
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by 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 we explore the craft (and magic) of story telling.
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
This week, I’m joined by Jasmine Guillory, bestselling author of The Wedding Date and her latest novel, It’s Only Dancing, for a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of how she actually makes a book.Jasmine walks me through her “messy first draft,” where she lets herself put every idea on the page, knowing she’ll come back later to chip away at it, reshape it, and figure out what the story actually needs. During the pandemic, that process even led her to handwrite an entire novel because, at the time, that was the way of writing that felt least scary.We talk about how she learned to write dialogue, which, spoiler alert, was not simply a magical gift she was born with. We dig into what happens when you give yourself permission to write badly, how finishing a first draft is also a way of getting to know your characters, and why sometimes you have to write your way into understanding what a story is really about. Links Follow No Write Way on InstagramCreditsHost: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice
Some conversations have a destination. Others are more fun when you just see where they take you.This week, I’m joined by Ali Hazelwood, bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, and this episode is a bit of a romp. We wander from Star Trek and fan fiction to hyperfixations, the small obsessions that somehow become little anchors of joy, and the realization that what we want to write and what we want to read can sometimes be two completely different things. And maybe they should stay that way.We talk about what happens when one of your books suddenly steps into the spotlight, and what it feels like to watch that happen while your other books are standing quietly backstage. I also spill a little tea about my own complicated feelings about finishing a trilogy, and we compare notes on the strange afterlife of a book once it leaves your hands.Ali is, as it turns out, an absolute ray of sunshine. But even rays of sunshine have bad days, and we talk about that too. About the pressure to always be fine, the things that bring us back to ourselves, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is let yourself stare into the eyes of an alpaca. LinksFollow No Write Way on InstagramCreditsHost: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice
Confession: it’s fan-girl time.Scott Hawkins, author of The Library at Mount Char and Blacktail, is one of those writers whose books make me want to corner him and ask, “How did you DO that?” He writes in the evenings after his day job and on weekends, and somehow the stories he’s made in those stolen hours are some of my absolute favorites. I’ve read both of his books, and I have a lot of questions.A lot of questions.This conversation is essentially me asking Scott how he makes the magic, while he calmly explains things that seem completely extraordinary to me as though they are perfectly normal.We also learn that Scott has had enough dogs over the years to make it sound like there has been an entire pack living in his house at various points, which perhaps explains why he was destined to write a book from the point of view of a four-legged friend in the wild.Mostly, this is a conversation about process, instinct, and what happens when someone’s imagination works in a way that makes you want to keep asking, “But how?” Scott is wonderfully matter-of-fact about his methods. I am perhaps a little less so.Links:Follow No Write Way on InstagramCredits:Host: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice
Some writing careers begin with a bet, a rom-com, and a very committed friend. This week, I’m joined by Lisa Jewell, bestselling thriller author of Then She Was Gone and her latest novel, It Could Have Been Her, to talk about the wonderfully serendipitous path that led her to becoming a writer. From the bet that started it all to the unexpected way she found her first agent and the zany route she took into publishing, Lisa’s origin story is almost as good as one of her books.We talk about the strange difference between writing your first book, when you’re full of dreams, and your second, when suddenly there’s a contract involved. We also surprise ourselves by workshopping an entirely new book idea mid-conversation, before discovering that we are almost exact opposites in the way we approach writing and proceed to gleefully interrogate each other about it.A conversation about luck, persistence, instincts, and the wonderfully unpredictable ways a writing life can unfold.Content warning: This episode contains a very brief description of violence that may not be appropriate for all listeners.Follow No Write Way on InstagramCredits:Host: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice
This week, I’m joined by Rebecca Serle, bestselling author of One Italian Summer and Once and Again, for a conversation that feels a little like a master class in trusting the work. We talk through her process, turn the tables on each other, and swap the Jedi mind tricks we use to keep our brains from getting in the way. Rebecca shares what happens when you refuse to give writer’s block any power, and how letting go of the need to know exactly where a story is going can make room for something better.We also talk about the strange privilege of getting to do this work at all, and the importance of remembering that “getting to” write is very different from “having to” write. It’s a conversation about trusting yourself, staying curious, and finding a little more joy in the strange privilege of making things up for a living.And Riley, my Muppet-shaped dog, would like it noted that she was also present for this conversation and contributed several important thoughts from off-mic.Links:Follow No Write Way on InstagramCredits:Host: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice
Some writers write with a single voice. Others carry generations with them.This week, I’m joined by poet and bestselling author Nikita Gill for a conversation about the people, histories, and inheritances that find their way onto the page. She tells me about her Kashmiri grandfather, the first person she ever wrote a story about, and the way she feels she carries her ancestors with her in the very way she speaks. We talk about the particular power that comes from writing as a woman and from the perspective of the oppressed, and how stories rooted in the past can somehow arrive in the present at exactly the right moment.Nikita and I also discover another happy bit of creative kinship: we both must start at the end. We talk about why word counts can be a distraction, and how some days the work is less about producing more words and more about finding the right ones.Links:Follow No Write Way on InstagramCredits:Host: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice
Some writers have always been storytellers. C. L. Clark is one of them. From short stories and novellas to high fantasy novels, they’ve spent a lifetime finding new ways to tell them.In this episode, we discover an uncanny overlap in some of our favorite non-writing pursuits, from fencing and running to growing up as soccer kids with dreams of making it to the World Cup. We wander into the relationship between the body and the page, talk about writing rituals (Morning Pages, anyone?), and consider what happens when you let yourself get a little bored and give your mind room to wander.Because a writing life doesn’t always look like writing. Sometimes the best “writing” happens when you’re doing almost anything else.Links:Follow No Write Way on InstagramV.E. Schwab’s WebsiteC. L. Clark's Website Credits:Host: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice
For the first episode of Season Five, I’m joined by Karin Slaughter, bestselling author of Pretty Girls and her latest, The Secrets We Hide, for a conversation about writing stories that are dark, strange, and unapologetically intense. We talk about the particular experience of being a woman who writes this kind of work, the strange expectations that come with being taken seriously, and what happens when you commit fully to a story and see it all the way through.Karin also lets us into her writing process, which involves a cabin in the woods, a lot of focus, and very little messing around. We talk about the discipline of finishing what we start, even when the work gets difficult, and why sometimes the most important part of writing is simply refusing to stop.Credits:Host: V.E. SchwabProducer/Editor/Mixer: Jenna Maurice
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Listeners also like.

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
A writer and two agents share practical advice on craft, publishing, and query letters for emerging authors.

How I Write
A weekly exploration of the creative processes and habits of today’s top writers, revealing how they turn ideas into finished work.

Writing Excuses
Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Shelf Respect
Three friends analyze and critique books with humor and insight, focusing on both content and cover design.

The Literary Life Podcast
Three readers discuss classic literature, reading practices, and the role of stories in intellectual and spiritual life.

Reading Glasses
Two authors share practical tips and humorous advice for improving your reading habits and solving common book lover problems.

Fantasy Fangirls
Sisters analyze fantasy book series chapter by chapter, discussing plot, characters, theories, and world-building with humor and insight.

SongWriter
Writers and musicians collaborate to transform personal stories into original songs through intimate conversations and performances.

The Secret World of Roald Dahl
A deep dive into Roald Dahl’s hidden life as a spy and how his covert past influenced his iconic children’s stories.

The Writers Hangout
A podcast exploring the writing process through conversations with entertainment industry professionals.

Critical Role & Sagas of Sundry
A band of heroes battles dark forces in the realm of Exandria in this epic tabletop role-playing adventure.

Diabolical Lies
Katie Gatti Tassin & Caro Claire Burke
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 we explore the craft (and magic) of story telling.
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Get key takeaways from No Write Way with V. E. Schwab in a 5-minute read.
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of No Write Way with V. E. Schwab as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by V. E. Schwab (Author).
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
No Write Way with V. E. Schwab publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
No Write Way with V. E. Schwab covers topics including Arts, Books. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.