In this engaging conversation, Matt Haig, bestselling author of 'The Midnight Library' and 'Reasons to Stay Alive', discusses his unexpected role as a mental health advocate. He shares insights about writing as a means of self-therapy, reflecting on the transformative power of storytelling during difficult times. The discussion touches on his journey from fiction to autobiography, the challenges of character development, and the significance of authenticity in the creative process. Haig emphasizes resilience and the bittersweet nature of success in writing.

Bestselling author and literary agent Betsy Lerner spoke with me about being a “late bloomer,” what 35 years in publishing has taught her, and portraying mental illness in her debut novel SHRED SISTERS.Betsy Lerner is the author of the popular advice book to writers, The Forest for the Trees, and the memoirs Food and Loathing and The Bridge Ladies. With Temple Grandin, she is the also co-author of the New York Times bestseller Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns and Abstractions.Her debut novel, Shred Sisters, is described as “... an intimate and bittersweet story exploring the fierce complexities of sisterhood, mental health, loss and love.” The book was longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, a New York Times Notable Book of 2024, and a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice and Best Book of the Year So Far, among many other accolades.Betsy received an MFA from Columbia University in Poetry and was selected as one of PEN’s Emerging Writers. She also received the Tony Godwin Publishing Prize for Editors. After working as an editor for 15 years, she became an agent and is currently a partner with Dunow, Carlson and Lerner Literary Agency.[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 Betsy Lerner and I discussed:Getting kicked out of film schoolHow "No Bad Dogs" inspired her to write The Forest for the Trees about writer personalitiesWorking with punk rock icon Patti SmithThe secrets behind her writing processWhy she wants to have dinner with filmmaker Greta GerwigAnd a lot more!Show Notes:betsylerner.comDunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary AgencyShred Sisters by Betsy Lerner (Amazon)The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner (Amazon)Betsy Lerner Amazon Author PageKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY.Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada,  and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY (on sale 4/9/24; ages 8 & up), is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.[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 Ernest Cline and I discussed:The crazy story behind Stephen King’s MiseryWhat it was like waiting for a call from Stephen SpielbergHow the author got to see his fiction turned into realityMaking the transition from adult sci-fi to middle grade novelsHis shout outs to ET, Roald Dahl, Charles PortisAnd a lot more!Show Notes:How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part OneBridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)Ernest Cline Amazon Author PageKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY.Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada, and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY, is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.[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 One of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:The signposts on the road to becoming a writerHis change of fortune (and opinion) as a screenwriterThe big idea behind Ready Player One Why 90% of Stephen King’s protagonists are school teachers or writersAnd a lot more!Show Notes:How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part TwoBridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)Ernest Cline Amazon Author PageKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer spoke with me about cutting her teeth on fanfiction, working briefly in publishing, and THE HAPPY WRITER, a guide to writing with less stress and more JOY.Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, Heartless, The Renegades Trilogy, and Instant Karma, as well as the graphic novel duology Wires and Nerve.Marissa also created and hosted a popular podcast, The Happy Writer, that inspired her debut writing guide, The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond.Described as, “Applicable to writers in all genres and disciplines—from screenwriters to novelists, journalists to picture book authors, aspiring to many-times published—The Happy Writer is a heartfelt and optimistic guide that will show you the way to a happier writing journey.”Marissa holds a BA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University and a MA in Publishing from Pace University.[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 Marissa Meyer and I discussed:How an overactive imagination led to a lifetime of storytellingWhat she learned about the author/editor relationship early on Why optimism has always been a part of her brandHow to bring more joy to your writing “process”Embracing lifelong creativityAnd a lot more!Show Notes:marissameyer.comThe Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond By Marissa MeyerMarissa Meyer Amazon Author PageSave the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica Brody (Amazon)Marissa Meyer on FacebookMarissa Meyer on InstagramKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychology and Neuroscience Professor Kurt Gray spoke with me about the timely release, and inspiration behind his latest book OUTRAGED: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground.Kurt Gray is a Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding.Kurt Gray's, new book OUTRAGED: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground “... explains the science behind the United States' current political divide.”A NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB MUST-READ BOOK • It is described as “A groundbreaking new perspective on the moral mind that rewrites our understanding of where moral judgments come from, and how we can overcome the feelings of outrage that so often divide us.”#1 New York Times best-selling author Adam Grant called it, "A riveting read. . . . Overturns widespread assumptions about why we’re divided and reveals how we can come together."Kurt Gray received a PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University, has published over 120 scientific papers, and his findings have been featured in The  New York Times, the Economist, Scientific American, Wired, and Hidden Brain.[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 Kurt Gray and I discussed:What it finally feels like to publish a book after decades of researchHow we have misunderstood the moral mindWho makes a profit from the “outrage machine”Why humans are innately storytelling creaturesHow to unplug, get words on the page, keep goingAnd a lot more!Show Notes:kurtjgray.comOutraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground By Kurt Gray (Amazon)Dragon Transcription AppWhy We Fight About Morality and Politics | Kurt Gray | TEDxRenoKurt Gray on TwitterKelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais, known for his thrilling Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series, as he shares captivating insights from his writing journey. He reflects on the emotional toll of recent LA wildfires and how real-life events shape his storytelling. Crais delves into his latest novel 'The Big Empty,' tackling themes of resilience and community. He also explores the gripping case of a missing father, demonstrating the art of emotional storytelling and the profound influence of crime writers on his craft.

Join Robert Crais, the #1 New York Times bestselling author behind the iconic Elvis Cole and Joe Pike detective series. He discusses his fascinating journey from Emmy-nominated TV writer to crime fiction maestro, drawing inspiration from legends like Raymond Chandler. Crais shares how Los Angeles shapes his storytelling, turning the city into a character of its own. He also delves into his creative process, the evolution of his characters, and the excitement surrounding his latest novel, 'Racing the Light.' A masterclass in writing awaits!

L.M. Elliott, a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist, shares her remarkable journey from magazine writing to crafting historical novels. She reveals how her father’s WWII experiences inspired her storytelling. Discussing her latest work, she highlights the intricate blend of historical truth with fiction, particularly in exploring the fraught political climate of the 1970s. Elliott emphasizes the critical role of research in shaping narratives that address contemporary issues like misinformation and censorship, all while captivating readers with her powerful storytelling.

Georgia Jeffries, an Emmy-nominated TV writer and producer known for her work on 'Cagney & Lacey,' shares her fascinating journey from screenwriting to novel writing. She reflects on her early journalism days and how her debut novel, 'The Younger Girl,' draws from a notorious true crime case. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between confidence and humility in writing, the importance of writing communities, and the unique creative freedom she discovered in transitioning from television to literature.