Writers, Ink: Your backstage pass to the world's most prolific authors

Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about TV writing jobs, book subscription services, and Meta. Then, stick around for a chat with Nat Cassidy!Nat Cassidy writes horror for the page, stage, and screen.His acclaimed novels, including Mary: An Awakening of Terror,Nestlings, and Rest Stop (Bram Stoker Award nominee), have been featured in best-of lists from Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, NPR, the Chicago Review of Books, the NY Public Library, Amazon, and more, and he was named one of the "writers shaping horror’s next golden age" by Esquire.His award-winning horror plays have been produced throughout New York City and across the United States. He won the NY Innovative Theatre Award for his one-man show about H. P. Lovecraft, another for his play about Caligula, and was commissioned by the Kennedy Center to write the libretto for a short opera (about the end of the world, of course). From 2020 - 2023, Nat was the scriptwriter for Shakespeare Theatre of DC's annual WILL ON THE HILL event, a comedy fundraiser about Shakespeare and politics featuring a star-studded cast of journalists, members of Congress, ambassadors, and veteran actors. With WILL ON THE HILL, Nat's scripts helped raise over a million dollars for arts education. You've also maybe seen Nat on your TV, playing various Bad Guys of the Week on shows such as Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, Bull, Quantico, FBI, and many others. Additionally, Nat is commercial voiceover actor and a member of the audiodrama production company, Gideon Media, which produced hit sci-fi podcasts such as Steal the Stars and Give Me Away, as well as the authorized audiodrama adaptations of the Paramount Pictures classic, Witness, and Wallace Shawn's The Designated Mourner. Nat authored the novelization of Steal the Stars, published by Tor Books and named one of the best books of 2017 by NPR. He lives in New York City with his wife.

Alan Lastufka, a Hoffer Award-winning author and owner of Shortwave, dives into the entrepreneurial mindset essential for success in today's publishing landscape. He discusses the evolution of publishing, highlighting innovative marketing strategies like subscription services. Lastufka shares insights on the challenges independent authors face, including navigating reviewer fees and the impact of AI on creativity. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in engaging readers, making a case for a balance between creative ambition and business savvy.

DP Lyle, an award-winning author and founder of Outliers Writing University, shares insights on finding a unique writer voice. He discusses the transformative role of mentoring within the writing community and the importance of crafting compelling beginnings. Lyle also highlights the challenges and opportunities in writing education, including innovative programs that foster practical skills. Additionally, he explores the significance of authenticity in non-fiction and upcoming writing initiatives designed to connect and empower aspiring authors.

Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Simon & Schuster, Bill Bryson, and The Hunger Games. Then, stick around for a chat with Adam Nevill!ADAM L. G. NEVILL was born in Birmingham, England, in 1969 and grew up in England and New Zealand. He is an author of horror fiction. Of his novels, The Ritual, Last Days, No One Gets Out Alive and The Reddening were all winners of The August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel. He has also published three collections of short stories, with Some Will Not Sleep winning the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection, 2017. Imaginarium adapted The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive into feature films and more of his work is currently in development for the screen. The author lives in Devon, England. 

Award-winning science fiction author John Scalzi, known for his Old Man's War series, shares his insights on turning 29 short stories into a cohesive novel. He discusses his unpredictable journey from high school writer to bestselling author, emphasizing the importance of embracing unique creative processes. Scalzi also delves into the intriguing balance of crafting absurd narratives while maintaining relatable character development, showcasing how humor can intertwine with deeper themes in storytelling.

Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Netgalley, ChatGPT, and Spotify. Then, stick around for a chat with Stephen Graham Jones!Stephen Graham Jones is the NYT bestselling author of 35 or so books, +350 stories, some comic books, and all this stuff here. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, and has a few broken-down old trucks, one PhD, and way too many boots. More here.

Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about AAP sales, London Book Fair 2025, and nonfiction paperbacks. Then, stick around for a chat with Marshall Karp!Marshall Karp - I was born in New York City on June 4 in one of those old-timey years before they invented color TV.I was always a writer—letters, parody songs, stories, skits, fun stuff—but I had no idea I could make a living at it, so I entered Rutgers with a grand plan. I was going to be a dentist.Me—a man with all the manual dexterity of a drunken monkey—a dentist. Fortunately the universe intervened. I flunked freshman biology. So I started writing for the school newspaper.After college I fell into advertising. My girlfriend at the time was a copywriter at an ad agency, and I figured, that sounds cool. So much for career planning.Short version of that 20-year career—I was very successful, but in advertising, the punishment for being a good writer is to promote you and tell you not to write. Before long I had a big title, a big office, and I supervised a hundred people. I was the boss, and all I could think was, “is this all there is?”So I started writing at night. The short version of the next twenty years is that I wrote a play, did a stint in Hollywood writing sitcoms, wrote and produced a feature film, returned to advertising and caught the dotcom wave, and finally the ultimate writer’s dream, these books.I recently wrote about that twenty-year journey on quora.com in response to the question What is the single insight that most changed your life? When the post got tens of thousands of views, I sensed I’d hit a nerve. When it hit a million, I realized I’d struck the mother lode.On a personal note, I’m married, with a son, a daughter, a grandson, and a dog. I live a hundred miles north of New York City in a small town in the mid-Hudson Valley. I love what I do, and I’m grateful for the feedback I get when I do it.And like I said at the top, it’s been a great life so far.

Steve Berry, a #1 internationally bestselling author known for his captivating novels, opens up about his challenging journey through a landscape of rejections before finally achieving success. He emphasizes the importance of persistence and resilience, inspiring aspiring writers to stick to their passion. The discussion also touches on the evolution of writing, shifting from 'writing what you know' to 'writing what you love.' Berry shares how research and historical immersion enrich his storytelling, highlighting the fine line between ordinary challenges and extraordinary narratives.

In this engaging discussion, award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky shares insights from his journey as a science fiction and fantasy writer, inspired by his background in zoology. He explores how tabletop games like D&D shaped his storytelling skills and reflects on the importance of world-building. The conversation also delves into the evolving publishing landscape, including the use of trigger warnings in literature and the impact of social media on author-reader dynamics. Tchaikovsky's deep fascination with insects and how they influence his writing adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

D.J. Williams, a bestselling author known for his mystery, suspense, and YA fantasy novels, shares fascinating insights from his creative journey. He discusses the art of reverse outlining, a technique that helps enhance character development and polish synopses, making stories more cohesive. Williams reflects on the writing process behind his latest series, Beacon Hill, and highlights the challenges of adapting to the changing landscape of book marketing. His unique global experiences add depth to his storytelling, making for an engaging discussion.