Factually! with Adam Conover Susan Orlean Shares the Secrets of a Lifetime of Reporting
Jan 21, 2026
Susan Orlean, a celebrated nonfiction writer and contributor to The New Yorker, shares her insights into storytelling and her memoir, Joyride. She discusses the art of finding compelling narratives in everyday life, like the hidden world of taxidermy. Orlean emphasizes the importance of emotional depth in writing and why prose journalism allows for rich detail and intimacy. She reflects on the changing landscape of journalism, the serendipity that sparked The Orchid Thief, and offers advice for aspiring writers to craft unique story ideas.
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Curiosity Is The Core Skill
- Susan Orlean credits open-minded curiosity as the core of her reporting practice.
- She hunts either for hidden worlds or deeper truths inside familiar things.
Library Curiosity Led To A Thriller
- Susan used a familiar institution, libraries, to unearth a dramatic story around the LA library fire.
- The ordinary question "how do libraries work?" led to a larger thriller-like narrative.
How Taxidermy Became A Story
- Susan discovered taxidermy after seeing a catalog at a friend's house and followed it to the World Taxidermy Championships.
- The subculture revealed a passionate community and surprising competitions.
