How I Write
David PerellBefore book sales and PR buzz, your favorite writers began with two things: the blank page and an idea. Each week on How I Write, we go behind-the-scenes with today’s top writers to uncover the meta-mechanics of writing and the lifestyle behind it. You’ll be the first to hear writers deconstruct their creative process: from banging their head on the keyboard to marking the last period of their fin... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 148 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | EducationArtsBooks | |||
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Latest Episodes
Learn more about Alpha School at https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite
Malcolm Gladwell is on the show today and he's one of the most influential nonfiction writers of the 21st century. You know him from books like Outliers, The Tipping Point, and Davi... more
Learn more about Alpha School at https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite
Gillian Flynn is the author of one of my favorite books of all time: Gone Girl. Before the episode, I wondered who I'd be meeting. What kind of person could write such a crazy, bloo... more
Learn more about Alpha School at https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite
Taylor Tomlinson is on the show today, and she is one of the world's top comedians with multiple Netflix specials and a book called "Actually, Nevermind".
I love having stand-up co... more
Learn more about Alpha School at https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite
Dean Koontz has written more than a hundred novels and sold over 500 million copies of his books. This is my second time having him on the show. The first time, we discussed writing... more
Key Facts
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Recent Guests
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Reviews
- So few women & what’s up with the sponsor?
Was excited for this podcast because of guests like Elif Shafak, Ocean Vuong, and RF Kuang. Conversations were insightful and I thought the host did a good job, but I was soon put off by how few women there are on here. Looking over this year’s episodes… by mid July there were as many Davids featured as women! It’s actually extremely bizarre given the field and the prevalence of outstanding female authors. It’s not engineering or finance. As I kept listening I was also alarmed by the sponsor Alp... more
Apple Podcasts3Cora378
United States2 months ago - Entertaining, enriching podcast
I am not a writer, but this podcast breaks down the creative process beautifully for any artist. Absorbing, insightful, engaging interviews.
Apple Podcasts5HamtotheVilleUnited States2 months ago - Great show, great advice
Hi David, just one thing: there's a clicking noise throughout the episodes. Sometimes it'll be every few seconds, and sometimes every few minutes. I hear it every episode. I don't hear it on other podcasts, so I assume it's an audio-engineering problem for How I Write. It sounds somewhat like a clicker used to train dogs, but add to it the winding of a wind-up doll.
Apple Podcasts5Dajie93United States5 months ago - Keep the female writers coming
Great insightful
conversations about the world of writing. David is a great interviewer. Appears he has also listened to reviews and is smartly interviewing more female writers. Keep the
female writers coming!
Apple Podcasts4bookjacketsandjeansUnited States5 months ago - Thank you
I stumbled upon this podcast by accident and it has since become my main source for writing inspiration✨ Thank you David for your deeply thought provoking interviews with world class writers I love each and every episode!
Apple Podcasts5Tehla Jane✨
Australia6 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #67 | United States/Education |
Apple Podcasts | #44 |  United Kingdom/Education |
Apple Podcasts | #80 |  Canada/Education |
Apple Podcasts | #61 | Australia/Education |
Apple Podcasts | #236 |  Germany/Education |
Apple Podcasts | #46 |  New Zealand/Education |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About How I Write
What is How I Write about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A craft-focused interview series where acclaimed writers and creators unravel the mechanics of writing, storytelling, and the creative lifestyle. Episodes typically explore how language, voice, structure, and observation shape work across fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting, often with practical takeaways on editing, pacing, and building an author platform. Notable is the range of guests—from novelists and essayists to screenwriters and comedians—plus thoughtful sponsor integrations that feel like part of the dialogue rather than interruptions. The conversations tend to blend rigorous craft discussion with personal anecdotes about discipline, travel, and career evolution, making it useful for aspiring writers and content creators seeking... more
Where can I find podcast stats for How I Write?
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How many listeners does How I Write get?
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What are the audience demographics for How I Write?
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How many subscribers and views does How I Write have?
To see how many followers or subscribers How I Write has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to How I Write?
These podcasts share a similar audience with How I Write:
1. Writers on Writing
2. Writer's Routine
3. Otherppl with Brad Listi | Books & Culture
4. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
5. Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin
How many episodes of How I Write are there?
How I Write launched 3 years ago and published 148 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact How I Write?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for How I Write?
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What guests have appeared on How I Write?
Recent guests on How I Write include:
1. Gillian Flynn
2. Taylor Tomlinson
3. Dean Koontz
4. Jodi Picoult
5. Robert Greene
6. Andy Weir
7. Mark Normand
8. Michael Arndt
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.