How NY Times Bestselling Author Jessica Knoll Writes

How NY Times Bestselling Author Jessica Knoll Writes

From The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience by Kelton Reid

July 10, 2026 · 41 min

About this episode

Jessica Knoll discusses her journey from magazine editor to bestselling author and screenwriter, along with her latest work in dark romance and psychological suspense.

New York Times bestselling author Jessica Knoll spoke with us about her career trajectory from magazine editor to novelist and screenwriter, the allure of dark romance, and her latest erotic thriller, HELPLESS. Jessica Knoll is the New York Times bestselling author of Bright Young Women, The Favorite Sister, and Luckiest Girl Alive — now a major motion picture on Netflix starring Mila Kunis. She adapted and executive-produced Luckiest Girl Alive for the screen. In 2021, she was named a screenwriter to watch by Variety, and in 2019, her original script, ‘Til Death, sold to Amazon and made The Black List. Her latest novel, Helpless, was named a New York Times, Oprah Daily, Crime Reads, Town & Country, and Bookpage Most Anticipated Book. Booklist described Helpless as “[A] taut contemporary tale of the explosive reunion of two former lovers… Knoll's twisty tale of psychological suspense, with its exploration of a nuanced relationship with elements of submission and control, will get readers talking.” And the New York Times Book Review wrote, “Knoll is the author of really unsettling thrillers… [Helpless] is like Misery but with your ex.” Before writing fiction, Knoll built a career…

People in this episode

Host: Kelton Reid

Guest: Jessica Knoll

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Self, Amazon, Variety, Netflix, Oprah Daily, Crime Reads, Town & Country, Bookpage

Products: Luckiest Girl Alive, Helpless

Books & works: Misery, The Black List, Bright Young Women, The Favorite Sister

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