Writers, Ink: Your backstage pass to the world's most prolific authors

Bestseller Caroline Kepnes is no stranger to writing in different mediums. Along with being an author, she uses her past experiences as a screenwriter and entertainment reporter to write intriguing stories while meeting deadlines and allowing herself to be less critical of her work. Caroline is well known for thrillers like Hidden Bodies and You , the latter of which was adapted for television, an...

Bestseller Lee Child preaches the idea of writing spontaneously. By rejecting traditional outlining and instead drawing on decades of reading experience to write in the moment, he creates stories that feel free-flowing and realistic. Lee is an accomplished thriller writer known for his bestselling Jack Reacher series, following a retired serviceman as he accepts strange jobs across the country. Hi...

In this monthly q & a session, the guys answer listener questions. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to understand every aspect of the business - editing, formatting,...

Bestselling author Robert Dugoni has no problem veering from the beaten path when it comes to the writing process. From writing important scenes out of order to drafting a 400-word outline, he’s shown that authors can be efficient and successful while writing in the way most comfortable to them. Robert is well known for his thrilling storytelling of detective work and espionage, including his crit...

Returning guest Alma Katsu has recently gained valuable insight into navigating new genres. With the release of her new spy novel, Red Widow , she’s learned how to grab the interest of her existing horror readers, change her marketing approach to attract readers in a new genre, and write something different and true-to-life while keeping it dramatic. Alma is best known for her novels The Taker and...

Authorpreneur Jeniffer Thompson knows how to harness the power of personal branding. Through various books and speaking events, she teaches authors around the world how to find their voice, attract their desired readers, create a sustainable online presence, and ultimately find success while being authentic. Jeniffer is well known for running Jeniffer Thompson Consulting and Monkey C Media, both c...

In this episode, J, J.D., and Zach talk about why every author needs a mailing list and how to build one from scratch, maintain expectations, and continuously acquire new readers. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want t...

Dacre Stoker is committed to keeping his great great-uncle’s work alive and relevant. By writing Dracul , a prequel to Dracula , with JD, reproducing Bram’s first-edition classics, and adapting his little-known short stories into graphic novels, he has expanded the Bram Stoker universe to a generation of new readers by retelling old stories in a new and exciting way. Dacre is an international best...

With twenty-one Joe Pickett books under his belt, New York Times bestseller C.J. Box knows how to write an extended series. By maintaining previous worlds and characters that fans love, creating new and innovative storylines, and gaining exposure through advertisements and book tours, he keeps readers coming back for every book. C.J. is the #1 bestseller of more than thirty novels, including two w...

Jean Hanff Korelitz knows how to take a story from book to screen. By both working closely with producers but also understanding that adapted stories will be inherently different, she has learned to give up a level of creative control in order to create a show or film that is just as good as the book. Jean has published six novels since she entered the industry in 1996, two of which garnered consi...

In this episode, J, J.D., and Zach discuss the advantages of using different mediums, such as TV, film, video games, and comics, to tell stories and how authors should approach these different modes of storytelling. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and...

John Lee Hancock’s recent film, “The Little Things,” brings to life many key aspects of viewer engagement and character development that translate from the cinema to the page. Through excellently written mystery and complex, relatable characters, he hooks viewers early on and keeps them on their toes throughout the movie. Hancock is an accomplished screenwriter, director, and producer who is well...

In his recent memoir, Greenlights , legendary actor Matthew McConaughey recounts the last fifty years of his life through gripping storytelling, offering advice that transcends all to focus on the rules of life itself. Whether you are a writer or not, you need to own your work, be arrogant before you can appreciate being humbled, and that the uncertainty of losing a safety net only makes it easier...

Bestseller Ann Charles knows how useful it can be to set your story in places from your life. Having spent many long summers in the old mining town of Deadwood, South Dakota in her youth, her childhood memories of riding dirt bikes through old trails, hanging out at the library, and talking to locals made it easy to bring the town to life in her Deadwood series. Alongside the massively popular ser...

Legendary concert promoter Danny Zelisko gained experience putting old memories to paper while writing his autobiography, ALL EXCE$$ . By working with a ghost writer, orating stories to close friends, and diligently ordering everything chronologically, he was able to make his old stories super detailed and easy to follow. Danny has promoted over 12,000 shows over his 44 years in the business and h...

In this episode, J, J.D., and Zach talk about setting parameters for writing excellence using Story Rubric and Nonfic Rubric. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you need to und...

Lisa Gardner is no stranger to taking calculated risks as a writer. From leaving high-paying jobs to constantly letting go of agents and switching publishers, she has always lived by the phrase: “If you really want to write, you’re going to write." Lisa is a #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author who has sold millions of books worldwide. Among many outstanding works, she is well known for h...

As a mother of small children and a vivid lucid dreamer, H.M. Gooden needs to wake up early. Regardless, she knows early writing can be beneficial to many because morning-writers tend to self-edit less, their dreams and ideas are still fresh, and they can easily dictate while brewing coffee or making a commute. H.M. published her first book, Dream of Darkness , in 2017 and has published almost twe...

ThrillerFest Co-Executive Director Jeff Ayers is dedicated to exposing authors to useful but commonly avoided marketing techniques. Through ThrillerFest, Jeff and others like him teach underappreciated skills like pitching a book to an agent, writing a query letter, and reflecting on edits and feedback. Jeff is an accomplished author who has published both fiction and non-fiction works. He is well...

In this episode, Zach returns alongside J and J.D. to recap 2020 and discuss how such a chaotic year has affected the writing industry. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s publishing world, you n...

Author and attorney Jonathan Kirsch is a master of many trades. As a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and bestseller of many biographies and historical pieces, he utilizes a disciplined writing routine to create the best stories possible. When he isn’t writing, Jonathan works as an attorney and member of the Independent Book Publishers Association. With over thirty years of experience in the fi...

Solopreneur Eddie Generous has no problem finding success on his own. Using discipline, self-motivation, and market sense, he has grown substantially as a publisher, podcaster, and author. Eddie is the creator of Unnerving Magazine , which filters through hundreds of open submissions to bring the best spine-chilling horror back to the masses. He also runs a podcast bearing the same name and has pu...

Kathleen Sweeney has helped authors create professional covers and ads on BookBrush for the past two years. One of the most innovative new author tools, BookBrush features easy-to-design standard covers, instant mockups, box set covers, 3D covers, and even animated covers. As the Customer Service Manager and Marketing Lead at BookBrush, Kathleen hosts frequent information sessions and works closel...

In this episode, J. and J.D. welcome indie mastermind Zach Bohannon to the show to discuss the growing similarities between indie and traditional publishing. Whether you’re traditionally published or indie, writing a good book is only the first step in becoming a successful author. The days of just turning a manuscript into your editor and walking away are gone. If you want to succeed in today’s p...

SPECIAL EPISODE: J.D. and J. are live with author Susan May to discuss #audiblegate, a breaking news story about the ongoing controversy surrounding Audible’s audio book return policy. The Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/fairdealwithaudible Susan May’s blog post - https://www.susanmaywriter.net/single-post/audiblegate-the-incredible-story-of-missing-sales From the Authors Guild -...