TK with James Scott: A Writing, Reading, & Books Podcast

Ian Stansel's fantastic first novel THE LAST COWBOYS OF SAN GERONIMO plays with the genre expectations of Westerns by setting the murder-revenge in northern California wine country. James and Ian dis…

In all of his conversations, James has never found anyone who approached the craft of writing with the scientific common sense of Julie Lekstrom Himes. They discuss her debut novel, MIKHAIL AND MARGA…

In 2004, Daniel Wallace led a workshop at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference that changed James's life. They reconnect to discuss Daniel's wonderful new book, EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES, and in the pro…

The author of the gripping new true crime/memoir, THE FACT OF A BODY, Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich tells James that "the book teaches you how to write it." They talk about how those lessons evolved o…

Nickolas and James have an honest conversation about the publishing industry and Nickolas's young career, which has featured three great books, including his most recent novel, THE HEARTS OF MEN. The…

Hemmed in by what she 'should' be writing, Clare Beams turned a corner by freeing herself to write what would become the title story in her phenomenal collection WE SHOW WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED. James w…

After a series of tragedies, Hannah Tinti figured out what she truly cares about, and in doing so, rediscovered the spark in her writing, resulting in her brilliant and immensely entertaining new nov…

Advice from a psychic led Annie Hartnett to the residency that helped her finish her fantastic novel, RABBIT CAKE. She and James talk about spending time in cemeteries, writing in yards, giving a goo…

Michael Farris Smith and James figured out pretty early on in the conversation that they were cut from the same cloth. Michael is the author of THE HANDS OF STRANGERS, RIVERS, and his latest novel, D…

In her harrowing novel, OUR HEARTS WILL BURN US DOWN, Anne Valente creates a portrait of trauma and the grief that follows. She and James discuss depicting violence, point of view, why drawer novels …

In part 2 of their conversation, James and Mike Scalise, author of the memoir THE BRAND NEW CATASTROPHE, discuss an old wound, social media, and how winning the Center for Fiction's Christopher Dohen…

In part one of the TK One Year Anniversary Jubilee, Mike Scalise discusses his phenomenal memoir, THE BRAND NEW CATASTROPHE. He talks with James about being diagnosed with the hormonal disorder acrom…

Screenwriter and BILLIONS co-creator Brian Koppelman arranged a life surrounded by writers before he realized he wanted to become one. He and James talk about his career, what it's like writing with …

After embracing her desire to write in her thirties and putting herself on a steep learning curve, Rachel Cantor found her voice with two lively and funny novels, A HIGHLY UNLIKELY SCENARIO and GOOD …

As he prepares to follow up his novels A LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME and THIS DARK ROAD TO MERCY, Wiley Cash tells James how touring, independent booksellers, and sales reps worked together to make him …

The sometimes brutal nature of her books has forced Amy Koppelman to decide between an easier path or being true to her characters, and she has chosen truth every time. She and James talk about deali…

In 1999, Margot Livesey sat down next to James at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and changed his life forever. Margot talks about her incredible career, the role of art in the current political c…

THE GUINEVERES began as a short story, but when the characters wouldn't leave Sarah Domet alone, she saw them through an entire (fantastic) novel. Sarah tells James about her reluctance to admit she …

Though it's long since faded, James confesses his grad school-era jealousy of Matt. Once they clear that up, they discuss how Matt arrived at his voice and how he learned to write his marvelous sente…

Julianna Baggott can write anything, from literary fiction for adults to books for children and everything in between. She tells James about what fuels her writing, how she writes so much, her love o…