How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part One - Redux episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 8, 2025 · 36 MIN

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part One - Redux

from The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience · host Kelton Reid

#1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, spoke to me about how to write seven novels in 18 months, the psychology of fiction and fandom, and her latest YA mystery, THE BROTHERS HAWTHORNE. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 acclaimed young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games trilogy, Little White Lies, Deadly Little Scandals, The Lovely and the Lost, and The Naturals series. Her latest is The Brothers Hawthorne, described as “Knives Out-esque” by Publishers Weekly, it is a story of [two brothers] “Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, [who] —with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.” Jen is a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science including a Ph.D. from Yale University, and “...is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of fandom and the cognitive science of fiction and the imagination.” [Discover ⁠The Writer Files Extra⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at ⁠writerfiles.fm⁠] [If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please ⁠click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Jennifer Lynn Barnes and I discussed:  Her study of autism and why neurodivergents rely so heavily on story How her bestselling trilogy went viral on TikTok Why she writes for reluctant readers How to write mysteries with intricate puzzles, twists, turns, and reveals Her theories on why readers love fiction And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠Jenniferlynnbarnes.com⁠ ⁠The psychology of fiction with Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Re:Thinking with Adam Grant⁠ - TED Audio Collective ⁠The Brothers Hawthorne⁠ By Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Amazon) ⁠Jennifer Lynn Barnes Amazon Author Page⁠ ⁠Jennifer Lynn Barnes on Twitter⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 8, 2025

Embed this episode

Ready to play

How #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Writes: Part One - Redux

0:00 36:50

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience?

This episode is 36 minutes long.

When was this The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience episode published?

This episode was published on August 8, 2025.

Can I download this The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!