Writers, publishing experts, and Hungry Authors podcast hosts, Ariel Curry and Liz Morrow, returned to chat about playing the long game, meeting readers where they’re at, and the origins of their much-anticipated publishing guide. Ariel Curry is a writer and Senior Editor of nonfiction at Sourcebooks with over 10 years of experience in traditional publishing. Her partner in crime at hungryauthors.com is Liz Morrow, a traditionally published ghostwriter for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and bus...
Aug 09, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bestselling author and teacher, Natalie Goldberg, spoke to me about igniting a revolution with Writing Down the Bones, meeting creative block in a cemetery, and her latest, WRITING ON EMPTY: A Guide to Finding Your Voice. Natalie Goldberg is a poet, teacher, author, painter, and 24-year student of Zen Buddhism who teaches writing workshops based on the methods presented in her popular bestseller Writing Down the Bones. The book has sold over a million copies and has been translated into 14 langu...
Aug 02, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 New York Times bestselling author, Lev Grossman, spoke to me about his tenure at Time magazine, how The Magicians poked holes in Narnia and Potter, and reimagining a legend with THE BRIGHT SWORD: A Novel of King Arthur. Lev Grossman is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Magicians trilogy—The Magicians, The Magician King, and The Magician’s Land—which has been published in 30 countries and adapted as a TV show that ran for five seasons on SYFY. His latest novel is THE BRIGHT SWORD...
Jul 19, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lauded debut author, Isabel Banta, spoke to me about working at Books Are Magic with Emma Straub, her love of Britney Spears, and capturing Y2K era pop superstardom in her debut novel HONEY. Isabel Banta is a writer, book publicist, and indie bookseller at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn. Her debut novel is HONEY, named a 'GMA' Buzz Pick and described as “...a coming-of-age story about a pop star in the late '90s and early 2000s who's determined to find and claim her own identity.” Honey was named a...
Jul 12, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 New York Times bestselling author, Jodi Picoult, spoke with me about writing for Wonder Woman, adapting books for musical theater, and the question of Shakespeare's true authorship in her upcoming novel BY ANY OTHER NAME. Jodi Picoult is the bestselling author of 30 novels, including landmark titles such as Mad Honey – her most recent 1 million-copy bestseller – Wish You Were Here, A Spark of Light, and Small Great Things. 40 million copies of her books are in print worldwide and have been tr...
Jul 05, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Critically acclaimed author, Tracy O'Neill, spoke with me about reality hunger vs. the hyper-realness of the pandemic, writing a love letter to friendship, and searching for her birth mother in her noir-adjacent memoir WOMAN OF INTEREST. Tracy O'Neill is a National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 honoree, and the author of The Hopeful, one of Electric Literature's Best Novels of 2015, and Quotients, a New York Times New & Noteworthy Book, TOR Editor's Choice, & Literary Hub Favorite Book of 2020. ...
Jun 28, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, recently brought me along on a creative journey called Hey, Creator! and it was some of the most fun I’ve had as a podcast producer. I also learned a lot from Jeff over the course of the show. We’re back with another episode from the second season we did together titled “Living the Dream.”` Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he shares his ongoing trans...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bestselling author, Fred Waitzkin, spoke with me about journalism, Searching for Bobby Fischer, the thin veil between fiction and non-fiction, and the Zen of his latest novel ANYTHING IS GOOD. Fred Waitzkin is the journalist and internationally acclaimed bestselling author of Searching for Bobby Fischer, made into the Academy Award-nominated film of the same name. His work has appeared in Esquire, New York Magazine, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, Outside, Spo...
Jun 14, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast NOTE: This is an updated replay of my amazing chat with New York Times bestselling author, Jami Attenberg, in honor of the start of #1000WordsofSummer that kicked off June 1st! Take a listen to learn more about how to jump in and get going. You can always sign up at 1000wordsofsummer.substack.com to get a letter each day from Jami encouraging you to write 1000 words, additional notes from contributing authors, on writing, creativity, and productivity, and there are write-alongs, a slack channel,...
Jun 07, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, recently brought me along on a creative journey called Hey, Creator! and it was some of the most fun I’ve had as a podcast producer. I also learned a lot from Jeff. We’re back with another episode from the first season we did together titled “On Mixtapes, or Curation vs. Creation.” Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he shares his ongoing transformation...
May 31, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Writers, publishing experts, and hosts of the Hungry Authors podcast, Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry, spoke with me about the biggest mistake you can make as a writer, the mindset needed to persevere, and their much-anticipated publishing guide. Ariel Curry is a writer and editor at Ariel Curry Editorial with over 10 years of experience in traditional publishing. Her partner in crime at hungryauthors.com is Liz Morrow, a traditionally published ghostwriter for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and bus...
May 24, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author April Henry, spoke with me about winning the Edgar Award, killing people on paper, and researching her latest cat-and-mouse survival story, STAY DEAD. April Henry is the acclaimed bestseller of mysteries for adults and over 15 novels for teens, including the bestselling Girl, Stolen; Girl Forgotten; The Girl I Used to Be (Edgar nominated and winner of the Anthony Award for Best YA Mystery), and most recently winner of the 2024 Edgar Award in the B...
May 17, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bestselling author, podcaster, blogger, speaker, and my friend Jeff Goins, brought me along on a creative journey not too long ago called Hey, Creator! and it was some of the most fun I’ve had as a podcast producer. Here’s an episode from the last season we did together titled “How to Finish the First Draft of Anything.” Jeff Goins helps creative people succeed. Through his bestselling books, courses, coaching, and speeches, he shares his ongoing journey of transformation, inspiring creators to ...
May 10, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 New York Times bestselling author, Mark Sullivan, spoke to me about the story that saved his life, how to write history’s darkest chapters, and his latest novel based on a true story, All the Glimmering Stars. Mark Sullivan is a journalist and award-winning, bestselling author of 20 novels including Beneath a Scarlet Sky, The Last Green Valley, and the #1 New York Times bestselling Private series, which he writes with James Patterson. His latest historical novel, All the Glimmering Stars (May...
May 03, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 New York Times bestselling author and TV producer, Tom Straw, spoke to me about breaking into television, the Gordian knot of ghostwriting, and his new “culinary, espionage, travel thriller” THE ACCIDENTAL JOE. Tom Straw is an Emmy and Writers Guild of America–nominated writer-producer, New York Times bestselling author, and former Mystery Writers of America board member. Writing as Richard Castle, Tom originated the hit Nikki Heat series, writing its first seven novels, all New York Times be...
Apr 26, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Emmy-winning TV journalist and CNN Chief Climate Correspondent, Bill Weir, spoke to me about finding his beat, seeking “hope in a changing world,” and his debut, Life as We Know It (Can Be). Bill Weir is a veteran anchor, writer, producer, and host who joined CNN in 2013 after a decade of award-winning journalism at ABC News. After writing and hosting four seasons of the primetime CNN Original Series “The Wonder List with Bill Weir,” he was named the first Chief Climate Correspondent in network ...
Apr 19, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 New York Times bestselling author, Tomi Adeyemi, spoke to me about the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, her evolution as a writer, and the final book in her Orisha trilogy, Children of Anguish and Anarchy. Tomi Adeyemi is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Hugo and Nebula award-winning novelist and screenwriter who was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes’s 30 Under 30 in Media, and whose website was named one of the 101 Best Websites for writers by W...
Apr 12, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stanford Professor, communications expert, and author, Matt Abrahams, spoke with me about tips and tricks to hone your communication skills as a writer, and his award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart. Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of expertise as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virt...
Apr 05, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY. Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada, and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg. His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY (on sale 4/9/24; ages...
Mar 29, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 New York Times bestselling novelist and screenwriter, Ernest Cline, spoke to me about what inspired him to become a novelist, the success of Ready Player One, and his love letter to Austin, Texas, the mostly true tall tale BRIDGE TO BAT CITY. Ernest Cline is the bestselling author of Ready Player One, Ready Player Two, and Armada, and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg. His debut middle-grade novel, BRIDGE TO BAT CITY (on sale 4/9/24; ages...
Mar 22, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast New York Times bestselling memoirist turned novelist, Garrard Conley, spoke with me about going from activist to fictionist, the isolation of being an artist, and his debut novel All the World Beside. Garrard Conley is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Boy Erased, as well as the creator and co-producer of the podcast UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America. His memoir became a major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Lucas Hedges, directed ...
Mar 15, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Director of Publicity and Press Shop PR Founder, Leah Paulos, spoke with me about how authors can cut through the noise in a challenging news cycle, when to build your platform, and demystifying the book biz. Leah Paulos is the Founder and Director of Publicity at Press Shop PR an independent book publicity firm based in Brooklyn. The Press Shop team has worked on campaigns for over 300 authors since its launch in 2012, including the #1 bestselling campaigns for ON TYRANNY by Timothy Snyder, MAR...
Mar 08, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Oscar-nominated screenwriter turned novelist, Iris Yamashita, returns to chat with me about the difference between writing for the ear and the screen, fusing plotting and pantsing, and her anticipated follow-up thriller Village in the Dark. Iris Yamashita has been working in Hollywood for over 15 years and was nominated for a “Best Original Screenplay” Oscar for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima (directed by Clint Eastwood). The sequel to her debut novel City Under One Roof is Village in the Dark,...
Mar 01, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bestselling author, Adelle Waldman, spoke with me about her former life as a journalist, writerly wish fulfillment, and going undercover for her latest workplace novel, Help Wanted. Adelle Waldman is a journalist and the bestselling author of The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P., which was named a best book of the year by The New Yorker, Economist, NPR, The New Republic, Slate, Bookforum, The Guardian and many others. Her latest novel, Help Wanted, is from W.W. Norton in March of 2024, and described...
Feb 23, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Newbery Honor-winning children’s author, Veera Hiranandani, spoke with me about her former life in publishing, why no word is ever wasted, and her anticipated middle-grade novel Amil and The After. Veera Hiranandani is an award-winning author of several books for young people, and a faculty member with the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at The Vermont College of Fine Arts. Amil and The After is her latest work of children’s fiction, a stand-alone sequel to her Newbery Honor...
Feb 16, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast NOTE: This is an updated replay of my amazing chat with Emma Straub, the New York Times bestselling author of six books for adults, including her novel This Time Tomorrow … She is also the author of three picture books, the first of which, Very Good Hats, was published in January 2023. Congrats Emma! Enjoy … 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 ...
Feb 02, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast President of Manhattan-based literary agency Lucinda Literary turned author, Lucinda Halpern, returns to chat with me about how to crack the code of publishing, the four types of writers who get book deals, and her latest book Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author. Lucinda Halpern is a literary agent with over 15 years of experience securing book deals with Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan, and now the author of Get S...
Jan 26, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast New York Times bestselling author, Ann Napolitano, spoke with me about overcoming rejection early on, how grief transformed her writing process, and getting that fateful call from Oprah about Hello Beautiful. Ann Napolitano is the New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful which was selected as Oprah’s 100th Book Club pick; Dear Edward, an instant New York Times bestseller, a Read with Jenna selection, and an Apple TV+ series; A Good Hard Look, and Within Arm’s Reach. Hello Beautiful h...
Jan 19, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast New York Times bestselling author, Jami Attenberg, spoke with me about documenting the process of being a writer online and off, building a global literary movement, and her latest, 1000 Words: A Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All-Year Round. Jami Attenberg is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books of fiction, including The Middlesteins, All Grown Up, and her recent memoir, I Came All This Way to Meet You. Her work has been published in 16 languages, she is the ...
Jan 12, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is the second part of a year-end retrospective with award-winning indie journalist and author, Adam Skolnick, who returns to rap with me about show highlights from the last half of 2023, hot takes, and shootin’ the breeze. Adam Skolnick is an award-winning independent journalist and author covering adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health, among others. Adam is co-author of Never Finished: Unshackle...
Jan 05, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast