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Write Now with Scrivener

37 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago - ★★★★★ - 77 ratings

Join journalist Kirk McElhearn as he interviews writers of all kinds about their processes, routines, and how they use Scrivener, the app dedicated to long-form writing. In the first half of the show, writers share their experiences and their different approaches to getting words down on the page; in the second half, they get into the specifics of how they use Scrivener to help them. Whether you’re a Scrivener user or just interested in writing, this podcast has something for you.

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Episodes

Episode 36: Todd Henry, Productivity and Creativity Author

March 06, 2024 07:00 - 31 minutes - 14.5 MB

Todd Henry writes books helping people improve their productivity, creativity, and teamwork. He calls himself "an arms dealer for the creative revolution." ‌I can't imagine writing a book in anything other than Scrivener. Show notes: Todd Henry (https://www.toddhenry.com) The Accidental Creative (https://www.toddhenry.com) The Thing You Do Every Day (https://www.toddhenry.com/business/thing-every-day/) Alone with Your Thoughts (https://www.toddhenry.com/creating/alone-with-your-thoughts/) Dis...

Episode 35: George Stevens Jr., Movie Producer and Director

February 07, 2024 07:00 - 29 minutes - 13.7 MB

George Stevens Jr. has been a movie producer and director for decades, and has written a memoir about his life in Hollywood. Show notes: George Stevens Jr. (https://www.georgestevensjr.com) My Place in the Sun (https://www.georgestevensjr.com/my-place-in-the-sun-memoir) George Stevens (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Stevens) A Place in the Sun (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Place_in_the_Sun_(1951_film)) Oppenheimer (https://www.oppenheimermovie.co.uk) Lawrence of Arabia (https://www....

Episode 34: Fonda Lee, Science Fiction and Fantasy Author

January 03, 2024 07:00 - 30 minutes - 13.9 MB

Fonda Lee is a science fiction and fantasy author, winner of the World Fantasy Award, the Locus Award, and many others. Show notes: Fonda Lee (https://www.fondalee.com/) The Green Bone Saga (https://www.fondalee.com/books/jade-city/) Untethered Sky (https://www.fondalee.com/books/untethered-sky/) Robert Jackson Bennett: The Tainted Cup (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/648051/the-tainted-cup-by-robert-jackson-bennett/) Learn more about Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/sc...

Episode 33: Carl Zimmer, Science Writer

December 06, 2023 07:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MB

Carl Zimmer is a science writer, author of 14 books, is a professor adjunct at Yale University, and writes the Origins column for The New York Times. Show notes: Carl Zimmer (https://carlzimmer.com/) Carl Zimmer's Origins column for the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/by/carl-zimmer) To Beginning Writers (https://carlzimmer.com/to-beginning-writers/) Life’s Edge: The Search For What It Means To Be Alive (https://carlzimmer.com/books/lifes-edge/) Bookends (https://www.sonnysoftware.com...

Episode 32: John Wyver, Television Historian and Film Producer

November 01, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MB

John Wyver writes about the history of television in the United Kingdom, produces films about the arts and performance, and is a Professor of the Arts on Screen. Show notes: John Wyver (https://cream.ac.uk/people/john-wyver/) Illuminations (https://www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/about/) Screening the Royal Shakespeare Company: A Critical History (https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/screening-the-royal-shakespeare-company-9781350006584/) Ed Conway, Material World (https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/4462...

Episode 31: Mary Robinette Kowal, Science Fiction and Fantasy Author

October 04, 2023 06:00 - 30 minutes - 13.9 MB

Mary Robinette Kowal writes science fiction and fantasy, and starts writing all her novels during NaNoWriMo, which takes place each year in November. Show notes: Mary Robinette Kowal (https://maryrobinettekowal.com) The Spare Man (https://maryrobinettekowal.com/writing/the-spare-man/) Episode 19, Grant Faulkner, Executive Director of NaNoWriMo (https://podcast.scrivenerapp.com/19) Matthew Salesses, Craft in the Real World (https://matthewsalesses.com/craft-in-the-real-world/) Jessi Honard an...

Episode 30: Sean Carroll, Quantum Physicist

September 06, 2023 06:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MB

Sean Carroll is a quantum physicist, who has written several books explaining the complexity of his topic to general readers. Show notes: Sean Carroll (https://www.preposterousuniverse.com) Mindscape Podcast (https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/) Hijack (https://tv.apple.com/us/show/hijack/umc.cmc.1dg08zn0g3zx52hs8npoj5qe3) The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Vol. 1: Space, Time, and Motion (https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/biggestideas/) Katie Mack: The End of Everything (Astrop...

Episode 29: Michael Jecks, Medieval Mystery Author

August 02, 2023 06:00 - 33 minutes - 15.3 MB

Michael Jecks has written more than 50 novels, including 33 in his Templar series of medieval mysteries. He also writes books in other series, set in modern times, the Tudor period, and 1920s Shanghai. Show notes: Michael Jecks (https://www.michaeljecks.co.uk/) Michael Jecks's books (https://www.michaeljecks.co.uk/titles.html) Medieval Murderers (https://www.michaeljecks.co.uk/medievalmurder/index.html) Michael's Morris Dancing (https://www.michaeljecks.co.uk/morris.html) George MacDonald Fra...

Episode 28: Sheila O'Flanagan, Romance Author

July 05, 2023 06:00 - 30 minutes - 13.9 MB

Sheila O'Flanagan left a career as a banker for writing, and has written more than 30 romance novels, which "put women in situations where they have to dig deep inside themselves to find their inner strength even though sometimes they struggle to realise it’s there." "You always regret the things you didn't do more than the things that you did do." Show notes: Sheila O'Flanagan (https://www.sheilaoflanagan.com/) What Eden Did Next (https://www.sheilaoflanagan.com/titles/sheila-oflanagan/what-...

Episode 27: S J Watson, Thriller Novelist

June 07, 2023 06:00 - 31 minutes - 14.3 MB

S J Watson, author of the hugely popular Before I Go to Sleep, is starting a new project called The Experiment, where he shows readers his first drafts. S J Watson, author of the hugely popular Before I Go to Sleep, is starting a new project called The Experiment. He will write a novel, showing readers his first drafts as he progresses, and inviting readers to suggest how the novel is to proceed. Show notes: S J Watson (https://www.sjwatson-books.com) Before I Go to Sleep (https://www.sjwat...

Episode 26: Jaime Green, Science Journalist

May 03, 2023 06:00 - 31 minutes - 14.6 MB

Jaime Green has just published her first book, The Possibility of Life: Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos, where she discusses whether there is life out there, and, if so, whether we will ever know. Show notes: Jaime Green (https://www.jaimegreen.net) The Possibility of Life: Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos (https://www.jaimegreen.net/book) Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life (https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/entangled-life) Learn more abo...

Episode 25: Becca Caddy, Science and Technology Journalist

April 05, 2023 06:00 - 32 minutes - 14.8 MB

Becca Caddy writes about science and technology, and is a self-avowed tech addict. Her book Screen Time tells us how to make peace with our tech devices and not be overwhelmed by them. Show notes: Becca Caddy (https://beccacaddy.com) Screen Time (https://beccacaddy.com/screen-time-book/) Composition Mode and other focus features in Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/distraction-free-writing-with-scrivener) Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, This Is How You Lose the Time War (ht...

Episode 24: Joanna Penn, Author Entrepreneur

March 01, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes - 13.6 MB

Joanna Penn combines her talents as a thriller author with her skills in marketing to have a successful writing career. Her latest book is Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways. Show notes: Joanna Penn (https://jfpenn.com/) Pilgrimage (https://jfpenn.com/book/pilgrimage/) Pilgrimage Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thecreativepenn/pilgrimage-book-travel-memoir-with-practical-walking-tips) The Way (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_(2010_film)) P...

Episode 23: Bill Thompson, Thriller Author

February 01, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MB

After decades as a corporate executive for a financial services firm, Bill Thompson retired and became a bestselling author of archeological thrillers. Show notes: Bill Thompson (https://billthompsonbooks.com) My Second Act: Bestselling Novelist (https://www.nextavenue.org/second-act-bestselling-novelist/) Bill Thompson's books (https://billthompsonbooks.com/books/) Kindle ebook royalties (https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200634500) Kindle Unlimited royalties (https://kdp.amazon.com/e...

Episode 22: Allison K. Williams, Writer, Editor, and Coach

January 04, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes - 13.7 MB

Allison K. Williams is a writer, editor, and coach, as well as former circus performer, and is the author of Seven Drafts, a book about self-editing. Seven Drafts helps writers get from the messy first draft to final draft. Show notes: Allison K. Williams (https://allisonkwilliams.com) Seven Drafts (http://sevendrafts.com) Writer Beware (https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/) Scrivener Blog (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog) Matt Bell, Refuse to Be Done (http...

Episode 21: Thriller Author Katelyn Monroe Howes

December 07, 2022 07:00 - 30 minutes - 13.8 MB

Katelyn Monroe Howes is a documentary filmmaker, who has just written her first novel, The Awoken, a dystopian science fiction thriller, has just been published. "I honestly don't think my process could have worked unless I had Scrivener." Show notes: Katelyn Monroe Howes (http://katelynmhowes.com) The Awoken (https://www.katelynmhowes.com/#coffee) 1/27 Pictures (http://www.127pictures.com) The Peripheral (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8291284/) Emily St. John Mandel, Sea of Tranquility (https...

Episode 20: Brigitta Blair and Camilla Zhang on Writing Comics with Scrivener

November 02, 2022 07:00 - 30 minutes - 14.1 MB

Brigitta Blair is an author/illustrator, and Camilla Zhang is a comics editor. Together they have created the Standard Comic Strip Template for Scrivener. GRAPHIC Brigitta Blair is an author/illustrator, and Camilla Zhang is a comics editor. Together they have created the Standard Comic Strip Template for Scrivener. We discussed comics, how they are made, and how the Scrivener template helps comic authors. Show notes: Brigitta Blair (https://www.brigittablair.com) Camilla Zhang (https://www...

Episode 19: Grant Faulkner, Executive Director of NaNoWriMo

October 19, 2022 06:00 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MB

Grant Faulkner is executive director of National Novel Writing Month, where hundreds of thousands of people write novels during the month of November. He tells us about the amazing event that is NaNoWriMo, and how it brings together people around the world to write together. Show notes: Grant Faulkner (https://grantfaulkner.com) NaNoWriMo (https://nanowrimo.org/) Learn more about Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview), and check out the ebook Take Control of Scrive...

Episode 18: Rashelle Isip, Professional Organizer

October 05, 2022 06:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MB

Rashelle Isip is a professional organizer, helping people better manage their time, space, and belongings. She explains how writers can better manage their time and be more efficient. Show notes: Rashelle Isip (https://www.theorderexpert.com/) Rashelle Isip's books (https://www.theorderexpert.com/books/) How to Stay Focused on Your Work (https://www.theorderexpert.com/how-to-focus-on-work/) Got the Blank Page Blues? Take a Walk. How Walking Boosts Creativity. (https://www.literatureandlatte.c...

Episode 17: Christie Aschwanden, Science Journalist

September 07, 2022 05:00 - 33 minutes - 15.5 MB

Christie Aschwanden is a journalist, author, and editor, and has written Good to Go: What the athlete in all of us can learn from the strange science of recovery, a book about the science of athletic recovery. She is a runner and cyclist, and has contributed articles to The New York Times, Runner's World, and Bicycling, among others. Show notes: Christie Aschwanden (https://christieaschwanden.com) Good to Go: What the athlete in all of us can learn from the strange science of recovery (https:...

Episode 16: William Gallagher, Playwright, Novelist, and Tech Journalist

August 03, 2022 06:00 - 30 minutes - 13.9 MB

William Gallagher is a versatile writer. He has written Doctor Who radio dramas, novels, and hundreds of articles about technology, as well as books about writing. He also creates many YouTube videos about writing and technology. Show notes: William Gallagher (http://williamgallagher.com) 58keys (https://www.youtube.com/c/WilliamGallagher/videos), William Gallagher's YouTube channel Three-Biscuit Guide to Scrivener (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d55-sbWMh4) (one-hour video looking at Scri...

Episode 15: Rowan Hooper, Science Writer

July 06, 2022 06:00 - 29 minutes - 13.7 MB

Rowan Hooper is a science writer, and is currently podcast editor for The New Scientist. His book, How to Save the World for Just a Trillion Dollars, looks at ten big problems in the world and how they can be solved for a trillion dollars. Show notes: Rowan Hooper (https://www.newscientist.com/author/rowan-hooper/) How to Save the World for Just a Trillion Dollars (https://theexperimentpublishing.com/catalogs/spring-2022/how-to-save-the-world-for-just-a-trillion-dollars/) How to Spend a Tril...

Episode 14: Jessica Payne, Thriller Author

June 01, 2022 05:00 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MB

Jessica Payne has just published her first novel, Make Me Disappear, a psychological thriller about a woman who arranges her own kidnapping. Jessica is the host of #MomsWritersClub, on YouTube and Twitter, where she discusses the issues around writing and being a mom. Show notes: Jessica Payne (https://jessicapayne.net) MomsWritersClub (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFHfWLYYSC9RCLPIhPm-TyQ) Jaime Lynn Hendricks: It Could Be Anyone (https://linktr.ee/jaimelynnhendricks) Janelle Brown: I'll...

Episode 13: April Henry, Thriller Author

May 04, 2022 06:00 - 30 minutes - 13.9 MB

April Henry is the author of more than two dozen mysteries and thrillers for teens and adults. Her novels have won prizes, been shortlisted for other prizes, and have been translated into ten languages. She knows two dozen different ways to kill you. Show notes: April Henry (https://www.aprilhenry.com/) Two Truths and a Lie (https://www.aprilhenry.com/two-truths-and-a-lie.html) Gin Phillips: Fierce Kingdom (https://ginphillips.com/books/fierce-kingdom/) Learn more about Scrivener (https://w...

Episode 12: Damon Young, Philosopher

April 06, 2022 06:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MB

Damon Young is a philosopher, poet, and an author of fiction for children. As a philosopher, he has written about reading, the garden, and sex, and he has also written a half-dozen children's books. He also writes regularly for newspapers and magazines, and is a frequent guest on radio and TV. Show notes: Damon Young (https://www.damonyoung.com.au) Philosophy in the Garden (https://www.damonyoung.com.au/philosophy-in-the-garden) Damon Young on sword fighting (https://www.damonyoung.com.au/pos...

Episode 11: Write Now with Scrivener, Episode no. 11: Charles Shields, Biographer

March 02, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MB

Charles Shields is a biographer of mid-century American novelists and writers. After a career teaching, and writing histories and biographies for young people, Shields has written several biographies of American authors, the most recent of which is about playwright Lorraine Hansberry, author of Raisin in the Sun. Show notes: Charles J. Shields (https://charlesjshields.net/author) Lorraine Hansberry: The Life Behind A Raisin in the Sun (https://charlesjshields.net/product/lorraine-hansberry) T...

Episode 11: Charles Shields, Biographer

March 02, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MB

Charles Shields is a biographer of mid-century American novelists and writers. After a career teaching, and writing histories and biographies for young people, Shields has written several biographies of American authors, the most recent of which is about playwright Lorraine Hansberry, author of Raisin in the Sun. Show notes: Charles J. Shields (https://charlesjshields.net/author) Lorraine Hansberry: The Life Behind A Raisin in the Sun (https://charlesjshields.net/product/lorraine-hansberry) T...

Episode 10: Annie Finch, Poet, Writer, and Witch

February 02, 2022 06:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MB

Annie Finch is a poet, writer, critic, editor, playwright, librettist, translator, and witch. She has written poetry, criticism, memoirs, and works on meter and form, and is the founder of Poetry Witch Community, where she teaches meter, scansion, and magic. Show notes: Annie Finch (https://anniefinch.com) Poetry Witch Blog (https://anniefinch.com/blog/) The Poetry Witch Little Book of Spells (https://anniefinch.com/poetry-witch-little-book-of-spells/) Louise Labé: Complete Poetry and Prose (...

Episode 9: Charlie Stross, Science-Fiction Author

January 05, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 14.3 MB

Charlie Stross is a prolific author of science fiction and fantasy. He has written more than two dozen novels, has won three Hugo awards, and has been nominated for many other awards, including the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and the Japanese Seiun Award. Show notes: Charlie Stross (https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/) Write Now with Scrivener, Episode No. 1: Peter Robinson (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/write-now-with-scrivener-podcast-epi...

Episode 8: Nicole Kronzer, YA Author and High School Teacher

December 01, 2021 07:00 - 30 minutes - 14.1 MB

Nicole Kronzer is an author of young adult novels, a high school teacher, and a former actor. Her first novel, Unscripted, was named a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association. Show notes: Nicole Kronzer (https://www.nicolekronzer.com) Unscripted (https://www.nicolekronzer.com/unscripted) The Loft Literary Center (https://loft.org) Nina Lacour, Yerba Buena (https://www.ninalacour.com) Brandy Colbert, The Only Black Girls in Town, The Voting Booth (https://www.brandycolbe...

Episode 7: Maggie Shipstead, Author of Great Circle, Shortlisted for the Booker Prize

November 03, 2021 07:00 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MB

Maggie Shipstead's latest novel has been shortlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize. Great Circle is a novel of love and loss and adventure, focusing on a woman pilot in the early days of flying, and an actress portraying her in the present. Show notes: Maggie Shipstead (https://www.maggieshipstead.com) Great Circle (https://www.maggieshipstead.com/books#/greatcircle/) Booker Prize (https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/books/great-circle) Colson Whitehead, Sag Harbor (https://www.pengui...

Episode 6: Elizabeth Haynes, Thriller Author

October 20, 2021 04:00 - 28 minutes - 13.3 MB

Having worked as a police intelligence analyst in the UK, Elizabeth Haynes knows a lot about crime. She has written a half dozen novels, all of which she started during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Show notes: Elizabeth Haynes (http://www.elizabeth-haynes.com) You, Me & the Sea (https://myriadeditions.com/books/you-me-and-the-sea/) Lost Lives, Lisa Cutts (https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Lost-Lives/Lisa-Cutts/9781471168291) NaNoWriMo (https://nanowrimo.org) The Last Hous...

Christian Cantrell, Sci-Fi Thriller Author

September 22, 2021 06:00 - 29 minutes - 13.5 MB

With a day job as a designer for one of the world's largest software companies, Christian Cantrell knows how computer technology works, and his novels are full of cutting-edge ideas. He explores science and technology that don’t yet exist in order to put characters in situations in which they can discover things about themselves that would otherwise have been impossible. Show notes: Christian Cantrell (https://christiancantrell.com/) Scorpion (https://christiancantrell.com/#writing) 47North (...

Episode 4: Annik Lafarge, Author of Chasing Chopin

August 25, 2021 06:00 - 32 minutes - 15 MB

After a career in publishing, from being a publicist to senior editor, Annik Lafarge is now a consultant and advisor to authors. Her latest book is Chasing Chopin: A Musical Journey Across Three Centuries, Four Countries, and a Half-Dozen Revolutions. Annik talks about how important it is for authors to help market their books. "I honestly don't think I could have written this book without without Scrivener." Show notes: Annik Lafarge (https://anniklafarge.com) Chasing Chopin (https://whycho...

Episode 3: J.T. Ellison, Thriller Author, TV Show Host, and Publisher

July 21, 2021 06:00 - 33 minutes - 15.3 MB

J.T. Ellison has written more than 25 novels: standalone thrillers, three series, and has recently published the first in a series of co-authored young adult novels. She co-hosts a literary TV show, and is also a publisher. She also "loves Scrivener with the passion of a thousand fiery suns." Show notes: J.T. Ellison (https://www.jtellison.com) Latest book: Her Dark Lies (https://www.jtellison.com/her-dark-lies) @thrillerchick (https://twitter.com/thrillerchick) A Word on Words (https://awor...

Dan Moren, Science Fiction Author, Journalist, and Podcaster

June 23, 2021 06:00 - 29 minutes - 13.3 MB

Dan Moren juggles a triple career: that of a science fiction author, tech journalist, and podcaster. He discusses his the "sci-fi espionage capers" he writes, how he transitioned from journalism to fiction, and how he has used Scrivener to write each of his novels. Show notes: Dan Moren (https://dmoren.com) Latest novel: The Aleph Extraction (https://dmoren.com/the-aleph-extraction/) My writing finances, 2020 (https://dmoren.com/2021/01/05/my-writing-finances-2020/) Create Custom Templates ...

Episode 1: Peter Robinson, Author of the Alan Banks Crime Fiction Series

May 20, 2021 17:00 - 25 minutes - 11.9 MB

We welcome Peter Robinson, best-selling author of the Alan Banks crime series. Peter has written more than two dozen novels, and discusses his characters, how he uses music in his novels, and how Scrivener helps him manage his manuscripts. Show notes: Peter Robinson (https://inspectorbanks.com) Latest novel: Not Dark Yet (https://inspectorbanks.com/books/not-dark-yet-2021/) Bob Dylan: Not Dark Yet (https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/not-dark-yet/) Learn more about Scrivener (https://www.literatu...

Twitter Mentions

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