#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 bestsellers, including Heat Rises, which reached number one.

The first book in his latest series is The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef (Regalo Press/May 14, 2024), described as the story of “...a maverick celebrity chef [who] reluctantly agrees to let the CIA use his hugely popular international food, culture, and travel TV series as cover for a dangerous espionage mission.”

Bestselling author Walter Mosley said of the book, “Tom Straw's Sebastian Pike is a wonderful addition to the annals of amateur sleuths of the crime/spy genre.” Culinary personality Alton Brown said of the author, “Tom Straw has set the bar for culinary, espionage, travel thrillers. Actually, I think he invented the bar. And it’s a bar I’d meet him at any time.”

Tom  Straw’s television career has included WGA and Emmy nominations for writing and executive producer stints for shows including Night Court, CBS’s Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Nurse Jackie with Edie Falco.

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In this file Tom Straw and I discussed:

His early life as an AM radio personality and professional weatherman

How he got a shot to write on his first TV show

Working with Craig Ferguson and his robot skeleton sidekick 

The short version of hitting #1 as a ghostwriter for a fictitious mystery author 

How he invented the snarky, bad-boy, maverick chef for his latest novel

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

tomstraw.com

Tom Straw on IMDb

The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef By Tom Straw (Amazon)

Tom Straw on Facebook

Tom Straw on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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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 news in 2019.

His debut book is Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World, described as a “... positive and unabashed approach to exploring the science, politics, and human behavior that must be addressed to solve our most pressing problems.”

New York Times bestselling author and CNN anchor Jake Tapper said of the book, “Bill Weir provides insightful, alarming, but ultimately hopeful coverage of the climate crisis. His new book is a gorgeous love letter to his son but also to Earth and humanity,” and New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Safran Foer called it, “... a clear-eyed, heartfelt argument against despair.”

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In this file Bill Weir and I discussed:

How he incorporates the math and physics of storytelling into his journalism

The “crappy elf” method of writing and penning letters to his kids in the future

Why connection is more important than ever in the “golden age of distraction”

The difference between writing for the screen and the page

When he decided to focus on the dreamers and the doers

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

Bill Weir CNN Chief Climate Correspondent

Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World by Bill Weir (Amazon)

Bill Weir on Facebook

Bill Weir on Instagram

Bill Weir on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#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 Writer’s Digest.

Her Children of Blood and Bone series continues to be a publishing phenomenon, acquired in a heated bidding war with the first two books becoming instant #1 NY Times bestsellers – spending over 150 weeks on the list – and over 1.5 million copies in print to date including recent paperback re-releases.

The Nigerian/American writer graduated from Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature and studied West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil

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In this file Tomi Adeyemi and I discussed:

Her newly found balance and definition of success as a writer 

Facing rejection early on in her career

How she persevered through meticulous planning

Why her acknowledgments are so lengthy in her long-awaited capstone to her trilogy

What’s next for the superstar

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

tomiadeyemi.com

thewritersroadmap.net

Children of Anguish and Anarchy (Legacy of Orisha, 3) – June 25, 2024 by Tomi Adeyemi (Amazon)

Tomi Adeyemi Amazon Author Page

Tomi Adeyemi on Instagram

Tomi Adeyemi on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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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 virtual presenting.

He also hosts Stanford Graduate School of Business' Think Fast, Talk Smart – the 2023 Webby Award-winning “Best Business Podcast." The podcast has topped 42 million downloads and has been the #1 Career podcast in over 95 countries.

Matt is the author of two books including Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot, based in part on his hit podcast.

Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestseller, said of the author, "Matt Abrahams has a gift for making complex concepts easy to understand and simple to enact. If you’ve ever struggled to summon the right words at the right time, this book is an essential read.”

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In this file Matt Abrahams and I discussed:

The TED talk that led to a podcast that led to a book 

Why writers need to find their focus through structure

His advice on pitching your book to agents in person

How it’s normal to be nervous; managing anxiety

Why most writers suffer the curses of knowledge and passion

How to nail that first book tour

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

mattabrahams.com

Think Fast Talk Smart: Podcast

Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot By Matt Abrahams (Amazon)

Think Fast Talk Smart on Instagram

Think Fast Talk Smart on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#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 8 & up), is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”

His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.

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In Part Two of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:

The crazy story behind Stephen King’s Misery

What it was like waiting for a call from Stephen Spielberg

How the author got to see his fiction turned into reality

Making the transition from adult sci-fi to middle grade novels

His shout outs to ET, Roald Dahl, Charles Portis

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part One

Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)

Ernest Cline Amazon Author Page

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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#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 8 & up), is described as “... a mostly true tall tale about a recently orphaned girl and her mission to help a family of displaced bats find a new home under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.”

His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times bestsellers list.

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In Part One of this file Ernest Cline and I discussed:

The signposts on the road to becoming a writer

His change of fortune (and opinion) as a screenwriter

The big idea behind Ready Player One 

Why 90% of Stephen King’s protagonists are school teachers or writers

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Ernest Cline Writes: Part Two

Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline (Amazon)

Ernest Cline Amazon Author Page

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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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 by Joel Edgerton.

His debut novel is titled All the World Beside and described as “... an electrifying, deeply moving novel about the love story between two men in Puritan New England.”

Tess Gunty, National Book Award-winning author of Rabbit Hutch, called the book an “... accomplishment of breathtaking prose, expert pacing, and extraordinary psychological intelligence...” Garth Greenwell wrote, “... this novel contains some of the finest writing I've encountered in recent American fiction.”

Garrard’s work has been published by The New York Times, Oxford American, Time, and Virginia Quarterly Review, among others. Conley is a graduate of Brooklyn College’s MFA program, where he was a Truman Capote Fellow specializing in fiction, and he is an assistant professor of creative writing at Kennesaw State University.

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In this file Garrard Conley and I discussed:

What it was like to work with Radiolab on a podcast

Setting out to write “The Queer Scarlett Letter”

His intense historical research process 

How he inhabits his stories

Why writers can’t skimp on what the audience wants

How to un-Tik-Tok-ify your brain

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

garrardconley.com

All the World Beside: A NOVEL By Garrard Conley (Amazon)

Garrard Conley Amazon Author Page

Garrard Conley on Instagram

Garrard Conley on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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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, MARCH by Rep. John Lewis, and WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

She also recently launched Book Publicity School to bring Press Shop’s expertise and guidance to more authors at an affordable price. The School offers workshops, coaching, and online groups to help authors advocate for their work as effectively as possible.

Leah has spoken on book publicity at Columbia Journalism School, CUNY Graduate Center, and as part of her regular workshop series, Book Publicity for Literary Agents.

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In this file Leah Paulos and I discussed:

• Why authors need a “Big Fat Book Promo” spreadsheet
• What works in social media now, and what’s a waste of time
• How and when to build an effective author platform
• What kind of promotion an author should expect from their publisher
• Why a full press, media, and event campaign doesn't make sense for every author
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• pressshoppr.com
• bookpublicityschool.com
• Book Publicity School on Facebook
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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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, described as a riveting mystery perfect for fans of Twin Peaks, Mare of Easttown, and True Detective.

An Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense – New and continuing series. Kirkus Reviews called the book, “A sharp and gritty mystery with a compelling sociopolitical undercurrent.”

Iris continues to work in Hollywood, developing for both film and streaming media. She has taught screenwriting at UCLA and the American Film Institute.

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In this file Iris Yamashita and I discussed:

• Why you need to have a beginning, middle, and end in mind no matter what you’re writing
• What it’s like to be both the writer and the director as a novelist
• How to write for audio drama
• Why filmmakers don’t like to read
• Learning the rules so you can break them
• How to keep your dreams alive
• And a lot more!

Show Notes:

• Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita (Amazon)
• Amazon Author Page for Iris Yamashita
• www.irisyamashita.com
• Iris Yamashita on Facebook
• Iris Yamashita on Instagram
• Kelton Reid on Twitter

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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 as a “funny, eye-opening tale of work in contemporary America.” It has been named one of New York Magazine's "23 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2024," VOGUE’s Best Books of the Year So Far, ELLE’s Best (and Most Anticipated) Fiction of 2024, Lit Hub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024, and one of Kirkus’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024.

A starred Kirkus Review called the book, "The workplace dramedy of the year." Publishers Weekly said of the book, "A bracing and worthwhile glimpse of the high stakes faced by low-wage workers."

Adelle attended Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, among others.

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In this file Adelle Waldman and I discussed:

Why she turned to journalism as a day job

Writing a hard-to-like protagonist

The breakout success of her first novel

How co-workers and friends at a Big Box store inspired her latest

Found comedy, unfortunate nerds, unrealistic dreams

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

adellewaldman.com

Help Wanted: A Novel by Adelle Waldman (Amazon)

Adelle Waldman Amazon Author Page

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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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 winner, The Night Diary. It was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month (January 2024).

A starred Kirkus Reviews called the book, “…a masterpiece of nuance, vulnerability, and emotional complexity. A quietly brilliant, deeply insightful story of living in uncertain times.”

Veera earned her MFA in fiction writing at Sarah Lawrence College and was a former book editor at Simon & Schuster.

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In this file Veera Hiranandani and I discussed:

Why writing is like slow cooking

How to write historical fiction if you’re not good at history

Why you need to follow your writerly instincts

The importance of accountability partners, learning from your mistakes

And a lot more!

Show Notes:

VeeraHiranandani.com

Amil and the After By Veera Hiranandani (Bookshop.org)

Veera Hiranandani Amazon Author Page

Veera Hiranandani on Instagram

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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