First Draft with Sarah Enni
Sarah Enni
Welcome to First Draft with Sarah Enni, the podcast where we talk to storytellers about how their art informs their lives. Join host Sarah Enni every Tuesday for honest, meaningful conversations with storytellers about their unique perspectives on the creative process, and to provide more transparency about the professional side of artistic endeavors.
Hiatus Announcement With Traci Thomas of The Stacks
First Draft Episode #359: Traci Thomas Traci Thomas is the creator and host of The Stacks Podcast, a show about books featuring interviews with authors and book lovers. New episodes out every Wednesday! In this episode, we discuss my choice to put First Draft on indefinite hiatus, effective immediately. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Sarah Enni’s episodes of The Stacks, here and here Thanks for Listening! 🏆 Support the Show Join the First Draft Patreon, or make a monthly o
Simple Pleasures and Sinister Undertones With Nina LaCour
First Draft Episode #358: Nina LaCour Nina LaCour is the bestselling and Michael L. Printz Award-winning author of five critically acclaimed young adult novels, including: We Are Okay, and Hold Still. She joins to talk about her first picture book, Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, and her debut adult novel, Yerba Buena. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Out of the Blue, the queer YA rom-com by Jason June, author of the breakout Jay’s Gay Agenda, available now! Links to Topics Mentioned In T
Dreams and Ghosts With Samira Ahmed
First Draft Episod #357: Samira Ahmed Samira Ahmed is the bestselling author of Love, Hate & Other Filters, Internment, Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know, and Amira & Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds, as well as a Ms. Marvel comic book mini-series. She joins us to talk about her latest YA contemp, Hollow Fires. Thanks for Listening! 🏆 Support the Show Join the First Draft Patreon, or make a monthly or one-time donation via PayPal or Venmo 🤳 Subscribe To First Draft with Sarah Enni in Apple Pod
Writers and Friends With Kristin Dwyer
First Draft Episode #356: Kristin Dwyer Kristin Dwyer is the debut author of YA romance, Some Mistakes Were Made. THIS EPISODE BROUGHT TO YOU BY… Fundamentals of Design, a crash course in design tailored specifically for authors. Head to embowman.com/workshops to enroll, and use promo code FIRSTDRAFT20 to save $20 off the $79 price through the end of May 2022. Thanks for Listening! 🏆 Support the Show Join the First Draft Patreon, or make a monthly or one-time donation via PayPal or Venmo 🤳 S
Embrace the Funny With Shannon Hale
First Draft Episode #355: Shannon Hale Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of over thirty children's and young adult books, including graphic novel memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, and multiple award winners The Goose Girl, Book of a Thousand Days, and Newbery Honor recipient Princess Academy. THIS EPISODE BROUGHT TO YOU BY… Fundamentals of Design, a crash course in design tailored specifically for authors. Head to embowman.com/workshops to enroll, and
Moms Don't Have Time to Chat With Zibby Owens
First Draft Episode #354: Zibby Owens Zibby Owens is the founder of the podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, and new publishing company Zibby Books, as well as author of picture book Princess Charming and forthcoming memoir, Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature. Thanks for Listening! 🏆 Support the Show Join the First Draft Patreon, or make a monthly or one-time donation via PayPal or Venmo 🤳 Subscribe To First Draft with Sarah Enni in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever
Determinism is the Only Answer With Adrienne Celt
First Draft Episode #353: Adrienne Celt Adrienne Celt is a cartoonist and author of The Daughters, Invitation to a Bonfire, as well as cartoon collection, Apocalypse How? An Existential Bestiary. She joins to talk about her latest, End of the World House. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle (the animated movie) The Loft Cinemas in Tucson, AZ Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Judgment, which covers aesthetics and teleology French feminist philosopher Hél
Let Your Heroines Be Horny With Elissa Sussman
First Draft Episode #352: Elissa Sussman Elissa Sussman is the author of adult romance Funny You Should Ask, and YA novels Drawn That Way, Burn, and Stray. This episode is brought to you by Revision Season, the seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Spring 2022 course will run from May 1 to June 23 and enrollment is open now! Learn more at ElanaKArnold.com. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Elissa’s previous interviews on Fi
Finishing an Unfinished Thing With Mac Barnett
First Draft Episode #351: Mac Barnett Mac Barnett, two-time Caldecott Honor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of picture books like Extra Yarn and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole with illustrator Jon Klassen, and the Jack book series with illustrator Greg Pizzoli. Mac joins us to talk about The Great Zapfino, his new picture book with illustrator Marla Frazee (hear her First Draft interview here). Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak David Foste
The State of the Library With Amanda Oliver
First Draft Episode #350: Amanda Oliver Amanda Oliver, former librarian and author of OVERDUE: Reckoning with the Public Library. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Reza Aslan, professor at U.C. Riverside’s MFA program and author of Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth Claire Comstock Gay, author of weekly horoscopes for New York magazine’s The Cut, and her debut book about astrology, Madame Clairevoyant’s Guide to the Stars, Recollections of My Nonexistence: A Memoir b
Chasing the Feeling With John Cho
First Draft Episode #349: John Cho John Cho, actor, producer, writer, and author of debut middle grade novel, Troublemaker, with Sarah Suk. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Fifth Chinese Daughter by Jade Snow Wong The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston Sarah Suk, author of Made in Korea and the forthcoming The Space Between Here and Now 🎙️ Enjoy this episode? Check out… Seth Meyers
Live in the Awkward With Kate Spencer
First Draft Episode #348: Kate Spencer Kate Spencer is the co-host of the award-winning podcast Forever35, and author of the memoir The Dead Moms Club. She joins to talk about her first novel, In a New York Minute. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Kate’s first First Draft interview Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Twilight by Stephenie Meyers Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon Plane Baes Song Exploder podcast Seth Meyers, host of Late Night with Seth Meyers and for
Two Kinds of Fears with Seth Meyers
First Draft Episode #347: Seth Meyers Seth Meyers, host of Late Night with Seth Meyers and former head writer for Saturday Night Live, talks about his debut picture book, I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared with Rob Syegh. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant, the first book in the Babar series by Jean de Brumhoff Spider Man: The Short Halloween written by Seth Meyers and Bill Hader Richard Scarry, author and illustrator of Trucks, A Day at the Airp
A Tightrope of Self-Belief With Jennifer E. Smith
First Draft Episode #346: Jennifer E. Smith Jennifer E. Smith, author of YA novels The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between and more. She’s here to talk about her first picture book, Creature of Habit (with illustrator Leo Espinosa), and her first adult novel, The Unsinkable Greta James. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Jennifer E. Smith’s first First Draft interview Illustrator Leo Espinosa St. Vincent (musician) A L
We Only Get The Hunks We Get With Rebecca Serle
First Draft Episode #345: Rebecca Serle Rebecca Serle, New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years, The Dinner List, and more, talks about her new novel, One Italian Summer. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Rebecca’s first First Draft interview Leila Sales, author of “The Case for Cancelling Everything,” by Yascha Mounk for The Atlantic The Brave Little Toaster (movie) Honey I Shrunk the Kids (movie) Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery 🎙️ Enjoy this episo
Sabaa Tahir’s Little Brain Pets
First Draft Episode #344: Sabaa Tahir Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series talks about her new contemporary YA, All My Rage. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Don’t miss Sabaa’s first First Draft interview, and her second First Draft interview! “The Ghosts of Our Motel,” by Sabaa Tahir for Vox The Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir Nina LaCour, Printz-winning author of We Are Okay, and other contemporary YA titles like Everythin
Acts of Hope With Abdi Nazemian
First Draft Episode #343: Abdi Nazemian Abdi Nazemian, screenwriter and author of Stonewall Honor book Like a Love Story talks about his most recent YA, The Chandler Legacies. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Abdi’s first First Draft interview TIME’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time Rebecca Serle, author of The Dinner List, In Five Years, and the forthcoming One Italian Summer To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Diary of Anne Frank by A
Adam Rubin's Reality is Subjective
First Draft Episode #342: Adam Rubin Adam Rubin, New York Times bestselling picture book author known for Dragons Love Tacos, Those Darn Squirrels!, Robo-Sauce and more with illustrator Daniel Salmieri, about his new collection of middle grade short stories, The Ice Cream Machine. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: “Weird Al” Yankovic Monty Python Mr. Bean The Far Side cartoon by Gary Larson (find the first collection, The Far Side, here) Calvin and Hobbes, cartoon by Bill Wat
Mess Stuff Up With Jon Scieszka
First Draft Episode #341: Jon Scieszka Jon Scieszka, former National Ambassador for Children’s Literature and New York Times bestselling author best known for picture books with illustrator Lane Smith, including The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Math Curse, and more. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio Jacqueline Woodson, 2020 MacArthur Genius fellow, National Book Award winner, Newberry,
Things Have to Happen With Swan Huntley
First Draft Episode #340: Swan Huntley Swan Huntley is the author of adult literary novels The Goddesses, We Could Be Beautiful, and her newest, Getting Clean With Stevie Green. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: “The Sociopath Who Loved Me Enough,” by Swan Huntley in AutoStraddle Drinking: A Love Story by Caroly
Your Publishing Journey Is Not Your Personal Journey With Ibi Zoboi
Ibi Zoboi is the New York Times bestselling author of National Book Award Finalist American Street, Pride, My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich and co-author with prison reform activist Yusef Salaam of Punching the Air. She joins us to talk about her first work of non-fiction Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler.
Why the Bodega Doors Opened For Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson is a 2020 MacArthur Genius fellow, National Book Award winner, Newberry, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King winner, former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Brown Girl Dreaming, Red at the Bone, Another Brooklyn, Before the Ever After and many, many more. She joins us to talk about her picture books with Rafael López, The Day You Begin and The Year We Learned to Fly.
Workshop of Joy With Lamar Giles
First Draft Episode #337: Lamar Giles Lamar Giles, author of the acclaimed novels Fake ID, Endangered, Overturned, Spin, Not So Pure and Simple. He joins us to talk about his middle-grade series The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, Last Chance for Logan County, and and The Last Mirror on the Left. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This E
Reclaiming Authenticity With Varian Johnson
First Draft Episode #336: Varian Johnson Varian Johnson, award-winning author of The Parker Inheritance, Twins, The Great Greene Heist, joins us to talk about his most recent middle-grade, Playing the Cards You’re Dealt. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary Are You There God? It’s
It Can't Be a Soundbite With Kekla Magoon
First Draft Episode #335: Kekla Magoon Kekla Magoon is the award-winning author of many novels and nonfiction books for kids and teens, including How It Went Down, The Season of Styx Malone, and her newest, Revolution In Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: N
Artists Have to Remember With Jodi Picoult
First Draft Episode #334: Jodi Picoult Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-seven novels, including My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, Small Great Things, and two young adult novels with daughter Samantha van Leer, Between the Lines and Off the Page. She joins to talk about her latest, Wish You Were Here. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first
Bolts of Lightning With Karen M. McManus
First Draft Episode #333: Karen M. McManus Karen M. McManus is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of young adult thrillers, including the One of Us Is Lying series (now a Peacock TV show), Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, joins to talk about her latest, You’ll Be the Death of Me. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Ep
Chloe Gong Spends Time With a Second Chance
First Draft Episode #332: Chloe Gong Chloe Gong is the New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and its sequel Our Violent Ends. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene The Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon Fallen by Lauren Kate Delirium by Lauren Oliv
A Fraid of Ghosts With Oliver Jeffers
First Draft Episode #331: Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers, visual artist, climate activist, and author and/or illustrator of several New York Times bestselling picture books, including The Day the Crayons Quit, How to Catch a Star, The Fate of Fausto, and Here We Are, joins us to talk about his newest picture book, There’s a Ghost In This House. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your
World Core With Roseanne A. Brown
First Draft Episode #330: Roseanne A. Brown Roseanne A. Brown is the New York Times bestselling author of YA fantasy novels A Song of Wraiths and Ruin and its sequel, A Psalm of Storms and Silence. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "firstdraft” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Animorphs by K. A. Applegate The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter, New York
Another Spin at the Wheel With Garth Nix
First Draft Episode #329: Garth Nix Garth Nix, New York Times bestselling author of Sabriel, returns to the Old Kingdom series with his latest YA fantasy, Terciel & Elinor. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Ragwitch by Garth Nix, his first book Jill Grinberg, President and founder of Jill Grinberg Literary Management, Garth’s agent Newt’s Emerald, Garth’s regency romance with a fantasy twist Shade’s Children, Garth’s dystopian series The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sw
Every Day is Christmas Eve With Helen O’Hara
First Draft Episode #328: Helen O’Hara Helen O’Hara, film critic, editor-at-large for Empire magazine and co-host of the Empire film podcast, talks about her newest non-fiction, Women vs Hollywood: The Fall and RIse of Women in Film and host of its accompanying podcast, Women vs Hollywood With Helen O’Hara. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Care Bears Movie (movie) My Little Pony: The Movie (movie) Black Panther (movie) Captain Marvel (movie) Terri White, former editor of
Arguably Achievable Perfection With Benjamin Dreyer
First Draft Episode #327: Benjamin Dreyer Benjamin Dreyer, vice president, executive managing editor and copy chief of Random House, and New York Times bestselling author of Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style and Dreyer’s English (Adapted for Young Readers): Good Advice for Good Writing. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: “Meet the Guardian of Grammar Who Wants to Help You Be a Better Writer,” by Sarah Lyall in The New York Times Before and After the Boo
Proof That We're In a Simulation With Elissa Sussman and Arielle Jovellanos
First Draft Episode #326: Elissa Sussman and Arielle Jovellanos Elissa Sussman and Arielle Jovellanos, author and illustrator, respectively, of YA contemporary novel Drawn That Way. Elissa is also the author of Burn, Stray, and the upcoming adult novel, Funny You Should Ask. Arielle illustrated Evil Thing, a Cruelle de Ville backstory novel written by Serena Valentino, as well as graphic novel Black Star, written by Eric A. Glover. This episode is brought to you by Revision Season, a seven-week
What You Don't Know With Ayana Gray
First Draft Episode #325: Ayana Gray Ayana Gray, debut author of Beasts of Prey, which is being adapted into a Netflix film. Today's episode of First Draft is brought to you by Tonight We Rule the World by Zack Smedley, out from Page Street Publishing on October 5th. And by Revision Season, a seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Fall 2021 Session of Revision Season will run Oct 10 – Nov 28, and enrollment is now open! Links to Topics
Singin’ in the Cemetery With Kendare Blake
First Draft Episode #324: Kendare Blake Kendare Blake, New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series, Anna Dressed in Blood, and more, talks about her new historical thriller, All These Bodies, and her upcoming YA novel set in the universe of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, In Every Generation. This episode is brought to you by The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino, out from Page Street Press now! And by Revision Season, a seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by
The First Draft Patreon With Sarah Enni
First Draft Mini-Episode: First Draft Patreon With Sarah Enni Creator and host of First Draft, Sarah Enni, announces the launch of the First Draft Patreon, a way listeners can help support the show by pledging $5 or $10 a month. In exchange for that monthly donation, supporters will gain access to an exclusive community forum, get monthly video chats with Sarah, get 15% off First Draft merchandise, and get a shoutout at the top of a First Draft episode and on the First Draft supporter page. If
Miserable and Magical With Christine Riccio
First Draft Episode #323: Christine Riccio Christine Riccio, New York Times bestselling author of Again, But Better and Better Together and creative force behind PolandBananasBooks, her BookTube channel with more than 400,000 subscribers, and co-host of Booksplosion, the largest book club on YouTube. This episode is brought to you by Laura Sibson’s Edie in Between, a modern-day Practical Magic about love, loss, and embracing the mystical, available now. And by The Lost Girls: A Vampire Revenge
Practical But Impetuous With Jennifer Niven
First Draft Episode #322: Jennifer Niven Jennifer Niven is the Emmy Award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including YA novels All the Bright Places, Holding up the Universe, Breathless, and Take Me With You When You Go (with David Levithan). This episode is brought to you by Laura Sibson’s Edie in Between, a modern-day Practical Magic about love, loss, and embracing the mystical, available now. And by The Splendor by Breeana Shields, out from Page Street Publishing n
Stephanie Perkins is Not a Thomas Kinkade Painting
First Draft Episode #321: Stephanie Perkins Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss and the horror novel There’s Someone Inside Your House (watch the Netflix film adaptation Oct. 6!) talks about her newest scary book, The Woods Are Always Watching. This episode is brought to you by Laura Sibson’s Edie in Between, a modern-day Practical Magic about love, loss, and embracing the mystical, available now! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear the
Destined For Genre With Sarah MacLean
First Draft Episode #320: Sarah MacLean Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author of romance novels, including Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, A Rogue By Any Other Name, and many more, talks about Bombshell, the first book in her new Hell’s Bells series. Sarah also co-hosts the Fated Mates romance podcast. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Anne Rice, author of Interview With the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat Sarah Rees
Never Too Late For a List With S. K. Ali
First Draft Episode #319: S. K. Ali S. K. Ali is the New York Times bestselling author of Morris Award Finalist Saints and Misfits and its sequel Misfit in Love, Love From A to Z and its forthcoming sequel, Love From Mecca to Medina, and picture book The Proudest Blue. She also co-edited, with Aisha Saeed, the middle grade anthology Once Upon an Eid. 🎙️ Enjoy this episode? Check out… Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Written in the Stars and Amal Unbound, co-author with Beck
The Buzzy Feeling With Chandler Baker
First Draft Episode #318: Chandler Baker Chandler Baker, the New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Network talks about her latest feminist thriller, The Husbands. She is also the co-author with Wesley King of YA novel Hello (From Here), out September 7! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Panic, the Delirium series, and Before I Fall John Green, #1 New York Times bestsel
The White Claw of YA with Margot Wood
First Draft Episode #317: Margot Wood Margot Wood, founder of Epic Reads, talks about her debut young adult novel, Fresh. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Margot Wood, founder of Epic Reads, gave incredible marketing advice on the Marketing and Publicity episode of Track Changes, the First Draft miniseries that explains the ins and outs of traditional publishing in the U.S. (listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify) Johnny Tremaine by Esther Hoskins Forbes Aminah Mae Safi, author
The Four Step Plan With Kerry Winfrey
First Draft Episode #316: Kerry Winfrey Kerry Winfrey, author of romantic comedies Waiting For Tom Hanks, Not Like the Movies, and her newest, Very Sincerely Yours. She is also the author of YA novels Love and Other Alien Experiences and Things Jolie Needs to Do Before She Bites It. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Superfudge by Judy Blume The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop George Saunders, author of Tenth of December: Stories, Lincoln in the Bardo, and A Swim in a Pond in
Vienna Waits For You With Isaac Fitzsimons
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify First Draft Episode #315: Isaac Fitzsimons Isaac Fitzsimons is the debut author of The Passing Playbook. This episode was brought to you by Vision Season, a seven-week, virtual master class in tending your creative garden with award-winning author Elana K. Arnold (hear her First Draft interviews here and here). The Fall course of Vision Season will run from August 8th to September 25th. To learn more about Vision Season and to sign up for the Fall course, vi
The Medium is the Message With Ben Zhu
First Draft Episode #314: Ben Zhu Ben Zhu, author, illustrator, and founder of Gallery Nucleus, talks about his debut picture book, Dessert Island. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Dan Krall, illustrator for Samurai Jack Chris Appelhans, writer and director of Netflix animated movie Wish Dragon, and illustrator of picture books Sparky! (written by Jenny Offill) and A Greyhound, a Groundhog (written by Emily Jenkins). Dan Santat, Cal
Blackout: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
First Draft Episode #313: Co-authors of Blackout: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon The co-authors of Blackout: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon talk about their New York Times bestselling collaborative novel. Vision Season Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: “Mask Off,” by Future Literary agent Molly Ker Hawn of The Bent Agency 🎙️ Enjoy this episode?
The Truth Behind the Lies With Tanaz Bhathena
First Draft Episode #312: Tanaz Bhathena Tanaz Bhathena, author of A Girl Like That and The Beauty of the Moment talks about her fantasy series, Hunted by the Sky and its sequel, Rising Like a Storm. This episode was brought to you by The Great Godden by Meg Rossof, out from Candlewick Press now. Read sample chapters here. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold Thrity Umrigar, Parsi author of The Space Between Us Rohinton Mistry, Parsi author of A Fine
Other Possibilities For Our Lives With Doree Shafrir
First Draft Episode #311: Doree Shafrir Doree Shafrir, co-host of the Forever35 podcast and author of Startup, joins us to talk about her debut memoir, Thanks For Waiting: The Joy (& Weirdness) of Being a Late Bloomer. This episode was brought to you by The Great Godden by Meg Rossof, out from Candlewick Press now. Read sample chapters here. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Harriett the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Slate Gawker B
Intangible Humanity With Chris Appelhans
First Draft Episode #310: Chris Appelhans Chris Appelhans, writer and director of Netflix animated movie Wish Dragon, and illustrator of picture books Sparky! (written by Jenny Offill) and A Greyhound, a Groundhog (written by Emily Jenkins). Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Jon Klassen, Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the I Want My Hat Back series, and The Rock From the Sky. Listen to his First Draft interviews here and here. A Sw
Treat the Book Like a Moment With Casey McQuiston
First Draft Episode #309: Casey McQuiston Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White, and Royal Blue, talks about their latest queer rom-com, One Last Stop. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hadestown (musical) The Royal We and its sequel The Heir Affair, by Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks, the writing duo otherwise known as Fug Girls. Hear their First Draft interview here. Louise Rettison, author of Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of
Angry Grown Women With Sarah Kuhn
First Draft Episode #308: Sarah Kuhn Sarah Kuhn, author of the Heroine Complex series, Shadow of the Batgirl with Nicole Gaux for DC Comics, the Star Wars audiobook original Doctor Aphra, talks about her new young adult novel, From Little Tokyo, With Love. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: IGN.com Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV show) Alert Nerd Matt Springer, one of the founders of Alert Nerd Chris Stewart, one of the founders of Alert Nerd Backstage magazine Fresh Romance,
The Places Language Cannot Go With John Green
First Draft Episode #307: John Green John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of many young adult novels, including The Fault in Our Stars and Printz-winning Looking For Alaska, joins to discuss his new essay collection, The Anthropocene Reviewed. He is also one half of the vlogbrothers on YouTube and co-creator of educational series Crash Course. Today’s episode is brought to you by JAY’S GAY AGENDA, a moving and hilarious sex-positive queer teen rom-com from debut novelist Jason June,
Keep You For You With Nicola Yoon
First Draft Episode #306: Nicola Yoon Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star talks about her new YA, Instructions For Dancing, and co-founding Joy Revolution, a Random House young adult imprint dedicated to love stories starring people of color. This episode is brought to you by Melanin in YA, a database comprised of Black YA authors, literary agents, editors, industry professionals, and influencers. A resource for everyone involve
Gap Year of Writing With Camryn Garrett
First Draft Episode #305: Camryn Garrett Camryn Garrett, author of Full Disclosure, talks about her new YA, Off the Record. This episode is brought to you by Melanin in YA, a database comprised of Black YA authors, literary agents, editors, industry professionals, and influencers. A resource for everyone involved in traditional YA publishing, Melanin in YA provides bi-monthly news round ups of book deals, cover reveals, and more. Check it out at melanininya.com, or follow Instagram: @melanininy
Level, Plumb, and Square With Chris Grabenstein
First Draft Episode #304: Chris Grabenstein Chris Grabenstein is the New York Times bestselling author of the Lemoncello series, the Wonderland series, the Haunted Mystery series, and The Island of Dr. Libris. He is also the co-author, with James Patterson, of the #1 Bestsellers I Funny, House of Robots, Max Einstein and many others. He joins to talk about his newest middle grade series, Dog Squad, out now! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Mad Magazine Rocky & Bullwinkle (TV show)
The JV Team is Saving the World With Victoria Aveyard
First Draft Episode #303: Victoria Aveyard Victoria Aveyard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Queen series, talks about the first book in her new YA fantasy series, Realm Breaker. This episode was brought to you by the six-month Picture Book Writing and Illustration Online Course offered by author Zanni Louise & illustrator Anna Pignataro. First Draft listeners get a 20% discount on the course. Learn more, and sign up with the 20% discount, by clicking this link! Links to Topics
Secret 90s Action Movies With Morgan Matson
First Draft Episode #302: Morgan Matson Morgan Matson, New York Times bestselling author of Save the Date, The Unexpected Everything, and more answers listener questions about life, writing, and her new YA, Take Me Home Tonight. This episode was brought to you by the six-month Picture Book Writing and Illustration Online Course offered by author Zanni Louise & illustrator Anna Pignataro. First Draft listeners get a 20% discount on the course. Learn more, and sign up with the 20% discount, by cl
Podcast and Writing With Sara Zarr
First Draft Episode #301: Sara Zarr Podcast chat! A conversation with Sara Zarr, National Book Award finalist author of eight novels for young adults, most recently Goodbye from Nowhere, about her creative writing podcast, This Creative Life. Listeners can get two audiobooks for the price of one at Libro.fm when you use promo code FirstDraftPod at checkout! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Sara’s first First Draft interview here. Hear Sarah on This Creative Life here. I als
An Impossible Year With Emma Straub
First Draft Episode #300: Emma Straub Emma Straub, New York Times-bestselling author of The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures, and the short story collection Other People We Married, talks about her most recent novel, All Adults Here, out in paperback now. She and her husband own Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic. Listeners can get two audiobooks for the price of one at Libro.fm when you use promo code FirstDraftPod at checkout! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episo
Writing For the Lone Reader With Jon Klassen
First Draft Episode #299: Jon Klassen Jon Klassen, Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the I Want My Hat Back series, is back with a book he wrote and illustrated: The Rock From the Sky. And by Revision Season, the seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Spring 2021 course will run from May 9 to June 26 and Enrollment opens April 1st! Learn more at ElanaKArnold.com. Links to Topics Mentioned
The Emotional Woodchipper With Brittney Morris
First Draft Episode #297: Brittney Morris Brittney Morris, author of Slay and Miles Morales: Wings of Fury talks about her newest speculative YA, The Cost of Knowing. And by Revision Season, the seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Spring 2021 course will run from May 9 to June 26 and Enrollment opens April 1st! Learn more at ElanaKArnold.com. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (listen to he
Marla Frazee Had a Love Story She Needed to Tell Herself
First Draft Episode #297: Marla Frazee Marla Frazee is the two-time Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator of The Boss Baby, A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, All the World, and many more. She joins us to talk about the Farmer series: The Farmer and the Clown, The Farmer and the Monkey, and The Farmer and the Circus, out now. This episode was brought to you by We Are the Fire, the YA fantasy by debut author Sam Taylor, out from Swoon Reads now! And by Revision Season, the seven-
An Everyone Problem With Laurie Devore
First Draft Episode #295: Laurie Devore Laurie Devore, author of How To Break a Boy and Winner Takes All, talks about her latest contemporary YA, A Better Bad Idea. This episode is brought to you by Freedom, the easy-to-use app that blocks distracting apps and websites, letting you get into deep work flow. Use offer code FIRSTDRAFT for 40% off a yearly or forever plan. And by The Stacks, a podcast about books and the people who read them. The Stacks is your literary best friend; your virtual bo
Hierarchies of Value With David Arnold
First Draft Episode #296: David Arnold David Arnold is the New York Times bestselling author of Mosquitoland, Kids of Appetite, and The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik, talks about his latest genre-bending YA sci-fi, The Electric Kingdom, out now! This episode is brought to you by Freedom, the easy-to-use app that blocks distracting apps and websites, letting you get into deep work flow. Use offer code FIRSTDRAFT for 40% off a yearly or forever plan. And by We Are the Fire, the YA fantasy
History is a Process With Cassandra Clare
First Draft Episode #294: Cassandra Clare Cassandra Clare is #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, the forthcoming Sword Catcher duology, and co-author of the Magisterium series. She joins First Draft to discuss her most recent Shadowhunter novel, Chain of Iron, the latest installation of the Last Hours trilogy, and to answer listener questions. This episode is brought to you by It’s Kind of a Cheesy Love Story by Lauren Morril, out now! And by Freedom, the easy-t
The Perfect Kind of Accident With Ransom Riggs
First Draft Episode #293: Ransom Riggs Ransom Riggs, New York Times best-selling author of the Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children series, which is wrapping up with the sixth book, The Desolations of Devil’s Acre, out now! This episode is brought to you by Freedom, the easy-to-use app that blocks distracting apps and websites, letting you get into deep work flow. Use offer code FIRSTDRAFT for 40% off a yearly or forever plan. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Ransom’s fi
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired With Mary H.K. Choi
First Draft Episode #291: Mary H.K. Choi Mary H. K. Choi, New York Times bestselling author of Emergency Contact and Permanent Record and her newest YA, Yolk, answers listener questions. This episode is brought to you by Freedom, the easy-to-use app that blocks distracting apps and websites, letting you get into deep work flow. Use offer code FIRSTDRAFT for 40% off a yearly or forever plan. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Listen to Mary H K Choi’s first appearance on First Draft h
Questions and Obsessions With Anna Carey
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Subtext and Ghosts With Loan Le
First Draft Episode #290: Loan Le Loan Le, editor at Simon & Schuster’s Atria Books and debut author of A Phở Love Story. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Bringing the Devil to His Knees: The Craft of Fiction and the Writing Life, edited by Charles Baxter and Peter Turchi Bringing Down the House: Essays on Fiction by Charles Baxter The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot by Charles Baxter Jen Ung, Senior Editor at Simon PUlse and editor of A Phở Love Story 🎙️ Enjoy this episode? Ch
Fun is Important With Catie Disabato
First Draft Episode #289: Catie Disabato Catie Disabato, author of adult literary novels The Ghost Network and her newest, U Up? Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Dan Chaon, author of Ill Will, Await Your Reply, and Stay Awake was Catie’s creative writing professor at Oberlin Edan Lepucki, New York Times bestselling author of California and Woman No. 17. Edan’s latest project is Mothers Before, a collection of essays and photographs based on the popular Instagram Mothers Before, w
The Acquisition of Possibility With Matt de la Peña
First Draft Episode #288: Matt de la Peña Matt de la Peña, author of seven critically acclaimed young adult novels including Mexican Whiteboy and Newbery Medal–winning author of Last Stop on Market Street talks about his newest collaboration with illustrator Christian Robinson, Milo Imagines the World. This episode is brought to you by Plotting With Revelations, the three-unit online character arc workshop created by critically-acclaimed, Edgar Award-nominated author Erin Bowman (hear her Firs
Elise Bryant Never Does Anything Half-Assed
First Draft Episode #287: Elise Bryant Elise Bryant is the debut author of Happily Ever Afters. This episode is brought to you by Plotting With Revelations, the three-unit online character arc workshop created by critically-acclaimed, Edgar Award-nominated author Erin Bowman. Register at embowman.com/workshops by February 7th. and use special coupon code FIRSTDRAFT to save $100. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott The Bailey School Kids series by Mar
A Lucky Rebel With Kristin Cashore
First Draft Episode #286: Kristin Cashore Kristin Cashore is the New York Times bestselling author of the Graceling series, including Graceling, Fire, and Bitterblue, as well as Jane, Unlimited. She has returned to her fantasy world for her newest novel, Winterkeep. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene Agatha Christie, author of Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and And Then There Were None Dorothy L. Sayers, author of Whose Body
Allowing Yourself to Change With Angie Thomas
First Draft Episode #285: Angie Thomas Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give and On the Come Up talks about her latest book, Concrete Rose, as well as the upcoming Blackout. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Richard Wright, author of novel Native Son and memoir Black Boy, among many other works, was born in Mississippi Passions, soap opera 1999-2008 Pete Rich, Emmy-winning writer on many soap operas, including Passions The Angie Thomas Writers Sc
Pillars of Change With Koa Beck
First Draft Episode #284: Koa Beck Koa Beck, former editor-in-chief of Jezebel and co-host of “The #MeToo Memos” on WNYC’s The Takeaway, discusses her debut non-fiction work, White Feminism: From the Suffragettes to Influencers and Who They Leave Behind. This episode is sponsored by Revision Season, the seven-week, virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Winter 2021 session runs January 17 – March 4, with Week Zero work arriving January 10. Check
Genres of Hustle With Dylan Meconis
First Draft Episode #283: Dylan Meconis Dylan Meconis, cartoonist and writer, talks about her middle grade graphic novel Queen of the Sea. Its sequel, Prince of the City, will be out in 2022! This episode is sponsored by Revision Season, the seven-week, virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Winter 2021 session runs January 17 – March 4, with Week Zero work arriving January 10. Check out more details about Revision Season and sign up or Apply for
Making The Imagination Central With Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien
First Draft Episode #282: Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien, artist and illustrator respectively, of picture book The Bear and the Moon. Matthew is a poet, picture book author, and Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College. Catia is a visual artist, illustrator, and founder of A Thousand Worlds, a picture book directory that connects readers to beautiful picture books written and illustrated by BIPOC authors and illustrators. This episode is sponsored by Revision Sea
The Power in Creating Reality With David Levithan
First Draft Episode #281: David Levithan David Levithan is editorial director at Scholastic and the author of many young adult novels, including Boy Meets Boy, Every Day, and co-author with Rachel Cohn of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares. Sips By is the only mutl-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box, which makes discovering tea fun and affordable! Use the code “firstdraft” for 50% off your first Sips By box at www.sipsby.com. On the Remember Readi
Opening the Mailbag With Sabaa Tahir
First Draft Episode #280: Sabaa Tahir Sabaa Tahir is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling An Ember in the Ashes series, which comes to a much-anticipated conclusion with the release of A Sky Beyond the Storm on December 1st. Sips By is the only mutl-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box, which makes discovering tea fun and affordable! Use the code “firstdraft” for 50% off your first Sips By box at www.sipsby.com. On the Remember Reading podcast, discover the tales behind
The Research is Everywhere With Gretchen Rubin
First Draft Episode #279: Gretchen Rubin Gretchen Rubin is the New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and more, co-host of the Happier podcast, and creator of the Four Tendencies framework. Sips By is the only mutl-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box, which makes discovering tea fun and affordable! Use the code “firstdraft” for 50% off your first Sips By box at www.sipsby.com. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Cod: A Biography of t
27 Drafts With Elizabeth Eulberg
First Draft Episode #278: Elizabeth Eulberg Elizabeth Eulberg, author of YA novels The Lonely Hearts Club and Better Off Friends, and the acclaimed Great Shelby Holmes middle-grade series. Her next MG, The Best Worst Summer, comes out in Spring 2021. Sips By is the only mutl-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box, which makes discovering tea fun and affordable! Use the code “firstdraft” for 50% off your first Sips By box at www.sipsby.com. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode
Writing The Summer We Didn't Get With Leah Johnson
First Draft Episode #277: Leah Johnson Leah Johnson talks about her bestselling debut novel, You Should See Me In a Crown, and the forthcoming Rise to the Sun. This episode is brought to you by Everything I Thought I Knew, by Shannon Takoaka, out from Candlewick Press now. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Leah’s essay, “How Young Adult Literature Taught Me to Love Like a White Girl,” appeared in Electric Lit. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson Sarah Neal-Estes, directo
Painting Impossibilities With Oliver Jeffers
First Draft Episode #276: Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers is a visual artist, illustrator of The Day the Crayons Quit, and author and illustrator of How to Catch a Star, The Fate of Fausto, and Here We Are talks about his newest picture book, What We’ll Build. This episode is brought to you by Everything I Thought I Knew, by Shannon Takoaka, out from Candlewick Press October 13, 2020. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Sam Winston, who co-authored A Child of Books with Oliver, is a fine
Shooping Together With Carson Ellis
First Draft Episode #275: Carson Ellis Carson Ellis, author and illustrator of bestselling picture books Home and Caldecott Honor book Du Iz Tak?, talks about her newest picture book, In the Half Room. This episode is brought to you by Everything I Thought I Knew, by Shannon Takoaka, out from Candlewick Press October 13, 2020. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry and Wesley Dennis Black Beauty by Anna S
International Settings (A Mighty Blaze Panel)
First Draft Episode: International Settings (Panel) A conversation between Randy Ribay, author of the National Book Award Finalist Patron Saints of Nothing; Kelly Yang, author of Parachutes; Laura Taylor Namey, author of A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow; Mayra Cuevas, author of Salty, Bitter, Sweet. This conversation was held as part of A Mighty Blaze’s YA Weekend, and many thanks to Joseph Moldover (author of Every Last Breath) and Jennifer de Leon (author of Don’t Ask Me Where I’m F
Therapy on the Page With Justin Reynolds
First Draft Episode #274: Justin Reynolds Justin Reynolds, author of The Opposite of Always, talks about his new young adult contemporary novel, Early Departures. This episode is brought to you by Everything I Thought I Knew, by Shannon Takoaka, out from Candlewick Press October 13, 2020. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Hear Justin’s mailbag episode of First Draft here Hear Justin on the live episode recorded at YAhooFest 2019, along with Rick Yancey, New York Times bestselling a
Queer Love Stories (A Mighty Blaze Panel)
First Draft Episode: Queer Love Stories (A Mighty Blaze Panel) A conversation between Sam Maggs, author of The Unstoppable Wasp, Girl Squad: 20 Female Friendships That Changed History, and more; Lyla Lee, author of I’ll Be the One; Tobly McSmith, author of Stay Gold; Adiba Jaigirdar, author of The Henna Wars; and Leah Johnson, author of You Should See Me in a Crown. This conversation was held as part of A Mighty Blaze’s YA Weekend, and many thanks to Joseph Moldover (author of Every Last Brea
Owning the Audience of One WIth Arvin Ahmadi
First Draft Episode #273: Arvin Ahmadi Arvin Ahmadi, author of Down and Across, Girl Gone Viral, and his latest, How it All Blew Up. This episode is brought to you by Everything I Thought I Knew, by Shannon Takoaka, out from Candlewick Press October 13, 2020. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The Magic Treehouse nonfiction book series Cheryl Klein, editor at Lee & Low Angela Lee Duckworth’s TED Talk, Grit: The Power of Passion Call Me By Your Name (movie) Master of None (TV s
Grief and Trauma in YA (A Mighty Blaze Panel)
First Draft Episode: Grief and Trauma in YA (A Mighty Blaze Panel) A conversation between Joseph Moldover, author of Every Last Breath; Alex Richards, author of Accidental; Liz Lawson, author of The Lucky Ones; Rocky Callen, author of A Breath Too Late; and Nina de Pass, author of The Year After You. This conversation was held as part of A Mighty Blaze’s YA Weekend, and many thanks to Joseph Moldover (author of Every Last Breath) and Jennifer de Leon (author of Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From) fo
The Theme Song of Your Interests With Anne Helen Petersen
First Draft Episode #272: Anne Helen Peterson Anne Helen Petersen, freelance journalist and cultural critic with her biweekly newsletter, and author of nonfiction books Scandals of Classic Hollywood: Sex, Deviance, and Drama from the Golden Age of American Cinema and Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman, talks about her newest book, Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Anne’s Facebook group, Ce
Opening the Mailbag With Lilliam Rivera
First Draft Episode #281: Opening the Mailbag with Lilliam Rivera This week is a new mailbag episode, where I--along with a very special guest--will answer listener questions! Joining me today is Lilliam Rivera, author of The Education of Margot Sanchez, Dealing in Dreams, Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit, and her newest YA novel, Never Look Back, a retelling of the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice set in the Bronx (out now)! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Meg Medina is the New Yor
Soul Research With Tiffany D. Jackson
First Draft Episode #270: Tiffany D. Jackson Tiffany D. Jackson, author of Allegedly, Monday’s Not Coming, and Let Me Hear A Rhyme, talks about her new book, Grown. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Don’t miss Tiffany’s first episode of First Draft here 2020–2021 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason Reynolds, whose many books include All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely [listen to his First Draft interview here]), As Brave as You, For Every One, the
Let's Get Political (A Mighty Blaze Panel)
A conversation between Jennifer de Leon, author of Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From; Sarah Watson, author if Most Likely; Kim Johnson, author of This is My America; Christina Hammonds-Reed, author of The Black Kids; and Natalia Sylvester, author of Running. This conversation was held as part of A Mighty Blaze’s YA Weekend, and many thanks to Joseph Moldover (author of Every Last Breath) and Jennifer de Leon (author of Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From) for all the help putting that entire celebration tog
Wasting a Fine Lawyer's Brain With Martha Brockenbrough
First Draft Episode #269: Martha Brockenbrough Martha Brockenbrough, faculty at the Vermont College of Fine Arts and author of nonfiction for young adults, including Unpresidented, Alexander Hamilton: Revolutionary, and novels like The Game of Love and Death and her newest picture book, This Old Dog. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Laurel Snyder, author of Orphan Island, My Jasper June, and more Jonah Lehrer‘s partially discredited book was Imagine: How Creativity Works (and a Ne
Track Changes: Marketing and Publicity (Part 2), and Defining Success
📚📈❤️ How authors can create a marketing strategy to promote their work, and when it might be right to bring in an independent marketing or publicity firms. Jenn shares the highs and lows from launching Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, and we discuss expanded definitions of success. This episode features: Jennifer de Leon, debut author of YA novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From (out August 18). Bekah Sine Decker and Nikki Pierce created Method Agency, an independent marketing firm, in part to help S
Castle Envy With Katherine McGee
First Draft Episode #268: Katharine McGee Katharine McGee is the New York Times bestselling author of The Thousandth Floor series, as well as American Royals and its sequel, Majesty. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode In her fanfiction, Katharine would correct existing books to have happier endings, like the His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman (she got so attached to her new ending that she hasn’t yet gotten the courage to read The Secret Commonwealth, sequel to The Book of D
Track Changes Bonus Episode: Publishing From Every Angle (Panel)
Track Changes Bonus Episode: Panel Conversation With Abigail Hing Wen, author of Loveboat Taipei; Literary Agent Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary & Media; and Alvina Ling, VP and Editor in Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers A conversation between an author, agent, and editor to cover the ins and outs of the publishing process. The panel features Abigail Hing Wen, debut author of Loveboat Taipei; agent Joanna Volpe, president and literary agent at New Leaf Literary & Media; and Alv
Writing Infinity Jokes With Jill Twiss
First Draft Episode #267: Jill Twiss Jill Twiss, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo and Emmy winning comedy writer on Last Week Tonight, talks about her latest picture book, Everyone Gets a Say, with illustrator EG Keller. Today’s episode is brought to you by Caveda, which leads group focus sessions for a worldwide community everyday on Zoom. First Draft listeners can try a free, three hour cave with promo code "FIRSTDRAFT" at caveday.org/firstdraft This ep
Track Changes Bonus Episode: The Don't Ask Me Where I'm From panel, feat. Author Jennifer de Leon, Agent Faye Bender, and Editor Caitlyn Dhlouhy
First Draft Episode #267: The Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From Team: Author Jennifer de Leon, Agent Faye Bender, and Editor Caitlyn Dlouhy A conversation between the entire team behind debut young adult novel Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From: author Jennifer de Leon, Literary agent Faye Bender, partner and founder of The Book Group, and Caitlyn Dlouhy, Vice President & Editorial Director–Caitlyn Dlouhy Books at Simon & Schuster. This conversation was held as part of A Mighty Blaze’s YA Weekend, and many
Hooked on Libraries With Adele Griffin
First Draft Episode #266: Adele Griffin Adele Griffin, two-time National Book Award honoree and author of almost thirty books for Young Adult and middle grade readers, including The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone, The Becket List, and Sons of Liberty and Where I want to Be. Today’s episode is brought to you by Caveda, which leads group focus sessions for a worldwide community everyday on Zoom. First Draft listeners can try a free, three hour cave with promo code "FIRSTDRAFT" at caveday.org/fi
Track Changes: Marketing and Publicity (Part 1)
📚🗣️💰 How do readers learn about your book? We get into how publishing companies decide on the marketing budgets for each book, and what marketing tools are at their disposal. The difference between publicity and marketing; how authors can maximize what their publisher has planned; and the one thing that matters most when it comes to promoting books. This episode features: Jennifer de Leon, debut author of YA novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From (out August 18). Margot Wood, director of sales a
Using the Skills of Friendship With Arthur Levine
Arthur Levine is the legendary children’s book editor, including of series such as Harry Potter and The Golden Compass. He is founder of publishing house Levine Querido, and formerly President and Publisher at Arthur A. Levine Books at Scholastic, as well as author of picture books, most recently The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol. I used portions of Arthur’s interview in the Track Changes: Inequality in Publishing episode, and I encourage you all to listen. This episode is brought to you by Sta
Christina Hammonds-Reed and Jason Reynolds
First Draft Episode #265: Christina Hammonds-Reed and Jason Reynolds Christina Hammonds-Reed, debut author of The Black Kids, is in conversation with 2020–2021 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason Reynolds, whose many books include All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely [listen to his First Draft interview here]), As Brave as You, For Every One, the Track series, Look Both Ways, Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism, and You and Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor,
Defining the Line With Morgan Jerkins
First Draft Episode #264: Morgan Jenkins Morgan Jerkins, author of essay collection This Will Be My Undoing: Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America, talks about her new book, social history and memoir Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Lolita by Vladimir Nobokov Madame Bovary by Gustav Flaubert East of Eden by John Steinbeck City of God (movie) Morgan worked
Opening the Mailbag With Brandy Colbert
First Draft Episode #263: Opening the Mailbag with Brandy Colbert This week is a new mailbag episode, where I--along with a very special guest--will answer listener questions! Joining me today is Brandy Colbert, author of Pointe, Little & Lion, The Only Black Girls in Town, and more! Her latest book, The Voting Booth, is out now. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Brandy just announced her latest project, a nonfiction young adult book about the Tulsa race massacre of 1921, with Balzer
Track Changes: Inequality in Publishing
🔍📚 How bad is structural inequality within the U.S. publishing industry, how did it get that way, and what can we do to make it better? Industry experts and activists contextualize, illuminate, and identify some of the key inflection points that perpetuate inequality and get into what every book lover can do to enact change. This episode features: Industry expert Mike Shatzkin, Founder and CEO of The Idea Logical Company and co-author with Robert Paris Riger, of The Book Business. Jalissa Mar
It's a Woo Woo Thing With Kim Johnson
First Draft Episode #262: Kim Johnson Kim Johnson, college administrator and mentor of student activists, on her debut author of This is My America, out now! This episode is sponsored by Revision Season, a seven-week, virtual master class in revising your novel, led by Elana K. Arnold, author of Printz honor winner Damsel and National Book Award finalist What Girls Are Made Of, and more. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol Nancy Drew by Carolyn K
Falling Onto the Earth With Alaya Dawn Johnson
First Draft Episode #261: Alaya Dawn Johnson Alaya Dawn Johnson, Nebula-winning author of YA novels The Summer Prince, Love is the Drug, and more. Her new adult speculative fiction novel, Trouble the Saints, is out now! Be sure to check out A Mighty Blaze’s YA Weekend July 25-26, 2020! All events streamed live at Facebook.com/AMightyBlaze! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury Charles Sheffield, science
Digital Native Lit With Hank Green
First Draft Episode #260: Hank Green Hank Green talks about A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor, the sequel to his #1 New York Times bestselling debut, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. Hank is, along with his brother John Green, the CEO of Complexly, co-host of the Vlogbrothers YouTube channel and the Dear Hank and John podcast, and is also co-founder of VidCon, DFTBA Records, and Crash Course. Be sure to check out A Mighty Blaze’s YA Weekend July 25-26, 2020! All events streamed live at Facebook.com
Track Changes: After the Book Deal
Track Changes: After the Book Deal Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Read the transcript 💻 ➞ 📚 What happens between signing the book contract and seeing a book on shelves? Industry experts walk us through edit letters, production schedules, cover designs, first pass pages, sales meetings and more. We catch up with Jennifer de Leon as she prepares for the release of her debut young adult novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, on August 18. (Hear her First Draft interview here.)
The Friendship Canon With Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow
First Draft Episode #259: Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow are media mavens, co-hosts of the phenomenal CALL YOUR GIRLFRIEND podcast, and debut co-authors of friendship memoir BIG FRIENDSHIP. Today’s episode is brought to you by KEEP MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO, by Amelia Diane Coombs, out today from Simon & Schuster. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Voice of America and RFI (Radio France Internationale) Ann and Aminatou were set up by their mutual friend,
Popcorn Origin Stories With Ally Carter
First Draft Episode #258: Ally Carter Ally Carter, New York Times bestselling author of the Gallagher Girls series, the Heist Society series, the Embassy Row series, Not If I Save You First, Dear Ally: How Do You Write a Book?, and a new middle grade series that kicks off with Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor. Today’s episode is brought to you by Hank Green’s A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor, out July 7, the sequel and conclusion to Green’s debut novel, the New York Times bestselling An A
The Anne of Green Gables Litmus Test With Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair
Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair are comedians and actors, who created, wrote, and starred in Best Friends Forever and Playing House, This episode is brought to you by Highland 2, the writing software made by writers, for writers. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Lois Duncan, author of I Know What You Did Last Summer, Stranger With My Face, and Who Killed My Daughter? The True Story of a Mother’s Search For Her Daughter’s Murderer Encyc
Track Changes: Contracts
📑🔍 Contracts! We get into the basic structure of your contract, and all the rights, clauses, provisions, and negotiated terms you need to know to make sure your contracts is right right for this book and beyond. We catch up with Jennifer de Leon as she prepares for the release of her debut young adult novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, on August 18. (Hear her First Draft interview here.) Then Sarah Burnes, literary agent with The Gernert Company, and Jo Volpe, literary agent and President of
Borrow to Make With Elizabeth Acevedo
First Draft Episode #256: Elizabeth Acevedo Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X, winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Fiction, the CILIP Carnegie Medal, and the Boston Globe-Hornbook Award. She is also the author of With the Fire on High and Clap When You Land, out now! This episode is brought to you by Highland 2, the writing software made by writers, for writers. Links and Topics Men
What's On Robyn Schneider's Mind Oven
First Draft Episode #255: Robyn Schneider Robyn Schneider is the New York Times bestselling author of The Beginning of Everything, Extraordinary Means, Invisible Ghosts, and more. Her newest book, You Don’t Live Here, is out now! This episode is brought to you by Highland 2, the writing software made by writers, for writers. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, author of Hawksong and In the Forests of Night, was first published at age 13 Jennifer Ung, now a Seni
Julian Winters
This episode featuring Julian Winters, author of Running with Lions, first aired on July 31, 2018. Since then, Julian has released How to Be Remy Cameron, and his latest book, The Summer of Everything, is coming out September 8. Julian Winters Show Notes One Direction Felicity (TV show) Scandal (TV show) Scott Foley Kirsten Hubbard (listen to her First Draft podcast here) Sara Farizan (author of IF YOU COULD BE MINE and TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL and the forthcoming HERE TO STAY - li
Track Changes: Advances (Part 1)
Let’s talk about money: how do authors get paid, how much do authors get paid, and what do they need to keep in mind when the checks roll in? We catch up with Jennifer de Leon as she prepares for the release of her debut young adult novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, on August 4. (Hear her First Draft interview here.) Courtney Maum, author of Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book lays out the basics of book advances.
Trust Your Gut With Liara Tamani
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Dr. Somaiya Daud
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Hold Your Square With Jason Reynolds
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Track Changes: Selling Your Book (Part 2)
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99 Pages But There Can Only Be One Lev A.C. Rosen
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Pseudonymous Bosch and Shane Pangburn
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Track Changes: Selling Your Book (Part 1)
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Reignite Your Pilot Light With Candace Bushnell
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Track Changes: Publishing in the Time of COVID
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A Low Chuckle is Enough With John Hodgman
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Track Changes: Agents: Who They Are, What They Do, And How to Get One
We meet Jennifer de Leon as she prepares for the release of her debut young adult novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, on August 4. Though Jennifer has been writing for years, she quickly learns that there’s a lot about Capital-P-Publishing that she doesn’t know. (Hear her First Draft interview here.) We meet Holly Root, literary agent and founder of Root Literary who represents clients such as Victoria Schwab (hear her First Draft interview here), Jasmine Guillory (listen to her First Draft int
A Perversity of Spirit With Rufi Thorpe
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Opening the Mailbag with Justin A. Reynolds
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Fun and Cool and Weird With Claire Comstock Gay
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Track Changes: Publishing 101
We meet Jennifer de Leon as she prepares for the release of her debut young adult novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, on August 4. Though Jennifer has been writing for years, she quickly learns that there’s a lot about Capital-P-Publishing that she doesn’t know. (Hear her First Draft interview here.) For some publishing basics, we turn to Courtney Maum, author of Costalgere, I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You, and more. Her most recent book, Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guid
Jennifer De Leon
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Edan Lepucki
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Veronica Roth
First Draft Episode #245: Veronica Roth Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series, the Carve the Mark duology, and the short story collection, The End and Other Beginnings, talks about her first adult fantasy novel, The Chosen Ones. This episode was sponsored by HIGHLAND 2, a better way to write, and by We Didn’t Ask For This, the newest novel by Adi Alsaid, out from Inkyard Press April 7 (listen to his First Draft interview here). Links and Topics Mentioned In
Track Changes Trailer
Over nine episodes, this podcast mini-series answers the surprisingly complex question: How does a book get published? Track Changes will guide the listener through the idiosyncrasies and traditions of the publishing process, providing context and human voices for every step. Sarah Enni talks to professionals at all stages of the publishing process—from agents and editors to publicity and marketing professionals and more—to give aspiring authors, professional writers, and industry vets alike the
It's Complicated, It's Complicated, It's Just Complicated with Zan Romanoff
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The Answer is More With Tochi Onyebuchi
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Cassandra Clare
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Choose Your Own Adventure With Jolenta Greenberg and Kristin Meinzer
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Fake It Til You Make It With Erin Lee Carr
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The Golden Age of Tone with Ben Blacker
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Sarah Watson Requests a Bathtub
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A Call to Action with Rebecca Serle
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You Are Part of a Larger Conversation with Somaiya Daud
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Love and Life in the Time of Bouncy Houses with Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
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Being Your Own Gatekeeper with Maggie Levin
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Maureen Johnson is On the Case
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Opening the Mailbag with Marie Lu
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Knife Crime Mattress Apartment with Miranda Popkey
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Chani Nicholas Performs the Planets
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The First Capybara in Space with Stuart Gibbs
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Courtenay Hameister Asks: What is Objective Truth, Anyway?
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Opening the Mailbag with Tahereh Mafi
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Integrating All Your Selves With Libba Bray
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Cool is a Construct with Tim Baltz
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Amanda Montell is a Foul-Mouthed Feminist Nerd
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Weird Relationships With the Truth with Ryan La Sala
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Opening the Mailbag with Zan Romanoff
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Steaks or GTFO with Rick Yancy, Cindy Pon, Justin Reynolds, and Sarah Enni
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Holding Your Square with Jason Reynolds
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A Seething Undercurrent of Rage with Renee Ahdieh
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A Gentle Language with Gabby Rivera
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Ghosts Eating Waffles with Kendare Blake, Somaiya Daud, and Sarah Enni
First Draft Episode #205: Kendare Blake, Somaiya Daud, and Sarah Enni at the University Bookstore in Seattle Pantsing and world building with Kendare Blake, author of the Three Dark Queens trilogy and Anna Dressed in Blood; Somaiya Daud, author of Mirage; and Sarah Enni, author of Tell Me Everything and host of this podcast! This episode is audio from the March 2019 event at The University Bookstore in Seattle, Washington. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Kendare wore a Jeff Goldblu
Layer Cakes of Love with Siobhan Vivian, Kami Garcia, Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Jessica Brody
First Draft Episode #204: Siobhan Vivian, Kami Garcia, Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Jessica Brody on the “Pitter Patter: Writing Fresh Love Stories” from YALLFest 2018 Young Adult romcoms were the subject of the “Pitter Patter: Writing Fresh Love Stories” panel at YALLFest on Nov. 8, 2018. Hear contemporary romance writers compare makeout daydreams, talk about writing love in a time of #MeToo, and the lack of appreciation for stories with happy endings. Featuirng: Kami Garcia, New York Times best
Ambition and Acceptance with D.C. Pierson
First Draft Episode #202: D.C. Pierson D.C. Pierson, comedian, writer, filmmaker and author of The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To and Crap Kingdom, and co-writer and star of indie comedy movie Mystery Team, talks about getting more vulnerable with age, using his fiction to explore the gap between what we expect of the world and what turns out to be true, and being sick of not finishing things. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Dan Eckman and Meggie McFadden are two comedians
Shedding False Humility with Simon Curtis
First Draft Episode #203: Simon Curtis Simon Curtis, pop star, actor, and author of Boy Robot and its forthcoming sequel. Listen to his brand-new singles, “Graduate” and “Rainbow” now! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Simon’s first big gig was as a part of the children’s choir for a national touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Simon’s “It Gets Better” video for The Trevor Project is beautiful and heartbreaking and very worth a watch. Early on when
Ep 201: Gaby Dunn
First Draft Episode #201: Gaby Dunn Gaby Dunn, co-author of the New York Times bestselling young adult novel I Hate Everyone But You with her writing partner Alison Raskin. The sequel, Please Send Help, is out now! Gaby and Alison also host the Just Between Us podcast and YouTube channel. Gaby is also the host of the podcast Bad With Money and author of the book Bad with Money: The Imperfect Art of Getting Your Financial Sh*t Together. LINKS AND TOPICS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Listen to Gaby
Special 200th Episode!
First Draft Episode #200: Special Anniversary Episode For the 200th episode of the First Draft with Sarah Enni podcast, previous guests sent in answers to questions like, where do you turn for inspiration? What are you hopes and dreams at this moment in your career? What do you do besides writing that makes you a more skillful storyteller? And, of course, any advice! Listen in to hear tips, tricks, and reassurances and encouragement from dozens of bestselling and award-winning writers! People F
Ep 199: Robin Wasserman
First Draft Episode #199: Robin Wasserman Robin Wasserman, New York Times bestselling author of adult novel Girls on Fire, as well as young adult novels The Waking Dark, The Book of Blood and Shadow, Hacking Harvard, The Cold Awakening series, the Seven Deadly Sins series. Her next novel, to come out with Scribner, is Mother Daughter Widow Wife. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Robin loved Diane Wynne Jones and Stephen King as a kid, particularly Salem’s Lot, The Stand, and It. (Rob
Ep 198: Jonny Sun
First Draft Episode #198: Jonny Sun Jonny Sun, Canadian author and illustrator of Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too and Gmorning, Gnight!, TV writer on BoJack Horseman, screenwriter, one of TIME Magazine's 25 Most Influential People on the Internet in 2017, and a doctoral candidate at MIT and a creative researcher at the Harvard metaLAB. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Jonny remembers watching The Muppet Show as a kid (even though in some ways that really isn’t a kids show),
Ep 197: Linda Holmes
First Draft Episode #194: Linda Holmes Linda Holmes, pop-culture critic at NPR and co-host of the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, is out with her debut author of Evvie Drake Starts Over. I loved what Linda had to say about how practicing appellate law helped hone her critical writing; getting used to listening to her own voice; how she manages anxiety and depression, and the difficulty in even acknowledging that she wanted to write a novel. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode I got the
Ep 196: Kirsten "Kiwi" Smith, Amy Andelson, and Emily Meyer
First Draft Episode #196: Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith, Amy Andelson, and Emily Meyer Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith, Amy Andelson, and Emily Meyer are the team behind Trinkets, the Netflix TV series based on Kiwi’s young adult novel of the same name. Kiwi Smith is one half of the screenwriting team behind films like 10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde, Ella Enchanted, and more, and the author of young adult novels The Geography of Girlhood, and Trinkets. Amy Andelson and Emily Meyer are the writing team b
Ep 195: Jennifer Donnelly
First Draft Episode #195: Jennifer Donnelly Jennifer Donnelly, New York Times bestselling author of A Northern Light, Revolution, These Shallow Graves, and The Tea Rose series (incl. The Tea Rose; The Winter Rose; The Wild Rose) and Waterfire Saga series (incl. Deep Blue; Rogue Wave; Dark Tide; Sea Spell), Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book, among others, who is back with the New York Times bestselling Stepsister. Jennifer talks about being raised on bedtime stories about life under the Hitler
Ep 194: Abdi Nazemian
First Draft Episode #194: Abdi Nazemian Abdi Nazemian, TV writer, producer of films like Call Me By Your Name, and author of Like a Love Story, The Authentics, and The Walk-In Closet, talks about discovering gay icons in the time before the internet, putting all your obsessions in your work, crying in coffee shops, and writing about history from an emotional standpoint, so we can repeat the best of it. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Abdi’s daughter has a PJ Harvey poster in her bed
Ep 193: Kate Spencer
First Draft Episode #193: Kate Spencer Kate Spencer, comedian, author of Dead Mom’s Club: A Memoir, and co-host of fabulous podcast Forever35 talks about the never-ending quest for confidence, exorcising grief and pain through writing, and how a podcast about serums became a podcast about feelings. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Amy Poehler, comedian, actress, writer, and director, who is not from the same town Kate is from, but they both grew up “outside Boston” Early on in chil
Ep 192: Lindsay Smith
First Draft Episode #192: Lindsay Smith Lindsay Smith, author of the forthcoming Alchemy of War, as well as Sekret, Skandal, Dreamstrider, A Darkly Beating Heart, The Witch Who Came in From the Cold, and the Saints of Russalka series, talks about growing as a writer through D&D, refiguring her writing process after being diagnosed with ADHD, and learning to value more than just productivity. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Hear Lindsay Smith’s first episode of First Draft with Sarah
Ep 191: Ryan Graudin
First Draft Episode #191: Ryan Graudin Ryan Graudin, New York Times bestselling author of the Wolf by Wolf series, as well as Invictus and The Walled City, talks about staging Redwall battles in the backyard, how bad teachers inspired her love of history, and how restrictions at key times in her life led her imagination to flourish. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The Redwall series by Brian Jacques The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd A
Ep 190: Stephanie Garber
First Draft Episode #190: Stephanie Garber Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series, talks about turning to writing to escape burnout and depression from her first job, persevering when even her Mom told her the writing thing wasn’t meant to happen, and the things that make her nervous about releasing Finale, the final book in her breakout series. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The North Texas Teen Book Festival, which Stephanie and I were both i
Ep 189: David Iserson
First Draft Episode #189: David Iserson David Iserson, screenwriter of The Spy Who Dumped Me, writer on Saturday Night Live, United States of Tara, and New Girl, and author of YA novel Firecracker, talks about micro and macro humor, how unreliable narrators is one of the beautiful advantages of writing a book, co-writing as being in conversation with someone, and the merit of spite writing. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol was one of the only boo
Ep 188: Ally Condie
First Draft Episode #188: Ally Condie Ally Condie, New York Times bestselling author of the Matched series, as well as Summerlost and The Darkdeep, co-written with Brendan Reichs. In this conversation, Ally talks about what inspired her to get an MFA after establishing herself as a bestselling author, always working on two things at once, and how the 2016 election gave Ally enough rage to write her newest young adult novel, murderous revenge story The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe. Links and Top
Ep 187: Will Hines
First Draft Episode #187: Will Hines Will Hines, improviser and actor, host of the podcast, “Screw It: We’re Just Going to Talk About the Beatles,” and author of How to be the Greatest Improviser on Earth joins me to talk about using his Tumblr to test audience engagement; the delicate nature of writing about a community you are a part of; his thorough approach to making the self-publication process as professional as possible; and his next (fictional) book about improv, co-written with fellow
Ep 186: Alfred Gough and Miles Millar
First Draft Episode #184: Alfred Gough and Miles Millar Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the TV and screenwriting duo behind Smallville and Into the Badlands, join Sarah to talk about their debut thriller, Double Exposure. The guys talk about how, even after writing and/or producing more than 300 hours of television and movies, they are still engaged in learning and improving their craft; getting on the superhero train WAY before the MCU; and delivering a satisfying ending in books. Links and T
Ep 185: Rhett Miller
First Draft Episode #184: Rhett Miller Rhett Miller (find him on Twitter and Instagram), musician and writer, is a solo artist as well as lead singer of The Old 97s. His first book for children, No More Poems: A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse, illustrated by Dan Santat (listen to his First Draft episode here). Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode How Rhett’s given name is Stewart Ransom, sorta like Ransom Riggs, author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (listen to his
Ep 184: Bridget Tyler
First Draft Episode #184: Bridget Tyler Bridget Tyler (find her on Twitter and Instagram, too!), debut author of The Pioneer, comes to First Draft with Sarah Enni to talk about adventure and sci-fi, getting outside of her own bubble for storytelling perspective, avoiding the Leia-Han love story trope... and in a First Draft exclusive, Bridget reveals the name of the sequel to The Pioneer! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Return of the Jedi, episode VI of the Star Wars saga The N
Ep 183: Jon Klassen
First Draft Episode #183: Author and Illustrator Jon Klassen Jon Klassen, Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the “I Want My Hat Back” series, as well as the illustrator of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett; The Dark by Lemony Snicket; House Held Up by Trees by Ted Kooser; Cats' Night Out by Caroline Stutson; and many more. Find him on Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr! Circle, the third and final book in Barnett and Klassen’s “Tria
Ep 182: Lilliam Rivera 2.0
Lilliam Rivera, author of THE EDUCATION OF MARGOT SANCHEZ, is back with DEALING IN DREAMS, out now! She talks about writing a Latinx future, entering a room with hope, and getting to meet Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Lilliam Rivera 2.0 Show Notes Lilliam’s first interview on First Draft here Ingrid Rojas Contreras, author of FRUIT OF THE DRUNKEN TREE Amerie Zareen Jaffrey, executive editor at Simon & Schuster Anderson Cooper A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess A Clockwork Oran
Ep 181: Soman Chainani
Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL series, including the most recent A CRYSTAL OF TIME (out today!) talks about the insidiousness of triumphant good, how tutoring taught him discipline, and the epic battle of Serena Williams versus Maria Sharapova. Soman Chainani Show Notes The Ramona series by Beverly Cleary Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice Renee Ahdieh, author of The Wrath & the Dawn series and Flame in the Mist (listen to her First Dr
Ep 180: BONUS Sarah Enni Q&A
Sarah Enni, debut author of TELL ME EVERYTHING and usually the host of the First Draft podcast, answers questions from past First Draft interviewees about craft and ego, staying on schedule, Bob Costas’ pink-eye story, the evolution of her interview style, Hammer the cat’s origin story. Sarah Enni bonus episode show notes Maurene Goo (listen to her First Draft episode here) Nic Stone, author of DEAR MARTIN and ODD ONE OUT (listen to her First Draft podcast here) Kristen Kittscher, author o
Ep 179: Sarah Enni
Sarah Enni, debut author of TELL ME EVERYTHING and usually the host of the First Draft podcast, answers questions from fellow YA writer Maurene Goo! Sarah shares her lengthy path to publishing, the role of humor and tone in contemporary fiction, her outlining process, and the one cross-country flight that changed everything. Sarah Enni Show Notes Maurene Goo, author of the upcoming SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW and THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL, I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE, and SINCE YOU ASKED The
Ep 178: Amanda Maciel
Amanda Maciel Show Notes TELL ME EVERYTHING by Sarah Enni TEASE by Amanda Maciel LUCKY GIRL by Amanda Maciel Post Secret (social media site) Michelle Schusterman David Levithan Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi Nina Goffi Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Ep 177: Sarah Burnes
Sarah Burnes, literary agent with The Gernert Company. She has been my agent since 2013. I loved what Sarah had to say about her approach to the slush pile, the myth of work-life balance, and her “no assholes” rule. Sarah Burnes Show Notes The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar Alloy book packaging company Zan Romanoff (Listen to her First Draft episode here) Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia Pseudonymous Bosch Jon Ger
Ep 176: Susan Dennard
Susan Dennard is the New York Times bestselling author of the SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY series and THE WITCHLANDS series. Her newest novel in that series, BLOODWITCH, is out February 12. Susan Dennard Show Notes Susan’s wikipedia page Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander Cinder by Marissa Meyer Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (hear her First Draft interviews here and here) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas Paul Scheer (host of How Did This Get Made) Joanna Volpe, literary agent at New Lea
Ep 175: Robin LaFevers
Robin LaFevers, author of the New York Times bestselling HIS FAIR ASSASSINS series, talks about the memories that live on in our bodies, the downside to critique groups, and how writing her breakout series retriggered old trauma--sidelining her ability to write for more than a year. She worked her way, physically and emotionally, back to write the latest in the series, COURTING DARKNESS, out February 5, 2019. Robin LaFevers Show Notes The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Charge of the Lig
Ep 174: Renée Watson
Renée Watson, New York Times bestselling author of PIECING ME TOGETHER a Newberry Honor book and winner of the Coretta Scott King award, THIS SIDE OF HOME, and many others, and co-author of WATCH US RISE, out February 12. Renée is also founder and executive director of the I, Too Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization housed in the home of legendary poet Langston Hughes, committed to nurturing voices from underrepresented communities in the creative arts. Renée Watson Show Notes Renée W
Ep 173: Roshani Chokshi
Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN, CROWN OF WISHES, and the ARU SHAH series talks about the first book in her latest young adult series, THE GILDED WOLVES, out January 15. She talks about connecting to her history through fairy tales, how being voted most likely to succeed caused a lot of angst, and the pressure of picking an AIM away message. Roshani Chokshi Show Notes Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley Jhumpa Lahiri AFI (band) Thursday (ban
Ep 172: Tracey Neithercott
Tracey Neithercott, author of Gray Wolf Island, talks about being inspired by unsolved mysteries and real life treasure hunters, how writing shapes our identities, and how she wrote her debut book while dealing with a life-altering chronic pain diagnosis. Tracey Neithercott Show Notes The Bodyguard (movie) Whitney Houston Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Dawson’s Creek (TV show) Kiersten White (listen to her First Draft interview here) Absolute Write The Fault in Our Stars by John Gree
Ep 171: Melissa Albert
Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood and its forthcoming sequel, as well as Tales from the Hinterlands, talks about stuffing her debut book with secret book recommendations, the borderlessness of being a young reader, and loving angry girls in fiction. Melissa Albert Show Notes Vera Nabokov The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin Lolita Hollywood Babylon by Kenneth Anger The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Th
Ep 170: Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of ONCE AND FOR ALL, JUST LISTEN, THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER and many more. Her newest novel, THE REST OF THE STORY, will come out in June 2019. Sarah Dessen Show Notes Jackie Collins Stephen King Mary Higgins Clark Maurene Goo (listen to her First Draft interviews here, here, and here) Alexander London (listen to his First Draft interviews here and here) Melissa Walker Doris Betts (writing teacher at UNC) John Green Jodi Picoult A Spool
169: Elana K. Arnold 2.0
Elana K. Arnold, author of YA books Damsel, What Girls Are Made Of, Infandous, and Middle Grade series A Boy Called Bat, and many more, talks about working until the book feels worthy, reusing structure, and uncovering a deep well of rage in her writing. Elana K. Arnold Show Notes 2.0 Elana’s first First Draft interview His Dark Materials books by Philip Pullman Martha Brockenbrough, author of Unpresidented An Ordinary Day by Elana K. Arnold (picture book coming out next year)
Ep 168: Nina LaCour 2.0
Nina LaCour, author of We Are Okay, winner of the 2018 Printz Award, and other contemporary YA titles like Everything Leads to You and Hold Still, joins me to talk about how she’s expanding her teaching role with The Slow Novel Lab, and an exciting new podcast venture called Keeping a Notebook. Nina LaCour Show Notes Nina LaCour’s first First Draft interview Lorde’s album Pure Heroine We Are Okay Nina’s interview on Yin Chang’s podcast, 88 Cups of Tea Alfred Hitchcock The Castle of Otranto, a
Ep 167: Peter Stone
Peter Stone, debut author of THE PERFECT CANDIDATE, talks about his time in Washington (before the onset of the 24-hour news cycle), how interns run the world, and how writing a speech for his wife led him to finally try a novel. Peter Stone Show Notes The Firm by John Grisham YALLWEST YALLFest Watergate (for more, listen to Slow Burn Season 1) Monica Lewinsky (for more, listen to Slow Burn Season 2) Chandra Levy The My Favorite Murder podcast episode about Chandra Levy’s death The NPR P
Ep 166: Holly Black
Holly Black, Newberry Honoree and New York Times bestselling author of many things, including many series such as the SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, THE CURSE WORKER, MAGISTERIUM, and her most recent series, FOLK OF THE AIR. The latest book in that series, THE WICKED KING, comes out January 8—the tour dates to support that book were just released on Hypable today! Holly Black Show Notes Tony DiTerlizzi, her artist for Spiderwick Chronicles Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee OwlCrate FairyLoot Third
Ep 165: Robin Talley 2.0
Robin Talley—author of LIES WE TELL OURSELVES, WHAT WE LEFT BEHIND, AS I DESCENDED, OUR OWN PRIVATE UNIVERSE—talks about her newest novel, PULP. Robin shares insight about transitioning into being a full-time writer and stay-at-home mom, writing a Judy Blume book for queer girls, and writing books with her younger self in mind. Robin Talley Show Notes Robin’s previous First Draft episode Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (listen to her First Draft episode here) Dahlia
Ep 164: Andy Weir
Andy Weir, New York Times best-selling author of THE MARTIAN and his new stand-alone Sci-Fi novel, ARTEMIS. This interview is a live recording of the in-conversation I had with Andy for New York Comic Con. I loved hearing Andy talk about moon economies, managing anxiety, and how science makes his books living documents. Andy Weir Show Notes The Martian (movie) Matt Damon playing Brett Kavanaugh on SNL Neil Degrasse Tyson Andy’s Business Insider article on the economy of a moon colony
Ep 163: The Ripped Bodice owners, Bea and Leah Koch
Bea and Leah Koch, two sisters who co-own The Ripped Bodice, the only brick and mortar bookstore in the U.S. to sell exclusively romance titles, who were named 2017 RWA Steffie Walker Booksellers of the Year by the Romance Writers of America and recently struck an overall deal with Sony Pictures. I loved what Bea and Leah had to say about being activist booksellers, retraining romance readers, and becoming advocates for representation and change in publishing. Bea and Leah Koch, owners of The
Ep 162: Tiffany D. Jackson
Tiffany D. Jackson—author of ALLEGEDLY, whose latest book, MONDAY’S NOT COMING, is out now! Her next book, LET ME HEAR A RHYME, is due out May 21, 2019!—talks about still considering herself a newbie writer, the allure of horror stories, and being honest about the emotions of publishing. Tiffany Jackson Show Notes There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins Get Out (movie) American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Ep 161: Laini Taylor
Laini Taylor is a National Book Award finalist for Lips Touch Three Times, New York Times bestseller for the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, and Printz Honoree for Strange the Dreamer and its sequel, Muse of Nightmares, out now! Laini Taylor Show Notes John Grisham Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel Victoria Aveyard (listen to her First Draft interviews here and here) Jim di Bartolo, illustrator and Laini’s husband SCBWI The National Book Award Arthur Levine, publisher at Scholasti
Ep 160: Tochi Onyebuchi
Tochi Onyebuchi, author of CROWN OF THUNDER, the second book in the BEASTS MADE OF NIGHT series--which is out now--talks about the audacity of new writers’ ideas, writing himself and his family into a book for the first time, and being an award-winning witness. Tochi Onyebuchi Show Notes The Los Angeles TImes Festival of Books (listen to my interview with the festival’s Associate Director of Events Programming, Maret Orliss, here) Korn Linkin Park The Wikipedia entry of Nigerian-America
159: Sam Maggs
Sam Maggs, author of A FANGIRL’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY: A Handbook for Geek Girls and WONDER WOMEN: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History, talks about her most recent book, GIRL SQUADS, a non-fiction collection of 20 female friendships that changed history. Sam shares the Google search that kicked off the new book, the surprising (and alarming) stories she stumbled on while researching GIRL SQUADS, and deploying her pronunciation skills for the audiobook. Sam Maggs Show
Ep 158: Nic Stone
Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of DEAR MARTIN, talks about her newest young adult novel, ODD ONE OUT, out October 9! Nic talks about lies of imagination versus lies of convenience, “high taste” readers, and the benefits of eavesdropping. Nic Stone Show Notes Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi Brandy Colbert (listen to her First Draft interviews here and here) Spelman College “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors,” a friendship theory by Rudine Sims Bishop
Ep 157: Alex London 2.0
Alex London--author of the Proxy Series, the Wild Ones series, and more, about his new young adult novel, BLACK WINGS BEATING--talks about the patriarchal influence on narrative structure, considering queer heroism, being terrified of coming back to YA, and why Jonathan Franzen owes him a thank you note. Alex London Show Notes Alex London’s first episode of First Draft The Wild Ones Junior Library Guild The Adventures of Wrong Man and Power Girl Hope Nation edited by Rose Brock Ursula K. l
Ep. 156: Sara Farizan
Sara Farizan, author of IF YOU COULD BE MINE and TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL, talks about her newest novel, HERE TO STAY, out now! Sara talks about love as a human rights issue, writing action sequences, and why she chose not to write in Charles Barkley’s voice. Sara Farizan Show Notes New England Mobile Book Fair James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Sesame Street The Office (TV show) The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish John Irving When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (listen t
Ep 155: Nova Ren Suma
Nova Ren Suma, New York Times bestselling author of The Walls Around Us, Imaginary Girls, and more, talks about her newest novel, A Room Away From the Wolves, out now! Nova shares what she learned from ghostwriting, talks about finding New York through the myths of her mother, and talks about discovering her strange self. Nova Ren Suma show notes Imaginary Girls Margaret Atwood Fear of Flying by Erica Jong Mary Higgins Clark Antioch College Feathered by Laura Kasischke Francesca Lia Block
Ep 154: Courtney Summers 2.0
Courtney Summers, author of many books including CRACKED UP TO BE, THIS IS NOT A TEST, ALL THE RAGE, and her newest novel which comes out today, SADIE, talks about not wanting to do a book a year again, seeing her career shift 10 years in, how she thinks about her abrupt endings, sticking with the heart of the novel, and podcasts. Courtney Summers 2.0 Show Notes Hear Courtney’s first First Draft interview (with bonus Veronica Roth) here! PLEASE REMAIN CALM, the ebook sequel to THIS IS NOT
Ep 153: Somaiya Daud
Somaiya Daud, debut author of YA sci-fi book MIRAGE, was the very first author I ever interviewed for First Draft Podcast. We had a lot to catch up on since then, so listen now to hear about Somaiya’s bumpy path to publication, the way race plays into our concepts of the future and, of course, Star Wars! Somaiya Daud Show Notes Somaiya Daud’s first interview with First Draft Podcast J. R. R. Tolkien William Gibson Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Emma by Jane Austen One Thousand and One
Ep 152: Jessica Spotswood
Jessica Spotswood, author of the CAHILL WITCH CHRONICLES, WILD SWANS, and THE LAST SUMMER OF THE GARRETT GIRLS, as well as editor of A TYRANNY OF PETTICOATS, THE RADICAL ELEMENT, and of TOIL & TROUBLE: 15 TALES OF WOMEN AND WITCHCRAFT, which comes out August 28! Jessica Spotswood Show Notes Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Michele Volanksy, Dean of Dramaturgy at Washington College The Laramie Project (play) Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery Twilight by Stephenie Meyer Vampire A
Ep 151: Julian Winters
Julian Winters, author of RUNNING WITH LIONS, talks about starting to write so he could create happy endings for his own life, being more creative when working at night, wanting to chuck the rulebook, and his nontraditional publishing journey. Julian Winters Show Notes One Direction Felicity (TV show) Scandal (TV show) Scott Foley Kirsten Hubbard (listen to her First Draft podcast here) Sara Farizan (author of IF YOU COULD BE MINE and TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL and the forthcomi
Ep 150: Katie Cotugno
Katie Cotugno, author of HOW TO LOVE, FIREWORKS, TOP TEN, and 99 DAYS and its sequel, 9 DAYS AND 9 NIGHTS, talks about the correlation between how she’s feeling and whether she’s writing, her ten-year debut novel, and making sense in the quiet after the loud. Katie Cotugno Show Notes The Baby-Sitters Club Sweet Valley High The Saddle Club Roald Dahl Judy Blume Maurene Goo (listen to her First Draft interviews here and here and here!) Robin Benway (listen to her First Draft interviews here an
Ep 149: Emily X. R. Pan
Emily X. R. Pan, debut author of the New York Times bestselling THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER, talks about how she discovered her creative life after going to business school, her many years of writing and re-writing her book, and finding her bravery to put herself on the page. Emily X. R. Pan Show notes: Little Brown Books for Young Readers The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice NYU Stern School of Business Penguin (now Penguin Random House) Professor Chuck Wachtel at NYU Buddhism Taoi
Ep 148: Brendan Kiely
Brendan Kiely, author of THE GOSPEL OF WINTER, THE LAST TRUE LOVE STORY, and co-author of ALL AMERICAN BOYS. His newest novel, TRADITION, is an exploration of the insidious nature of tradition at a prestigious boarding school. Brendan talks about the nature of authorship, the heroic value of humility, and working hard to not have an office. Brendan Kiely Show Notes Victoria Aveyard (listen to her First Draft interviews here and here) Jessie Chaffee (Brendan’s wife) When I Was the Greate
Ep 147: Adrienne Young
Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of SKY IN THE DEEP, talks about having a no-boundaries critique partner relationship, unhealthy (but effective) drafting processes, and how Saturn’s return led to her debut novel. Adrienne Young Show Notes Edward Scissorhands (movie) Labyrinth (movie) The Nightmare Before Christmas (movie) Beetlejuice (movie) Kristin Dwyer Mysterious Galaxy
Ep 146: Caroline Kepnes
Caroline Kepnes—author of YOU and its sequel HIDDEN BODIES, soon to be a Lifetime drama series starring Penn Badgley—talks about her most recent novel, PROVIDENCE, talks about her Cape Cod sensibility, writing while literally regaining her voice, and having her writing debut in Sassy magazine. Caroiine Kepnes Show Notes Go here to vote for PROVIDENCE to be the first-ever pick for the Tonight Show Book Club And be sure to tune in to LIFETIME on September, 9, 2018 at 10/9 CT for the premiere
Ep 145: Aminah Mae Safi
Aminah Mae Safi, debut author of NOT THE GIRLS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR, talks about writing hangry characters, trying to make fetch happen in a book, how fantasy stories hold an inherent appeal to children of immigrants, and how artists have to have batshit belief in themselves. Aminah Mae Safi Show Notes Lauren Anderson (first black female ballet dancer, in Houston) Foucault Reza Aslan Inigo Montoya Kirsten Hubbard (her First Draft interview here) Article about foreign translators talking about i
Ep 144: Maurene Goo
Maurene Goo, author of SINCE YOU ASKED, I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE and the recently-released THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL, joins me to talk about planning book launches. Then, hear the live audio from when I helped Maurene launch THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL at The Ripped Bodice in Culver City, California. Maurene Goo Show Notes Brandy Colbert Stephanie Kuehn CVT Soft Serve (food truck) The Ripped Bodice (bookstore) Fierce Reads Riverdale (TV show) Vroman’s Bookstore Edward Cullen Glow (TV show
Ep 143: Morgan Matson 2.0
Morgan Matson, New York Times bestselling author of THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING, SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE, and her latest YA, SAVE THE DATE, talks about having the eleventh book be the hardest yet, “flashpoint” stories, the Morganverse, her unusual editing process, and writing a book in movies’ clothing. Morgan Matson 2.0 Show Notes The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson For Better or For Worse (comic strip) Noises Off by Michael Frayn Morgan’s first First Draft episode Katie Finn (Mor
Ep 141: Francesca Lia Block
Francesca Lia Block, author of more than 25 books, including seminal YA novel Weetzie Bat, talks about her most recent book, THE THORN NECKLACE, a memoir-driven guide to healing through the craft of writing. Francesca talks about meshing her life with that of her most favorite character, shares some incredibly useful writing exercises, and talks about *when* to do research. Francesca Lia Block Show Notes Joni Mitchell Harry Houdini Linda Venis, former head of the UCLA extension Writers Prog
Ep 140: Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, soon-to-be-married couple and co-authors of debut, ALWAYS NEVER YOURS (out now!), talk about the joke that brought them together, having co-writing modeled for them by Emily’s parents, and the fact that “whom” will never be in a YA contemporary. Austin Siegemund-Broka and Emily Wibberley Show Notes Cormac and Marianne Wibberley, screenwriting couple who wrote films such as National Treasure Why Won’t You Date Me (podcast) with Nicole Byer 21 Jump Str
Ep 142: Becky Albertalli
Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of LEAH ON THE OFF BEAT, SIMON VERSUS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA, and co-author of WHAT IF IT’S US, with Adam Silvera, due out in October. Becky talks about how seeing Simon become a movie made her want to write more cinematically, how good AND bad news can be paralyzing while you are revising on deadline, her number one OTP, and retconning her own series and characters. Becky Albertalli Show Notes Margot Wood from Epic Reads Greg Berlanti Is
Ep 139: Victoria Aveyard
Victoria Aveyard, whose latest novel, WAR STORM, is the final volume in the New York Times best-selling RED QUEEN series, talks about how Harry Potter led her to value fat books, balancing fan expectations with the demands of story, promo vs. creative mode, and staying hydrated on planes. Victoria Aveyard 2.0 Show Notes Victoria Aveyard’s first First Draft podcast Suzie Townsend (literary agent) New Leaf Literary Scrivener Avengers: Infinity War (movie) Empire podcast about Infinity War The Lo
Ep 138: Britta Lundin
Britta Lundin, whose debut novel SHIP IT, is out now, talks about being a TV writer (Riverdale), choosing to tell queer stories, and being shaped by her fandoms.
Ep 137: YALLWEST producers Shane Pangburn and Tori Hill
Shane Pangburn and Tori Hill, producers of the YALLWEST book festival, on starting operations off a wedding budget, sending S.O.S. emails, and operating in good faith with festival organizers. Tori Hill and Shane Pangburn, producers of YALLWEST, Show Notes Margaret Stohl Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia Pseudonymous Bosch Lewis Peterson, co-author of Cats vs. Robots with Margaret Stohl YALLFest Blue Bicycle Books Santa Monica Public Library Teen ambassadors Maret Orliss, Ass
Ep 136: Kirsten Hubbard
Kirsten Hubbard, author of YA novels Like Mandarin and Wanderlove, as well as middle grade novels Watch the Sky, Race the Night, and most recently, Secrets of Topsea: A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By the Ocean (as Kir Fox, co-written with Michelle Schusterman, as M. Shelley Coats), talks about the time both of our lives simultaneously blew up, and how we helped each other rebuild. Also: how having a twin means she’s always written for an audience, the pleasures of re-reading, and wri
Ep 135: Maret Orliss
Maret Orliss, Associate Director of Events Programming for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, talks about how authors can stand out to festival programmers, what the L.A. Times is doing in response to sexual harassment accusations in the book world, and the best Margaret Atwood festival story. Maret Orliss Show Notes Cecil Castellucci Lisa Yee The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman Reading Aloud, Nate Corddry’s books podcast Brandy Colbert Amy S
Ep 134: Sara Saedi
Sara Saedi, author of NEVER EVER and its sequel, THE LOST KIDS (out today!), as well as YA memoir AMERICANIZED: REBEL WITHOUT A GREEN CARD, talks about her earliest boy-meets-girl story, how being the child of immigrants made her write her first screenplay, soap operas as writing boot camp,the blessing of living in the time of email, and putting a narrative onto your own life. Sara Saedi Show Notes Cocktail (movie) Rain Man (movie) The Babysitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin Brooke Bowman She’s All
Ep 133: Ava Dellaira 2.0
Ava Dellaira--whose most recent novel, In Search of Us, is out now!--talks about adapting her first novel into a screenplay, the mixed blessing of selling on proposal, and how she never could have written this book after becoming a mother. Ava Dellaira 2.0 Show Notes Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower The Perks of Being a Wallflower (movie) The Fault in Our Stars (movie) Twilight (movie) The Maze Runner (movie) Paper Towns (movie
Ep 132: Amy Spalding
Amy Spalding--whose most recent novel, THE SUMMER OF JORDI PEREZ (AND THE BEST BURGER IN LOS ANGELES), is out today!--talks about the experience of changing publishers, how book promo is becoming more like movie promo, finding a story by combining ideas, and having more queer rom-coms. Amy Spalding 2.0 Show Notes Amy’s first episode on First Draft The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Scriptnotes with John August and Craig Mazin Love, Simon (movie) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Kissing Je
Ep 131: Alex R. Kahler
Alex R. Kahler, author of RUNEBINDER and its sequel, RUNEBREAKER (out in November) the CIRQUE DES IMMORTALES series, THE PALE QUEEN series, the RAVENBORN series, and forthcoming middle grade book, THE COLLECTOR. Alex talks about the burden of taking your work with you, reimagining previous work, the freelance lifestyle, and getting off social media. Alex R. Kahler 2.0 Show Notes Alex’s first First Draft episode Alex’s B&N Teen blog post Westworld (tv series) Zan Romanoff’s tinyletter
Ep 130: Farrah Penn
Farrah Penn, debut author of Twelve Steps to Normal, on not loving learning how to read, almost giving up on her book after her father passed, and the injustice of having a trailer full of your things stolen in Arizona. Farrah Penn Show Notes Hooked on Phonics American Girl books Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (TV movie) Wendy Tolliver Agent Query Query Tracker The Hunger Games Suzie Townsend (literary agent) Fine Print Literary Stephanie Perkins Sarah Dessen Fall Out Boy Panic! At the Disco
Ep 129: Tomi Adeyemi
Tomi Adeyemi, debut author of Children of Blood and Bone, on thinking she hated reading and writing, spite creativity, and how fantasy helped protect her from the raw pain in her book. Tomi Adeyemi Show Notes The Hunger Games (movie) Tomi’s blog post, "Why I Write: Telling a Story That Matters." Black Panther Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV show) Ryan Coogler (director) Launch (podcast) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds Sign up for Tomi’s newsletter
Ep 128: Lianne Oelke
Lianne Oelke, debut author of NICE TRY, JANE SINNER (out now!) talks about rewriting her diary, the life-changing impact of good beta readers, and writing YA in Canada. Lianne Oelke Show Notes Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien Alice, I Think by Susan Juby Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell American Panda by Gloria Chao The Big F by Maggie M. Martin Fat Girl on a Plane by Kelly DuVoss Becky Albertalli Brooks Sherman Kat and Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza
Ep 127: Dhonielle Clayton 2.0
Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles (out now!) talks about her teacup obsession, the hell that is Act II Part II, and revision versus Revision. Dhonielle Clayton 2.0 Show Notes Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman Dhonielle's first First Draft interview here Elissa Sussman (listen to her First Draft interview here) Delia*s cataloge Prognosis: Love & Death by Sona Charaipotra (hear her First Draft interview here) Kieran Scott, editor at Disney Emily Meehan, publisher
Ep 126: Amy Andelson and Emily Meyer
Amy Andelson and Emily Meyer, screenwriters with their debut young adult novel, LAYOVER, out now!, on being housecats, blurring the line between best friends and collaborators, their annual “corporate retreat” road trip, and complementing each other emotionally through the editing process. Amy Anderson and Emily Meyer Show Notes Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert Louisa May Alcott Edith Wharton I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Alison Raskin (listen to their First Draft interview here) Go
125: Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings
Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings, co-authors of the New York Times bestselling sci-fi novel ZENITH, talk about battling dyslexia/ADD and chronic fatigue, why Lindsay dedicates every book she writes to her father, thinking that writers were cyborgs and/or holograms, deciding to co-write over text, and leaving the subject of their book up to a Twitter poll (but then ignoring it). Sasha Alsburg and Lindsay Cummings SHIP IT by Britta Lundin The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan The Chronicles
Ep 124: John August
John August—screenwriter known for Go, Big Fish, and more, and host of the Scriptnotes podcast—on his debut middle grade adventure novel, ARLO FINCH IN THE VALLEY OF FIRE (out Feb. 6!). John talks about the tricks authors have that screenwriters don’t, what made him think of recording his entire process of writing, selling, and debuting ARLO, the shadow of Harry Potter over all MG, and podcasting as an American art form. John August Show Notes Go (movie) Big Fish (movie) Charlie and the Chocol
Ep 123: Jasmine Guillory
Jasmine Guillory, debut author of The Wedding Date (out Jan. 30!), on being an extroverted writer, using the notes app to take the pressure off starting a new book, the importance of stillness, and how romance novels can instruct us about affirmative consent. Jasmine Guillory Show Notes Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber The Toast The “Shoe” books, starting with Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Cal
Ep 122: Sarah Tarkoff
Sarah Tarkoff, debut author of SINLESS (out now!), talks about writing for TV and movies, made-up religions, the Dunning Kruger graph, and being inspired to start writing a novel by a nine-year-old. Sarah Tarkoff Show Notes 2018 First Draft calendar - order yours now! Kirsten Hubbard Arrow (TV show) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (movie) Jane the Virgin (TV show) Eastwick (TV show) Maggie Friedman (show runner of Eastiwck) Wendy Mericle (EP on Arrow) Mistresses (TV show) Josh Reims (Mistr
Special Episode (feat. Kayla Olson, Courtney Summers, Michelle Schusterman, Alison Cherry, and Lindsay Ribar)
A very special episode where I give podcasting tips and answer some questions, Kayla Olson and Courtney Summers join to give book recommendations, and authors Michelle Schusterman, Alison Cherry, and Lindsay Ribar discuss co-writing, selling, and editing their YA novel, The Pros of Cons. Special Episode (feat. Kayla Olson, Courtney Summers, Michelle Schusterman, Alison Cherry, and Lindsay Ribar) Zoom H2N Zoom H4N I said Audible and I meant Audacity! GarageBand Libsyn Art19 SquareSpace Subscrib
Ep 121: Michael Dante DiMartino
Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender and author of Rebel Genius and its sequel, Warrior Genius, on being obsessed with 50s art, how Avatar was pitched perfectly wrong, writing art as magic, and starting to write by hand. Michael Dante DiMartino Show Notes The 2018 First Draft calendar Kirsten Hubbard William S. Burroughs Beat poetry Garfield (comic) Bloom County (comic) Abstract expressionism Jackson Pollock Mark Rothko Willem de Kooning Brian Konietzko, co-creator
120: Ben Acker
Ben Acker, co-creator and writer for The Thrilling Adventure Hour, and writer for TV, comic books, and a series of Star Wars middle grade novels, including Star Wars: Join the Resistance. Ben and I talk about giving himself his first job, how a ukulele solo got him a gig writing at Marvel, and shares the definitions of art that he can’t shake. Ben Acker Show Notes Robert Lynn Asprin's The Myth series The Xanth series by Piers Anthony The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon Watchmen (movie) Ben Bla
119: Stephanie Sabol and Book Recommendations
Stephanie Sabol, Executive Director, Brand Management at Penguin Young Readers, talks about The Penguin Hotline, and writer friends share their most recommended books. Stephanie Sabol and Book Recommendation Episode Stephanie Sabol The Penguin Hotline Who is Bruce Springsteen? by Stephanie Sabol The Who Was? series Where is the Solar System? What Was the Titanic? Jeff Kinney Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore The Graceling series by Kristin Cashore Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys Salt to
Ep 118: Will Kostakis
Will Kostakis, who makes his U.S. debut with The Sidekicks and has two books, The First Third and Loathing Lola, published in his native Australia, talks about approaching every book like it could be his last, spite writing, being the writer he is today because of a personal tragedy, and the difference between the Australian and U.S. YA markets. Will Kostakis Show Notes Will’s blog post about coming out Will’s blog post about being disinvited from a school because he came out "After He Came Ou
Ep 117: Jasmine Warga
Jasmine Warga, author of My Heart and Other Black Holes and her newest, Here We Are Now, on reading teaching empathy and complexly imagining others’ internal worlds, family mythologies as social currency, the glorification of happiness, and the trouble with idolizing your friends. Jasmine Warga Show Notes Runebinder by Alex R. Kahler (listen to his First Draft interview here) Vote for your favorite First Draft quotes from 2017! Then stay tuned for your chance to pre-order the First Draft 2018
Ep 116: Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater—author of The Raven Boys cycle, The Scorpio Races, the Shiver series, and her newest, All the Crooked Saints—talks growing up in a Celtic Von Trapp family band, not being a cozy child, wanting to be the author in the airport, and writing a book to a playlist. Maggie Stiefvater Show Notes Vote for your favorite First Draft quotes for the upcoming 2018 calendar! Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle The Dar
Ep 115: Brandy Colbert
Brandy Colbert, author of Pointe and her newest, Little and Lion, on exploring non-traditional families, her nocturnal writing schedule, and having a productive hibernation. Brandy Colbert 2.0 Show Notes Listen to Brandy’s first First Draft interview here Dahlia Adler "The Pain of the Watermelon Joke," by Jacqueline Woodson An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michaelangelo and Me by Ellen Forney Stephanie Perkins Stephanie Kuehn (l
Ep 114: Liara Tamani
Liara Tamani, debut author of CALLING MY NAME, on getting out of the cycle of ruthless academic achievement to find her passion, shedding old belief systems, fighting against the guilt and shame instilled in girls at very young ages, and the importance of numbers to her creative life. Liara Tamani Show Notes The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Girlfriends (TV show) Courtney Summers (listen to her First Draft episode here or read the transcript) The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Maud Mar
Ep 113: Anna-Marie McLemore
Anna-Marie McLemore, author of THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS, which was a finalist for the William C. Morris Debut Award, and WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS, which was long-listed for the National Book Award in Young People’s Literature and was a Stonewall Honor Book. This month, Anna-Marie released her newest novel WILD BEAUTY. She talks about funerals as a place to reinforce collective memories, waiting for that glowing laptop to let you know it’s time to write a novel, and writing a gender nonconforming st
Ep 112: Leigh Bardugo 2.0
Leigh Bardugo, New York Times bestselling author of the SHADOW AND BONE series, spinoff duology SIX OF CROWS and CROOKED KINGDOM, and THE LANGUAGE OF THORNS, a series of short stories set in that world. She’s also a bestseller for WONDER WOMAN: WARBRINGER. Leigh talks about writing a character who shares her disability, talking some truths about Wonder Woman’s creator, writing a walking talking teenaged apocalypse, how going to an all girls’ school gave her a little insight into Themyscira. Le
Special Ep: Fall 2017
Answering listener questions, book recommendations from Sarah Enni, Veronica Roth, and Maurene Goo, and writing advice from Susan Dennard! Special Episode - Fall 2017 - Show Notes Susan Dennard, New York Times bestselling author of the Truthwitch series and the Something Strange and Deadly series Sign up for the Misfits & Daydreamers newsletter here! Because You Love to Hate Me edited by Ameriie Nice Try, Jane Sinner by Lianne Oelke The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Ep 111: Robin Benway 2.0
Robin Benway, author of National Book Award for Young People’s Literature finalist Far From the Tree—as well as Audrey, Wait! and Emmy & Oliver, among others—returns to the podcast this week to talk about wondering if she was still an author, having Big Feelings about publishing careers, and gets in a sweet feminist rant. Robin Benway Show Notes The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory Susan Dennard, author of the NYTimes best-selling Truthwitch series, as well as the Something Strange and Deadly
Ep 110: Dan Santat
Dan Santat, Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, talks about his newest picture book, After the Fall, an immigrant kid learning about Santa Claus, writing books that reveal other people’s stories, how much anxiety sucks, and the different ways he is interpreting Asian identity in his work. Dan Santat Show Notes Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore Kirsten Hubbard Connie Hsu (editor at Roaring Brook; read an interview with Connie and
Ep 109: Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin
Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin, New York Times best-selling co-authors of I Hate Everyone But You, talk about the dangers of walking and reading, differentiating character from author, what REALLY makes readers uncomfortable, and writing a friendship rom-com. Gaby Dunn & Allison Raskin Show Notes Modern Tarot by Michelle Tea The Waterboy (movie) Carrie by Stephen King "The Price of Nice Nails," the New York Times feature story about nail salons Robert Rodriguez (director and producer) Quentin
Ep 108: Marie Lu 2.0
Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the LEGEND and the YOUNG ELITES series, talks about her newest book, WARCROSS as well as BATMAN: NIGHTWALKER and the forthcoming KINGDOM OF BACK. Marie chats about the lag between the eternal optimism of tech and moral questioning of its powers, how writing about evil characters was almost too much for her, and the responsibility of writing a real woman’s story. Marie Lu 2.0 Show Notes Nice Try, Jane Sinner by Lianne Oelke Marie Lu’s first First D
Ep 107: Emily Ziff Griffin
Emily Ziff Griffin, debut author of LIGHT YEARS, talks about her childhood dream of being a dancing lawyer, gifs and art semiotics, the unquantifiable fairy dust that makes some art transcend, and how teenagers experience time differently. Emily Ziff Griffin Show Notes Phillip Seymour Hoffman The Angelika Film Center The Creative Fire by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, including her thoughts on creativity and the myth of Persephone Frozen (movie) Moana (movie) Wonder Woman (movie) Study about em
Ep 106: Sabaa Tahir
Sabaa Tahir, NY Times bestselling author of the An Ember in the Ashes series, shares spooky happenings in the desert hometown, waxes poetic about good journalistic writing, and talks giving suffering children a happy ending in her books, being an eight-year overnight success, and writing books in elbows of time. Sabaa Tahir Show Notes The Shannara series by Terry Brooks Dragon Riders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey Ansel Adams (photographer) Stranger Things (TV show) Seven Daughters and Seven Suns b
Ep 105: Jeramey Kraatz
Jeramey Kraatz, author of middle grade series The Cloak Society and Space Runners, on how superhero cartoons got him into reading, writing hamster stories as birthday presents, the difference between middle grade and young adult, and being more productive with a full-time job. Jeramey Kraatz Show Notes Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes X Men (cartoon TV series) Batman (cartoon TV series) The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson Powerless by Tera Lynn Childs Understanding C
Ep 104: Lauren Strasnick
Lauren Strasnick, author of 16 Ways to Break a Heart (out now!) and Then You Were Gone, Nothing Like You, and Her and Me and You, talks about gift wrapping her young adults books out of embarrassment, admitting to being “so deeply lazy,” envying actors, and writers as gremlins. Lauren Strasnick Show Notes Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block Deenie by Judy Blume Forever... by Judy Blume Beverly Cleary Norma Klein Christopher Pike The Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal Flowers in the Attic
Ep 103: Kara Thomas
Catch up with Kara Thomas, author of Little Monsters (out July 25!), The Darkest Corners, and the Prep School Confidential series about leaning in to a dark personal place with her writing, solving the mystery of Law & Order in the last five minutes, the exploitation of “dramatic re-enactments,” and when stories evade our best-laid plans. Kara Thomas Show Notes Prep School Confidential series by Kara Taylor (now Kara Thomas) Paradise Lost (documentary) Disappeared (TV series) Serial (podcast)
Ep 102: Danielle Paige
Danielle Paige, New York Times best-selling author of the Dorothy Must Die and Stealing Snow series, on writing scripts for her Barbies, how the OJ trial cost her a career in soaps, and longing for rom-coms. Danielle Paige Show Notes Paper magazine Matt Bomer (actor) Paul Wesley (actor) Hayden Panetierre (actor) Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin One Tree Hill (TV show) Shonda Rhimes Grey’s Anatomy (TV show) Scandal (
Ep 101: Sara Goodman
Sara Goodman, editorial director for Wednesday Books, a new imprint from St. Martin’s Press featuring crossover, coming-of-age stories. She talks about finding a career in publishing in spite of herself, getting up at 5 a.m. to read, and the never-ending hunt for voice. Sara Goodman Show Notes Peter Halley (artist) Stephen King George R. R. Martin Judy Blume Beverly Cleary Anne Rice Joan Didion Christopher Schelling (agent with Selectric Artists) Augusten Burroughs Jennifer Enderlin Courtney S
Ep 100: Jennifer E. Smith
A lovely conversation with Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, The Geography of You and Me, and Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between, and her most recent novel, Windfall. She talks about the teacher who made all the difference, and some key questions, like: are we all always writing the same story? And can you be an optimist and believe in fate? Jennifer E Smith Show Notes Lauren Graham Mary Higgins Clark John Grisham The Babysitters’ Club by A
LA Times Festival of Books, BEA, and BookCon Minisode
More lightning-round interviews with authors at the Los Angeles Festival of Books, BookExpo America, and BookCon festivals, including: Brandy Colbert; David Connis; Dhonielle Clayton; E. Katherine Kottaras; Holly Black; Jennifer E. Smith; Jessica Morgan; Kiersten White; Karuna Riazi; Laini Taylor; Maggie Stiefvater; Maurene Goo; Morgan Matson; Nic Stone; Renee Ahdieh; Robin Benway; Samantha Mabry; Soman Chainani; Susan Dennard; Victoria Aveyard; and Zan Romanoff. LATFoB/BEA/BookCon Minisode Show
Ep 99: Maurene Goo 2.0
Maurene Goo, author of I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE (out today!) on putting being an author on hold, writing the food tour of Los Angeles, and the 30-minute sprints that saved her deadline. Maurene Goo 2.0 Show Notes Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation (TV show) The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl Save the Cat by Blake Snyder Since You Asked by Maurene Goo Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV show) Renee Ahdieh (listen to her First Draft interview here) Stephanie Kuehn (listen to h
Ep 98: Kayla Olson
Kayla Olson, debut author of THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE, out June 6, on writing secret songs in middle school, hearing the rhythm of books, words as a puzzle, writing to the same thunderstorm for years and years, and the closest she ever came to quitting. Kayla Olson Show Notes Sara Zarr’s episode of First Draft The Babysitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin Full House (TV show) Fuller House (TV show) Patty Griffin (musician) Sandra McCraken (musician) NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) MyWriteClub.
Ep 97: Sandhya Menon
Sandhya Menon, debut author of WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI (out May 30 and available for pre-order now!) talks up libraries that run on guilt, candy bar scenes, and what to do when you hit a major slump. Sandhya Menon Show Notes Lilliam Rivera (listen to her First Draft interview here, and get the transcript here) The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books Ruebén Martinez, winner of the LA Times Festival of Books' 2017 Innovator Award "Candy Bar Scenes" idea by Holly Lisle Jenny Han (listen to her Fir
Ep 96: Renée Ahdieh
Renée Ahdieh, New York Times best-selling author of The Wrath and the Dawn series, and whose new series kicks off with the release of Flame in the Mist, out May 16, joins me to talk about straddling two worlds poorly, finding the music in language, fearless internet personas, id books, and publishing as a ‘pride-swallowing siege.’ (Plus, a cameo from Sarah Nicole Lemon, author of Done Dirt Cheap!) Renee Ahdieh Show Notes Explosions in the Sky Sheherazade Op. 35, a symphonic suite composed by N
Ep 95: Courtney Summers
Courtney Summers - author of SOME GIRLS ARE, CRACKED UP TO BE, ALL THE RAGE, and more - breaks down getting published with her spite novel, consistently wanting it all, writing a book that fits around a feeling, and never really moving on from her books. Courtney Summers Show Notes YALLFEST Archie comics The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch YALLWEST The Babysitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews She’s All That (movie) “Right About Now” by Fatboy Slim Competency
Ep 94: Margaret Stohl 2.0
Join me for a second go-round with Margaret Stohl, New York Times best-selling co-author of the Beautiful Creatures series and the YA adaptations of Marvel's Black Widow, whose most recent novel, Royce Rolls, is out now! We discuss writing this book as a joke, the Kardashians as a delivery system, the reverse-outlining method, and overcoming inherited ways of thinking. Margaret Stohl 2.0 Show Notes “Los Angeles I’m Yours” by The Decemberists The Kardashians new Zelda, Breath of the Wild Ninte
Ep 93: Sara Zarr
Listen to YA superstar Sara Zarr (whose newest novel, GEM & DIXIE, is out now!) talk about the first time she encountered “smart” as an epithet, getting career advice from Chris Crutcher, and very nearly giving up on writing altogether. Sara Zarr Show Notes This Creative Life, Sara’s podcast series Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien Beverly Clea
Ep 92: Arden Rose
Hang with me and YouTube star, actress, and debut author Arden Rose (ALMOST ADULTING is out now!) about the sometimes insidious nature of the beauty industry, things we wish we could tell our younger selves, the scourge of tribalism, and more! Arden Rose Show Notes Let’s Learn Japanese (TV show) Dr. Seuss Redwall by Brian Jacques J.R.R. Tolkien The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Eragon by Christopher Paolini TED talk with former member of the Westboro Baptist, Megan Phelps-Roper "The Most H
Ep 91: Kayla Cagan
Kayla Cagan, whose debut novel PIPER PERISH is out now, on fighting the green monster, the ultimatum that led to her first book deal, and how she wrote a book one day at a time (30 minutes a day). Kayla Cagan Show Notes Eugene O’Neill Leave it to Beaver (TV show) Dukes of Hazard (TV show) Choose Your Own Adventure Sweet Valley High The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy The Emperor's New Clothes The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams Stephen F Austin State University Sam
North Texas Teen Book Festival Special Episode
The 100th episode of the First Draft podcast—wow!! Several of the amazing authors who attended the North Texas Teen Book Festival answer lightning-round questions from listeners! Continue to support the podcast and help it grow by subscribing on iTunes (and leaving a rating or review!), following it on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, signing up for the newsletter, and spreading the word about First Draft using the hashtag #TryPod! Thank you so, so, so much for listening <3 North Texas Tee
Ep 90: Sarah Nicole Lemon
Get a hot weather beverage and relax on a porch with me and Sarah Nicole Lemon, whose debut novel DONE DIRT CHEAP (out now!) talks about being a 14-year-old high school junior, writing books in secret, motorcycle clubs, and Appalachian female revenge. Sarah Nicole Lemon Show Notes The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Bill Gothard Barbara Poelle (literary agent) Holly Root (literary agent) Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Sons of Anarchy (TV show) YALLFes
Special Episode with Sara of Adventures in YA
A special co-episode with Sara from Adventures in YA where we talk about the podcasting process. Sara and I discuss our equipment, software, workflow, and promo processes, and touch a bit on feeling like we’re shouting into the void, and also tips for moderating at book festivals and other events. Adventures in Podcasting Show Notes Adventures in YA Sara Kristin Treviño The North Texas Teen Book Festival #TryPod Adventures with Words (podcast) Kate and Rob's off-shoot British YA show (podcast
Ep 89: Lilliam Rivera
Lilliam Rivera (whose debut young adult novel THE EDUCATION OF MARGOT SANCHEZ, is out now!) shares her first memories of walking to the library, talks about interning at Rolling Stone, the theatricality of funerals, and who wear masks (and why). Lilliam Rivera Show Notes UCLA Extension Gabriel Garcia Marquez Toni Morrison DROWN by Junot Diaz Ana Castillo Sandra María Esteves The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz “Between Going and Staying” by Lilliam Rivera (an interview with Lillia
Ep 88: Renée Watson
The super-savvy, super-smart author Renée Watson (her most recent young adult novel, PIECING ME TOGETHER, is out now!) and founder of the I, Too Arts Collective, talks taking herself seriously as a writer from a young age, creative therapy for young people, and finding people who are about something. Renée Watson Show Notes An article about Mulugeta Seraw, an Ethiopian student killed by three neo-Nazis in Portland. Richard Scarry's Bedtime Stories Judy Blume BEEZUS AND RAMONA by Beverly Cleary
Ep 87: Sarah Jae-Jones
Let’s break it down with Sarah Jae-Jones, debut author of WINTERSONG, podcaster at large with the PubCrawl Podcast, and former editor at St. Martin’s Press, as she talks about learning to write to avoid Korean school, the possible titles for her memoir on publishing, evil threshold magic, and the not-entirely-nice ways that publishing surprised her. Sarah Jae-Jones Show Notes Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Kongji and Patzzi Pride and Prejudice (BBC miniseries) Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
Ep 86: Rhoda Belleza
The delightful Rhoda Belleza, debut author of EMPRESS OF A THOUSAND SKIES, on being a slow reader, hating dress codes, working with teens to develop professional skills, and magical trolls who hide things in your house. Rhoda Belleza Show Notes My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (TV show) Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls The Babysitters Club by Anne M Martin Gwen Stefani Sanctuary Art Center in Seattle Ray Bradbury Planned Parenthood (donate here!) Susan G. Komen Foundation AOL MapQuest YWCA Mexi
Veronica Roth Minisode
Hello from Veronica Roth’s tour in support of her new book, Carve the Mark! Veronica invited me to go with her on tour as emcee, and we take a break after one of our shows to talk about entering an alternate dimension in the Atlanta airport, amazing bookstore dogs, and when we first learned the power of language. Veronica Roth minisode Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth How Did This Get Made Mary Todd Lincoln’s instagram Colson Whitehead Zadie Smith “Depression Beard” from Supernatural Binti by Nne
Ep 85: Veronica Roth
Author of the DIVERGENT series Veronica Roth - whose new book, CARVE THE MARK, is out Jan. 17 - returns to the podcast to update me on what she’s been up to since her last episode, giving her story ideas code names, why she’s obsessed with iron grates over windows, and why she decided her next novel should be set in space. Veronica Roth Show Notes Listen to her previous First Draft interview here! FOUR, the collection of Divergent short stories The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling "Inertia," Veron
Ep 84: D.J. MacHale
Join me as I talk to D.J. MacHale, author of dozens of middle grade novels, including THE CURSE OF THE BOGGIN, first book in his new series THE LIBRARY, out now! DJ also created and wrote the Nickelodeon series ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? He talks about writing and starring in a 90-minute original Marx Brothers movie, outlining 10 books in a week, and taking critique from his mother. DJ MacHale Show Notes BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA by Katherine Paterson Dr Seuss Dr. No Alfred Hitchcock’s scary shor
Ep 83: Sona Charaipotra
Hear Sona Charaipotra, co-author of TINY PRETTY THINGS and SHINY BROKEN PIECES and co-founder of CAKE Literary, talks about her Halloween welcome to the U.S., being married to your greatest accountability partner, and fostering mentorship. Sona Charaipotra Show Notes Bollywood The Partition of India The Babysitter’s Club by Anne M. Martin The Vampire Diaries (TV show) Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Dhonielle Clayton (listen to her First Draft interview
Ep 82: Amie Kaufman
Hear Amie Kaufman, New York Times best-selling co-author of the STARBOUND trilogy and the ILLUMINAE series, talk shipwrecks and her favorite sound, how science fiction is fantasy for the real world, using "shenanigans ensue" as a plotting device, and my new favorite thing: the “shut up and take my money” list. Amie Kaufman show notes THIS SHATTERED WORLD by Amie and Meagan Spooner (listen to her First Draft interview here) Enid Blyton THE BOXCAR CHILDREN by Gertrude Chandler Warner THE BABY SI
Special Election Episode
Some past and future First Draft interviewees share their stories about voting, how their characters would vote, love of stickers, and one story of a jujutsu-master suffragette! Special Election Podcast Show Notes Morgan Matson, author of THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING, AMY AND ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR, and more (listen to her First Draft interview here) Elana K. Arnold, author of INFANDOUS, FAR FROM FAIR, the forthcoming WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF, and more (listen to her First Draft interview here) Sabaa Ta
Ep 81: Josephine Angelini
Join me and Josephine Angelini, author of the STARCROSSED trilogy, and the WORLDWALKER series (the finale, WITCH’S PYRE, is out now!), as we talk about houses burning down, trading a diary for writing fiction, and how long you can avoid the reality that you are meant to write. Josephine Angelini Show Notes MISTS OF AVALON by Marion Zimmer Bradley Details on the sexual assault allegations against Bradley by her daughter Anne McCaffrey DRAGON RIDERS OF PERN DARKOVER series by Marion Zimmer Bradl
Ep 80: Ransom Riggs
Join me and Ransom Riggs, New York Times best-selling author of MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN - which was recently released as a major motion picture - and the new selection of short stories, TALES OF THE PECULIAR, as we talk about living side by side with the past, making friends with the neighbor kids, and the freedom of having no expectations. Ransom Riggs Show Notes Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lew
Ep 79: Tahereh Mafi
Join Tahereh Mafi, New York Times best-selling author of FURTHERMORE (out now!) and the SHATTER ME series, as we discuss childhoods full of new starts and goodbyes, the ways contemporary books can feel like fantasy, and writing 5,000 words every single day for two years (!). Tahereh Mafi Show Notes Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling Judy Blume Absolute Write forums Kami Garcia Julie Strauss-Gabel
Ep 78: Zan Romanoff
Hear Zan Romanoff, whose brilliant debut novel A SONG TO TAKE THE WORLD APART is out now, talk about using her Yale diploma to ward off Hanson haters, generational trauma, the terrifying power of puberty, and her follow-up novel, GRACE AND THE FEVER (May 2017)! Zan Romanoff show notes Kate Hart (listen to her First Draft episode here) The Iowa Review The Babysitter’s Club by Anne M. Martin Anne McCaffrey Frank McCourt Winnie-the-Pooh Hanson, “Mmmbop” Dawson’s Creek (TV series) Brenna Yovanoff,
Ep 77: Leila Howland
Leila Howland, author of NANTUCKET BLUE, THE FORGET-ME-NOT SUMMER, and its sequel THE BRIGHTEST STARS OF SUMMER (and the forthcoming HELLO, SUNSHINE, due out next summer!), talks writing hiatus, learning structure from screenwriting, and finding inspiration in well-intentioned missteps. Leila Howland Show Notes STUART LITTLE by E.B. White A LITTLE PRINCESS and THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett HEIDI by Johanna Spyri THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS by Kenneth Gra
Ep 76: Jenny Han
Join me and Jenny Han, New York Times best-selling author of the TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE series and the SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY series, among other things, about reading in the bathtub, how food is political, intense first love, and mixing friendship and money by co-writing with your best friend. Jenny Han Show Notes DEAR MR HENSHAW by Beverly Cleary BEEZUS AND RAMONA by Beverly Cleary HATCHET by Gary Paulsen THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA by C. S. Lewis THE MIXED UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E
Ep 75: Dhonielle Clayton
Hang with me and Dhonielle Clayton, co-author of TINY PRETTY THINGS and its sequel, SHINY BROKEN PIECES (out now!), as well as author of forthcoming series THE BELLES (spring ’17). She talks about weekly childhood trips to the bookstore, being a writing n00b, accidentally getting a boarding school job, and writing to arrested development. And don't forget to take the First Draft Podcast listener survey! Dhonielle Clayton Show Notes X Men THE PAHNTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster Virginia Hamilton
Ep 74: Lance Rubin
Grab a beer with me and Lance Rubin, author of DENTON LITTLE’S DEATHDATE and its sequel, DENTON LITTLE’S STILL NOT DEAD (Feb. ’17!) while we talk improvising teen dramas, the importance of establishing reader expectations, and the ephemeral nature of art. Lance Rubin Show Notes HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOON by Frank Asch PEE WEE SCOUTS Judy Delton MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN by Bruce Coville Louis Sachar THE STINKY CHEESE MAN by Jon Sciezka Beverly Cleary Judy Blume JURASSIC PARK by Michael Crichton Dick Fra
Ep 73: Lindsey Klingele
Join me and Lindsey Klingele, debut author of THE MARKED GIRL, as we discuss magical forests, being in the room where stories happen, and our favorite portals. Lindsey Klingele Show Notes First Draft Live 2, with Lindsey THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE by C.S. Lewis Amie Kaufman Ann M. Martin Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV show) Veronica Marsx (TV Show) X-Men (comic) Philip Roth That article about watching Vinyl instead of Game of Thrones, written by Jeffrey Sconce, an associate professo
Ep 72: Julie Buxbaum
Pretend to be an adult with Julie Buxbaum,New York Times best-selling author of TELL ME THREE THINGS, THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE, and AFTER YOU, who chats with me about gathering at the AMPM market, creating myths about yourself, and writing parent hate mail (to your own parents). Julie Buxbaum show notes Laurence H. Tribe, Harvard Law professor Elaine Koster, literary agent THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini Lauren Groff's quote about balancing work and motherhood (from The New Yorker)
YALLWEST 2016
A mashup of lightning-round interviews conducted at the YALLWEST festival with Susane Colasanti, Kody Keplinger, Alexandra Bracken, Kiersten White, Gwenda Bond, Adi Alsaid, Margot Wood, Stephanie Kuehn, Jessica Spotswood, Brendan Reichs, Robin Benway, Ellen Oh, Amy Tintera, Maurene Goo, Marie Lu, Victoria Aveyard, Erin Bowman and Seth Fishman. YALLWEST 2016 episode show notes The LATFoB First Draft show Alexandra Bracken, THE DARKEST MINDS, PASSENGER, A NEW HOPE: THE PRINCESS, THE SCOUNDREL, AND
Ep 71: Morgan Matson
Morgan Matson, New York Times best-selling author of THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING, AMY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR and SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE, among others, on reading on the bathroom floor, death defying road trips, and being forced to think of book ideas because Twitter is down. Morgan Matson Show Notes Vroman’s bookstore Christopher Pike Judy Blume R.L. Stine FEAR STREET SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS by Ann Brashares THE PRINCESS DIARIES by Meg Cabot WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg St
L.A. Times Festival of Books Roundup
Lightning round questions with some of the fantastic authors I came across at the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, including Susan Dennard, Ransom Riggs, M.A. Larson, Tahereh Mafi, Maggie Hall, Danielle Paige, Victoria Aveyard, Kara Thomas, Maurene Goo, and Julie Buxbaum! Los Angeles Times Festival of Books Roundup Show Notes Susan Dennard, author of the SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY series and TRUTHWITCH Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica (TV show) Mal from Firefly (TV show) BLOOD R
Ep 70: Maurene Goo
Hang out with kittens, wild parrots, and Maurene Goo, author of SINCE YOU ASKED and a forthcoming K-Drama romcom, due out in 2017! We talk about writing fan fiction of her own life, letting teen girls be silly, and not being able to deny being an L.A. girl. Maurene Goo Show Notes Elvis Costello THE GOOD EARTH by Pearl S. Buck THE BABYSITTER’S CLUB books by Ann M. Martin Mary Higgins Clark V. C. Andrews Charles Dickens Robin Benway (listen to her First Draft interview here) Felicity (TV show) T
Ep 69: Jessi Kirby
This episode is the audio equivalent of a spray tan! Join me and Jessi Kirby, author of THINGS WE KNOW BY HEART, GOLDEN, IN HONOR, and MOONGLASS, as we discuss human hearts, the lasting impact of inspiring teachers, and what actual IRL teens are reading. Jessi Kirby Show Notes FRECKLE JUICE, TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING by Judy Blume Herman Hesse SIDDHARTHA, NARCISSUS AND GOLDMUND NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA by Robert K. Massie Robin Benway (listen to her First Draft interview here) THE AWAKENING
Ep 68: Victoria Schwab
Victoria Schwab (also known as V. E. Schwab), New York Times bestselling author of A GATHERING OF SHADOWS, VICIOUS, THE ARCHIVED, and more!, talks about the slippery nature of memory, book-writing amnesia, why editorial letters should be more like stacked Oreos, and feeding the fanfic trolls. Victoria Schwab Show Notes Kristin Kittscher (hear her First Draft interview here) Harpeth Hall Robert Ludlum, THE BOURNE IDENTITY Kelly Link, GET IN TROUBLE Victoria’s sticker system Susanna Clarke JONA
Ep 67: Elana K. Arnold
Talking to Elana K. Arnold (author of FAR FROM FAIR, out now!, as well as INFANDOUS and THE QUESTION OF MIRACLES) about literal and metaphysical skin suits, sex on the page, whether we write FOR teens or ABOUT teens, and middle grade as a happy place. Elana K. Arnold Show Notes Cheryl Strayed, “The Love of My Life,” TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS Sarah MCarry (listen to her First Draft interview here) Madonna Cyndi Lauper ROOM (and the movie) Mark Childress CRAZY IN ALABAMA Thelma & Louise (movie) SPLE
Ep 66: A. R. Kahler
The prolific and amazing A.R.Kahler, author of SHADES OF DARKNESS (out now!) among many many other things, sits for what is my favorite interview because I got to say, “Where was the circus?” Alex Kahler Show Notes Neil Gaiman Phillip Pullman The Aerial Angels Dollhouse (TV show) by Joss Whedon 47 North Kirsten Hubbard You Must Remember This (Charles Manson podcast) WITCH EYES by Scott Tracy C. Alexander London’s First Draft podcast
First Draft LIVE with Victoria Aveyard, Elissa Sussman, and Lindsey Klingele
First Draft Live Show Notes Victoria Aveyard RED QUEEN, GLASS SWORD Elissa Sussman, STRAY, BURN Lindsey Klingele, THE MARKED GIRL Maurene Goo, SINCE YOU ASKED Kirsten Hubbard, RACE THE NIGHT, WATCH THE SKY, WANDERLOVE, LIKE MANDARIN Skylight Books Isaac Asimov ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine The Legand of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time DEALING WITH DRAGONS by Patricia C. Wrede Alexandra Bracken A NEW HOPE: THE PRINCESS, THE SCOUNDREL, AND THE FARM BOY Joseph Campbell THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FA
Ep 65: Isabel Quintero
Isabel Quintero, Morris Award winner for GABI, A GIRL IN PIECES, talks getting in trouble for reading in the dark, the final straw that took her away from teaching high school, and when a life crisis almost made her into a pastry chef. Isabel Quintero Show Notes Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish e e cummings “anyhow lived in a pretty how town” Michele Serros William Carlos Williams Walt Whitman Pablo Neruda John Steinbeck M. Night Shyamalan FAT KID RULES THE WORLD by K.L. Going OF THE DUST by Karen
Ep 64: Ava Dellaira
Ava Dellaira, author of LOVE LETTERS TO THE DEAD, talks writing a book from a great title, hibernating with poetry in Iowa, and we enjoy a little bit of Greek pop music for spice. Ava Dellaira Leigh Bardugo called Ava “deep as a well” in her First Draft interview Nirvana (band) Lisa Loeb, “Sandalwood,” “Stay,” The Counting Crows, “Anna Begins” U2, “One” Stephen Chbosky, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER River Phoenix (actor) Jennifer Egan
Ep 63: Elissa Sussman
Elissa Sussman, author of STRAY and its sequel BURN, discusses the “f—k page” of her teen journal, how ‘guilty pleasure’ is a gross term, and what three things every writer needs. Elissa Sussman Show Notes RENT (musical) Archie comics Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal Babysitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin Roswell (TV show) X-Files (TV show) Battlestar Galactica (TV show) Star Trek (TV show) REDWALL by Brian Jacques DEALING WITH DRAGONS by Patricia C. Wrede 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (movie) The
Ep 62: Kristen Kittscher
Hear the lovely Kristen Kittscher, author of THE WIG IN THE WINDOW and THE TIARA ON THE TERRACE talk about getting kicked out of high school, writing characters who are getting all growed up, and visualizing our inner writer. Kristen Kittscher Show Notes Danielle Steele Mary Higgins Clark Ellen Emerson White, THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER HELTER SKELTER by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry STUART LITTLE by E.B. White THE STAND by Stephen King WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams Au Revoir Les Enfants (movi
Ep 61: Amy Plum and Lenore Appelhans
The wondrous Amy Plum (author of the DIE FOR ME series, the AFTER THE END series, and DREAMFALL, due out in 2017) and Lenore Appelhans (author of the MEMORY CHRONICLES series) share stories of starting their literary careers writing letters, the false reality of social media, and psychopaths (real ones). Amy Plum & Lenore Appelhans Show Notes Vermont College of Fine Arts SCBWI J.R.R. Tolkien Madelein L’Engle, A WRINKLE IN TIME Robert A. Heinlein (SF writer) Isaac Asimov C.S. Lewis Ursula LeGui
Ep 60: Kendare Blake
Pour a glass of wine to keep up with me and Kendare Blake, author of ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, the Goddess War series, SLEEPWALK SOCIETY, and the forthcoming THREE DARK CROWNS (due out in 2016), as we talk about her training as a stock trader, screeds about Superman, and living with anxiety. Kendare Blake Show Notes Stephen King, On Writing Anne Rice, Prince Lestat Fear Street, Freeze Tag Silent Hill (video game) Supernatural (TV show)
Ep 59: The Fug Girls, Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Pour a strong drink and leave your denim culottes at home for this conversation with Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, who together make up blogging and writing duo the Fug Girls (of Go Fug Yourself)! We talk about how terrible the new X Files is going to be, hear behind the scenes stories about America’s Next Top Model, talk writing as a team, and ask the universe for an oral history of how Summer '07 was the best time Hollywood gossip ever. Fug Girls Show Notes Pamela Ribon Television Withou
Ep 58: Leigh Bardugo
Get red lipstick and fill up a goblet to enjoy this chat, wherein Leigh Bardugo, New York Times best-selling author of The Grisha series and the newest book in that world, SIX OF CROWS, talks about being a childhood outsider, making rules for magic, and profesh makeup tips. Leigh Bardugo Show Notes Inside Out (film) DUNE by Frank Herbert Jacqueline Kerry, author of KUSHIEL'S DART Ava Dellaira Aziz Ansari and Eric Klineberg, MODERN ROMANCE NK Jemisin Writing with Color
First Draft LIVE
For the first First Draft Live event on October 30, Marie Lu (NYT best-selling author of the LEGEND trilogy, THE YOUNG ELITES and its sequel, THE ROSE SOCIETY), Margaret Stohl (NYT best-selling co-author of the BEAUTIFUL CREATURES series, author of ICONS, IDOLS, and of Marvel's Black Widow's YA adaptation, FOREVER RED), Anna Carey (author of the EVE trilogy, and YA thriller BLACKBIRD and its sequel DEADFALL), and Kali Wallace (debut author of SHALLOW GRAVES, due out in January 2016!) got togethe
Ep 57: Samantha Mabry
Join me and Samantha Mabry, debut author of A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON*, in Dallas discussing JFK assassination conspiracy theories, grandmothers warnings about witches, and being close but not too close to dangerous things. *Note: In the show, Sam refers to A FIERCE AND SUBTLE poison by its earlier title, LEAVES. Samantha Mabry Show Notes LIBRA by Don Delillo Annie Dillard Jo Ann Beard Susan Orlean HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS by Isabelle Alende Louise Erdrich Salman Rushdie Gabriel Garcia Marquez Denn
Ep 56: Stephanie Kuehnert
Join me in chatting with Stephanie Kuehnert, author of BALLADS OF SUBURBIA and I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE and a forthcoming memoir of her teen years. We talk about promises made to cats, heart cities, and Riot Grrl. Stephanie Kuehnert Show Notes Richard Hugo House Story Studio (Chicago, IL) The Replacements Laura Ingalls Wilder Riot Grrl Girl Power! by Hillary Carlip Stephanie’s essays on Rookie Sleater-Kinney Francesca Lia Block Joe Meno, HAIRSTYLES OF THE DAMNED Susie X, illiustrator The Wr
Ep 55: Amy Lukavics
Amy Lukavics, debut author of YA horror DAUGHTERS UNTO DEVILS, talks about the appeal of truly scary stories, creepy kids, the tiny details that can drive an entire story, and “candy bar” scenes. Amy Lukavics Show Notes Kirsten Hubbard PAINT IT BLACK by Janet Fitch GOOSEBUMPS, FEAR STREET, R.L. Stine FULL DARK, NO STARS Stephen King IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters (listen to her First Draft interview) BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA by April Tucholke Katy Perry “California
Ep 54: Aaron Hartzler
Talking to Aaron Hartzler, author of WHAT WE SAW (out Sept. 22!) and RAPTURE PRACTICE, about YA memoir, desert hippies, and taking others off the hook for your happiness. Aaron Hartzler Show Notes Teen Read Week Ellen Hopkins Nicky Weinstock DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY by Erik Larson MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL by John Berendt The New Yorker: The Lessons of Steubenville; Life After Steubenville; Trial by Twitter Dan Savage Josh Sundquist WE SHOULD HANG OUT SOMETIME: EMBARRASSINGLY, A TRU
Ep 53: Mackenzi Lee
Do you know the difference between a blacksmith and a ferrier? Mackenzi Lee, debut author of THIS MONSTROUS THING (out Sept. 22!), does! Learn about that, Mary Shelley, and so much more in our Harvard Square conversation! Mackenzi Lee Show Notes The Coop in Harvard Square Pirates of the Caribbean (movie) THE STRANGER by Albert Camus The War of the Roses Avi, author of THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE, and CRISPIN: THE CORSS OF LEAD Richard Peck, A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO THE GOOSE GIRL by
Ep 52: Nicola Yoon
Nicola Yoon, debut author of EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, talks about her secret foosball skills, the mix tape that won her husband over, and the 4 AM fish that turned her book into an unusual story. Nicola Yoon Show Notes Nicola Yoon’s one-sentence story on The Butter by Roxanne Gay Life is Strange (video game) Final Fantasy (video game) ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins Wendy Wunder, THE PROBABILITY OF MIRACLES Charlotte Huang FOR THE RECORD The Fearless 15ers SCBWI Brandy Colbert Ver
Ep 51: C. Alexander London
Take a siesta with fast-talking goofball C. Alexander London, author of new middle grade series THE WILD ONES, talk diverse sci-fi with smooth-talker Alex London, and even get a glimpse of the elusive non-fiction writer Charles London in the first interview with a built-in drinking game! Also: adorable dog noises. C Alexander London Show Notes IT by Stephen King REDWALL by Brian Jacques Refugees International Anna Freud child psychologist Robert Coles child psychiatrist at Harvard THE LITTLE PRI
Ep 50: Adi Alsaid
In which I refer to the trajectory of the life of Adi Alsaid, author of LET’S GET LOST and NEVER, ALWAYS, SOMETIMES as his “plot line,” we discuss the power of imaginary places, and he answers my hundreds of questions about being trilingual. Enjoy! Adi Alsaid Show Notes ABC Children’s Institute ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Stephen King Kurt Vonnegut Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson Emilia Rhodes with Alloy Entertainment Katie McGarry She’s All That (movie) Meg Wolit
Ep 49: Brandy Colbert
Little did I know when I met up with Brandy Colbert, author of POINTE and LITTLE AND LION, due out 2017, that I was meeting my future roommate and one of my best writing buddies. She's the cat's pajamas, and I hope you enjoy our convo as much as I did! Brandy Colbert Show Notes Sweet Valley High Clueless (movie) NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) Verla Kay's Blue Boards CRACKED UP TO BE by Courtney Summers LIVING DEAD GIRL by Elizabeth Scott Center Stage (movie) Brandy’s post on Nova Ren S
Ep 48: Sarah McCarry
Drink 'em if you got 'em: Join me and Sarah McCarry (aka The Rejectionist), author of ALL OUR PRETTY SONGS, DIRTY WINGS, and the third book in the trilogy, ABOUT A GIRL, as we talk about mosh pits, the gift of anonymity, and waiting for the end of the world in a temperate rain forest. HEADS UP -- this interview has significant background noise, so I'm providing a transcript of our entire conversation (even more than appears in the audio episode)! Sarah McCarry Show Notes HARRIET THE SPY by Lou
Ep 47: Nina LaCour
Nina LaCour, author of Morris Award nominated HOLD STILL, THE DISENCHANTMENTS, and EVERYTHING LEADS TO YOU, is a freaking delight. Join us as we discuss west coast travels, novels springing from one beautiful sentence, and Nina’s story about a school visit that makes me cry every time I hear it. Nina LaCour Show Notes John Green LOOKING FOR ALASKA SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson FAT KID RULES THE WORLD by K.L. Going THE FIRST PART LAST by Angela Johnson FOREVER by Judy Blume Zoetrope All Story
Ep 46: John Corey Whaley
Apply SPF 70 and get into the shade with me and John Corey Whaley, author of Printz and Morris award-winning WHERE THINGS COME BACK and National Book Award finalist for NOGGIN, while we talk about vague endings in teenage stories, the magic of librarians, and when books just don’t work. John Corey Whaley Show Notes Printz Award Morris Award Jessica Love, and her First Draft interview THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger ALLEGIANT by Veronica
Ep 45: Anna Carey
Imagine you’re watching a sherbet-colored sunset in the Hollywood hills while enjoying avocado toast with Anna Carey, author of the EVE trilogy and DEADFALL, the sequel to BLACKBIRD, out now! Anna Carey Show Notes Lorrie Moore Aimee Bender Nicole Krauss Amanda Davis Lisa Papademetriou The Sackett Street Writer's Workshops Julia Fierro 826NYC & the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store Michael Cunningham Etsy print of It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect, it Just Has to Exist, by Gemma Flack THE UNBEARABLE LI
Ep 44: Robin Benway
Find a spot to sit in the sun and enjoy my conversation with the lovely Robin Benway, author of AUDREY, WAIT!, THE EXTRAORDINARY SECRETS OF APRIL, MAY & JUNE, the ALSO KNOWN AS series, and EMMY AND OLIVER, out now! Robin Benway Show Notes Rob Roberge, author and teacher at UCLA extension Book Soup in West Hollywood, CA David Leviathan THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky My So-Called Life (TV Show) Freaks and Geeks (TV Show) Rachel Cohn, author of YOU KNO
Ep 43: Adam Silvera
Holy Harry Potter superfans, it’s Adam Silvera! He calls himself tall for no reason, but I think the reason is he is solidly 6 foot something worth of awesome. Grab a comfy chair and enjoy my delightful chat with the debut author of MORE HAPPY THAN NOT about his self-made MFA, reppin’ the Bronx, and the theme of choice in all our lives. Adam Silvera Show Notes Charmed (TV show) Supernatural (TV show) SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater Brooks Sherman, Adam’s agent Hannah Ferguson, literary age
Ep 42: Hilary T. Smith
Settle in somewhere quiet and contemplate the beauty around you with Hilary T Smith, author of WILD AWAKE and A SENSE OF THE INFINITE, out May 19! Hilary T Smith Show Notes WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BIPOLAR BUT WERE TOO FREAKED OUT TO ASK Hilary’s guest post on YA Highway about how to be a nomad DUNE by Frank Herbert
Ep 41: Corey Ann Haydu
Petite in stature, big in life experience and YA book feels, join me and Corey Ann Haydu, author of OCD LOVE STORY, LIFE BY COMMITTEE, and MAKING PRETTY, out May 12, as we talk acting, traveling, loneliness, and the shifting, shifty concept of “work.” Corey Ann Haydu Show Notes Sylvia Plath Corey’s essay on loneliness SAVVY by Ingrid Law LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow RULES FOR STEALING STARS, Corey's new middle grade book, due out September 2015 Susan Van Metre, teacher at the New School MFA p
Ep 40: Kristin Halbrook
Get your taste buds ready for a walk through a farmer’s market, and a kitchen-based adventure with Kristin Halbrook, author of NOBODY BUT US and EVERY LAST PROMISE (out now!). Kristin Halbrook Show Notes TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert Bechdel Test HOW I LIVE NOW by Meg Rosoff JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta HOW TO WRITE THE BREAK OUT NOVEL by Donald Maass
Ep 39: Erin Bowman
Join me and Erin Bowman, author of the TAKEN trilogy—the final book, FORGED, is out now!—and the forthcoming VENGEANCE ROAD as we talk imposter syndrome, the lasting impact of Harry Potter, and how the Internet made living in the woods way less lonely. Erin Bowman Show Notes Gibson’s bookstore REWORK (book about startups) by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson Pub Rants, Kristin Nelson’s agency website Nathan Brantford Caroline Richmond Sara Crowe Sarah J. Maas Susan Dennard Pub(lishing) Cr
Ep 38: Amy Spalding
Get yourself a Big Gulp of caffeine and sit back as Amy Spalding, author of THE REECE MALCOLM LIST, INK IS THICKER THAN WATER, and KISSING TED CALLAHAN (AND OTHER GUYS), out April 7, talks discovering voice, diving into experiences that scare you, and how soon her books will let you travel every neighborhood in LA without leaving the couch. Amy Spalding Show Notes THE PRINCESS DIARIES by Meg Cabot Lois Lowry Studio City tattoo (Mike Erwin) NICK AND NORA’S INFINITE PLAYLIST by Rachel Cohn and D
Ep 37: Amy Tintera
Join me as I chat with Amy Tintera, author of REBOOT and REBEL, and the forthcoming RUINED series (due out Summer 2016!), about how screenplays are more than just dialogue, living in every time zone in the U.S., and embarking on new starts. Amy Tintera Show Notes Garden State (movie) DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor Nathan Bransford, QueryShark, Absolute Write SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass CINDER by Marissa Meyer DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth SHADOW AND BONE
Ep 36: Veronica Roth
Grab a Fiji water and a pillow mint and imagine you’re in a Boston hotel room with me and Veronica Roth, author New York Times bestselling DIVERGENT series, as we talk about writing being the way grown-ups get to play pretend, embracing critique, and marveling at people who think first drafts are fun.
Ep 35: Jessica Love
Join me and Jessica Love, author of PUSH GIRL and the forthcoming IN REAL LIFE, as we hang with her dogs on a sun-soaked southern California balcony to talk pen pals, world travels, and hear what slang the kids are using these days. Jessica Love Show Notes Brand New “Sic Transit Gloria” the inspiration for her first NaNo book Punchline (band) “Ghostie,” “Universe” Blue of Colors (band) “Your Face” THIS LULLABY by Sarah Dessen Spalding University STORY by Robert McFee THE ART OF FICTION by Joh
Ep 34: Kiersten White
Take a siesta with Kiersten White, New York Times best-selling author of the PARANORMALCY series, MIND GAMES, THE CHAOS OF STARS and more, as she talks about the challenge of balancing writing with kids, the fresh new challenge that every book brings, and hear her read some amazing(ly hilarious) high school poetry! Kiersten White Show Notes Natalie Whipple, Stephanie Perkins Kiersten’s blog Erica Sussman Jim Di Bartolo Laini Taylor LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES by Laini Taylor with illustrations
Ep 23: Kate Hart
One of my favorite humans, Kate Hart is author of AFTER THE FALL, due out in 2016 from FSG, and is basically everywhere on the internet. She and I took a break from a marathon Twilight series re-watch to talk witches and talking birds, what a gross word “networking” is, and finding the courage to tell our stories. Also Twilight. Kate Hart Show Notes Badass Ladies You Should Know (my interview here!) Field Trip Friday YA cover statistics Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer Tim O’Brien Zilpha Ke
Ep 33: Stephanie Diaz
Imagine yourself in sunny San Diego as Stephanie Diaz, author of EXTRACTION and its sequel, REBELLION, out February 10, talks about moving from film to books, querying before high school, and the scary reality of moving cross-country. Stephanie Diaz Show Notes THE EGYPT GAME by Zilpha Keatley Snyder HIS DARK MATERIALS by Phillip Pullman IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman Cristin Terrill Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner THIS SHATTERED WORLD, and its sequel, THESE BROKEN STARS Firefl
Ep 32: Erin Jade Lange
Grab a seat poolside with Erin Jade Lange, author of BUTTER, DEAD ENDS, and the forthcoming REBEL BULLY GEEK PARIAH, as she talks about abandoning the Midwest, the lasting impacts of bullying, and her personal vendetta against "Larry" McAfee. Erin Jade Lange Show Notes Dark Heart (from Care Bears) John McAfee Abraham Biggs WINTERGIRLS by Laurie Halse Anderson Ilsa Bick (ASHES) Gemma Burgess (agent)
Ep 31: Victoria Aveyard
Have a sunny afternoon coffee with me and Victoria Aveyard, debut author of RED QUEEN (out Feb. 10!), as we discuss the Venn diagram of her screenwriting and author careers, why Hollywood won’t make the next Star Wars without novelists, and Pokemon (obviously)! Victoria Aveyard Show Notes FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY by E.L. James WOOL by Hugh Howey Suzie Townsend, Pouya Shahbazian, and Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary Gennifer Hutchison, screenwriter for THE RED QUEEN Looper (film)
Ep 30: Megan Shepherd
Take a champagne break as I chat with Megan Shepherd, author of A COLD LEGACY, the final installment of THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER series (out Jan. 27), about the magic of Asheville, Jack versus Sawyer, and the allure of historical fantasy over mimosas! Megan Shepherd Show Notes Beth Revis, Meagan Spooner Blog post of Megan’s YA book event at her parents’ book store STOLEN by Lucy Christopher Alvina Ling (Editor-in-Chief, Little, Brown) THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU by H.G. Wells THE STRANGE CASE OF DR
Ep 29: Margaret Stohl
I was in nerd heaven chatting with Margaret Stohl, co-author of the New York Times best-selling BEAUTIFUL CREATURES series, author of ICONS and IDOLS, and hard at work at the YA novel based on Marvel’s Black Widow. The frenetic energy of an evil genius, and the degrees to match, Margie talked about her experiences being the only girl in the room for her years running a video game company, always checking wardrobes for Narnia, and the origin of YALLFest/YALLWest. Margaret Stohl Show Notes Y’AL
Ep 28: Julie Murphy
YA author Julie Murphy, who wrote SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY and has a new book, DUMPLIN’, coming out this year from Balzer + Bray, meets me in Texas to talk epic homecoming mums, unlikeable characters, and how she thought Twilight was a boy band. Julie Murphy Show Notes ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins Drop Dead Gorgeous (film) TITHE by Holly Black WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr Kristin Travenio (Irving County Library YA librarian) Blue Valentine (film) “Jolene” by Dolly Parton Alessan
Ep 27: Katie Coyle
Katie Coyle, debut author of VIVIAN APPLE AT THE END OF THE WORLD, talks about how Thorin Oakenshield taught her she wasn’t cut out to act, writing ghosts and magic into her hometown, and how Neil Gaiman gave her her big break. Katie Coyle Show Notes Katie’s wedding picture in which she and her friend re-enact THE HOBBIT PRETTY MONSTERS by Kelly Link Neil Gaiman’s tumblr The Young Writer’s Prize by Hot Key Press Cathy Day, represented by Sarah Burnes, professor at Pitt Rachel Fershleiser of Tu
Ep 26: Cynthia Leitich Smith
Boisterous, eloquent, and just the tiniest bit zany, Cynthia Leitich Smith, New York Times best-selling author of TANTALIZE and RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME, took me out for tacos and taught me a thing or twelve. I loved hearing her wise words on diversity in YA, paying it forward with newer writers, and writing 200 drafts of a single picture book. Cynthia Leitich Smith Show Notes Dear Sugar Kathi Appelt and Austin SCBWI Greg Leitich Smith Varian Johnson, Don Tate Brett Hartman JINGLE DANCER Mi
Ep 25: Myra McEntire
Myra McEntire, author of the HOURGLASS series, is as refreshing as a cool glass of sweet tea, and it was a joy to sit with her and talk British TV, living with intention, and handling life’s unexpected curveballs. Myra McEntire Show Notes The Kingsport Mets Trixie Belden series Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris WTF With Marc Maron (podcast) Stuff You Should Know (podcast) Stuff You Missed In History Class (podcast) The Spy Museum podcast, SpyCast Mental Illness Happy Hour (podcast
Ep 23: Alison Cherry
The delightful Alison Cherry, author of RED and FOR REAL (out December 9!) talks traumatic revision experiences, life foreshadowing, “guerrilla friending” — and her cats give us some all-star background purring. Alison Cherry Show Notes Author Solutions Literary agent Holly Root Strauss opera, Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow) Lorrie Moore Harvard Bookstore CHAOS WALKING trilogy by Patrick Ness Wendy Loggia, Executive Editor at Random House Children's Books/Delacorte Press
Ep 22: Courtney C. Stevens
Talking with the wise and lovely Courtney C. Stevens, author of FAKING NORMAL and THE BLUE-HAIRED BOY, about building a writing community, writing how rock climbing made her a better writer. Courtney C Stevens Show Notes Stephenie Meyer SCBWI Ruta Sepetys and Sharon Cameron Harper Impulse series Rae Ann Parker, Kristin Tubb, Hannah Dills Margie Lawson
Ep 21: Kaitlin Ward
Talking to Kaitlin Ward, whose debut novel BLEEDING EARTH is due out in Fall 2015, about the SIMS, teen horror, how she recovered from losing her first agent, and what video games inspire her. Kaitlin Ward Show Notes WHEEL OF TIME series by Robert Jordan THE GIVER by Lois Lowry THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Phillip Pullman REDWALL by Brian Jacques MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien ERAGON by Christopher Paolini Realmz The SIMS TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer Absolute Write YA Highway TH
Ep 20: Stephanie Kuehn
I meet up with Stephanie Kuehn at a lovely holiday retreat in Vermont, where she set her Morris-award-winning debut, CHARM AND STRANGE. Steph is deeply thoughtful and incredibly silly in equal measure, which makes her simply delightful. As we sat on a back porch with kids playing in a nearby hammock, we talked about Steph’s boarding school days, romanticizing Vermont, movie making, how starting to run gave her the confidence to start writing, and the experience of winning the Morris Award. I als
Ep 19: Libba Bray (Part 2)
The conversation continues, with Libba Bray, Printz award-winning YA author of THE DIVINERS and GOING BOVINE, discussing how she came to children's literature, the struggle to balance honesty with self-preservation, and writing with depression. Libba Bray Part 2 Show Notes Laurie Halse Anderson David Levithan Rachel Cohn Francesca Lia Block Angela Johnson Aaron Zimmerman, New York Writers Coalition Ann Brashares Sweet Sixteen Cecily von Ziegesar Holly Black SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder Save
Ep 18: Libba Bray
The only thing better than getting to chat with YA icon Libba Bray (author of New York Times best-selling series A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY, Printz award-winner GOING BOVINE, and genuinely terrifying historical paranormal THE DIVINERS, among others) about writing was getting to chat with her about life. Libba is as hilarious as she is wise, and our conversation was so fun, I decided to cut it into two parts rather than leave an hour or more on the cutting-room floor. In this episode, Libba talk
Ep 17: Natalie Standiford
Meeting with Natalie Standiford was like stepping into a world where all my teen fantasies about what life as a writer would look like (amazing NY apartment, effortlessly chic clothes, a separate office with built-in shelves and a bass amp in the corner). It was only made better by the fact that Natalie’s books - HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT, THE BOY ON THE BRIDGE, CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS and so many more - are beautiful, thoughtful, and filled with quirky nuance, just like the books
Minisode Q&A
Q&A Show Notes Support the podcast here! Find podcast extras here! Jenn from Appleton video NAME OF THE ROSE, Natasha Romanov comic by Marjorie Lu Junot Diaz BookPeople in Austin The Strand in NYC Parnassus Books in Nashville The Last Bookstore in LA Politics and Prose in D.C., and Modern Times coffeeshop NIMONA by Noelle Stevenson (aka Gingerhaze) Alison Cherry HYPERBOLE AND A HALF by Allie Bosh
Episode 16: Cat Winters
Cat Winters, author of Morris Award finalist IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS and THE CURE FOR DREAMING (out Oct. 14!) is kind, thoughtful, and soft-spoken, but don’t be surprised if she tells you she was wandering the Oregon woods on the last full moon. Cat Winters Show Notes The Mandrell Sisters The Smurfs THE THORN BIRDS by Colleen McCullough Judy Blume REBECCA by Daphne Du Marier SCBWI (The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Boardwalk Empire The Watcher in the Woods (Disney mo
Ep 15: Marie Lu
Marie Lu is small only in a strictly physical sense. Her books are big - New York Times best-seller big - and her creativity, both as a novelist and an artist, is awe-inspiring. The written word taught Marie a new language, got her through high school, led her to take a chance on leading a creative life at a pivotal moment as college came to an end, and is now giving her the chance to see the world. Marie has truly inspiring things to say about when to recognize that you aren’t good enough for a
Episode 14: Beth Revis
A chat with Beth Revis, author of the New York Times best-selling ACROSS THE UNIVERSE series, including a new book from that world, THE BODY ELECTRIC, due out Oct. 7! Beth talks about the ten years she spent writing before her breakout novel, and how invaluable the writing community has been to keeping her sane. Beth Revis Show Notes The Biltmore Estate The Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis Sweet Valley High series The Babysitter’s Club series THINGS FALL APART by Chinua Achebe NIGHT by Elie Weisel D
Episode 13: Meagan Spooner
Meagan Spooner, author of LARK ASCENDING (out Oct. 1!), the final installment of the Skylark Trilogy, and is co-author of the Starbound Trilogy with Amie Kaufman. Meagan is bright, cheery and welcoming, with the self-assuredness of a girl who has crossed the globe more than once. We talk about her roots in the theater, how fairy tales are the OG fanfic, and that one time her house burned down. Meagan Spooner Show Notes STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Robert A. Heinlein CONTACT by Carl Sagan THE GI
Episode 12: Rachel Fershleiser
Rachel Fershleiser Show Notes Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in NY Eat Your Feelings: Stories of Food, Jews & Your Mom, with Jami Attenberg and friends Booksmith, Book People, and Tattered Cover (bookstores) Stock Tips zine Kickstarter Tumblr's Reblog Book Club ELEANOR AND PARK and FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell Gingerhaze on Tumblr (Noelle Stevenson) Simini Blocker on Tumblr Ampersand from YadyKates on Etsy YA Highway on Tumblr WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign GoBookYourself I, Too, Am Harvard Planned Pare
Episode 11: Gretchen McNeil
Gretchen McNeil, author of YA books POSSESS, TEN, 3:59, and GET EVEN (out this week, from Baltzer + Bray!) welcomed me to her home in L.A. for a great conversation about the pros and cons of fast drafting, grassroots marketing, and how to balance being a writer and an extrovert. And her adorable puppy Wolfgang makes an appearance, too! Gretchen McNeil Show Notes The 24 Italian Opera songs TITHE by Holly Black WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr Stanislavski acting questions Nosferatu Boris Kar
Episode 10: Heidi Schulz
Heidi Schulz Show Notes Australorp breed of chickens J.M. Barrie, author of PETER PAN and PETER PAN AND WENDY Peter Pan (2003 film) Brooks Sherman, Heidi’s agent John Hendrix, illustrator for HOOK’S REVENGE Heidi’s drawing of a sad robot being launched into space Claire Legrand, MG author Emma Trevayne, MG author KidLit authors Beverly Cleary, Diana Wynne Jones, and Judy Blume Authors of creeptastic things, Stephen King and V. C. Andrews
Episode 9: Michelle Schusterman
Michelle Schusterman, author of the I HEART BAND series and the forthcoming THE KAT SINCLAIR FILES and MAUDEVILLE, is the kind of girl whose conversation feels more like a hug than a handshake. She’s so open-hearted, curious, and kind, it’s no wonder she’s always worked with middle and high school students, across the globe. Michelle Schusterman Show Notes Savvy by Ingrid Law Michelle’s agent Sarah Davies Jordan Hamessly, Michelle’s editor The Coffeehouse Mystery books by Cleo Coyle
Minisode: Q&A
My good friend and YA author Kirsten Hubbard takes the mic to ask me a few questions for this mini-episode Q&A! We talk about why the podcast got started, why it's been so irregular to date, where it's going in the future, and a discussion of writing while traveling.
Episode 8: Kara Taylor
Kara Taylor (soon to be Thomas) has a quick wit and an infectious laugh. In addition to being smart, sharp and funny, she’s a gifted and ambitious writer, crafting YA novels by day (the PREP SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL series and a forthcoming book in 2016 from Random House) and TV shows by night. I caught up with Kara at her home in Long Island, and she gave me the rundown of her almost accidental television writing gig, how having a chip on her shoulder helps get words on the page, and why city life j
Episode 7: Claire Legrand
Claire Legrand has a sweet heart and a dark imagination - a combination that has made for two magical middle grade novels (THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS and THE YEAR OF SHADOWS), and a forthcoming YA, WINTERSPELL, due out September 30 from Simon & Schuster. We met at her home in Princeton, New Jersey to talk scary stories for kids, earning honor badges in life, and finding time amidst the "author" madness to actually write.
Claire LeGrand Show Notes
Claire LeGrand’s agent Diana Fox
Cla
Episode 6: Ellen Oh
Ellen Oh has been called a force of nature, and it’s true - the woman can get things done. But she’s also a fierce friend and loving mom, whose nearly decade-long quest to publication with debut novel PROPHECY was started because she couldn’t find books that reflected her story, or the Korean history she found so fascinating. Ellen can be series, sure (I mean, she _was_ a lawyer), but her laugh is infectious and she’s a laser-focused ball of energy when it comes to talking about history, how h
Episode 5: Cristin Terrill
The lovely Cristin Terrill invited me over to discuss theater, Sir Ian McKellen buying tea, and her recent decision to admit a planned sequel to her debut novel, All Our Yesterdays, was not a workable project. Cristin is funny and quick, and her kindhearted vibe may have something to do with the fact that she knows she has a safety net: dog grooming school.
Episode 4: Lindsay Smith
Petite and a bit quiet, Lindsay Smith has a bit of a mysterious vibe. And once she starts talking, it only gets more interesting! YA's John le Carré, Lindsay is a history buff who is fluent in Russian, and her debut novel, SEKRET, and its follow-up, SKANDAL (due in April 2015 from Roaring Brook Press) explore what would happen if Russia were hiding paranormally-enhanced super-humans behind the iron curtain during the Cold War. Pretty awesome stuff. Lindsay invited me over to talk 20th century po
Episode 3: Caroline Tung Richmond
Caroline Tung Richmond is a smiling, stylin’ ball of endless positive energy, and with her debut novel set to come out in September (THE ONLY THING TO FEAR, 9/30/14 from Scholastic) I was jazzed to meet up with her in Rockville, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. Caroline is full of incredible advice for writers in the trenches, and gives us a perspective on how being a new mother is hurting and, in some ways, helping her writing process. Also, she schools me on awesome sci-fi referenc
Episode 2: Robin Talley
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Episode 1: Sumayyah Daud
The inaugural First Draft podcast! A discussion with the lovely Sumayyah Daud, 24-year old author of the forthcoming BEGIN AGAIN, about radical happiness, Bill Shakespeare’s butt jokes, and #WeNeedDiverseBooks.