The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

Acclaimed debut novelist Penny Zang spoke with us about making friendship bracelets for readers, why the world doesn’t stop when you lose a loved one, hanging out with Sylvia Plath, and her psychological thriller DOLL PARTS I am joined by a co-host this week, none other than The Book Babe, Milena Gonzalez. Penny Zang is an English professor at Greenville Technical College and the debut author of DOLL PARTS, described as “... a dark, poetic, dual-timeline psychological thriller that blends sad girl lit and feminist horror with a heavy dose of 90s grunge nostalgia.” International bestselling author Samantha Downing said of the book, "Doll Parts is the most mesmerizing and original book I’ve read in a long time. It’s eerie and addictive, a story that pulls you in and won’t let go," and Library Journal wrote, “Zang’s compelling debut delves insightfully into topics such as friendship, grief, and Plath’s place in literature...” Penny Zang holds an MFA in Creative Writing from West Virginia University and is the 2024 Elizabeth Boatwright Coker fiction fellow via the South Carolina Academy of Authors. Her work has appeared in New Ohio Review, Louisville Review, Superstition Review, Potomac Review, and South 85, among others. [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 Penny Zang, Milena Gonzalez, and I discussed: How she formed the #5AMWritersClub Writing as a form of grief after losing a good friend Reminding her parents that her fiction didn’t really happen Wending pop culture iconography into her work Why finding your writing community is so important And a lot more! Show Notes: pennyzang.com  Doll Parts: A Novel by Penny Zang (Amazon) Penny Zang on Facebook Penny Zang on Instagram Penny Zang on Twitter Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WGA-nominated writer, director and USC professor Ted Braun, and TV and film writer and exec. producer Melissa Rosenberg, joined me to talk about reimagining screenwriting education with the MFA in Screenwriting at Bennington College. Ted Braun is the Program’s Director and the WGA-nominated writer and director of Darfur Now, Betting on Zero, and Viva Maestro. He is a Professor of Screenwriting and Joseph Campbell Endowed Chair of Cinematic Ethics at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and was named one of Variety’s Top Ten Teachers in Film and TV in 2018. Melissa Rosenberg is a writer and executive producer known for Twilight, Jessica Jones, and a 1986 graduate of Bennington College, where she is now a Trustee. She helped create and showrun Jessica Jones and adapted the Twilight film series, while also serving as head writer for Dexter. Bennington College will admit just 12 gifted, driven writers—students who are serious about building a body of work and launching a professional screenwriting career—to their inaugural class of The MFA in Screenwriting. Braun notes, “We’re looking for students with imagination and hunger—those who want to develop a foundation for a decades-long screenwriting career.” The MFA in Screenwriting at Bennington College prepares writers for a life as creative and professional leaders in the evolving landscape of film and television. This low-residency, two-year program combines the academic depth of a liberal arts education with the rigorous preparation needed for a career in screenwriting. Learn more at bennington.edu/screenwriting Applications are due by December 1st, 2025. [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 Ted Braun, Melissa Rosenberg and I discussed: How life as a screenwriter starts with material that is unique and alive to you A one-of-a-kind screenwriting MFA, a low-residency program that yields six major pieces of work for TV and film, and why it is “perfectly suited to our times” Bennington’s legacy of influential writers Why we need strong, original cinematic voices now more than ever And a lot more! Show Notes: bennington.edu/screenwriting Ted Braun on IMDb Melissa Rosenberg on IMDb Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning, acclaimed debut novelist Jinwoo Park spoke to me about breaking out of a creative rut, writing as “self-therapy,” cracking the #BookTok code, and his literary espionage thriller OXFORD SOJU CLUB Jinwoo Park is a Korean Canadian writer based in Montreal. He completed a master's degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford, and currently works as a marketer in the tech industry. His first novel, Oxford Soju Club, is a literary espionage thriller exploring themes of identity and the Korean diaspora. Park's manuscript for Oxford Soju Club won the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers' Award in 2021. A Booklist starred review wrote of the book, “In stylistically rich prose, the author carefully portrays complex characters, distilling the intricate workings of the Korean psyche with riveting tension. Under the cover of a compelling espionage drama…” Jinwoo is also a literary translator and received the LTI Korea Translation Award for Aspiring Translators in 2023.  [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 Jinwoo Park and I discussed: How his notes from "self-therapy" became a breakout book Posting to TikTok every day to build a following Sharing a name with a character from K-Pop Demon Hunters In rewriting his debut novel five times to distill it to its essence What authenticity means to him And a lot more! Show Notes: jinwoo-park.com  Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park (Amazon) Jinwoo Park on Instagram Jinwoo Park on TikTok Jinwoo Park on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jeneva Rose, spoke with us about betting on herself, spurning the crown of “Queen of Twists,” her viral social media fame and latest post-apocalyptic romance, DATING AFTER THE END OF THE WORLD I am joined by a co-host this week, none other than The Book Babe, Milena Gonzalez. Jeneva Rose is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including the multi-million copy bestseller, The Perfect Marriage. Her work has been translated into more than 30 languages and optioned for film and TV. Her latest novel is DATING AFTER THE END OF THE WORLD (October 1, 2025), a post-apocalyptic, zombie, enemies-to-lovers romance. Dating After The End of the World was named an Amazon First Reads pick and a #1 New Release in Romantic Comedy. Jeneva Rose has a background in social media, digital, and email marketing. She became a full-time author in March 2021, and has amassed over one million followers across all social media platforms, including TikTok where she’s known as “Mother Goose.” [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 Jeneva Rose, Milena Gonzalez, and I discussed: How she overcame the odds, and 500 rejections, to sign two major publishing deals Writing with a new baby on board Turning hate mail into a laughable social media saga Her inspiration for the latest The unwavering support of her husband Hanging out with Colleen Hoover And a lot more! Show Notes: jenevarose.com  Dating After the End of the World– October 1, 2025 by Jeneva Rose (Amazon) Jeneva Rose Amazon Author Page Jeneva Rose on Facebook Jeneva Rose on Instagram Jeneva Rose on TikTok Jeneva Rose on Twitter Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1 New York Times bestselling author, Lev Grossman, spoke to me about his tenure at Time magazine, how The Magicians poked holes in Narnia and Potter, and reimagining a legend with THE BRIGHT SWORD: A Novel of King Arthur. Lev Grossman is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Magicians trilogy—The Magicians, The Magician King, and The Magician’s Land—which has been published in 30 countries and adapted as a TV show that ran for five seasons on SYFY. His latest novel is THE BRIGHT SWORD: A Novel of King Arthur, named a Best Summer Read by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Time, Vulture, Esquire, Boston Globe, Elle, Town & Country, Seattle Times, New York Post, Lit Hub, and many others. George R. R. Martin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Game of Thrones said of the book, “If you love King Arthur as much as I do, you’ll love Lev Grossman’s The Bright Sword, a fresh and engrossing take on the Matter of Britain featuring a colorful cast of Round Table knights who don’t often get as much story time as they deserve. The creator of The Magicians has woven another spell.” Lev has written two critically acclaimed novels for children, and the screenplay for the movie The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, a finalist for the Critic’s Choice awards (based on his short story). He also worked as a staff writer at Time magazine, and has written essays and articles for Vanity Fair, the Believer, the Village Voice, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Salon, Slate, Wired, Entertainment Weekly, Buzzfeed, NPR, and many others.  [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 Lev Grossman and I discussed:  How he talked his way into writing for Time magazine The evolution of his career from journalist to novelist Breaking through with middle-grade fantasy and The Magicians How he “got into the weeds” with his latest Arthurian tome World-building for streaming vs. collaborating on the graphic novel And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠levgrossman.com⁠ ⁠The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur⁠ by Lev Grossman (Amazon) ⁠Lev Grossman Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Lev Grossman on Facebook⁠ ⁠Lev Grossman on Instagram⁠ ⁠Lev Grossman on Twitter⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of romantic suspense, Jayne Ann Krentz, returns to speak with me about how she’s published over 120 novels, her advocacy of the merits of romantic fiction, and her latest mystery, THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE. Dubbed “The Queen of romantic suspense” and a trailblazer of paranormal romance, Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of over 50 New York Times bestsellers. She has written contemporary romantic suspense novels under that name and futuristic and historical romance novels under the pseudonyms Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick, respectively. Her latest novel is THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE (available for preorder from Berkley; on sale January 6, 2026), described as “... a romantic mystery filled with intergenerational family rivalries, paranormal suspense, tension-filled romance, and a pulse-pounding conspiracy.” Jayne Ann Krentz was the editor of and a contributor to Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance, a non-fiction essay collection that won the prestigious Susan Koppelman Award for Feminist Studies. Krentz was also the inspiration for, and first recipient of, the Romantic Times Jane Austen Award, created to "honor those in the romance community who have significantly impacted [the] genre" [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 Jayne Ann Krentz and I discussed: Overcoming rejection early on Why she would caution new authors against launching multiple brands under different names The rise of Romantasy Her inspiration for the “paranormal twist with a psychic vibe” Writing plots that don’t require forensic science The importance of storytelling for future generations And a lot more! Show Notes: jayneannkrentz.com The Shop on Hidden Lane – January 6, 2026 by Jayne Ann Krentz (Amazon) Jayne Ann Krentz Amazon Author Page Jayne Castle Amazon Author Page Jayne Ann Krentz on Facebook Jayne Ann Krentz on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times bestselling thriller writer Riley Sager, spoke to me about why he publishes under a pen name, how to write Hitchcockian suspense, and his latest "The House Across the Lake." Riley Sager is the bestselling author of six novels, most recently Home Before Dark and Survive the Night. His award-winning first novel, Final Girls, was a national and international bestseller that has been published in 30 countries. His latest novel, The House Across the Lake, has been named a most anticipated summer book by People, E! News, PureWow, CNN.com, CrimeReads, and many others.  It's been described by CrimeReads as "... a psychological thriller version of The Great Gatsby, featuring binoculars for more accurate across-the-lake spying, smaller gatherings for a shorter list of suspects, and a truly bat**** twist for more satisfying consumption." The House Across the Lake was inspired by Riley's "... own pandemic escapes to a cabin in rural Vermont [and] oozes with slow-burn Hitchcockian suspense before building to a finale that will leave readers reeling. " [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] Stay calm and write on ... In this file Riley Sager and I discussed: The albatross of bad sales early in your career Why his process changes from book to book How to turn common genre tropes on their head What happens to his social life as deadlines loom Taking inspiration from classic film And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠rileysagerbooks.com⁠ ⁠The House Across the Lake: A Novel⁠ by Riley Sager (Amazon Affiliate) ⁠Riley Sager Amazon Author Page⁠ (Amazon Affiliate) ⁠Riley Sager on Facebook⁠ ⁠Riley Sager on Instagram⁠ ⁠Riley Sager on TikTok⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times bestselling and award-winning psychological thriller writer, Chevy Stevens, returns to speak with me about writing dark subjects, running out of scary humans, and her latest “home invasion on wheels,” THE HITCHHIKERS. Chevy's debut novel Still Missing became a New York Times bestseller and winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel in 2010. Her popular books, including Those Girls — which Stephen King called “Incredibly scary and suspenseful” — have been published in over thirty countries and optioned for film and TV.  New York Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter described her eighth novel, another standalone thriller titled THE HITCHHIKERS (available for pre-order and on-sale 10/7) as "A frightening and viscerally chilling road-trip-gone-wrong story." [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 Chevy Stevens and I discussed: How not all Canadians are friendly Starting books with something innocent that morphs into terror Why writing is like dating Her love of the nostalgia of ‘70s Hollywood Why Poltergeist is the scariest movie of all time And a lot more! Show Notes: chevystevens.com  The Hitchhikers: A Novel Hardcover – October 7, 2025 by Chevy Stevens (Amazon) Chevy Stevens Amazon Author Page Chevy Stevens on Facebook Chevy Stevens on Instagram Chevy Stevens on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning, New York Times bestselling psychological thriller writer, Chevy Stevens, spoke to me about her life as a recluse, dreaming in prose, scaring the King, and her latest, Dark Roads. Chevy's debut novel Still Missing went on to become a New York Times bestseller and winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel in 2010. Her popular books, including Those Girls – which Stephen King called “Incredibly scary and suspenseful,” – have been published in more than thirty countries and optioned for film. Her seventh novel, the standalone thriller, Dark Roads, has been described as an "instant classic" by #1 New York Times bestselling author C. J. Box. Author Gillian Flynn has called Chevy's work both "Gripping ... [and] unforgettable." Stay calm and write on ... Discover The Writer Files Extra ⁠⁠ You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app! As a subscriber, Kelton will send you added insights, the chance to get TWF merch (like "Stay Calm and Write On" t-shirts anyone?), curated collections of shows like The Publishing Series and The Writer’s Brain, updates, and occasional special offers. Learn more at the link below and take our AuthorPods podcasting course survey. ⁠Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox⁠ If you’re a fan of The Writer Files,  In this file Chevy Stevens and I discussed: Why writers need to be protective of their (daydreaming) time The romanticization of the writing life Tossing novel drafts in the trash bin The real-life "Highway of Tears" and a legacy of broken promises How to write a proper prologue, your first 50 pages ... And a lot more Show Notes: ⁠ChevyStevens.com⁠ ⁠Dark Roads: A Novel⁠ by Chevy Stevens (Amazon) ⁠Chevy Stevens Amazon author page⁠ ⁠Chevy Stevens on Facebook⁠ ⁠Chevy Stevens on Instagram⁠ ⁠Chevy Stevens on Twitter⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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.” [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 Bonnie Garmus and I discussed:  How 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 Instagram ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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 Silver is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December, The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, One Night on the Island, and A Winter in New York, and her books have been published in over 25 languages. Her latest novel, CRAZY SPOOKY LOVE (September 2, 2025), features a plucky medium, her fame-chasing ex, and an infuriatingly handsome skeptic reporter in a ghost-hunting series full of romance and humor. Although Josie Silver burst onto the scene with her smash-hit debut romance, One Day in December in 2018, she had published books before—just under a different name, and never in the U.S. She tells me that story here. [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 Josie Silver and I discussed: How she wrote on maternity leave, won a contest, and got an agent Why she couldn’t imagine doing anything else amidst multiple rejections The need for authors to reinvent themselves often How her latest protagonist strolled into her imagination fully formed Rewriting a previously published work for a new set of editors And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠josiesilver.com⁠ ⁠Crazy Spooky Love: A Melody Bittersweet Novel (Melody Bittersweet, 1)⁠ – September 2, 2025 – by Josie Silver (Amazon) ⁠Josie Silver Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Josie Silver on Twitter/X⁠ ⁠Josie Silver on Instagram⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid Instagram ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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-star finds. This is the first volume of a new format of the show where I’ll be inviting some like-minded friends to talk shop. Milena Gonzalez graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a double major in Literary Journalism and English. She spent eight years as owner, designer, and screen printer of a small business, Lady & Little.  Milena is a Southern California mom to three kids. She is currently working on her third novel, a psychological suburban thriller. Learn more about her at diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram. [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 Milena Gonzalez and I discussed: Why we both love #1 NY Times bestselling author Bonnie Garmus so much Quick reviews of the latest releases from NY Times bestselling author Stacy Willingham and debut novelist Penny Zang How Milena discovers new and established authors to review The definition of “dark academia” Where we put all of our TBR stacks Advice on how to keep going And a lot more! Show Notes: Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer Forget Me Not: A Novel by Stacy Willingham (Amazon) Doll Parts: A Novel by Penny Zang (Amazon) Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose (Amazon) How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Bonnie Garmus Writes How Acclaimed Debut Novelist Priscilla Morris Writes How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Carley Fortune Writes - Redux How NY Times Bestselling Thriller Writer Riley Sager Writes How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Emily Henry Writes: Part One diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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 MacBride is the Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author of the Logan McRae and Ash Henderson novels. He’s also published standalones, novellas, short stories, and a “... slightly twisted children’s picture book.” His latest novel, THIS HOUSE OF BURNING BONES, is the 13th in the popular Logan McRae series. “A gritty police procedural that perfectly blends dry humor and psychological elements, this brand-new installment in the Logan McRae series celebrates 20 years since the beloved detective's first appearance in Cold Granite (2005).” The Washington Post wrote of the book, "Though part of a series, this novel stands successfully on its own, its characters fleshed out and in full possession of their idiosyncrasies." Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, said, "Stuart MacBride is an automatic must-read for me . . . always fast, hard, authentic – and different."  [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 Stuart MacBride and I discussed: Why your first novel will definitely be crap How finally getting his first agent went sideways The decision to have his protagonist age in real time Taking a five-year hiatus from the popular DI Logan McRae series Why he writes his novels as screenplays first And a lot more! Show Notes: stuartmacbride.com This House of Burning Bones (Logan McRae, 13) by Stuart MacBride (Amazon) Stuart MacBride Amazon Author Page Stuart MacBride on Facebook Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Priscilla Morris is a British author and lecturer whose debut novel, Black Butterflies, was shortlisted for a number of major awards. Critics described Black Butterflies as “a story of strife and hope set during the conflict in the Balkans in the early '90s,” and it was shortlisted in 2023 for: the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the RSL Ondaatje Prize, among others, and chosen as an Indie Fiction Book of the Month. Black Butterflies is a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize 2025 (winners to be announced in September). Priscilla teaches creative writing in Ireland and studied Spanish, Italian and social anthropology at Cambridge University and creative writing at the University of East Anglia, where she earned her PhD. [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 Priscilla Morris and I discussed: How her Grandfather’s funeral planted the seed that became her novel Why art helps overcome the tragedies of war Writing a love letter to the place she spent a part of her formative childhood How to cultivate a balanced disposition toward your work over time Why writing is a long game And a lot more! Show Notes: priscillamorris.org Black Butterflies: A Novel by Priscilla Morris (Amazon) Priscilla Morris on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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 thriller, THE GRANDEST GAME. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 acclaimed young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games series (over 3 million copies sold), Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals, The Lovely and the Lost, and The Naturals series. Her latest is another #1 New York Times bestseller, The Grandest Game (Volume 1) “... a new series that brings readers deeper into the lush, romantic, and puzzle-filled world of the #1 bestselling Inheritance Games series, set a year after we last saw Avery and the Hawthornes.” Jen is a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science including a Ph.D. from Yale University, and “...is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of fandom and the cognitive science of fiction and the imagination.” [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 Jennifer Lynn Barnes and I discussed:  Juggling a book launch, edits, and revisions for three new books How to reboot a hit series to capture the same energy as the original Why she approaches writing as both a scientist and an author How she uses lists of her favorite tropes to unlock her scenes More theories on why readers love fiction And a lot more! Show Notes:  ⁠How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part One⁠ ⁠Jenniferlynnbarnes.com⁠ ⁠The psychology of fiction with Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Re:Thinking with Adam Grant⁠ - TED Audio Collective ⁠The Grandest Game (Volume 1) (The Grandest Game, 1)⁠ By Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Amazon)⁠ ⁠⁠Jennifer Lynn Barnes Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠⁠Jennifer Lynn Barnes on Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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 HAWTHORNE. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 acclaimed young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games trilogy, Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals, The Lovely and the Lost, and The Naturals series. Her latest is The Brothers Hawthorne, described as “Knives Out-esque” by Publishers Weekly, it is a story of [two brothers] “Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, [who] —with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.” Jen is a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science including a Ph.D. from Yale University, and “...is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of fandom and the cognitive science of fiction and the imagination.” [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 Jennifer Lynn Barnes and I discussed:  Her study of autism and why neurodivergents rely so heavily on story How her bestselling trilogy went viral on TikTok Why she writes for reluctant readers How to write mysteries with intricate puzzles, twists, turns, and reveals Her theories on why readers love fiction And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠Jenniferlynnbarnes.com⁠ ⁠The psychology of fiction with Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Re:Thinking with Adam Grant⁠ - TED Audio Collective ⁠The Brothers Hawthorne⁠ By Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Amazon) ⁠Jennifer Lynn Barnes Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Jennifer Lynn Barnes on Twitter⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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 Silver is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December, The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, One Night on the Island, and A Winter in New York, and her books have been published in over 25 languages. Her latest novel, CRAZY SPOOKY LOVE (September 2, 2025), features a plucky medium, her fame-chasing ex, and an infuriatingly handsome skeptic reporter in a ghost-hunting series full of romance and humor. Although Josie Silver burst onto the scene with her smash-hit debut romance, One Day in December in 2018, she had published books before—just under a different name, and never in the U.S. She tells me that story here. [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 Josie Silver and I discussed: How she wrote on maternity leave, won a contest, and got an agent Why she couldn’t imagine doing anything else amidst multiple rejections The need for authors to reinvent themselves often How her latest protagonist strolled into her imagination fully formed Rewriting a previously published work for a new set of editors And a lot more! Show Notes: josiesilver.com Crazy Spooky Love: A Melody Bittersweet Novel (Melody Bittersweet, 1) – September 2, 2025 – by Josie Silver (Amazon) Josie Silver Amazon Author Page Josie Silver on Twitter/X Josie Silver on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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 his Cinder Spires series, THE OLYMPIAN AFFAIR. Jim Butcher is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and the Cinder Spires novels. The long-anticipated second novel in his Cinder Spires series is The Olympian Affair, described by the author as “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Sherlock meets Hornblower,” in a series “... about noble families, magic-wielding warriors, and airship battles.” Library Journal called it “... an exciting epic fantasy, set in the sky and filled with airships, magic, and the connections of blood and found family." And New York Times bestselling author David Weber said of the book, “It’s steampunk meets magic with a dose of sci-fi for seasoning.” [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, Jim Butcher and I discussed:  Why “breaking into print is an arduous and discouraging process” The Genre Fiction Novel class that changed his writing for good Keeping your writing time sacred When your fans become your boss How to write a “steam opera” His most important legacy as a writer And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠jim-butcher.com⁠ ⁠The Olympian Affair (The Cinder Spires Book 2)⁠ by Jim Butcher (Amazon)  ⁠Jim Butcher Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Jim Butcher on Twitter⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the Murder? Antony Johnston is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of over fifty books, graphic novels, and comic series, including the popular Dog Sitter Detective murder mysteries. He adapted his graphic novel, The Coldest City, into the multi-million-dollar blockbuster movie Atomic Blonde, which he also co-produced. His latest novel, Can You Solve the Murder? (Penguin Books; On Sale: 7/1), is described as “An interactive whodunit where you choose which suspects to question, which leads to follow, and ultimately, who to accuse.” Kirkus Reviews wrote of the book, “A Choose Your Own Adventure–style novel for willing and agile grownups….as interactive as readers who don’t play video games are likely to find.­” Antony is also a celebrated video games writer, and is credited with many franchise-defining titles, and a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association. [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 Antony Johnston and I discussed: How writing graphic novels and comics lead to a 20-year parallel career in video games Why the Atomic Blonde adaptation gave him space to write novels His love of storytelling and having never taken a creative writing course Bringing the video games and crime writing worlds together How to write and publish an interactive “game book” And a lot more! Show Notes: antonyjohnston.com Can You Solve the Murder?: An Interactive Crime Novel by Antony Johnston (Amazon) Antony Johnston: Solving This Crime Is No Cakewalk - Writer’s Digest Interview The Organized Writer Antony Johnston on Bluesky Antony Johnston on Threads Antony Johnston on Twitter/X Antony Johnston on Facebook Antony Johnston on Mastodon Antony Johnston on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#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 at the Writers Rising 2024 retreat. Anne Lamott is the author of 20 books, including New York Times bestsellers Help, Thanks, Wow; Dusk, Night, Dawn; Traveling Mercies; and Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, as well as seven novels. Her latest book, Somehow: Thoughts on Love was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Publishers Weekly praised “…her ability to distill complex truths with a deceptive lightness” in their starred review. Anne is a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, an inductee to the California Hall of Fame, and was recently a columnist for The Washington Post. She has taught at UC Davis, writing conferences across the country, and is currently an artist in residence at A Writing Room Collective. [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 Anne Lamott and I discussed:  The debt of honor that is the writing life Why you don’t have to know everything to finish your book What it was like getting inducted into the California Hall of Fame next to Mark Zuckerberg and Serena Williams The importance of accountability for staying on track Why you need to stop not writing and get your butt in the chair And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠Writers Rising 2024⁠ ⁠awritingroom.com⁠ ⁠Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life⁠ by Anne Lamott (Amazon) ⁠Somehow: Thoughts on Love⁠ By Anne Lamott (Amazon) ⁠Anne Lamott Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Anne Lamott on Twitter⁠ ⁠Anne Lamott on Facebook⁠ ⁠Anne Lamott on Instagram⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices