Book Is the Hook

Caroline Kepnes on Writing Complex Characters and Finding Your Voice

How do you write a character that readers can’t stop thinking about, even when they shouldn’t like them?
In this live, in-class conversation, novelist Caroline Kepnes shares how she developed the voice behind You, and why character begins with perspective, not plot.
Caroline talks about her path from journalism to television writing to novels, how each medium shaped her craft, and why writing often requires unlearning what you’ve been taught.
We also explore the role of short stories in developing voice, the importance of rewriting, and how small, specific moments create emotional impact.
This episode is especially valuable for fiction writers and anyone trying to create characters that feel real, complex, and unforgettable.

Miri Rodriguez on Finding Your Author Voice Through Empathy and Story

Great storytelling isn’t about charisma.
It’s about empathy.
In this live, in-class conversation, Miri Rodriguez, storytelling leader at Microsoft and author of Brand Storytelling, explains how writers find their voice, connect with audiences, and design stories that actually land.
Miri shares what it was like launching her book during the pandemic, negotiating marketing support with her publisher, and writing under intense constraints while working full-time.
She also introduces a powerful origin story exercise, explains why every story has a mission, and shows how design thinking can help authors communicate with more intention and emotional truth.
This episode is essential for writers building books, brands, and messages that matter.

Bob Burg on Why the Best Books Spread Through Giving

Why do some books quietly spread for years, while others disappear after launch week?
In this live, in-class conversation, Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, explains why stories and parables connect on a deeper level than traditional how-to books, and why the most successful messages travel heart-to-heart.
Bob shares his approach to writing benefit-driven titles, building genuine relationships before launching a book, and why you can’t “growth hack” trust.
We also talk about the long game of promotion, why singles matter more than home runs, and how books become cultural artifacts when people start gifting them to others.
This episode is essential for authors, entrepreneurs, and creators who want their work to spread through generosity and real connection.

Jonah Berger on Why Ideas Spread (And Why Most Books Don’t)

Why do some ideas catch on, while others disappear?
In this live, in-class conversation, Jonah Berger, author of Contagious and The Catalyst, breaks down the real mechanics behind virality, influence, and change.
We talk about Jonah’s STEPS framework, why “customer focus” matters more than originality, and why writers need to understand their audience before they fall in love with their topic.
Jonah also shares his own writing process, how frameworks evolve through teaching, and why feedback is the only way to make an idea stronger.
This episode is essential for authors, creators, and entrepreneurs who want their work to actually land, not just exist.

Maysoon Zayid on Writing, Criticism, and Finding Another Dream

Writing is solitary. Revision is relentless. And you have to be able to sit with your own work long enough to make it better.
In this live, in-class conversation, comedian and author Maysoon Zayid shares an unfiltered look at what it actually takes to write with honesty, humor, and resilience.
We talk about how to take criticism without breaking, why memoir can be harder than fiction, and why Maysoon dictated her entire book the way she tells stories on stage.
She also reflects on disability, representation, and the hard-earned mindset behind her mantra: if a dream turns into a nightmare, find another dream.
This episode is hilarious, sharp, and deeply real.

Dr. Edith Eger on Healing, Choice, and Writing the Story You Lived

What does it mean to be free, even after unimaginable suffering?
In this live, in-class conversation, Dr. Edith Eger, Holocaust survivor, psychologist, and author of The Choice, shares profound wisdom on trauma, healing, and the power of response.
She explains why “the opposite of depression is expression,” why you cannot heal what you don’t feel, and why perfectionism keeps people imprisoned long after the external danger is gone.
Dr. Eger also reflects on writing her first book at age 90, the tears behind every page, and why it’s never too late to tell the story you lived.
This episode is for anyone carrying pain, carrying a story, or trying to find the courage to begin.

Dan Pink on Making Progress When Writing a Book Feels Endless

Writing a book doesn’t come with a progress bar.
 
In this live, in-class conversation, Dan Pink explains why long projects feel so disorienting, how writers lose their sense of momentum, and what actually keeps people motivated over months and years.
 
He shares how his research into motivation shaped his own writing habits, why routines matter more than inspiration, and the simple end-of-day ritual he uses to stay grounded in progress.
 
This episode is especially helpful for writers and creators who feel stuck in the middle of big projects and need a clearer way to measure forward motion.

Gretchen Rubin on Why Nothing Works for Everyone

Most advice sounds good on paper.
But that doesn’t mean it works for you.
In this live, in-class conversation, Gretchen Rubin explains why universal solutions fail, why habits need to be customized, and how self-knowledge is the real foundation of behavior change.
She breaks down her Four Tendencies framework, shares how she uses her own experience as a testing ground, and explains why trying things yourself matters more than following expert rules.
This episode is especially useful for writers, creators, and high-achievers who’ve tried every system and still struggle to make progress.