Modern Novelists on Finding Inspiration

A selection of America’s leading novelists, including Jonathan Lethem, Jesmyn Ward, Jennifer Egan and Colson Whitehead, discuss their writing lives and inspirations.

A selection of America’s leading novelists, including Jonathan Lethem, Jesmyn Ward, Jen... more

Curated byMatthew Horovitz, Hark Contributor

6 CLIPS40 MINS

Clip 1 of 6

Jonathan Lethem

Jonathan Lethem on process, environment, his background as a painter and his best advice for aspiring writers.

10 Minute Writer's Workshop

6 MINS

Clip 2 of 6

Rachel Kushner

Rachel Kushner, the author of the novels “Flamethrowers” “Telex From Cuba” and “The Mars Room” talks about her bohemian childhood and how writing lets her live both inside and outside the world. From the podcast First Draft.

First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

6 MINS

Clip 3 of 6

Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead answers questions about his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of slavery “The Underground Railroad” and reads a passage from the book. From the podcast Book Club.

Bookclub

8 MINS

Clip 4 of 6

Jesmyn Ward

Jesmyn Ward is the only woman to have won two National Book Awards for fiction, for her novels “Salvage The Bones” and “Sing, Unburied, Sing.” Here, she reads from her memoir “Men We Reaped.” From the podcast Toure.

Toure Show

7 MINS

Clip 5 of 6

Taffy Brodesser-Akner

The author of “Fleishman Is In Trouble” describes the inspiration for her comic novel of modern dating and offers advice to a would-be writer. From the podcast Slate Culture.

Slate Culture

5 MINS

Clip 6 of 6

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates, who won the National Book Award for his memoir “Between The World And Me” talks with author Michael Chabon about Coates’ first novel “The Water Dancer.” From the podcast City Arts and Lectures.

City Arts & Lectures

6 MINS

Curated byMatthew Horovitz

6 CLIPS40 MINS

The best podcast moments curated by Hark Editors

We listen to 100s of podcasts and clip the most interesting moments
These clips are turned into themed Harklists
You’ll find harklists curated just for you in your feed, based on your interests

Most Popular Harklists

Tribeca Audio Storytelling
Official Selections 2025: Non-Fiction

Tribeca Festival is the first major festival to have an official podcast selection program. Discover the never-before-heard narrative audio stories in the Non-Fiction and Independent Non-Fiction categories at Tribeca 2025.
Hark Editors
7 clips 0 SECS
What Made Us Laugh
June 2025

From Bill Burr's epic, hilarious rant to Andrew Schultz's brilliant joke about NYC, here are the funniest things we heard this month.
Adrian Sherling
HARK EDITOR
8 clips 28 MINS
The Politics of Reading
Why does reading matter in the face of oppression? Dive into the politics and power of reading.
Jorge Patino
HARK EDITOR
6 clips 26 MINS

Latest Harklists

Tribeca Audio Storytelling
Official Selections 2025: Fiction

Tribeca Festival is the first major festival to have an official podcast selection program. Discover the never-before-heard narrative audio stories in the Fiction and Independent Fiction categories at Tribeca 2025.
Hark Editors
7 clips 0 SECS
Trump Attacks Iran: The Smartest Analysis
Why did Donald Trump authorize an attack on Iran and what will happen next? Here's the expert analysis of the Middle Eastern conflict.
Adrian Sherling
HARK EDITOR
5 clips 21 MINS
Tribeca Audio Storytelling
Official Selections 2025: Non-Fiction

Tribeca Festival is the first major festival to have an official podcast selection program. Discover the never-before-heard narrative audio stories in the Non-Fiction and Independent Non-Fiction categories at Tribeca 2025.
Hark Editors
7 clips 0 SECS

Modern Novelists on Finding Inspiration

Jonathan Lethem

10 Minute Writer's Workshop

Rachel Kushner

First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Colson Whitehead

Bookclub

Jesmyn Ward

Toure Show

Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Slate Culture

Ta-Nehisi Coates

City Arts & Lectures

Most Popular Harklists

Tribeca Audio Storytelling

Official Selections 2025: Non-Fiction

What Made Us Laugh

June 2025

Latest Harklists

Tribeca Audio Storytelling

Official Selections 2025: Fiction

Tribeca Audio Storytelling

Official Selections 2025: Non-Fiction

For the best of Hark in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.