marche Amazon Author P…
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Deepti Kapoor Writes
10 februari 2023 · 30 min
New York Times bestselling novelist, Deepti Kapoor, spoke with me about plumbing her subconscious for stories, a changing India and the trifecta of big business, crime, and corruption, and her sprawling saga AGE OF VICE.
Deepti Kapoor is the bestselling author of Age of Vice, a novel described as, “Deftly shifting through time and perspective in contemporary India, Age of Vice is an epic, action-packed story propelled by… seductive wealth, startling corruption, and bloodthirsty violence…”
The book was the “Good Morning America” book club selection for January, and it’s been purchased by FX for a series. It was also described by #1 internationally bestselling author Lee Child as, “Sensationally good — huge, epic, immersive and absorbing … certain to be a book of the year.”
After growing up in Northern India, Deepti Kapoor studied journalism at the University of Delhi and later completed an MA in Social Psychology. She worked for several years as a journalist in New Delhi, driving the city, finding stories, and learning the streets.
** Note: The audio quality during the interview varies, Deepti lives in a densely populated part of Portugal and sirens can be heard at times. And there is a mention of drug use, though theoretical.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Deepti Kapoor and I discussed: Lees meerHow to employ radical empathy in your storytelling
Starting a novel without a plan or an outline
The importance of a strict routine and letting ideas incubate
When characters insinuate themselves into your story
How to write propulsive entertainment with a message
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Age of Vice: A NOVEL By Deepti Kapoor (Amazon)
‘Age of Vice’: A Lush Thriller Dives Into New Delhi’s Underworld - …
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How NY Times Bestselling Debut Novelist Ana Reyes Writes
3 februari 2023 · 30 min
New York Times bestselling debut author, Ana Reyes, spoke with me about the importance of the writing community, the evolution of a haunting tale from graduate thesis to instant bestseller, and her first thriller “The House in the Pines.”
Ana Reyes is the bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick The House in the Pines, her debut psychological thriller.
Described by New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager as, "Powerfully eerie and atmospheric, The House in the Pines is a compelling mix of psychological thriller and dark fairy tale."
An Amazon Best Book of January 2023 review also described it as “... an absorbing, cleverly plotted story of female friendship, loyalty repaid, maternal love, and the powerful desire to unlock secrets, even in the face of evil.”
Ana Reyes has an MFA from Louisiana State University and her work has appeared in Bodega, Pear Noir!, The New Delta Review, and others.
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In this file Ana Reyes and I discussed: Lees meerHow her work and process evolved over the seven years to publication
Writing through and into the symptoms of withdrawal
Why teaching is the best education for writers
Weaving cultural heritage and magical realism into her work
Embracing the thriller genre
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
anareyeswriter.com
The House in the Pines a Novel By Ana Reyes (Amazon)
Ana Reyes on Instagram
Ana Reyes on Facebook
Ana Reyes on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How NY Times Bestselling Horror Writer Grady Hendrix Writes
27 januari 2023 · 34 min
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter, Grady Hendrix, spoke with me about getting serious about horror, turning genre tropes on their head, and his latest “How to Sell a Haunted House.”
Grady Hendrix is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and journalist best known for My Best Friend’s Exorcism (adapted into a feature film by Amazon Studios), and the New York Times bestsellers The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, and The Final Girl Support Group.
His latest is How to Sell a Haunted House, an #1 Indie Next List pick, described as a “...novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else.” The New York Times called it a “…gripping, wildly entertaining exploration of childhood horrors,” and Esquire called it “... an authentically frightening, genuinely funny reconfiguration of what a haunted house can be.”
New York Times bestselling author Chuck Wendig said of the book, “A spirited nightmare story about death, but also, what comes after: grief, guilt, family secrets, and estate administration. Oh, also, did I mention the evil puppets?”
Grady Hendrix’s work is currently in multiple phases of adaptation at HBO and others, for both feature film and streaming.
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In this file Grady Hendrix and I discussed: Lees meerHow his novel about a haunted Scandinavian furniture store launched his fiction career
Perseverance and writing what you know
Stripping down the horror genre to its core
The importance of sucky drafts
Why haunted house stories are always about families
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix (Amazon)
Grady Hendrix Amazon Author Page
Gradyhendrix.com
The Smell of Fear - How To Sell A Haunte…
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How Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter & Novelist Iris Yamashita Writes
20 januari 2023 · 36 min
Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and debut novelist, Iris Yamashita, spoke to me about working with Clint Eastwood, her journey from Hollywood to publishing, and falling down the rabbit hole with her first mystery “City Under One Roof.”
Iris Yamashita has been working in Hollywood for over 15 years and was nominated for a “Best Original Screenplay” Oscar for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima (directed by Clint Eastwood).
Her debut novel is City Under One Roof, described as “Alice in Wonderland meets Fargo,” and, “The ultimate locked room mystery, [the novel] drops readers into an isolated, snowy town and is perfect for fans of Twin Peaks, Mare of Easttown, and Broadchurch.”
A Publishers Weekly starred review noted, “Unusual topography plays a major role in screenwriter Yamashita’s atmospherically charged debut….This distinctively original perspective on a ‘community of stragglers, oddballs, and recluses’ heralds the arrival of a major new talent.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box called the book, “A compulsive page-turner that’s both atmospheric and claustrophobic at the same time.”
Iris continues to work in Hollywood, developing for both film and streaming media. She has taught screenwriting at UCLA and the American Film Institute.
Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita, read by Aspen Vincent, Shannon Tyo, and Anna Caputo.
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In this file Iris Yamashita and I discussed: Lees meerHow she kept her dream of becoming a novelist alive
The reverse path from TV pilot to novel
What her transition from the movie world to the book world was like
Why nothing is precious
Vomit drafting
Fin…
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Kai Thomas Writes
13 januari 2023 · 40 min
Acclaimed debut novelist, Kai Thomas, spoke to me about writing historical fiction that interweaves Black and Indigenous cultures, the power of storytelling, keeping grounded in his work, and his novel “In the Upper Country.”
Kai Thomas is a writer, carpenter, and land steward of Soul Fire Farm a community-centered “… farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system.”
His debut novel is In the Upper Country and described as “... an unforgettable story that unearths the tangled fates of two resilient women from different generations with different pasts …. as they reveal the deeply connected histories of Black and Indigenous peoples of North America and their relationship to the land around them.”
A Publishers Weekly starred review called it, “... [a] mesmerizing debut [that] explores freedom, family, and the interconnections between white, Black, and Indigenous communities in 1859 Canada….”
Stay calm and write on ...
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[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Kai Thomas and I discussed: Lees meerHow an MFA program helped him find his confidence as a writer
The importance of mentorship, peer evaluation, and fiction workshops for honing his debut
Gleaning inspiration from his own cultural heritage and an old photograph
Exploring lesser-known chapters of history
Finding a balance between research and writing
Trusting the process
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas (Amazon)
KaiThomasAuthor.com
SOUL FIRE FARM
Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How NY Times Bestselling Author Jayne Ann Krentz Writes: Part One
6 januari 2023 · 34 min
Award-winning and NY Times bestselling author, Jayne Ann Krentz, spoke to me about how persistence has defined her career, why you need to describe your core story in three words, and her latest thriller, “Sleep No More.”
Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers with over 40 million copies of her books in print. She currently writes under three pseudonyms and her award-winning books have earned her the title of “Queen of Romantic Suspense.”
Her latest is Sleep No More, the first novel of the Lost Night Files series, described as a “... new romantic suspense trilogy about a night that changed three women forever—but that none of them can remember.”
Kirkus Reviews called the book, “A richly layered mystery full of pleasing paranormal elements from a master of the genre,” and Booklist wrote, in a starred review, “[Krentz] skillfully [taps] into the current vogue for true-crime podcasts with her heroine’s side hustle while at the same giving a clever nod to the eternal appeal of the Gothic …”
Jayne Ann earned a BA in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and went on to obtain a Master’s degree in library science from San Jose State University in California.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Jayne Ann Krentz and I discussed: Lees meerHer warnings against using multiple pseudonyms
How she invented the Futuristic Romance subgenre
Finding her niche and why each writer has a unique universe
Why she doesn't love police procedurals
Leaning into dreams and the paranormal
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
JayneAnnKrentz.com
Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz (Amazon)
Jayne Ann Krentz Amazon Author Page
Jayne Ann Krentz on Instagram
Jayne Ann Krentz on Faceboo…
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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part Three
23 december 2022 · 41 min
Award-winning indie journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, returns to discuss the “virus of dissatisfaction,” writing for modern-day samurai David Goggins, and their latest journey to bestseller with “Never Finished,” the sequel to a bestselling memoir.
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within is the follow-up to Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins’ smash hit memoir. It’s been described as a tour of David’s “... Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning and that the quest for greatness is unending.”
Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
Adam is also the author of One Breath, has narrated David Goggins’ bestselling audiobooks, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.
This is the last episode of the year but we’ll be back soon with more inspiration from your favorite authors. Happy Holidays!
Stay calm and write on ...
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In Part Three of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed: Lees meerHow the sequel to a memoir hit #1 on Amazon and Audible in its week
Battling Michelle Obama (once again)
The pressure of publishing a follow-up to a longtime bestseller
“Goggins Grad School” and the pursuit of greatness
Why ghostwriters need to stay out of the way, be a servant to the story…
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
AdamSkolnick.com
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Adam Sk…
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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part Two - Redux
16 december 2022 · 34 min
In Part Two of this file, we return with an exclusive look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that has sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year!
We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story, but it’s no secret that the book was co-written by my good friend Adam Skolnick.
Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
He is also the author of One Breath, was the narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling audiobook for Can’t Hurt Me, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.
Adam returns later this month for the next installment of How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller: Part Three to talk about his journey with David to his latest bestseller Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within.
Stay calm and write on ...
[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In Part Two of this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed: Lees meerThe importance of a large social following for non-fiction authors
How timing plays such a big role in self-publishing success
Why an audiobook/podcast hybrid might be the next big thing for authors
The Golden Age for ghostwriting opportunities
How David Goggins's inspiring message goes beyond cookie-cutter self-help
And why "there is no finish line" for writers
Show Notes:
AdamSkolnick.com
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds – by David Goggins (Amazon)
Ad…
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How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller with Author Adam Skolnick: Part One - Redux
9 december 2022 · 31 min
We are rebroadcasting this incredible look into the process behind not only how a writer gets paid to ghostwrite a title for a celebrity, but also the writing, research, and indie publishing of a book that sat on top of the Amazon charts for over a year! Did it finally beat Michelle Obama’s competing bestseller? Stay tuned to find out.
We had to get special permission from the incredible human and author, David Goggins, to share this story, but it’s no secret that the book was co-written by my good friend Adam Skolnick.
Adam is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others.
He is also the author of One Breath, was the narrator of David Goggins’ bestselling audiobook for Can’t Hurt Me, and co-hosts The Rich Roll Podcast, on the "Roll On" edition.
Adam returns later this month for the next installment of How to Ghostwrite a Bestseller to talk about his journey with David to his latest bestseller Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within. A huge thank you to Mr. Goggins.
Stay calm and write on ...
[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]
[If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen]
In this file Adam Skolnick and I discussed: Lees meerA definition of ghostwriting
How Adam got tapped to ghostwrite for author and endurance athlete David Goggins
Why Goggins turned down a major book publishing deal and decided to self-publish (with Adam still attached)
The Joe Rogan effect for authors
How Adam made the decision to help write David's story
And the unique research and drafting process that went into a bestseller ...
Show Notes:
AdamSkolnick.com
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within – by David Goggins (…
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Brendan Slocumb Writes
2 december 2022 · 35 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Violinist and lauded debut novelist, Brendan Slocumb, spoke to me about how both music and writing saved his life, the darker side of the classical music world, and his debut "The Violin Conspiracy."
Brendan Slocumb is an accomplished violinist and concertmaster who has performed with major symphonies, has a degree in music education, and has over twenty-five years of teaching in the classroom and in his private studio.
His critically acclaimed debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, has been described as, "Part mystery thriller, part character study of a young Black man trying to make his way in the world of classical music..." It was a GMA Book Club Pick and named a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Mystery/Thriller, NPR’s Books We Love 2022, Audible’s 13 Best Debuts of 2022, and earned two Goodreads Choice Award nominations for Best Debut Novel and Best Mystery Thriller.
Publishers Weekly called the book "[A] gripping debut. . . . Slocumb sensitively portrays Ray’s resilience in the face of extreme racism. The author is off to a promising start.”
Brendan hosts the podcast How Music Can Save Your Life, is a Nobel Teacher of distinction, and serves as an educational consultant for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Brendan Slocumb and I discussed: Lees meerHow he finds time to tour, write, practice for his string quartet, and teach students for an upcoming recital
Why the Pandemic forced him to become a prolific novelist
What it's like to sign your first paperback for a fan
The importance of practice, routine, and banging out 3000 words a day
Why writers need to walk, stretch, and hit the gym
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
brendanslocumb.com
The Violin Conspiracy - By Brendan Slocumb (Amazon)
How Music Can Save Your Life Podcast
Brendan Slocumb on Facebook
…
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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeffery Deaver Writes: Part Two
25 november 2022 · 42 min
#PodcastersForJustice
#1 international bestselling author of over 40 novels, Jeffery Deaver, returns to rap about his prolific output, an award-winning handbook for mystery writers, and the latest Colter Shaw novel, "Hunting Time."
Jeffery Deaver is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
The "master of suspense" has been nominated for eight Edgar Awards and served two terms as president of Mystery Writers of America, and was recently named a Grand Master of MWA, whose ranks include Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, and Walter Mosely.
His latest is Hunting Time (A Colter Shaw Novel), described as "... a riveting thriller, as reward seeker Colter Shaw plunges into the woods and races the clock in a case where nothing is quite what it seems." Kirkus Reviews described the book as "A fleet, irresistible tale."
Jeffery has sold over 50 million books worldwide in 150 countries, and been translated into 35 languages. He has also published three collections of short stories.
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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed: Lees meerPandemic survival
How he finds the solitude of the writing life
What it's like to be mentioned in the same breath as Agatha Christie
How he keeps his Edgar Award nomination streak alive
Why books are better than Netflix
How the author structures his novels with questions and conflicts
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
JefferyDeaver.com
How to Write Commercial Fiction with NY Times Bestselling Author Jeffery Deaver
Hunting Time (A Colter Shaw Novel) By Jeffery Deaver (Amazon)
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America (Amazon)
Jeffery Deaver Amazon author page
NaturalR…
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How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Jeffery Deaver Writes: Part One - Redux
18 november 2022 · 36 min
A quick note that this week we're resurfacing Part One of an enlightening chat I had with #1 internationally bestselling author Jeffery Deaver about his process for writing “ticking-time bomb suspense,” near the start of the Pandemic. Next week we are going to catch up with the author for the second part of that interview series with Jeff to talk about his latest novel and a lot more about the writing life. Until then …
The #1 internationally bestselling author of over 40 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.
"Rejection is just a speed bump ... it's not a brick wall. Keep at it." – Jeffery Deaver
Jeffery is a former journalist, musician, and attorney best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series – now a hit NBC TV show – and the novel, The Bone Collector, adapted for the big screen starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
The "master of suspense" has been nominated for seven Edgar Awards and has gone on to sell 50 million books worldwide, translated into 35 languages.
His thriller featured here is a sequel to The Never Game – The Goodbye Man (A Colter Shaw Novel Book 2) – and once again features Colter Shaw, a rugged survivalist and "reward-seeker."
One of Bookpage's "Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers" of 2020, Publishers Weekly said of the book, “Deaver balances suspense and plausibility perfectly ... This is a perfect jumping-on point for readers new to one of today’s top contemporary thriller writers.”
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Jeffery Deaver and I discussed: Lees meerWhy suspense writers are like airline pilots
Wisdom from Joyce Carol Oates and the importance of outlining
How having your novel read aloud to you can improve your prose
A sim…
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How Award-Winning Author & Filmmaker Priyanka Kumar Writes
11 november 2022 · 39 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning author and filmmaker, Priyanka Kumar, spoke to me about the language of cinema, her Zen leanings, returning to the solace of nature, and her latest, "Conversations with Birds."
Priyanka Kumar is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts and an alumna of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She is also the award-winning writer, director, and producer of the feature documentary The Song of the Little Road, starring Martin Scorsese and Ravi Shankar.
Her latest is Conversations with Birds, a Publishers Weekly “Top Ten Nonfiction Book for Fall 2022,” a Bookshop.org “Read Outside the Big Five” selection, and Apple, November Best Books of the Month, and been described in a Kirkus, starred review as, “An eloquent depiction of how birding engenders a deep love of our ecosystems and a more profound understanding of ourselves."
Priyanka's debut novel, Take Wing and Fly Here, was published in 2013 to critical acclaim, and her essays and criticism have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and many others.
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In this file Priyanka Kumar and I discussed: Lees meerHow to find the perfect cover art
Growing up in the most biodiverse part of the world
Why we face unprecedented distraction
The importance of bird song
How technology rewires our creative spirit
Why you need to replace your insipid lawn with xeriscaping
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
priyankakumar.com
Conversations with Birds By Priyanka Kumar (Amazon)
Priyanka Kumar Author Page on Amazon
Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Hemingway Wrote with Prof. Mark Cirino
4 november 2022 · 43 min
#PodcastersForJustice
"Writing, at its best, is a lonely life." – Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway scholar and author, Professor Mark Cirino, spoke to me about the ethos of the late literary lion, how Hemingway outlived his myth, and his mission to uncover Hem's truest sentence.
Dr. Cirino hosts the popular Hemingway Society-sponsored podcast, One True Podcast. He is also the author of eight books about American literature as a writer or editor. His most recent is One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art (2022), with Michael Von Cannon.
Described as "A selection of the greatest sentences by the master, Ernest Hemingway..." selected and examined by contemporary authors. Publishers Weekly called it “A revelatory compendium ... a rewarding tapestry ... readers are likely to come away with a deepened understanding of—and even awe at—Hemingway’s vast talent.”
Mark Cirino serves as an editor for Kent State University Press’s Reading Hemingway series, and served as a consultant on the film adaptation of Hemingway's "Across the River and into the Trees." He taught creative writing and literature at NYU, and now teaches literature at the University of Evansville.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Mark Cirino and I discussed: Lees meerWhy "Writing, at its best, is a lonely life"
The importance of finding your writing community
How The Sun Also Rises made Hem a literary celebrity
The only thing you have to do as a writer
Why each writing project requires new discipline
An open invitation to Bob Dylan
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Dr. Mark Cirino - Professor and Department Chair
One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art by Mark Cirino and Michael Von Cannon (Amazon)
Mark Cirino Author Page on Amazon
One True Podcast: Hosted by Mark Cirino and produced by Michael Von Cannon
Kelton Reid …
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How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part One
28 oktober 2022 · 29 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning and #1 NY Times bestselling author, Robert Crais, spoke to me about breathing life into the ur detective novel, the legacy of Raymond Chandler, his love of LA, and his latest, "Racing the Light."
Robert Crais is the author of 23 novels, 19 of which feature private investigator Elvis Cole and his laconic ex-cop partner, Joe Pike. The first in the series, The Monkey’s Raincoat, won the Anthony and Macavity Awards and was nominated for the Edgar Award.
The latest is Racing the Light, described as "... a pulse-pounding read and Elvis Cole's most dangerous case yet." Bestselling author David Baldacci called it "... another grand slam for the master storyteller Robert Crais. If there’s a better dynamic duo than Elvis Cole and Joe Pike in all of crime fiction, I’m not aware of it.”
On Reader's Digest's list of "30 new books we can't wait to read in 2022," Kirkus Reviews said that, "... [Crais] keeps the traditional detective novel alive and well."
In a previous life Robert Crais was an Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer and spent several years writing scripts for classic television series like Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Robert Crais and I discussed: Lees meerBurning out as a TV writer and chasing the dream of becoming a novelist
Why he never anticipated fame
How his novel LA Requiem changed the trajectory of his career
When your author name gets bigger than the title
Why he'll always be a meticulous outliner
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
How #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Crais Writes: Part Two
robertcrais.com
Racing the Light (An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel Book 19) by Robert Crais (Amazon)
Robert Crais Author Page on Amazon
Robert Crais on Facebook
Robert Crais on Instagram
Robert Crais on Twitter
Ke…
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How NY Times Bestselling Mystery Writer Tana French Writes: Redux
21 oktober 2022 · 33 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Note: Hey, just a quick note that the podcast is on hiatus this week but we’re bringing back a fan favorite. Here is my interview with the amazing Tana French from late 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Catch you soon and thanks for your support!
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 write a book. I'd written short stories and really galactically bad teenager poetry, but I'd never tried to write a book before." — Tana French
The author has written eight mystery novels and is considered a master of suspense and the modern psychological thriller. Her work has been compared to writers including James Ellroy and Donna Tartt, and has been called "incandescent" by Stephen King, and "absolutely mesmerizing" by Gillian Flynn.
Her novels have sold over three million copies and won numerous awards, including the Edgar and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction.
Her latest bestseller, The Searcher, is her second stand-alone novel, and she was described by The Washington Post as "...the most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years."
Stay tuned for a clip from The Searcher audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by Roger Clark.”
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Tana French and I discussed: Lees meerHer "galactically" bad poetry
The archaeological dig that inspired “In the Woods,” her Edgar-winning 2007 debut novel
How she came to riff on the Western genre in her latest
And why writers need to fight off the struggle of isolation
Show Notes:
TanaFrench.com
The Searcher: …
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How Award-Winning Debut Memoirist Prince Shakur Writes
14 oktober 2022 · 35 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning, queer, Jamaican-American writer, videographer, activist, and debut memoirist, Prince Shakur, spoke to me about James Baldwin's legacy, writing towards his father's murder, and his latest, "When They Tell You To Be Good."
Prince Shakur is a freelance journalist, videomaker, and New York Times recognized organizer whose debut memoir, When They Tell You To Be Good, is about his "political coming of age in Obama and Trump’s America." It is a Powell's Holiday Pick for 2022 and a TIME, Poets & Writers, Publishers Weekly, them, The Week, Debutiful, and Book Riot Best “Book of Fall.”
Described as an exploration of "... his radicalization and self-realization through examinations of place, childhood, queer identity, and a history of uprisings," the memoir won the Hurston/Wright Crossover Award and has earned him residencies with Sangam House, La Maison Baldwin, The Studios of Key West, and The Atlantic Center for the Arts.
As a freelance journalist Shakur has penned numerous op-eds, essays, and features in Teen Vogue, Daily Dot, CodaStory, Cultured Magazine, AfroPunk, and more. His writings have been used in university classrooms, including Nikkita Oliver’s Prison Abolition course offered at the University of Washington.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Prince Shakur and I discussed: Lees meerHow he hustled as a young freelance journalist
The black, queer, activist experience
Why he feels the need to push past the notion of "bearing witness"
What it's like to navigate anti-blackness abroad
The urgency of artwork in the face of death
Why artist residencies and grants are so important for writers
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
princeshakur.com
When They Tell You To Be Good by Prince Shakur (Amazon)
Prince Shakur on Instagram
Prince Shakur on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
Lear…
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How Award-Winning NY Times Bestselling Author Deanna Raybourn Writes
7 oktober 2022 · 38 min
Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, Deanna Raybourn, spoke to me about how she still feels like a debut author, why she doesn't read reviews, and her new contemporary thriller "Killers of a Certain Age."
Deanna Raybourn is the author of 19 books including the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Lady Julia Grey series, as well as the USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and several stand-alone works.
Her latest is Killers of a Certain Age, described as "a witty contemporary spy thriller perfect for fans of Killing Eve and Ocean’s Eight."
An instant New York Times bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of Month 2022, Buzzfeed said of the book, “This Golden Girls meets James Bond thriller is a journey you want to be part of."
Deanna Raybourn graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, read by Jane Oppenheimer and Christina Delaine.
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In this file Deanna Raybourn and I discussed: Lees meerWhy her agent told her to stop writing for a whole year
What it feels like to get that first three-book deal
How she came to writing older women doing kick-ass things
When she turns into a feral author in her pajamas
Why writers need to trust their inner voice
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
deannaraybourn.com
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (Amazon)
Deanna Raybourn on Instagram
Deanna Raybourn on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Acclaimed Debut Novelist and Podcaster Bobby Finger Writes: Part One
30 september 2022 · 34 min
Journalist, hit entertainment podcaster, and debut novelist, Bobby Finger, spoke to me about writing for Jezebel, turning a screenplay into a novel, and his debut, "The Old Place." Lees meer
Bobby Finger is a writer and co-host of the popular celebrity and entertainment podcast, Who? Weekly, "The podcast that tells you everything you need to know about celebrities you don’t."
His debut novel is The Old Place, described as "A bighearted and moving debut about a wry retired schoolteacher whose decade-old secret threatens to come to light and send shockwaves through her small Texas town."
It has been named Washington Post‘s 10 Noteworthy Books for September, People‘s Best New Books, Town & Country’s 45 Must-Read Books of Fall, New York’s 25 Notable New Releases, Kirkus Review‘s 150 Most Anticipated Fall Books, LitHub‘s Most Anticipated Books of 2022, among many others.
New York Times bestselling author Emma Straub said of the book, “I loved being inside this skillful novel—at the planning parties for church fundraisers, learning to drive with a can of beer in the cupholder, and in the heads of some wonderfully tangy old Texan ladies. Bobby Finger has built a rich world in The Old Place, and I will think of it every time I make toast.”
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Bobby Finger and I discussed:
Growing up in a small Texas town
His start in copywriting and freelance journalism
Writing screenplays in the margins
Becoming a full-time podcaster
How to write autofiction with a twist
What happens when people leave, and those left behind
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
whoweekly.us
The Old Place By Bobby Finger (Amazon)
Bobby Finger on Instagram
Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer
diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram
Kelton Reid Instagram
Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choi… -
How Award-Winning & Bestselling Author A.M. Homes Writes
23 september 2022 · 33 min
Bestselling, award-winning author A.M. Homes, spoke to me about getting sued by J.D. Salinger, the irony of winning the Women's Prize for Fiction, and her latest "The Unfolding."
A.M. Homes is a TV producer, art critic, and the author of 13 books, including the bestselling memoir The Mistress’s Daughter. Her last novel, May We Be Forgiven, was the winner of the 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Her latest novel is The Unfolding, described as a "... darkly comedic alternative history that takes us into the heart of a fractured family living in a divided country."
New York Times bestselling author Salman Rushdie called the book, “A terrific black comedy, written almost entirely in pitch-perfect dialogue, that feels terrifyingly close to the unfunny truth.”
A.M. Homes was a Co-Executive Producer and Writer on David E. Kelly and Stephen King’s, Mr. Mercedes, and a writer/producer of the Showtime series The L Word.
Her work has been translated into 22 languages and appears frequently in Art Forum, Harpers, Granta, McSweeney's, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Zoetrope. She is a Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair, Bomb and Blind Spot, and she has taught in the Creative Writing Program at Princeton.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file A.M. Homes and I discussed: Lees meerHer early struggles with dyslexia
Why awards and votes of confidence are so important for writers
How she helped hire Dennis Lehane to write for Mr. Mercedes
Her strange obsession with George Washington and her claim to Capitol Hill
How to write your way out of a jam
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
amhomesbooks.com
The Unfolding: A Novel by A.M. Homes (Amazon)
A.M. Homes on Facebook
A.M. Homes on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Award-Winning & Bestselling Author Candice Carty-Williams Writes
16 september 2022 · 33 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Bestselling, award-winning author Candice Carty-Williams, spoke to me about the tragicomic nature of being, winning "Book of the Year" at the British Book Awards, and her latest "People Person."
Candice Carty-Williams is a TV producer, culture writer, and author of the international bestseller Queenie, a book that was named a best book of the year by NPR, TIME, PARADE, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, and many others.
She also became the first black woman to win the "Book of the Year" award at the British Book Awards for Queenie in 2020.
Her latest novel is People Person, a book described as an "... insightful novel about the power of family — even when they seem like strangers." The Guardian called it, “A big-hearted story of a young woman coming to terms with her complicated London family from the author of the game-changing Queenie.”
Candice created and launched the Guardian 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize in 2016, the first initiative of its kind in book publishing for underrepresented writers.
She has written for The Guardian, i-D, Vogue, every iteration of The Sunday Times (London), BEAT magazine, Black Ballad, and more.
Her original drama, "Champion," will be airing on BBC One in the U.K., and on Netflix globally, in 2023.
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Candice Carty-Williams and I discussed: Lees meerHer early career in book marketing and the disparities she saw in publishing
The inciting incident that inspired her latest
How to balance humor and depth in fiction
Why tragedy plus time equals comedy
Great advice from Toni Morrison
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
candicecartywilliams.com
People Person By Candice Carty-Williams (Amazon)
Guardian 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize
Candice Carty-Williams on Instagram
Candice Carty-Williams on Twitter
Kelton Reid …
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How Award-Winning Journalist & Debut Memoirist Casey Parks Writes
9 september 2022 · 34 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning journalist and debut memoirist, Casey Parks, spoke to me about her lifelong reverence for journalism, the emotional cost of writing a memoir, and her debut "Diary of a Misfit."
Casey Parks is a reporter for The Washington Post who covers gender and family issues. She spent a decade at The Oregonian writing about race and LGBTQ+ issues and was a finalist for the Livingston Award.
A former Spencer Fellow at Columbia University, Parks was awarded the 2021 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award for her debut memoir, Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery.
Described as "... a sweeping journalistic saga about sexuality and gender, family trauma and the redemptive force of love...," Publishers Weekly – in a starred review – called the book, “A tantalizing blend of personal history and reportage .... A brilliantly rendered and complex portrait of Southern life alongside a tender exploration of queer belonging [and] a marvel to witness.”
Casey's articles have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Oxford American, ESPN, USA Today, and The Nation.
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In this file Casey Parks and I discussed: Lees meerEarning $50 per story at the outset of her career ...
... to working in a virtual newsroom for The Washington Post
Why that first byline in the New Yorker changes everything
Asking permission to tell the stories of ghosts
Why you can never take "no" as the final answer
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
caseyparks.com
Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery By Casey Parks (Amazon)
Casey Parks for The Washington Post
In the Deep South, a Search for Queer Identity - The New York Times Book Review
Casey Parks on Facebook
Casey Parks on Instagram
Casey Parks on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Nobel Prize-Winning Author Abdulrazak Gurnah Writes
2 september 2022 · 31 min
#PodcastersForJustice
2021 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Abdulrazak Gurnah, spoke to me about life after becoming a laureate, the difference between authors and writers, and his latest novel "Afterlives."
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2021 was awarded to Abdulrazak Gurnah "for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents"
The Tanzanian-born British novelist and Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Kent, has written short stories, essays, and ten novels including Paradise (shortlisted for the Booker Prize), By the Sea (longlisted for the Booker Prize and a finalist for the LA Times Book Award), and Desertion.
His latest novel, Afterlives, has been described as "... a sweeping, multi-generational saga of displacement, loss, and love, set against the brutal colonization of east Africa"
The New York Times Book Review called the author, "... a master of the art form who understands human failings in conflicts both political and intimate — and how these shortcomings create afflictions from which nations and individuals continue to suffer, needlessly, generation after generation."
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file Abdulrazak Gurnah and I discussed: Lees meerFinding global readers and acclaim two years after the UK release of his latest book
The irony of becoming a Nobel laureate in literature
Why he always writes the final episode first
The intergenerational trauma of war and how he chooses his protagonists
Why you may be in the wrong business
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
Afterlives: A Novel by Abdulrazak Gurnah
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2021
Abdulrazak Gurnah
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Award-Winning Debut Novelist LaToya Watkins Writes
26 augustus 2022 · 30 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Pushcart Prize-winning short story writer and debut novelist, LaToya Watkins, spoke to me about landing the cover of Publishers Weekly's Writers to Watch Fall 2022, the legacy of William Faulkner, and her debut "Perish."
LaToya Watkins holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas and her writing has appeared in A Public Space, The Sun, McSweeney's, Kenyon Review, The Pushcart Prize Anthology, and elsewhere.
Her debut is Perish, a novel "... about a Black Texan family, exploring the effects of inherited trauma and intergenerational violence as the family comes together to say goodbye to their matriarch on her deathbed."
It has been named A Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Good Morning America, Essence, Esquire, The Millions, among others, and named Amazon’s best debuts in August 2022.
The New York Times Book Review called Watkins’s Perish, "... an impressive feat of storytelling ... a difficult read and a tender story of silences and secrets."
Stay calm and write on ...
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In this file LaToya Watkins and I discussed: Lees meerHow she went from first-generation college grad to being compared to Alice Walker and Toni Morrison
Carving out the time to write as a mother of three
How writing short stories prepared her to write the novel
Why it takes her two hours to find her flow state
Writing about intergenerational trauma and the cost of slavery
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
latoyawatkins.com
Perish: A Novel by LaToya Watkins
Writers to Watch Fall 2022 - PW
Has Texas Finally Found Its William Faulkner?
LaToya Watkins on Instagram
LaToya Watkins on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick (AKA TheBookMaven) Writes: Part One
19 augustus 2022 · 41 min
#PodcastersForJustice
Longtime literary critic and publishing insider, Bethanne Patrick, spoke to me about how she became a famed reviewer, where she puts all the books, and her new investigative podcast "Missing Pages."
Bethanne Patrick is a writer, author, and critic whose monthly column on hot books appears in The Washington Post. An influencer in the book world, Bethanne (@TheBookMaven) has over 200K Twitter followers and originated the popular #FridayReads tag.
She is also host to the all-new podcast Missing Pages, which investigates the good (rarely), the bad (frequently), and the messy (always) of the publishing industry.
Described as an investigative podcast, "Missing Pages uncovers the power struggles, mistaken identities, and unfathomably bad behavior within the secretive world of book publishing. Each episode brings in authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites to tell the real story; unfit for print."
Bethanne's book reviews and author profiles have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Poets & Writers magazine, NPR Books, Lit Hub and many others. She is the author of two books for National Geographic, an editor of an anthology for Regan Arts, and is currently writing a memoir for Counterpoint Press.
Stay calm and write on ...
Discover The Writer Files Extra
Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews.
In this file Bethanne Patrick and I discussed: Lees meerHow she became a self-styled book "maven"
The logistical issues of receiving 20 books a week
What it's like cracking the Cosa Nostra of publishing
Why disruption in the publishing industry can't come fast enough
How to start your career by writing reviews
And a lot more!
Show Notes:
bethannepatrick.com
Missing Pages on Apple Podcasts
Inside the Push to Diversify the Book Business - NY Times
DOJ v. PRH: Agents, Publishers Move Center Stage by Bethanne Patrick for PW
B…