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Artwork for How I Write

How I Write

David Perell
Writing
Storytelling
Writing Process
Creativity
Character Development
Artificial Intelligence
Creative Writing
Poetry
Copywriting
Comedy
Love
Crypto Confidential
Creative Process
Youtube
Education
Emotional Writing
David Foster Wallace
Memoir Writing
The Pathless Path
China

Before 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

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Artwork for How I Write

Latest Episodes

Pre-order Robert Greene's latest book here: sites.prh.com/lawofthesublime

Learn more about Alpha School at ⁠https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite

Robert Greene is on the show today, who's famous for books like The 50th Law and The 48 Laws of Po... more

Learn more about Alpha School at ⁠https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite

Andy Weir is on the show today, and he's famous for books like Project Hail Mary and The Martian, both of which turned into movies.

In this conversation, we discuss science fiction... more

Learn more about Alpha School at ⁠https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite

Mark Normand is on the show today to teach us how to write good comedy. He moved to New York in 2006 when he was a nobody, barely knew how to tell jokes. This interview tells the st... more

Learn more about Alpha School at ⁠https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite

Michael Arndt, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter, is on the show today to teach us how to write great stories.

We started the conversation by discussing his time at Pixar. I a... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Andy Weir
Author of Project Hail Mary and The Martian
Episode: Andy Weir: Project Hail Mary Author Teaches Writing | How I Write
Mark Normand
Stand-up comedian known for Netflix specials and touring
Independent comedian
Episode: Mark Normand: How to Make Your Writing More Funny | How I Write
Michael Arndt
Academy Award–winning screenwriter, storyteller, and consultant on script development
Pandemonium Inc.
Episode: Michael Arndt: Oscar-Winning Writer Teaches Storytelling | How I Write
Francine Prose
Author and professor emerita who has taught at Harvard and Bard College
Author
Episode: Francine Prose: This Is What a Harvard Writing Masterclass Feels Like | How I Write
Harlan Coben
Award-winning thriller novelist
Self-employed/Author
Episode: Harlan Coben: Tough Love Advice for Every Writer | How I Write
R.F. Kuang
Author of Babel, Yellowface, and other novels
Author
Episode: R.F. Kuang: Meet The Writer Who Sold Millions of Books Before 30 | How I Write
Matt Haig
Author of The Midnight Library and The Humans
Author
Episode: Matt Haig: How to Write a Book Millions of People Read | How I Write
Andrew Sean Greer
Pulitzer Prize–winning author
Episode: Andrew Sean Greer: Pulitzer Winner Teaches Writing | How I Write
Jack Carr
Bestselling author and former Navy SEAL
Author
Episode: Jack Carr: Bestselling Author Shares His Entire Writing Process | How I Write

Hosts

David Perell
Host of How I Write; curates conversations on writing craft and process.
David Shelley
CEO of Hachette; discusses publishing mechanics and industry insights.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 429 ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    5
    Dajie93
    United States4 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 Podcasts
    4
    bookjacketsandjeans
    United 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 Podcasts
    5
    Tehla Jane✨
    Australia5 months ago
  • How men write

    2026 to date:

    15 men, 0 women

    2025:

    37 men, 7 women.

    Tells me all I need to know.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    B Ryan O'Meara
    United States6 months ago
  • Where are the women writers?

    Some good content, but the host’s seemingly total disinterest in featuring the perspectives of women make this an unfollow for me.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    wolex17894
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback notes inclusive discussions of female writers, with some critique of host style.
Overall sentiment is very positive about the show's impact on listeners' writing practice.
Some reviews call out audio issues and desire for more diverse guest lineups.
Listeners praise deep, actionable craft insights and high-quality guests.
Audience appreciates the practical advice for writers and the breadth of guest expertise.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#88
United States/Education
Apple Podcasts
#45
United Kingdom/Education
Apple Podcasts
#81
Canada/Education
Apple Podcasts
#55
Australia/Education
Apple Podcasts
#149
Germany/Education
Apple Podcasts
#186
France/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Andy Weir: Project Hail Mary Author Teaches Writing | How I Write
Q: What do you do to build trust with the audience scientifically?
Prioritize plausible physics and consistent rules, use first-person exposition to explain concepts naturally, and insert humor to keep readers engaged while conveying technical details.
Andy Weir: Project Hail Mary Author Teaches Writing | How I Write
Q: How do you go from premise to draft?
Outline major turning points first, then write with a focus on causality; use turning points as waypoints and improvise between them while ensuring the plot remains propulsive.
Andy Weir: Project Hail Mary Author Teaches Writing | How I Write
Q: So break this down for me. What about that premise makes it work? What are the different parameters?
Stakes and timing drive the plot: humanity's extinction-level threat creates a desperate mission, while the mystery of the alien biology and the first-contact element provides the engine for discovery and suspense.
Francine Prose: This Is What a Harvard Writing Masterclass Feels Like | How I Write
Q: Tell me about reading to understand why that piece of work endures.
The guest discusses placing enduring works like Jane Eyre and Great Expectations under study, noting how students respond to themes like female rage and how modern readers connect through voice, tone, and shared human concerns, illustrating how timeless stories continue to resonate across generations.
Francine Prose: This Is What a Harvard Writing Masterclass Feels Like | How I Write
Q: Tell me about party scenes? What makes for a good party scene?
The guest explains that a good party scene tracks who is talking and listening, uses perspective to highlight the central couple, and employs the crowd as a dynamic backdrop. It's about how the camera eye follows action, when guests arrive, and how interruptions or interruptions can move the scene forward, all while maintaining clarity and a sense of the larger social dynamics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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

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Which podcasts are similar to How I Write?

These podcasts share a similar audience with How I Write:

1. Otherppl with Brad Listi: Books & Culture
2. Writers on Writing
3. Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin
4. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
5. Writer's Routine

How many episodes of How I Write are there?

How I Write launched 3 years ago and published 143 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on How I Write?

Recent guests on How I Write include:

1. Andy Weir
2. Mark Normand
3. Michael Arndt
4. Francine Prose
5. Harlan Coben
6. R.F. Kuang
7. Matt Haig
8. Andrew Sean Greer

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.

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