No Write Way with V. E. Schwab
V. E. Schwab (Author)
V. E. Schwab here! I’m the author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the Shades of Magic series, Vicious, and more. Join me here as I chat with fellow successful authors about their origin stories, creative processes, work-life balance, and how they bring the stories you love to life. We’ll dive into the many paths from that first spark of an idea to the final page of a book, because there’s no one right way to write—just the way that works for you. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or simply a lover of stories, join us as...
Summoning Chuck Tingle: A pink sack, a bottle of chocolate milk, and a fossil.
Buckle your seatbelts, buckaroos! This week, we summon Chuck Tingle, the delightful author behind Bury Your Gays and Camp Damascus. We chat about the differences between crafting his signature short-form erotica and tackling full-length novels, his love of message-driven storytelling, and how wearing a pink sack on his head has given him both creative freedom and personal comfort—all while staying true to his punk approach to writing.
Mar 12, • 50:41
Summoning Olivie Blake: An off-kilter meme, a VHS of Steel Magnolias, and some old fashioned peppermint stick ice cream
Welcome to Season 3! Ever wonder what you’d use to summon Olivie Blake? This week, I chat with the bestselling author of The Atlas Six and Alone With You in the Ether. We commiserate over the maddening reality that writing somehow feels impossible every single time we start a new book, no matter how many we've written. She pulls back the curtain on how her stories take shape, and we dive into the chaos and creativity of juggling multiple projects at once.
Mar 5, • 59:36
No risk-it, no biscuit: An Interview with Alex Edelman
It’s the end of Season 2, so here is a bonus episode! This week, I chat with Alex Edelman, the comedian and writer behind the Tony and Emmy-winning show Just for Us. Alex gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how he crafts long-form shows, shares the tricky balance of blending humor with grief, and talks about the challenges and joys of being the subject of his own work.
Oct 23, 2024 • 47:53
Never planned to be scary: An interview with R. L. Stine
This week, I chat with the legendary R.L. Stine, the mastermind behind over 300 books, including the iconic Goosebumps series. Known for his spine-tingling plot twists, R.L. shares a surprising twist of his own—none of what’s happened in his extraordinary career was ever really his idea. From spooky tales to unexpected turns in his journey, we explore the quirky moments that shaped the author who continues to delight and thrill new generations of readers.
Oct 16, 2024 • 22:13
Personal time machine: An Interview with Cassandra Clare
This week, I chat with Cassandra Clare, author of the beloved Shadowhunter Chronicles series and Sword Catcher. Cassandra dives into the intricate world-building that defines her fantasy novels, shares her thoughts on crafting compelling character relationships, and talks about the surprising places she finds seeds of inspiration.
Oct 9, 2024 • 42:39
The irritating interruptions of real life: An Interview with Sabaa Tahir
This week, I chat with the bestselling Sabaa Tahir, author of All My Rage and her latest, Heir. Sabaa discusses the big, thought-provoking questions she explores through her stories, weaving powerful themes of identity and connection. She also shares how she discovers the best version of a story and delights us with a peek at her unexpected talent of mimicking animal sounds.
Oct 2, 2024 • 45:41
Think of it like a mixtape: An Interview with Isaac Fitzgerald
This week, I chat with Isaac Fitzgerald, the author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts and Pen & Ink, known for his compelling non-fiction and memoir writing. As we chat about the fascinating differences (and similarities) between writing fiction and non-fiction, Isaac shares his heartfelt insights on the art of personal storytelling, and even gives a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect mixtape—because storytelling isn't just for the page. :)
Sep 25, 2024 • 57:28
Start with a thumbnail sketch: An Interview with Margaret Owen
This week, I chat with Margaret Owen, the author of The Merciful Crow and (a personal favorite) Little Thieves. As we bond over our feline companions, Margaret shares her approach to crafting vivid, character-driven stories, delves into the nitty-gritty of her zero-draft process, and reveals the one word she can never seem to spell correctly.
Sep 18, 2024 • 49:00
"Stop trying to make other people happy": An Interview with Rebecca Roanhorse
This week, I chat with Rebecca Roanhorse, the author of Black Sun and her latest, Mirrored Heavens. Rebecca shares her unique approach to weaving Indigenous mythology into modern fantasy, discusses the differences between writing personal projects, working within established franchises, and writing for TV, and reflects on the important realization that her memory isn’t terrible—it’s just not great at paying attention to reality.
Sep 11, 2024 • 48:21
"It has to sound like people talking": An Interview with T. J. Klune”
This week, I chat with T. J. Klune, the beloved author of The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. T.J. reflects on his journey through both self-publishing and traditional publishing, shares his heartwarming approach to blending fantasy with deep emotional resonance, and talks about the simple joy he's found in realizing he can eat ice cream whenever he wants.
Sep 4, 2024 • 53:37
Edit to Death: An Interview with Saara El-Arifi
This week, I chat with Saara El-Arifi, the author of The Final Strife and Faebound. Saara shares her whimsical approach to 'finding her way' through her intricate stories, discusses the importance of diverse voices in fantasy, and reveals the delightfully unexpected place where she does most of her writing.
Aug 28, 2024 • 44:56
Collecting Potions: An Interview with Travis Baldree
This week, I chat with Travis Baldree, the author of the cozy fantasy darlings Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust. Travis shares his journey from audiobook narrator to novelist, offers practical advice for writers looking to carve their own path, and shares with us his most “useless” skill.
Aug 21, 2024 • 41:54
Start the Story Engine: An Interview with Martha Wells
This week, I chat with Martha Wells, the celebrated author of many favorites, including The Murderbot Diaries and her newest book, Witch King. We discuss the evolution of her beloved characters, get a glimpse into the world-building techniques that make her stories so immersive, and learn about her surprising relationship with the arcade classic skee ball.
Aug 14, 2024 • 48:59
Be better than the robots: An Interview with Julia Whelan
This week, I chat with the multi-talented Julia Whelan, author of My Oxford Year and Thank You for Listening, as well as a prolific audiobook narrator, actor, and the creator of Audiobrary- a platform dedicated to human storytelling. Join us as we delve into her writing and narration process, insights from both her literary and acting experiences, and the intriguing concept of "intimacy kink."
Aug 7, 2024 • 44:13
Perfect does not exist: An Interview with Sarah Rees Brennan
This week, I’m chatting with the ever enchanting Sarah Rees Brennan, the mind behind The Demon’s Lexicon, In Other Lands, and her latest, Long Live Evil. We explore her journey from her initial path to starting over, delve into the nuances of personal projects versus writing for hire, and discuss the most important topic- deliberate narrative tits.
Jul 31, 2024 • 42:34
I want chaos, I want angst: An Interview with Alix Harrow
This week, I chat with a writer who shares my love for making the world a little bit stranger—Alix Harrow, the brilliant author of The Once and Future Witches, Starling House, and more. Join us as we explore her unique writing rituals, the origins of her ideas, and the interesting “treasures” she discovered in an old teapot.
Jul 24, 2024 • 44:11
Use all of your senses: An Interview with S.A. Cosby
This week, I chat with the incomparable S. A. Cosby, author of the acclaimed “southern noir” crime novels Blacktop Wasteland, All The Sinners Bleed, and more. We delve into character development, the importance of knowing backstory, and learn about his unique favorite smell.
Jul 17, 2024 • 44:26
Writing is like a road trip: An Interview with Fonda Lee
Welcome to the first episode of No Write Way, season 2, where I delve into how "Writing is like a Road Trip" with author Fonda Lee. We also talk through her creative process, unique hurdles, and the surprisingly strange item hanging in her bedroom.
Jul 10, 2024 • 51:05
No Write Way: Trailer
Welcome to No Write Way!
Jul 9, 2024 • 0:47
Lie in Bed and Think: An Interview with Sarah Gailey
Hydrate!, growing up around books, editing, negative feedback, short stories, getting an agent, using spreadsheets to track novel writing, idea cook time, {technical difficulties in the episode mean a mini-q&a with V!}, setting as character, juggling projects, work-life balance, daily schedule, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 8/15/2020 on Instagram live. Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Sarah @gaileyfrey
Oct 5, 2023 • 55:46
Creativity is the Reward: An Interview with Charlie Jane
From learning disability to award winning author, living and working in Hong Kong, io9 and other work, novel vs. short story, revisiting old ideas, second guessing, explorative writing, dialogue, scriptwriting, description and scene setting, getting emotion on the page, daily routine, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 8/22/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Charlie Jane @charliejaneanders
Sep 24, 2023 • 49:10
Evolution of Process: An Interview with Natalie C. Parker
Rethinking social media, using mythology for personal catharsis, visiting a psychic, becoming a published author, finishing a trilogy, talking the story out, 9 box setup, outlining, growing as a writer, rewriting, breaking down goals, empowering upcoming writers, new vampires, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 8/8/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Natalie @ncparker
Aug 8, 2023 • 47:39
Laying Down the Bones: An Interview with Samantha Shannon
Book lengths, second book syndrome, starting with fanfiction, getting feedback, the pressure and psychology of being published young, working on multiple projects, structural edits, starting with a synopsis and a chapter plan, character arc, using music to build character and setting, drafting troubles, tracking character experience, attempting to finding balance, and more! Listen in.This originally streamed 8/1/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Samantha @say_shannon
Aug 1, 2023 • 35:55
I Want It All: An Interview with Victoria Ying
Getting into comics through Sailor Moon, building art and story skills, choosing which details to track and develop, illustration vs. comics, day to day process of creating a graphic novel, pushing through doubt to finish, challenges of comics, reference and inspiration, illustrating Wonder Woman, consistency and artistic "glow-ups", dream projects and stories, cheat codes, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 7/25/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria S. @veschwabFollow Vic
Jul 25, 2023 • 48:19
The Ghosts of Characters Past: An Interview with RF Kuang
Life in lockdown, from fan fiction to publication, inspired by Scrivener, writing out of order, on connecting with her Chinese heritage, second book syndrome, the story begins with an argument, complicated history leads to naturally complicated characters, changing personal perspectives and how that effects writing, moving on from a series, keeping promises, not forcing a scene, getting inspired and recharged, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 7/18/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victo
Jul 18, 2023 • 57:43
No False Modesty: An Interview with Michael Ian Black
Victoria chats about current reads and favorite books before being joined by her guest.How Michael's dreams of acting first left writing on the back burner and then led to other creative ventures, the role of desperation and fear, hands in all the "cookie pies", learning to open up, writing children's books, the creative process, discipline and cultivation, trusting the process, first drafts and revisions, being a public figure in the social media age, and more! Listen in. This
Jul 11, 2023 • 1:02:17
It's All About Momentum: An Interview with Kiersten White
First grade dreams, fear of starting, the first novel, letting ideas simmer, drafting and revision, shiny idea syndrome, discipline, process, writing linearly, best night time note taking practices, self-care, the importance of diverse stories of discovery and exploration, writing trilogies and satisfying conclusions, telling stories with integrity, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 7/5/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Kiersten @authorkierstenwhite
Jul 5, 2023 • 51:20
Heart on My Sleeve, Interview with Sarah MacLean
Advocating for romance, romance covers and meeting reader expectations, writing quick and writing good, the business of the work, being a reader first, getting started on a dare, putting passion on the page, luck and timing, trad vs indie, from idea to page, never too much conflict, changing trends and a brief history of romance, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 6/27/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Sarah @sarahmacleanFollow Fated Mates Podcast @fatedmatespod
Jun 27, 2023 • 23:05
It's Bad Until It's Good: An Interview with Holly Black
Lock down hair, connecting with international fans, figuring things out on the page, arts funding makes a difference, getting to Spiderwick, Holly's first book, otter vs dolphin writers, follow your own excitement, supernatural worlds, fantasy vs horror, plot struggles, from idea to story, characters, short stories, This originally streamed 6/13/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Holly @blackholly
Jun 13, 2023 • 52:39
Fiercely Stubborn: An Interview with Dhonielle Clayton
Working from home with family, accountability, from dreams of being a doctor to librarian to author, ambition, the journey to published, Cake Literary, choosing projects, Tiny Pretty Things (the Netflix show!), visualizing the narrative, refilling the well, using discomfort to unlock story, the illusion of meritocracy, #publishingpaidme, the market, why publish traditionally?, and more! Listen in. This originally streamed 6/20/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Dhonielle @bro
Jun 13, 2023 • 56:06
Support Black Authors #TBR
20 Books by Black Authors You Should Read***A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE by Lisa Moore Ramée TRISTAN STRONG by Kwame Mbalia AMERICAN STREET by Ibi ZoboiTHE BELLES by Dhonielle Clayton A PHOENIX FIRST MUST BURN anthology edited by Patrice Caldwell THE GOOD LUCK GIRLS by Charlotte Nicole Davis RIOT BABY by Tochi OnyebuchiTHE CHANGELING by Victor LaValle THE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS by N.K. JemisonUNKINDNESS OF GHOSTS by Rivers Solomon THE RECORD KEEPER by Agnes Gomillion REAL LIFE by Brandon Taylor T
Jun 6, 2023 • 23:09
Structural Ambitions: An Interview with Tochi Onyebuchi
How anime impacts Tochi's creativity, the hope behind protest movements, from aspiring comic book artist to author, starting with fanfic, influence of video games, remembering the analog days, hidden influences, beautiful prose, writer crushes, story architecture, rejection, and more! Listen in.This originally streamed 5/30/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Tochi @treize64
May 30, 2023 • 1:00:21
Carving Positive Queer Space: An Interview with Tessa Gratton
Allowing time to freak out in order maintain creativity, flexing creative muscles to build craft, series cancellation, fetishizing the debut moment, getting to The End, short stories vs novels, revising, plot, hierarchy of needs in story, playing with format and structure, choosing genre, idea file, and more! Listen in.This originally streamed 5/23/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Tessa @tessa.gratton
May 23, 2023 • 53:18
Art is Personal: An Interview with Rachel Hawkins
Working without pre-pandemic crutches, doomsday clock, Erin Sterling, writing Hex Hall, the fickleness of the industry, writing queer fiction, a new Jane Eyre and writing for hire, the creative process, creative cryptonite, work life balance, and more. Listen in!This originally streamed 5/16/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Rachel @ladyhawkins
May 21, 2023 • 59:21
Chaos Personified: An Interview with Pierce Brown
Is Pierce an outliner now?! Should authors also be marketing mavens? How do you continue writing a series while growing artistically? If Pierce never wrote again after finishing Red Rising would he be satisfied? Crow fights? Listen in.This originally streamed 5/9/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Pierce piercebrownofficial
May 10, 2023 • 1:05:13
There's a Pocket for That: An Interview with Zoraida Cordova
Meet the Porgs, debut groups and publishing mortality, writing camp, moving beyond "we already have a latinio writer", merpenis (cryptzoology), juggling projects and plotting, ovoiding overplotting, writing should never make you unhappy, refilling the creative well, creating when the world is in chaos, focus, books as horcruxes, and more! Listen in.This originally streamed 5/2/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Zoraida @zoraidasolo
May 2, 2023 • 56:40
It's Psychological: An Interview with J.T. Ellison
The benefits and challenges of writing fantasy, being told you aren't good enough, pantsing, standalones vs series, writing the end, daily writing hours, when the book just isn't working, workahilsm and balance, creativity and responsibility, finding your voice, co-writing, and more. Listen in.This originally streamed 4/18/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow J.T. @thrillerchick
Apr 18, 2023 • 37:08
Dark by Nature: An Interview with Jay Kristoff
A daylight savings snaffu means readers get a bonus 15 minute q&a session before the interview starts!Learning story through advertising, visualizing, co-writing, putting on the final polish, the mental game, pressure after success, the mystery of acclaim and sales, leaving a series behind, writing in different mediums, keeping writing fun, developing healthy writing habits, romance, and more! Listen in.This originally streamed 4/25/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Jay
Apr 15, 2023 • 1:10:35
A Radical Heart: An Interview with Sarah Maria Griffin
Sarah Maria Griff talks stubborn creativity, finding success the back way, reading your work out loud to find your writing voice, zine drops, the raw power of truth and fear, worst advice, and more. Listen in.This originally streamed 4/11/2020 on Instagram live.Follow Victoria @veschwabFollow Sarah @sarahgriffskiWE FACE THIS LANDCenturies ago,Women accused of witchcraft faced, amongst other ordeals,Trial by waterTied to a chair or run under a boatIf she survives the drowning and floatsShe’s a wi
Apr 12, 2023 • 56:26