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

James McBride, bestselling author and National Book Award winner, discusses eschewing literary fame, his friendship with Spike Lee, and his latest novel. They explore the importance of leaving a writer's legacy, the challenges and rewards of being a writer, and the writing process. They also discuss an upcoming book tour and express gratitude and future plans for the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.

Publishing legend, art historian, and author, Charles Scribner III, spoke with me about growing up surrounded by publishing, Hemingway’s Three Rules to Life, and his memoir/family history SCRIBNERS: FIVE GENERATIONS IN PUBLISHING.Charles Scribner III is an art historian, author, editor, and lecturer, who received his BA, MFA, and PhD from Princeton University in art and archaeology. He worked in publishing for nearly thirty years and is a prominent authority on Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens, and other artists. He has written biographies on Rubens and Bernini; articles for Vanity Fair, Art & Antiques, among other publications; and has lectured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery, the Smithsonian, Christie’s, and various universities. His forthcoming family history, Scribners: Five Generations in Publishing, is about the inside story of 5 generations – over 150 years – at the legendary publishing house of Charles Scribner's Sons.“The author, the fifth of the Charleses to work at that house of celebrated authors, provides … an inside view – ‘between the covers’ of illustrious and notorious books – of the family members, editors, and authors of this colorful literary history.”Kirkus Reviews called it "A charming memoir of a life in books," and Publishers Weekly called it “... a lively and refreshing must-read for those interested in the history of book publishing.”Charles remained at Scribners through three changes in ownership (Macmillan, Maxwell, and Viacom), overseeing the publication of its literary classics. He was also a commentator for TV documentaries on Edith Wharton (BBC/PBS), Fitzgerald and Hemingway (A&E Biography).[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, Charles Scribner III and I discussed:  How manuscripts and galleys symbolized the world he grew up in  Why he chose now to share the stories of the literary lions his father worked with Some of the greatest editors of the 20th Century How to write a book in two months Why loyalty is the most important thing in publishing The secret behind Hemingway’s will And a lot more! Show Notes: charlesscribner.com Scribners: Five Generations in Publishing by Charles Scribner III (Amazon) Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1 NY Times bestselling author, Jim Butcher, outlines a hit 20-novel series. He discusses his journey as a writer, the influence of a writing class, and the challenges of balancing writing time. Butcher emphasizes the importance of connecting with fans and staying true to his artistic vision.

#1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Wiggs, returns to chat with me about her island writing hideout, rescuing two puppies at the same time, holiday genre tropes, and her latest Christmas book THE TWELVE DOGS OF CHRISTMAS.Susan Wiggs is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 50 published novels, with over 25 million copies in print, published in 30 countries, and translated into over 20 languages.Her latest, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas: A Novel, is described as, “The ultimate holiday gift from New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs: a delightful novel about a Christmas transport of rescue puppies that’s guaranteed to warm readers’ hearts.”#1 New York Times bestselling author of Must Love Flowers, Debbie Macomber, said of the book, "Don't miss this charming Christmas tale of thawing hearts, escaping dogs, and finding home. I couldn't help digging into this book with both paws."[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, Susan Wiggs and I discussed:  Writing on planes, trains, and automobiles Her love of classic Christmas stories How the latest ties into her Lakeshore Chronicles series Why one of the easiest things in the world to do is “not write” Getting snowed in with Toni Morrison And a lot more! Show Notes: How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs Writes: Part One Susanwiggs.com The Twelve Dogs of Christmas: A Novel by Susan Wiggs (Amazon)  Susan Wiggs Amazon Author Page Susan Wiggs on Instagram Susan Wiggs on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Longtime literary critic and publishing insider, Bethanne Patrick, is back to chat with me about the return of her hit podcast Missing Pages, her front-row seat to the sea change in publishing, and her life-affirming first memoir LIFE B.Bethanne Patrick is a world-renowned literary critic, author, and host of the chart-topping and Signal Award-winning podcast Missing Pages. Her work appears frequently in the Los Angeles Times as well as in The Washington Post, NPR Books, and Literary Hub.Missing Pages is back – the Webby Award-nominated podcast named a “must-listen” by The Washington Post and The Guardian – has a second season on deck that features authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites.Host Bethanne Patrick sits down with notable guests to set the record straight on the secretive world of book publishing again. From the rise of Colleen Hoover and book bans across America to the idea of who owns what in fan fiction, Missing Pages investigates it all. Bethanne also recently published her first memoir, Life B, “A bracing and fresh look at a lifelong struggle with depression and mental illness,” described by NY Times bestselling author Lori Gottlieb as, “Insightful, honest, [and] ultimately life-affirming …”[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 Bethanne Patrick and I discussed: What it was like to have her podcast nominated for a Webby Award The sui generis of the Colleen Hoover effect What the ambitious second season of Missing Pages plans to tackle The origins and evolution of the novel  How she wrote her first memoir And a lot more! Show Notes: Missing Pages on Apple Podcasts Missing Pages on Twitter How Literary Critic & Publishing Insider Bethanne Patrick (AKA TheBookMaven) Writes: Part One bethannepatrick.com Life B By Bethanne Patrick [Amazon] Bethanne Patrick on Instagram Bethanne Patrick on Facebook Bethanne Patrick on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1 NY Times bestselling author, Andrew Child, spoke to me about his lifelong obsession with storytelling, working with Jack Reacher co-author and brother Lee Child, and their latest in the series THE SECRET.In addition to four Reacher novels, Andrew Child – the pen name of author Andrew Grant – has also written his own hit thriller series including RUN, False Positive, False Friend, False Witness, Invisible, and Too Close to Home. His brother Lee Child is the creator of the international bestselling, award-winning, 28-book series of Jack Reacher novels, and winner of Author of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards.NPR said of the books, “The Reacher novels are easily the best thriller series going,” and James Patterson said of the brother’s collaboration, “Two Childs are better than one.”[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 Andrew Child and I discussed: His past lives in theater and the corporate world The two saddest words in the English language What it was like being a Beta reader for Lee’s early Reacher novels The evolution of the Child brother’s low-tech writing process How to outwrite self-doubt  And a lot more! Show Notes: jackreacher.com The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child and Andrew Child [Amazon] Andrew Grant Amazon Author Page Jack Reacher on Facebook Jack Reacher on Instagram Jack Reacher on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly McGhee, critically acclaimed debut novelist, talks about her part in The Great Publishing Resignation, the emotional toll of losing a parent, and the themes explored in her book on contemporary work and debt. She also discusses her past life as an editor and using writing as a coping mechanism.

Award-winning climate journalist Amy Westervelt discusses her accidental career in climate reporting, the origins of climate denial, and the challenges of investigative journalism. They explore urgent climate concerns, deceptive industry tactics, and the importance of genuine journalism in combating disinformation. Amy also talks about the significance of incorporating climate themes in storytelling and the need for new narratives addressing the climate crisis.

Critically acclaimed debut novelist, Isa Arsén, spoke with me about humanizing machines and the creative process, how to write soft sci-fi, and her genre-bending, “timey-wimey” literary debut SHOOT THE MOON.Isa Arsén is an author and audio engineer based in South Texas and has published several short stories and pieces of experimental interactive media.Shoot the Moon is Arsén’s debut novel, inspired by her own childhood in New Mexico. Named a BookBub Best Book of Fall and Shondaland Best Book for October 2023 among others, it has been described as “...a puzzle box time travel story,” about an “... [intelligent] but lonely NASA secretary and her relentless drive to live a big life in a world that would keep her small.”Publishers Weekly called it an, "Innovative . . . [novel that] navigates the back-and-forth of the story’s time-travel events, threading them into the highlights of women’s scientific achievements."[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 Isa Arsén and I discussed:  Studying music composition and blending the organic and machine Why “music is how we decorate time” Her unique blend of interests, including Dr. Who What it means to write in the age of genre-benders Why storytelling is a quirk of evolution And a lot more! Show Notes: inarsen.com Shoot the Moon by Isa Arsén [Amazon] Isa Arsén on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Writer Files" features Laurell K. Hamilton, bestselling author of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. In this episode, she discusses her writing process and how it has evolved over the years. She shares insights on finding words, wisdom, and mental wellness, and celebrates the 30th novel in her series. Hamilton also talks about her lean, mean writing approach, the importance of not beating yourself up over slow progress, and how to refill your creative tank. Additionally, she explores tapping into science, history, and mythology for realism in fiction. A fascinating conversation with a successful and influential paranormal fiction author.