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 we explore the craft (and magic) of story telling.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 5, 2025 • 60min
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.
Oct 23, 2024 • 48min
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 16, 2024 • 22min
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 9, 2024 • 43min
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 2, 2024 • 46min
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.
Sep 25, 2024 • 57min
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 18, 2024 • 49min
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 11, 2024 • 48min
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 4, 2024 • 54min
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.
Aug 28, 2024 • 45min
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.
