New York Times bestselling authors and twin sisters Krista and Becca Ritchie spoke with us about their collaborative writing process, career journey from self-publishing to trad bestsellers, and the latest in their “Ritchie-verse,” DANGEROUSLY OURS. Krista and Becca Ritchie are New York Times bestselling authors and identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—whose lifelong passion for writing has made them iconic voices in the contemporary romance world. They have written ...
May 08, 2026•37 min
New York Times bestselling author and renowned historical fiction novelist, Kate Quinn, spoke with us about the importance of libraries, reading for mental health, and a love letter to both in her latest novel, THE ASTRAL LIBRARY. Kate Quinn describes herself as a "librarian fine delinquent turned bestseller" and is celebrated for her meticulously researched historical fiction, often highlighting resilient women in WWI, WWII, and ancient Rome. Key works include The Alice Network, The Huntress , ...
May 01, 2026•41 min
Award-winning Australian author Charlotte Wood discussed her journey from local journalist to Booker Prize finalist, her creative process, and the 10th anniversary of her dystopian novel THE NATURAL WAY OF THINGS. Charlotte Wood is the author of seven novels and three non-fiction books. Her last novel Stone Yard Devotional was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize, listed as a New York Times Notable Book of 2025, Los Angeles Times 15 Best Books of 2025, and one of The Washington Post's best five...
Apr 24, 2026•44 min
Bestselling and award-winning author Ramona Ausubel spoke with us about the value of low-residency MFA programs, and how to jumpstart your writing process with her latest book UNSTUCK: 101 Doorways Leading from the Blank Page to the Last Page. Ramona Ausubel is the author of five books, most recently The Last Animal which was a national bestseller and received the National Book Foundation Science + Nature Prize and was a Barnes & Noble book of the month. She was the recipient of the PEN/USA ...
Apr 17, 2026•45 min
Bestselling, Booker Prize-winning author, Anne Enright, spoke to me about eagles and moles, the interior engineering of a novel, her love of Irish poetry, and her latest THE WREN, THE WREN. Anne Enright won the Man Booker Prize and the Irish Fiction Award for her novel The Gathering . She has also been awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish Book Awards, and was the first Laureate for Irish Fiction (2015-2018). Her latest novel The Wren, the ...
Apr 15, 2026•36 min
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang spoke with us about burning out at Harvard Law, navigating Hollywood’s power dynamics, and her adult fiction debut THE TAKE. Kelly Yang is the award-winning and bestselling author of over 15 books for children, teens and adults, including the lauded Front Desk series ( Front Desk, Three Keys, Room to Dream, Key Player, Top Story, and Chef’s Secret ), New From Here, Finally Seen, Finally Heard , young adult novels Parachutes and Private Label, as ...
Apr 10, 2026•45 min
Social media phenom turned author, Liz Tenuto aka “The Workout Witch,” spoke to us about how she discovered somatic healing and being courted by publishers to write her first book WHEN THE BODY SPEAKS. Liz Tenuto is a somatic instructor specializing in healing practices that release the physical effects of stress and trauma. She has a degree in Psychology from UCSB, certifications in Pilates and Reiki, 6 years of mentorship in teaching Feldenkrais by Augusta Moore, and 15 years of hands-on teach...
Apr 03, 2026•44 min
New York Times bestselling author, Emma Straub, spoke to us about the cognitive dissonance, joy, and research process behind her highly anticipated next novel AMERICAN FANTASY. Emma Straub is the New York Times bestselling author of six books for adults: the novels This Time Tomorrow, All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, and the short story collection Other People We Married. She is also the author of a picture book, Very Good Hats . Her books have be...
Mar 27, 2026•37 min
Award-winning journalist and author, Ellen Huet, spoke with us about the expose that set off an FBI investigation and the resultant book, EMPIRE OF ORGASM: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult. Ellen Huet is an award-winning investigative journalist who covers technology and Silicon Valley for Bloomberg News. She writes features for Bloomberg Businessweek magazine, and has hosted two seasons of the podcast Foundering … a narrative audio series from Bloomberg Technology. Her first book...
Mar 20, 2026•45 min
Yale educator and TV writer/producer, Aaron Tracy, returns to chat with us about why truth is stranger than fiction, what it’s like to teach at Yale, and his non-fiction narrative podcast “The Secret Life of Roald Dahl.” Aaron Tracy also teaches “The Art and Craft of Television Drama” as well as “Narrative Podcasts” at Yale University, and his TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal, and The Tap which Aaron produced alongside one of his heroes, the legendary late Rob Reiner. He is ...
Mar 13, 2026•45 min
In anticipation of the third part in our series! Yale educator and TV writer/producer, Aaron Tracy, returns to chat with me about surviving the WGA writer’s strike, finally teaching the podcast at Yale, and his latest audio thriller on Audible, Nowhere Man , starring Lee Pace and Zosia Mamet. Aaron Tracy also teaches “The Art and Craft of Television Drama” at Yale University, and his TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal, The Tap , and Sequestered , a serialized thriller that ran...
Mar 12, 2026•42 min
In anticipation of the third part in our series! Yale educator and TV writer/producer, Aaron Tracy, spoke with me about what it takes to make it as a TV writer, breaking into the audio drama space, producing Audible’s most successful original fiction series, and working on the upcoming “Supreme” with Eva Longoria. Aaron Tracy teaches “The Art and Craft of Television Drama” at Yale University, and his TV credits include Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal, The Tap , and Sequestered , a serialized ...
Mar 10, 2026•43 min
Bestselling and award-winning author, Emma Grey, spoke with us about the long path to publication, the catharsis of writing through grief, and her latest unexpected love story, START AT THE END. Emma Grey is the award-winning author of seven books, including the USA Today and international bestsellers, The Last Love Note and Pictures of You . Her newest book, Start at the End , publishing April 7, 2026, is described as a “...sliding-doors novel … that explores second chances and unwritten ending...
Mar 06, 2026•48 min
Happy pub' day Elizabeth! Award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Arnott spoke with us about her early studies of serial killers, a wild journalism career, and her latest period-set crime novel THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES. Elizabeth Arnott has written critically acclaimed historical fiction as Lizzie Pook (her maiden name). As a journalist, she covered everything from true crime to Arctic exploration and appeared in publications such as The Sunday Times, National Geographic, The N...
Mar 03, 2026•44 min
New York Times Notable author and journalist, Emily Listfield, spoke with us about quitting her waitressing job after her first advance, the true value of beta readers, and the rich people behaving badly in her latest thriller REASONS TO LIE. Emily Listfield is the author of seven previous novels, including a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, It Was Gonna Be Like Paris . She is the former editor-in-chief of Fitness magazine and executive editor of Parade's HealthyStyle . Her writing appea...
Feb 27, 2026•44 min
In anticiapation of the second part in this series! New York Times bestselling author, Emma Straub, spoke to me about why everything in life is timing, how to write a book for yourself, time travel, and her latest This Time Tomorrow . Emma is the bestselling author of six novels — including All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, and Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures — the short story collection Other People We Married. Her books have been published in 20 countries. Her latest, This Time ...
Feb 20, 2026•32 min
New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author, Gregg Hurwitz, returns to chat with us about his unflagging curiosity and fascinating research process, how to find your true writing voice, and his 11th Orphan X novel, ANTIHERO. Gregg Hurwitz is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of 27 novels including the lauded ORPHAN X series. His work has appeared in 33 languages, and the Los Angeles Times called him “... a thriller giant." He is also a New York Times bestselli...
Feb 13, 2026•45 min
Acclaimed debut novelist Rosie Storey spoke with us about her rejection advice for writers, chasing personal authenticity, and the "accidental catfishing" at the heart of DANDELION IS DEAD. Rosie Storey left her corporate career to finish her hotly anticipated debut novel, Dandelion Is Dead . The book received significant buzz in early 2026, including a January 2026 Indie Next selection, an exclusive excerpt on Today.com, an NPR interview, coverage from Reader’s Digest , and optioned for TV, amo...
Feb 06, 2026•39 min
Award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Arnott spoke with us about her early studies of serial killers, a wild journalism career, and her latest period-set crime novel THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES. Elizabeth Arnott has written critically acclaimed historical fiction as Lizzie Pook (her maiden name). As a journalist, she covered everything from true crime to Arctic exploration and appeared in publications such as The Sunday Times, National Geographic, The New York Times Book Review ...
Jan 30, 2026•45 min
In anticipation of the author's return to the pod ... New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author, Gregg Hurwitz, spoke with me about why all writing is a process of self-discovery, how to humanize a trained assassin, and the latest Orphan X thriller, THE LAST ORPHAN. Gregg Hurwitz is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author of 23 thrillers including the ORPHAN X series. He has been published in 33 languages, and the Los Angeles Times called him “... a thriller giant....
Jan 23, 2026•37 min
#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz spoke with me about his secret desire to run away with the carnival, struggling as a young writer, finding his voice, the evolution of his process, and his latest novel THE FRIEND OF THE FAMILY. International bestselling author Dean Koontz was a senior in college when he won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition. He has never looked back. Koontz has written over 120 novels, been published in over 38 countries, and sold an incredible 500 million ...
Jan 16, 2026•37 min
Listen to a replay of 2025's other 3rd most popular episode (it was a statistical tie)! 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 ...
Jan 14, 2026•36 min
Listen to a replay of 2025's 3rd most popular episode! #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 po...
Jan 09, 2026•33 min
Listen to a replay of 2025's 2nd most popular episode! Thank you for your ears and we look forward to a raucous writerly 2026 ... Award-winning TV writer/producer turned novelist Georgia Jeffries spoke with me about why Cagney and Lacey was her film school, teaching screenwriting at USC, and the ghosts, grief, and grievance in her debut novel THE YOUNGER GIRL. Georgia Jeffries is the Emmy-nominated TV writer/producer who became the first individual female screenwriter to earn a Writers Guild Awa...
Jan 02, 2026•48 min
Cheers! Welcome to our year-end Holiday Party for 2025. How Long Did Famous Novels Take to Write (infographic)? Kafka’s diaries are heartening Why We Should Keep Notebooks (According to Joan Didion) Milena on being more intentional as a reader/writer The last chapter of Stephen Pressfield’s The War of Art and his blurb of Adam’s American Tiger Who couldn’t use 3 years uninterrupted in a cabin in the woods to finish your novel lol Revisiting “Beginner’s Mindset” and the concept of the Duning-Krug...
Dec 26, 2025•52 min
Listen to a replay of 2025's most popular episode! New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and entrepreneur Emma Knight spoke to me about finding the courage to write fiction, the Loch Ness Monster of motherhood, and her breakout debut novel The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus . Emma Knight is an author, journalist, Co-Founder and Head of Brand at Greenhouse, an award-winning organic beverage company, and co-author of The Greenhouse Cookbook (2017), a national bestseller. Her debut novel...
Dec 19, 2025•32 min
Part 1 of 2 Throwback to a Pre-Pandemic podcast! Pete has some big news on the radar … The New York Times bestselling novelist, award-winning adventure writer, and journalist, Peter Heller, spoke with me about his early life as a starving poet, breaking into journalism, how he makes things up for a living, and what it's like to be compared to your heroes. Peter is a longtime contributor to NPR, and a former contributing editor at Outside Magazine, Men’s Journal , and National Geographic Adventur...
Dec 12, 2025•42 min
Part 2 of 2 Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Adam Skolnick returns to chat with us about the mystery of the creative process, why timing is everything in crafting a story, and his much-anticipated debut novel, AMERICAN TIGER. I am joined by my co-host Milena Gonzalez. Adam Skolnick is an author and award-winning journalist who covers travel, adventure and endurance sports, and the environment. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Wired, Lonely Planet , and Men's H...
Dec 05, 2025•44 min
Part 1 of 2 Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Adam Skolnick spoke with us about earning his 10,000 hours, living with yours truly in a trailer in the mountains, and his much-anticipated debut novel, AMERICAN TIGER. I am joined by my co-host Milena Gonzalez. Adam Skolnick is an author and award-winning journalist who covers travel, adventure and endurance sports, and the environment. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Wired, Lonely Planet , and Men's Health . He's...
Nov 28, 2025•50 min
#1 New York Times bestselling author Mitch Albom spoke with us about his humble beginnings as a sports journalist, the origins of Tuesdays with Morrie, and the universal themes he explores in his latest novel TWICE. I am joined by a co-host this week, none other than The Book Babe, Milena Gonzalez. Mitch Albom is the internationally acclaimed author of 12 New York Times bestselling books. He is best known for Tuesdays with Morrie , the best-selling memoir of all time, which tells the story of hi...
Nov 21, 2025•54 min
