Ep. 16 — Author David Grann Unlocks the Secret to Writing Bestsellers

On this episode of Write About Now, I talk to David Grann, a staff writer at The New Yorker and  bestselling author of nonfiction thrillers. His 2009 book, The Lost City of Z, traces the footsteps of explorer Colonel Percy Fawcett whose expedition disappeared in the Amazon in search of a secret civilization. The book was adapted into a 2017 film.

His latest book, Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, tells the story of the tragic and mysterious murders that took place is Oklahoma in the 1920s and 30s and the investigation that followed. The book was optioned for $5 million and Scorsese, DiCaptrio, and Deniro are said to be attached. 

David also happens to be an old college buddy of mine. In the podcast, we talk about his incredible career, which spans from the the New Republic to The New Yorker, and dig deep into his process of finding, researching, and writing such riveting stories.