The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
“Learn how acclaimed writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block.”
Each week, host Kelton Reid chats with guests like Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah, on life after becoming a laureate; #1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry on her past life as a YA mid-lister; Celebrated author, Walter Mosley, on his conflicted feelings after winning a National Book Award; NY Times bestselling author, Lisa Scottoline, on what she learned from literary lion Philip Roth; #1 NY Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane on what he borrowed from Clint Eastwood; and bestselling author, Matt Haig, on the process behind his novel, The Midnight Library, and serial guest hosts: neuroscientist Michael Grybko, journalist Adam Skolnick, and short story writer Robert Bruce.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 455
- Years Active
- 2015 - 2025
How NY Times Bestselling Author Chevy Stevens Writes: Part One - Redux
Award-winning, New York Times bestselling psychological thriller writer, Chevy Stevens, spoke to me about her life as a recluse, dreaming in prose, scaring the King, and her latest, Dark Roads.
Chevy…
00:39:53 |
Wed 10 Sep 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Bonnie Garmus Writes: Redux
#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 tou…
00:30:33 |
Fri 05 Sep 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Josie Silver Writes: Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author Josie Silver spoke to me about the laptop that changed her life, overcoming adversity early on, and her latest ghost-hunting rom-com CRAZY SPOOKY LOVE.
Josie Sil…
00:35:57 |
Wed 03 Sep 2025
The Writer Files x Diary of a Book Babe: Vol. 1
#bookstagram influencer, reviewer, and writer Milena Gonzalez (aka Diary of a Book Babe) spoke to me about culling inspiration from the podcast, hyping up her favorite authors, and her latest five-st…
00:43:28 |
Fri 29 Aug 2025
How #1 Sunday Times Bestselling Author Stuart MacBride Writes
#1 Sunday Times bestselling author Stuart MacBride spoke to me about playing god, why there are no shortcuts for writers, and his latest Logan McRae novel THIS HOUSE OF BURNING BONES.
Stuart MacBrid…
00:49:28 |
Fri 22 Aug 2025
How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Priscilla Morris Writes
Acclaimed debut novelist and English Professor Priscilla Morris spoke to me about finding her voice, and the germ of an idea that became her labor of love, acclaimed debut novel BLACK BUTTERFLIES.
P…
00:49:55 |
Fri 15 Aug 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part Two - Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, returned to chat about why bestsellers stick around for years, why fiction is perfectly geared for the human mind, and her latest YA thrill…
00:40:06 |
Wed 13 Aug 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part One - Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, spoke to me about how to write seven novels in 18 months, the psychology of fiction and fandom, and her latest YA mystery, THE BROTHERS HAW…
00:36:50 |
Fri 08 Aug 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Josie Silver Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author Josie Silver spoke to me about the laptop that changed her life, overcoming adversity early on, and her latest ghost-hunting rom-com CRAZY SPOOKY LOVE.
Josie Sil…
00:35:57 |
Fri 01 Aug 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jim Butcher Writes: Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jim Butcher, spoke with me about how he outlined a hit 20-novel series (years before he had an agent), why all steampunks wear goggles, and the second book in hi…
00:34:36 |
Fri 25 Jul 2025
How NY Times Bestselling Author Antony Johnston Writes
New York Times bestselling author Antony Johnston, spoke to me about falling backwards into video game writing, meeting Atomic Blonde’s Charlize Theron, and his new interactive whodunit Can You Solve…
00:37:41 |
Fri 18 Jul 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Anne Lamott Writes: Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Anne Lamott, spoke with me about 40 years of teaching writing, how to write more bravely, on sh*tty first drafts, and sharing hacks she’s learned over her career…
00:35:03 |
Fri 11 Jul 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jodi Picoult Writes: Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jodi Picoult, spoke with me about writing for Wonder Woman, adapting books for musical theater, and the question of Shakespeare's true authorship in her upcoming…
00:34:55 |
Fri 04 Jul 2025
How to Build a Meaningful Author Platform with Nicole Meier and Gretchen Schaffer of Book Works
Experts Nicole Meier and Gretchen Schaffer, the duo behind Book Works, spoke to me about how to build a meaningful author platform, and how they empower authors through book coaching and branding exp…
00:33:05 |
Fri 27 Jun 2025
How Founding Editor of the LA Review of Books Tom Lutz Writes: Part Two
Bestselling, award-winning author, and founder of the LA Review of Books, Tom Lutz, returned to talk with me about life in the French countryside, his writer’s residency, and the greatest year in lit…
00:37:54 |
Fri 20 Jun 2025
How Bestselling Author Rachel Slade Writes
Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Rachel Slade spoke to me about majoring in “New York,” killing her darlings, and the future of manufacturing in her latest book MAKING IT IN AMERICA.
…
00:43:38 |
Fri 13 Jun 2025
How #1 Sunday Times Bestselling Ghostwriter Marie Ellis Writes
#1 Sunday Times Bestselling ghostwriter Marie Ellis spoke to me about her past lives in both acting and journalism, setting her ego aside as a ghost, and hacking the hero’s journey.
Marie Ellis is a…
00:36:25 |
Fri 06 Jun 2025
How NY Times Bestselling Author Hanif Abdurraqib Writes
New York Times bestselling author Hanif Abdurraqib spoke to me about taking a leap of faith, the tentpoles of his writing practice, and his recent NBCC award-winning THERE’S ALWAYS THIS YEAR: On Bask…
00:31:48 |
Fri 30 May 2025
How NY Times Bestselling Author Laura Munson Writes
New York Times bestselling author Laura Munson spoke to me about her acclaimed writing retreats, building a bridge to readers, and bringing wonder back into our lives with her latest THE WILD WHY.
L…
00:53:13 |
Fri 23 May 2025
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Tomi Adeyemi Writes: Redux
#1 New York Times bestselling author, Tomi Adeyemi, spoke to me about the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, her evolution as a writer, and the final book in her Orisha trilogy, Children …
00:31:38 |
Fri 16 May 2025
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