How NY Times Bestselling Author Kate Quinn Writes

New York Times bestselling author and renowned historical fiction novelist, Kate Quinn, spoke with us about the importance of libraries, reading for mental health, and a love letter to both in her latest novel, THE ASTRAL LIBRARY. Kate Quinn describes herself as a "librarian fine delinquent turned bestseller" and is celebrated for her meticulously researched historical fiction, often highlighting resilient women in WWI, WWII, and ancient Rome. Key works include The Alice Network, The Huntress, and The Diamond Eye. Her latest, already another NY Times bestseller, is a pivot to magical realism with The Astral Library, a fantasy novel about a secret book sanctuary. NPR called it, “Engrossing, suspenseful, and authentic.” New York Times bestselling author Sarah Penner wrote, “Only Kate Quinn could give us a book this inventive, this fun, and this completely addictive. If you’ve ever wished to tumble straight into your favorite novel, here’s your chance.” [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 Kate Quinn, Milena and I discussed: Her early training as an opera singer A desire to enter the world of Narnia Taking a genre departure into magical realism and fantasy while maintaining her signature character-driven storytelling Why world-building is so important in her work How libraries represent a living, breathing space for people and their complicated problems And a lot more! Show Notes: katequinnauthor.com Astral Library: A Novel By Kate Quinn (Amazon) Kate Quinn Amazon Author Page Kate Quinn on Facebook Kate Quinn on Instagram⁠⁠ Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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How NY Times Bestselling Author Kate Quinn Writes is an episode from The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience by Kelton Reid.

This episode is 41:15 long.

This episode was published on May 1, 2026.

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