David Duchovny, actor, writer, and musician, discusses his high school experience living with JFK Junior, important lessons learned from Don Rickles and Gary Shandling, his thesis at Yale, why he won't write a memoir, how he kept faith in himself as an artist, an entertaining encounter playing tennis next to John McEnroe, and his thoughts on bands like The Who and The Kinks.

Magician and author Penn Jillette discusses the similarities between magic and writing, the difference between a cynic and a skeptic, the First Amendment, and the potential dangers of technology. He also talks about his new novel, Random, and shares insights into his habits, love for music and art, and the benefits of being an introvert and extrovert. The lightning round of questions includes amusing details about his drinking habits and recommendations for books, TV shows, and acts in Vegas.

Joseph Kanon: Louis Latour - white Burgundy wineJoe has seen it all - he was CEO of the most prestigious publishing house in the world prior to becoming a bestselling author of spy novels including The Good German which was made into a movie starring George Clooney and Kate Blanchett. Joe talks about the history and future of the novel and the publishing business, writing for TV and film, and how to write novels of moral intrigue (what do you do when forced to chose between two wrongs?).

Dan Abrams: bourbon on the rocksBestselling author, journalist and media entrepreneur Dan Abrams discusses an elevator encounter with Wayne Newton, what Keith Olbermann deserves credit for, Kanye West's play for the social media platform Parler, how writing needs to be crafted differently for network news v. cable news v. print journalism, and the secrets to success in working with a co-author. 

Paulina Porizkova: very dirty martini (2 1/2 ounces Hendrick’s gin, dry vermouth, extra olives) Paulina credits Johnny Depp with being a positive example of kindness on the set and teaching her to be less judgmental; pays a compliment to both Naomi Watts and Bill Nye (not Nighy) the Science Guy; discusses narcissism, Instagram, the Kardashians and Olivia Dunn. 

William Finnegan: Bulleit bourbon & club sodaPulitzer Prize winning author Bill Finnegan talks about a day-in-the-life of a writer on staff at The New Yorker and how a piece gets started with editor David Remnick. Bill also discusses his memoir Barbarian Days and names his picks for top male and top female surfers of all time, as well as names some of his favorite surf breaks around the world. 

Jess Walter: The Robert Burns cocktail (1 ounce Dewar's scotch, 1 ounce sweet vermouth, 1/2 ounce Benedictine, served up and with a lemon twist)It's possible I poured this one a little heavy, but it's my favorite drink so far. Jess talks about the surprise success of his novel Beautiful Ruins, how his agent had nearly negotiated a bonus if it made the bestseller list, though everyone believed making the list was a long shot (it stayed on the bestseller list for a year and a half!). Learn the alternate titles considered for Beautiful Ruins, his writing process, how he evaluates news ideas for novels and short stories, as well as his early work in journalism including working with Christopher Darden to write a book about the OJ Simpson case.

Nelson DeMille: Dewar's on the rocksNelson talks about John Travolta on the set of General's Daughter, the importance of getting characters right even if not PC, the value of a mentor, how he has managed the loss of his wife Sandy with the help of friends and family.

Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, discusses meeting King Charles III, working with Tom Cruise, his ideal love-match for Reacher, and the importance of clarity and conciseness in writing.

Guest Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer prize winning novelist and former president of PEN America, discusses her journey of rejection before achieving success, her award-winning novel Goon Squad, and PEN America's mission. She also shares her worst author event.