If you’re searching for a show that pulls back the curtain on the mystique of the writing life, look no further than The Writer Files. Hosts Kelton Reid and Milena Gonzalez study the habits, habitats, and brains of the biggest and brightest authors of our time.
Tune in each week to learn from bestselling and acclaimed writers on how to keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block. Please follow The Writer Files wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a rating or review to help other writers find us.
Chart trend
Position in the Books chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#101#200JunJulAugSep
#42
all-time peak
3
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jodi Picoult Writes: Redux
#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 tr
Sep 11 34 min
How Critically Acclaimed Debut Novelist Jessica Goldstein Writes
Critically acclaimed debut novelist Jessica Goldstein spoke with us about her career path from teen mag intern to freelance culture writer, time travel, and her nostalgic
Sep 10 43 min
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Victoria Aveyard Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard spoke with us about her journey from USC screenwriting to publishing, her writing process, and her upcoming adult fa
Sep 4 39 min
How Acclaimed Debut Author Kevin C. Morris Writes
Acclaimed debut author Kevin C. Morris spoke with us about exploring the Alaskan coastline in search of a mysterious island, his query and publishing journey, and the res
Sep 3 46 min
How NY Times Bestselling Author Sarah Pinborough Writes
New York Times bestselling author Sarah Pinborough spoke with us about her approach to plotting twists, the stark difference between writing novels and screenplays, and h
Aug 28 45 min
How NY Times Bestselling Author Nina Simon Writes
New York Times bestselling author Nina Simon spoke with us about her unconventional career path, low-overhead creative lifestyle, and her sophomore novel MY SISTER IS GOI
Aug 27 42 min
How #1 International Bestselling Author Raphael Montes Writes
#1 international bestselling author Raphael Montes spoke with us about his dual career in TV and fiction, finding commercial success while maintaining authenticity, and t
Aug 21 52 min
How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Karin Slaughter Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter spoke with us about her writing origins, cabin-based creative process, TV adaptations, and her new novel THE SECRETS
Aug 20 36 min
How Acclaimed Author & Screenwriter Kevin Wade Writes
Novelist, veteran screenwriter, and longtime Blue Bloods showrunner Kevin Wade spoke with us about the challenges of transitioning across writing mediums, storytelling pr
Aug 14 44 min
How NY Times Bestselling Author Gillian McAllister Writes
New York Times bestselling author Gillian McAllister spoke with us about how to deal with rejection, deleting full drafts, the business side of adaptations, and her lates
Aug 13 42 min
How to Make Your Story Matter with Storytelling Expert Abbie Emmons
Bestselling author and storytelling expert Abbie Emmons spoke with us about topping 600K YouTube followers, helping writers craft emotionally resonant narratives, and her
Aug 7 41 min
How NY Times Bestselling Author Laura Moriarty Writes
New York Times bestselling author Laura Moriarty spoke with us about her teaching philosophy as a creative writing professor, the craft of historical fiction, and the res
Aug 5 49 min
How Bestselling Author Sarma Melngailis Writes: Part Two
Bestselling memoirist, chef, and former restaurateur Sarma Melngailis spoke with us about her much-loved restaurant, Pure Food and Wine, reclaiming her narrative post Bad
Jul 31 35 min
How Bestselling Author Sarma Melngailis Writes: Part One
Bestselling memoirist, chef, and former restaurateur Sarma Melngailis spoke with us about her much-loved restaurant, Pure Food and Wine, reclaiming her narrative post Bad
Jul 30 35 min
How Pulitzer Winner & NY Times Bestselling Author Daniel Kraus Writes
New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Kraus spoke with us about book promotion as an introvert, writing two books a year, his creative proces
Jul 24 47 min
How NY Times Bestselling Author Eddie Huang Writes
New York Times bestselling author, filmmaker, and decorated chef Eddie Huang spoke with us about his origins as a writer, the pivot from memoir to autofiction, and the pe
Jul 23 54 min
How Newberry Medalist and #1 NYT Bestselling Author Kate DiCamillo Writes
#1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo spoke with us about overcoming rejection early on, her workmanlike process, and how
Jul 17 42 min
How Acclaimed Debut Author Austin Taylor Writes
Acclaimed debut novelist Austin Taylor spoke with us about the pressure cooker of Harvard life, studying AI law in the heart of Silicon Valley, and the inspiration behind
Jul 16 45 min
How NY Times Bestselling Author Jessica Knoll Writes
New York Times bestselling author Jessica Knoll spoke with us about her career trajectory from magazine editor to novelist and screenwriter, the allure of dark romance, a
Jul 10 41 min
How NY Times Bestselling Author Chanel Cleeton Writes: Part Two
New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton returns to speak to me about the unknown nature of early spaceflight, watching The Right Stuff, the Artemis launch, and w
Jul 8 37 min
Chart positions
Where The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 13, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I have ADHD so listening to this episode let me understand that I am not the only one struggling to sit down and write. It also helped with some suggestions I could use.
Essovaro · Dec 2023
If you’re a writer (and even if you’re not), you’ll find listening to The Writer Files to be time well spent. Kelton Reid knows how to interview a writer and keeps it interesting.
Tess Enterline · Jun 2023
Consistently the best podcast for aspiring writers. High-powered guests, with poignant questions posed by an intelligent host.
James McAndrew · Nov 2022
This is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to that gets into the behind the scenes of accomplished writers’ habits and working lives. And an additional benefit - Kelton’s smooth husky voice is like honey melting the jagged crevices off an English muffin.
One suggestion for my own interest, wish that every author/writer was asked what books they are currently reading, or what books on writing made them biggest impact in their writing journey. I’m always looking for book recommendations!
Thanks for all the work you do Kelton!
irma0408 · Oct 2022
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
