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

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 expertise. Nicole Meier is a certified book coach and the author of four novels, as well as the host of The Whole Writer podcast for emerging writers. Her books have been recognized by Booklist, Refinery29, BookBub, and Popsugar.  Gretchen Schaffer, is a PR strategist with experience at Adobe, Microsoft, Meta, and Sony, who now helps authors build strong platforms and pitch strategies. Together, they guide fiction writers in establishing their brand, connecting with readers, and confidently pitching their work in the literary world. [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 Nicole Meier, Gretchen Schaffer, and I discussed: Where the duo step in at the “deer in the headlights moment” for authors The overwhelm from the contradictory and ever-changing path to publishing Building a community one reader at a time The intersection of creative practice and career sustainability Why you need to go tell one person that you're a writer this week And a lot more! Show Notes: bookworks.co Book Works Substack Newsletter The Whole Writer podcast Book Works on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 literary history, 1925. He's a Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing at UC Riverside, and the author of multiple bestselling and award-winning titles – translated into dozens of languages – including Doing Nothing (American Book Award winner), Crying, American Nervousness, 1903 (both New York Times Notables), and Born Slippy, his first novel. His latest, 1925: A Literary Encyclopedia, is described as an “… exploration of one of the richest moments in our literary and cultural history .… an explosion of literary innovation, from the rise of modernist masterpieces like Mrs. Dalloway and The Great Gatsby to a boom in pulp fiction.” Besides founding the Los Angeles Review of Books, "... a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and disseminating ... engaging writing on every aspect of literature, culture, and the arts," Tom also founded The LARB Radio Hour, The LARB Quarterly Journal, The LARB/USC Publishing Workshop, and LARB Books. He and his wife now run a residency for writers and artists in St. Chamassy, in France’s Dordogne region. [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 Tom Lutz and I discussed: Adjusting to the life of a country gentleman and all the great wines Why he cares less than ever about what people think of his work The legion of classic texts that came out of one of the most prolific years in history How 1925 birthed so much progress for American culture Why literature is the R&D wing of human enterprise, especially in 2025 And a lot more! Show Notes: 1925: A Literary Encyclopedia by Tom Lutz TomLutzWriter.com⁠ All things ⁠LARB⁠ French Presse - St.-Chamassy Writers’ Residency: A quiet place to live and work in the French countryside. ⁠Tom Lutz's Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Tom Lutz on Facebook⁠ ⁠Tom Lutz on Instagram⁠ ⁠Tom Lutz on Twitter⁠ Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Rachel Slade is an award-winning journalist and acclaimed author of Into the Raging Sea, a national bestseller, New York Times Notable Book, and winner of the Maine Literary Award for nonfiction. Her latest work of nonfiction is Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. (And How It Got That Way). It is described as “a deeply personal and eye-opening journey into the fight to bring ethical manufacturing back to the U.S.” A Publishers Weekly Top 10 Pick in Business and Economics, The Washington Post called it “Persuasively argue[d] . . . Slade’s book gives a granular sense of just how hard it is for business owners, particularly those in manufacturing, to do the right thing by their workers in America today.” Rachel also spent a decade in the city magazine trenches at Boston—first as the design editor, ultimately as executive editor. Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Boston magazine. [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 Rachel Slade and I discussed: Making a career transition from architecture to journalism The intense research that went into her first book Why she used Moby Dick as a story framework Writing a Pandemic book The two hats all writers wear Smoking a cigar with Charles Dickens And a lot more! Show Notes: rachelslade.net Making It in America:The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. (And How It Got That Way) By Rachel Slade (Amazon) Rachel Slade on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marie Ellis, a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter and former journalist, shares her unique journey from acting to storytelling. She candidly discusses overcoming Impostor Syndrome and the art of productive procrastination. Marie emphasizes the importance of embracing failure to boost creativity and reveals how her diverse background enriches her ghostwriting process. The conversation touches on the delicate balance between a ghostwriter's creativity and a client's vision, highlighting techniques for mapping character arcs and plot structures.

Hanif Abdurraqib, a New York Times bestselling author and MacArthur Foundation recipient, shares his transformative journey from a diner job to acclaimed writer. He discusses his experiences on a year-long book tour and the challenges of the literary world. Abdurraqib reflects on the balance between recognition and humility, and the unique journey from poetry to prose. He also connects his passion for basketball to personal identity, emphasizing the discipline behind his writing routine while celebrating community and perseverance in the craft.

Laura Munson, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Haven Writing Retreats, explores rekindling creativity and authenticity in writing. She discusses her new book, 'The Wild Why,' which guides readers to rediscover wonder in a worried world. Munson emphasizes the power of storytelling for connection and the emotional journey of writers. She shares insights from her transformative retreats, encouraging individuals to embrace their creative voice and slow down to foster deeper self-expression and reflection. Dive into the magic of storytelling and reconnect with your sense of wonder!

#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 of Anguish and Anarchy. Tomi Adeyemi is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Hugo and Nebula award-winning novelist and screenwriter who was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes’s 30 Under 30 in Media, and whose website was named one of the 101 Best Websites for writers by Writer’s Digest. Her Children of Blood and Bone series continues to be a publishing phenomenon, acquired in a heated bidding war with the first two books becoming instant #1 NY Times bestsellers – spending over 150 weeks on the list – and over 1.5 million copies in print to date including recent paperback re-releases. The Nigerian/American writer graduated from Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature and studied West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil [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 Tomi Adeyemi and I discussed: Her newly found balance and definition of success as a writer  Facing rejection early on in her career How she persevered through meticulous planning Why her acknowledgments are so lengthy in her long-awaited capstone to her trilogy What’s next for the superstar And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠tomiadeyemi.com⁠ ⁠thewritersroadmap.net⁠ ⁠Children of Anguish and Anarchy (Legacy of Orisha, 3)⁠ – June 25, 2024 by Tomi Adeyemi (Amazon) ⁠Tomi Adeyemi Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Tomi Adeyemi on Instagram⁠ ⁠Tomi Adeyemi on Twitter⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acclaimed debut novelist Emily Everett spoke to me about finding a writing community, impostor syndrome, setting aside self-doubt, and her literary debut, ALL THAT LIFE CAN AFFORD. Emily Everett is a writer and the managing editor of The Common, a literary magazine based at Amherst College. Her debut novel All That Life Can Afford, is the Reese’s Book Club pick for April 2025 (out now from Putnam Books), was named a most anticipated book of 2025 by Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, and E! News, as well as an Apple Books Audiobook Staff Pick. Described as “A taut and lyrical coming-of-age debut about a young American woman navigating class, lies, and love amid London’s jet-set elite.” New York Times bestselling author Sarah McCoy said of the book, “Emily Everett’s All That Life Can Afford is a wildly entertaining fish-out-of-water story meets Cinderella fairy tale.” Emily Everett has an MA in literature from Queen Mary University of London, where she lived and worked from 2009 to 2013. Her short fiction appears in Electric Literature, Tin House, and Mississippi Review, 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 Emily Everett and I discussed: Teaching SAT classes for wealthy families abroad Why you don’t have to wait to get started on your book Her thirst to prove herself with the first novel Time-blocking vs writing in the margins with a full-time job On crappy first drafts And a lot more! Show Notes: emily-everett.com The Common literary magazine All That Life Can Afford: Reese's Book Club by Emily Everett (Amazon) Emily Everett on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning writer and producer Arvind Ethan David spoke to me about making sh*t up for a living, late bloomers, and adapting RAYMOND CHANDLER’S TROUBLE IS MY BUSINESS into a graphic novel. Arvind Ethan David is the Stoker Award-nominated graphic novelist who has also written chart-topping Audiodramas (The Crimes of Dorian Gray, Earworms), television (Anansi Boys) and plays (The Boy with Wings). Arvind is also a producer of film and theater, including the Emmy & Grammy award-winning musical Jagged Little Pill with Diablo Cody. His latest adaptation TROUBLE IS MY BUSINESS is a graphic novel adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s novella featuring one of the most well-known characters in hard-boiled fiction, detective Phillip Marlowe. Library Journal called it “A gripping adaptation of a classic short story [...] A compelling exploration of greed and justice in shadowy 1940s Los Angeles.” Arvind is a principal of Prodigal, the entertainment company where he has produced eight feature films including the Asian Academy Award-winning "The Garden of Evening Mists" and theatrical shows including the Tony- and Grammy-winning Alanis Morissette musical "Jagged Little Pill." [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 Arvind Ethan David and I discussed: Why he was told to be more like Chekhov or Grisham His past lives as a lawyer and venture capitalist Working with some of the greatest writers in the world How storytelling is genetic Adapting one of the great prose stylists for a graphic novel The most interesting dinner in literary history And a lot more! Show Notes: Raymond Chandler's Trouble Is My Business – May 20, 2025 – by Raymond Chandler and Arvind Ethan David; illustrated by Ilias Kyriazis (Amazon) Arvind Ethan David on IMDb Arvind Ethan David on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning author, founder, and editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Review of Books, Tom Lutz, took a timeout to talk with me about his early years as a literary ne'er-do-well, what it's like to hang out with your heroes, and why you can assume every writer is faking it just a little bit."Writing has never felt like a chore to me. It always feels like the space of freedom, and that I'm stealing the time from my job to do something I love." – Tom LutzIn addition to editing the Los Angeles Review of Books, "... a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and disseminating ... engaging writing on every aspect of literature, culture, and the arts," Tom also founded The LARB Radio Hour, The LARB Quarterly Journal, The LARB/USC Publishing Workshop, and LARB Books.He's a Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at UC Riverside, and the author of multiple bestselling and award-winning nonfiction titles – translated into dozens of languages – including Doing Nothing (American Book Award winner), Crying, and American Nervousness, 1903 (both New York Times Notables).His fiction debut is, “A literary thriller that wanders the globe,” novel Born Slippy is described as part "... literary thriller, noir and political satire ... a darkly comic and honest meditation on modern life under global capitalism.”Bestselling novelist James Ellroy said of the book, "Lutz has the seven deadly sins nailed and rethought for our 2020 world. You’ve got to dig this book!"Tom's writing has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, New Republic, Chicago Tribune, ZYZZYVA, and many other newspapers and literary venues, as well as in dozens of books and academic journals.He previously taught at Stanford University, University of Iowa, CalArts, and the University of Copenhagen.[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 Tom Lutz and I discussed: His early years as a juvenile delinquent and the teacher that duped him into becoming a writerWhy "... if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it."How he's happiest (and most creative) when playing hookyOn impostor syndrome and sneaking in the back door of an exclusive club of writersWhat it's like to hang out with Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood And why you may not be the type of writer you think you areShow Notes: TomLutzWriter.comAll things LARBBorn Slippy by Tom Lutz [Amazon]Tom Lutz's Amazon Author PageTom Lutz on FacebookTom Lutz on InstagramTom Lutz on TwitterKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices