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

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How Bestselling Children's Book Author Crystal Swain-Bates Writes Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning children's book author and diversity publishing pro, Crystal Swain-Bates, spoke with me about what inspired her to launch her own publishing company and the challenges authors of color face.

“When I recognized how underrepresented black characters were in children's books, I made it my life's purpose to fill the diversity gap...” – Crystal Swain-Bates

Crystal is a celebrated illustrated kids' book author, entrepreneur, and indie publisher "... on a mission to positively reshape the way children of color all over the world see themselves."

She has written and published 12 children's books, been featured by Forbes, Entrepreneur, Essence Magazine, CNN, and HuffPost, and her books have been used as props for hit television shows on BET. Her lauded and bestselling book Big Hair, Don't Care is one of Amazon's most highly reviewed black children's books.

Crystal founded Goldest Karat Publishing to address the lack of diversity in children's literature and aims to help "... aspiring and underrepresented authors publish their books and share their stories.”

She also speaks at conferences and events on the topics of diversity in children's literature, writing, and publishing.

Stay calm and write on ...

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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Crystal Swain-Bates and I discussed:

Her promise to fill the diversity gap in children's literature
How a former CIA intelligence analyst became a famed author
Why she always writes her titles first
Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing for illustrated kids' books
How diversity in publishing and book retail needs to improve
And more!

Show Notes:

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Myth-Busting Book Publishing with Agent Lucinda Halpern: Part One Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

President and Founder of Manhattan-based agency Lucinda Literary, Lucinda Halpern, gave me an insider’s take on why literary agents can't just be deal-makers anymore.

Lucinda Halpern is a literary, lecture, and PR agent with over 15 years of experience on both the corporate and agency sides of publishing.

Specializing in "books that change the way people work, behave, and live," she represents authors writing in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction.

Her agency, Lucinda Literary, boasts a roster of authors including New York Times bestselling authors Susan Peirce Thompson (Bright Line Eating), Chris Bailey (The Productivity Project; Hyperfocus), Cait Flanders (The Year of Less), Paul Jarvis (Company of One), the new work of Nicola Kraus (The Nanny Diaries) and Jake Wood (Once a Warrior).

She also shares publishing insights and motivation for writers and hosts both live and online programs for aspiring authors.

Stay calm and write on ...

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In this file Lucinda Halpern and I discussed:

Her mission statement, ethos, and the future of publishing

How good agents build lifelong marriages with their authors

Why you don't have to be famous to get published

Counterintuitive tips about the industry

The old-fashioned art of crafting a book

And more!

Show Notes:

Ready to get your book noticed? Get Lucinda's essential guide for writers: The 6 Things Every Book Pitch Needs – Click here to receive your guide: lucindaliterary.com/subscribe

How to Land a Book Deal with Agent & Author Lucinda Halpern: Part Two

Lucinda Literary on Medium

Lucinda Literary on Facebook

Lucinda Literary on Instagram

Lucinda Literary on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How NY Times Bestselling Author Lisa Scottoline Writes May 19, 2021

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice
New York Times bestselling author and Edgar award-winner, Lisa Scottoline, spoke with me about what she learned from literary lion Philip Roth, impostor syndrome, and her latest book, Eternal.

“I think all writing is writing, and all writing is good. And whether it gets published or not, it all ... makes you better.” – Lisa Scottoline

Lisa is a #1 bestselling author of 33 novels. She's gone from law school standout to writing chart-topping legal thrillers over the course of her prolific career, has sold over 30 million copies of her books in the US, and been published in 35 countries.

Her latest is Eternal and her first historical novel, a departure that she calls the culmination of her life's work. It's described as "... a sweeping and shattering epic of historical fiction fueled by shocking true events."

“[Her] expansive WWII-era historical novel follows three childhood best friends as love, loyalty and sacrifice mix and their beloved Rome falls to the Nazis.” – GMA

Lisa also writes a weekly humor column with her daughter, Francesca Serritella, for the Philadelphia Inquirer, which have been adapted into a series of memoirs.
She has served as President of the Mystery Writers of America and has taught a course she developed, “Justice in Fiction,” at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, her alma mater.

Stay tuned after the interview for a sample of the audiobook excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio read by Cassandra Campbell.

Stay calm and write on ...

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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Lisa Scottoline and I also discussed:

Her favorite rejection letter
Why writers just need to "get it down, then get it good"
How the identity of a writer changes over the years
Her unique research process
Why your sentences need to justify themselves
And more!

Show Notes:

Scottoline.com
Eternal by Lisa Scottoline [Amazon]
Survival In Auschwitz : If This Is a Man by Primo Levi [Amazon]
The Writer's Brain on Impostor Syndrome
Lisa Scottoline on Facebook
Lisa Scottoline on Instagram
Lisa Scottoline on Twitter
Kelton Reid on Twitter

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'Diving Deep' with Award-Winning Documentarian Mimi deGruy and Author Adam Skolnick May 12, 2021

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice
Award-winning documentarian, Mimi deGruy, joined me and author Adam Skolnick for a deep dive into the genesis of her documentary exploring the legacy and environmental activism of her late husband, trailblazing ocean filmmaker Mike deGruy.

“When Mike died, I felt like he left in mid-conversation, and I knew that he had so much more to say,” – Mimi deGruy

Mike deGruy was a lauded filmmaker, biologist, and activist, who pushed the boundaries of cinematography and diving technology to explore never-before-seen ocean life and share it with the world.

"In 2012, deGruy died tragically at age 60 in a helicopter crash in Australia while filming for [Academy Award® winning] director James Cameron." – KCRW

The documentary, “Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy” was crowd-funded, directed, produced, and written by Mimi, Mike’s widow and filmmaking partner.

"Told through the eyes of his wife ... the film celebrates [Mike’s] life, career, and what he passionately believed: we are destroying the ocean before we even know what’s there."

The Hollywood Reporter said about the film: “It [succeeds] as a touching personal reminiscence and as an understated but effective environmental manifesto.”

The film opened the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2019, and won Best Film at the Ocean Film Festival, Audience Favorite at the Aspen Mountain Film Festival, and many other awards. It is available across all platforms including Apple TV/iTunes and Amazon rentals.

Adam Skolnick is the award-winning journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, travel, and human rights for The New York Times and other outlets. He is the author of One Breath: Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits, the ghostwriter and narrator of David Goggins’ smash hit memoir and audiobook Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, and he is a co-host on the Rich Roll Podcast.

As a bonus, Adam and I kick off the show by discussing the legacy of Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Stay calm and write on ...

Discover The Writer Files Extra

You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!

Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox

Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.

If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Mimi deGruy, Adam Skolnick, and I also discussed:

Why friends and family described Mike as a "human exclamation mark"
The single piece of footage that inspired Mimi to make the documentary
How the BP oil spill cemented the filmmaker's life mission
The fascinating arc of Mike's career
Why his spirit was undeterred by a rare shark attack
And more!

Show Notes:

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How Bestselling Crime Novelist Walter Mosley Writes May 05, 2021

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Celebrated author, Walter Mosley, took a timeout to chat with me about how he didn't write a sentence he liked until age 35, the sprawling muse of Los Angeles, and his conflicted feelings after winning a big National Book Award.

“Write your truth, and believe in it. And if your mother doesn’t like it ... too bad.” – Walter Mosley

Walter is the first Black man to receive the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters for lifetime achievement in writing.

The critically acclaimed author, playwright, screenwriter, and producer has written over 60 books including fiction (literary, mystery, and science fiction), writing guides, memoir, a YA novel, has won dozens of prestigious awards (including an Emmy), and been translated into 25 languages.

His bestselling historical mysteries feature infamous, hard-boiled detective "Easy" Rawlins, a black PI living in the Watts neighborhood of LA.

Blood Grove (Easy Rawlins Book 15) is the latest in that series and described as "... a novel of vast scope and intimate insight, and a soulful call for justice by any means necessary."

Walter's work has also been adapted for film and TV including Devil in a Blue Dress (starring Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and Jennifer Beals) and the HBO production of Always Outnumbered (starring Laurence Fishburne and Natalie Cole).

Stay calm and write on ...

Discover The Writer Files Extra

You can now have The Writer Files podcast dropped right into your email inbox every time there’s a new show. No more shaking your podcast app!

Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox

Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.

[Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm]

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In this file Walter Mosley and I discussed:

His winding career path

How the apex of post-hippie Los Angeles, California affected his writing

What it was like to work with the late, Oscar-nominated filmmaker John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood)

Why you need to read your drafts out loud

And more!

Show Notes:

WalterMosley.com

Blood Grove (Easy Rawlins Book 15) by Walter Mosley (Amazon)

Walter Mosley Amazon author page

Writing Los Angeles: A Literary Anthology: A Library of America Special Publication (Amazon)

Roger Zelazny Amazon author page

Walter Mosley on Facebook

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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How Critically Acclaimed Novelist Erik Raschke Writes Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Critically acclaimed novelist, short story writer, and educator, Erik Raschke, stopped by this week to talk about coming-of-age in Denver, Colorado, how The Beat Generation influenced his writing, and how your children consume you.

Erik Raschke is a native to Denver, Colorado – and admittedly, one of my oldest friends. He became a dual Dutch and American citizen in 2013, teaches writing at the University of Amsterdam and is a certified New York public school teacher.

Erik's first novel, The Book of Samuel, was translated into Italian and nominated for the prestigious Printz award. His short story, Winch (Portland Review), was nominated for the 2018 Best American Short Stories.

His latest is To the Mountain, a novel described as "... an absorbing tale of sacrifice, hope, and the bond between father and son."

NY Times bestselling author Margaret Coel called the book, “A deeply affecting tale of a father’s love for his autistic son ... Raschke’s lyrical prose evokes both the awesome wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in winter and the unfathomable wilderness of the human heart."

As a journalist in the early '90s in Belfast, Erik briefly covered violence that marked the end of The Troubles. His short stories and essays have been published in The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times Magazine, Hazlitt, Georgia Review, De Volkskrant, and Guernica, among others.

Stay calm and write on …

And Stay Tuned: I’m cooking up some extras for fans of the show in the coming weeks you won’t want to miss including the option to have episodes, extras, and added insights delivered straight to your inbox, and maybe even some Writer Files merch on the way.

Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.

In this file Erik Raschke and I discussed:

The European Rockabilly facsimile that made him cry
Denver and Ken Kesey's impact on his writing
Why he studied the history of disability for his latest novel
How grad school teaches you to write nice sentences, but not great stories
And more!

Show Notes:

ErikRaschke.com
To the Mountain by Erik Raschke (Amazon)
Erik Raschke Amazon author page
The Revenant by Michael Punke (Amazon)
Erik Raschke on Facebook
Kelton Reid on Twitter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Greaney Writes: Part One Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Greaney, dropped by to chat about hanging out with Tom Clancy at The Pentagon, the elements of a great spy novel, and the latest in The Gray Man series.

"Even if you finish a whole book and it doesn't get published, I promise you you're a much better author at the end of that process than you were at the beginning..." – Mark Greaney

Mark's debut international thriller, The Gray Man, was published in 2009 and became a national bestseller and highly sought-after Hollywood property. He's released ten in that series to date including the #1 New York Times bestseller One Minute Out.

The Gray Man series has drawn comparisons to giants of the field including Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, and – of course – Tom Clancy. Mark is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author or co-author of seven Tom Clancy novels – he co-wrote Clancy’s final three Jack Ryan thrillers prior to his passing.

Mark's latest outing with The Gray Man is Relentless, a book bestselling author Lee Child called, “Hard, fast, and unflinching — exactly what a thriller should be.”

Netflix recently announced an adaptation of the first book in The Gray Man series, starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans.

Stay calm and write on ...

Preview a sample of a podcast at the break from this week's sponsor Look Closer: The Found Fiction Podcast, more at foundfiction.org.

If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Mark Greaney and I discussed:

His 15 year, overnight success
How his extensive research differs from book to book
What it's like to work with the Russo brothers (best known for their Marvel films)
Why writers need to relax and enjoy the process
And more!

Show Notes:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Research Historical Fiction with Award-Winning Author Patrick Hicks Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

#PodcastersForJustice

Award-winning author, poet, and Emmy-nominee, Patrick Hicks, joined me this week to talk about his unique research process, how stories choose their authors, and how to talk about The Holocaust.

"Whatever scares you to write... that's what you should be writing." – Patrick Hicks

Patrick is the award-winning author of over ten books, including The Collector of Names, Adoptable, This London, and the critically acclaimed novel, The Commandant of Lubizec.

He is the Writer-in-Residence at Augustana University as well as a faculty member at the MFA program at Sierra Nevada University.

He has been published widely in literary journals including Ploughshares, Prairie Schooner, Guernica, The Utne Reader, and many others. His poetry has appeared on NPR, The PBS NewsHour, and American Life in Poetry.

The Emmy-nominated writer also hosts a weekly radio broadcast Poetry from Studio 47 that airs on NPR affiliates.

Note: I’m cooking up some extras for fans of the show in the coming weeks you won’t want to miss including the option to have episodes, extras, and added insights delivered straight to your inbox, and maybe even some Writer Files merch on the way.

Stay calm and write on …

This week's sponsor is Neuro. Use the code WRITER at checkout for a 15% discount.

If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Patrick Hicks and I discussed:

A roadmap to making a living as a writer
How he used grants to fund the research for his latest novel
Note-taking and travel for historically accurate writing
What it's like to get blurbed by your heroes
The circularity and universality of the human condition across eras
Why great writing should always be your end goal
And more!

Show Notes:

PatrickHicks.org
In The Shadow of Dora by Patrick Hicks (Amazon)
Ulysses by James Joyce (Amazon)
Poetry from Studio 47
How Grant Money Funded the Research and Writing of My First Two Novels (and how it could help you too)
A prized poet, Hicks nominated for an Emmy
Patrick Hicks on Facebook
Kelton Reid on Twitter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Award-Winning Artist & Author Jason Naylor Writes Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

#BoulderStrong
Brooklyn-based designer, artist, and creative director, Jason Naylor, rapped with me about his mission to inspire hope, how to write bite-sized wisdom for an attention-starved world, and why "love is the answer to everything."

“Be yourself, be brave, be proud of who you are, be kind, be loving, be happy, and be colorful.” – Jason Naylor

As a designer, Jason has won two CLIO bronze medals and a Golden Novum Design Award. But it's his "live life colorfully" credo and independent artwork that have found him fame.

Jason's popularity has grown during the pandemic through his inspiring and intensely colorful murals. Jason has worked around the world to brighten communities through his public art installations.

His first book is Live Life Colorfully: 99 Ideas to Add Joy, Positivity, and Creativity to Your Life, a "...quirky, illustrated mix of inspiring words, tips and tricks, and challenges from [the] award-winning artist."

You may recognize his distinctive style from his collaborations with brands including Coach, Guess, Pepsi, Maybelline, MAC Cosmetics, and more.

Stay calm and write on …

Note: Watch this space – I’m cooking up some extras for fans of the show in the coming weeks you won’t want to miss including the option to have episodes, extras, and added insights delivered straight to your inbox, and maybe even some Writer Files merch on the way.

This week's sponsor is Neuro. Use the code WRITER at checkout for a 15% discount.

If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Jason Naylor and I discussed:

How to create an instantly recognizable (and inspiring) brand
Why a splash of color and surprise is what we all need right now
His vivid tribute to the essential workers of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Why repetition is key to creativity
And more!

Show Notes:

JasonNaylor.nyc
Live Life Colorfully: 99 Ideas to Add Joy, Positivity, and Creativity to Your Life by Jason Naylor (Amazon)
The Dream Room - "Fifty Hotel & Suites collaborated with world-renowned artist Jason Naylor..."
Jason Naylor on Instagram
Kelton Reid on Twitter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How NY Times Bestselling Author Matt Haig Writes Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

Internationally bestselling author, Matt Haig, spoke with me about how the novelist became an accidental "mental health expert," why writers need resilience, and the process behind The Midnight Library.

"The only reader you're ever going to truly know ... is yourself." – Matt Haig

Matt's the author of 20 books including the #1 bestselling memoir, Reasons to Stay Alive, five novels – including How to Stop Time – and several award-winning children’s books. His work has been translated into over 40 languages.

His latest novel is The Midnight Library, a runaway, #1 bestseller and reader favorite of 2020. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction Book of 2020, a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, the New York Public Library, among many others.

The New York Times said of the book, "An absorbing ... vision of limitless possibility, of new roads taken, of new lives lived, of a whole different world available to us somehow, somewhere, [perhaps] exactly what’s wanted in these troubled and troubling times.”

Stay calm and write on …

**Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, read by Carey Mulligan.

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[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 Matt Haig and I discussed:

His superhero origins and the blog post that became a book

How to write "like no one's watching"

Inconsistent routines and the power of deadlines

Why writers need to surprise themselves

How he got Carey Mulligan to record his audiobook

And more!

Show Notes: