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

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Dean Koontz Writes

16 snips

Jan 16, 2026

In this engaging conversation, bestselling author Dean Koontz shares his journey from a struggling writer to a literary giant with over 120 novels. He reflects on leaving science fiction behind, the challenges of publisher expectations, and his shift to allowing characters to guide his stories. Koontz reveals the inspiration behind his latest book, The Friend of the Family, rooted in his childhood carnival memories. With a dash of humor, he also hints at future memoirs about his career mistakes and offers encouraging advice for aspiring writers.

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ADVICE

Persevere Through Early Struggles

If you’re struggling, keep going because there’s always potential for something better in life.
Dean Koontz says optimism and persistence kept him moving through hard times.

ANECDOTE

Long Road From Sci‑Fi To Success

Koontz wrote science fiction early, then realized he wasn't strong in that field after years of publishing.
He spent about 15 years struggling before finding success in a different direction.

INSIGHT

Don't Let Publishers Define You

Repeating the same successful book can bore an author and limit growth.
Koontz argues young writers should ignore common publishing 'wisdom' and find their own path.

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz spoke with me about his secret desire to run away with the carnival, struggling as a young writer, finding his voice, the evolution of his process, and his latest novel THE FRIEND OF THE FAMILY.

International bestselling author Dean Koontz was a senior in college when he won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition. He has never looked back.

Koontz has written over 120 novels, been published in over 38 countries, and sold an incredible 500 million copies to date.

His masterful suspense thrillers, which blend science fiction, horror, crime and comedy, have earned him worldwide acclaim–and 14 hardback #1 NYT bestsellers–making him one of only a dozen writers to achieve that milestone (incl. One Door Away From Heaven, From the Corner of His Eye, Midnight, Cold Fire, The Bad Place, Hideaway, Dragon Tears, Intensity, Sole Survivor, The Husband, Odd Hours, Relentless, What the Night Knows, and 77 Shadow Street).

His latest novel, The Friend of the Family, is described as the story of “A girl liberated from a carnival sideshow [who] discovers her mysterious purpose in a moving novel about family, sacrifice, and transcendent love…”

Dean Koontz has been hailed by Rolling Stone as “America’s most popular suspense novelist,” and The New York Times has called his writing “psychologically complex, masterly and satisfying.” Many of his books have been made into films.

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In this file Dean Koontz and I discussed:

What to do when you’re down and out

When he realized he wasn’t a true sci-fi writer

The author’s low threshold for boredom and genre-defying work

Why he stays away from in-person events

Writing The Friend of the Family and the inspiration behind it

Why writers need to find humor in their mistakes

Having a nice red wine with Charles Dickens

And a lot more!

Show Notes: