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 (band...
Jan 15, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 173
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 Green ...
Jan 08, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 172
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 Thoma...
Jan 02, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 171
Sarah Dessen , #1 New York Times bestselling author of ONCE AND FOR ALL , J UST 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 o...
Dec 18, 2018•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 170
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)...
Dec 11, 2018•52 min•Ep. 169
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 ...
Dec 04, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 168
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 Politi...
Nov 27, 2018•49 min•Ep. 167
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 S piderwick Chronicles Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee OwlCrate FairyLoot ...
Nov 20, 2018•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 166
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 ) Dahl...
Nov 13, 2018•50 min•Ep. 165
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...
Nov 08, 2018•55 min•Ep. 164
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 ...
Nov 06, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 163
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...
Oct 30, 2018•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 162
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 Scholastic I...
Oct 23, 2018•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 161
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-Americans Lie...
Oct 16, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 160
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...
Oct 09, 2018•38 min•Ep. 159
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 Ch...
Oct 02, 2018•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 158
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. le Gu...
Sep 25, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 157
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 to...
Sep 18, 2018•59 min•Ep. 156
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 (l...
Sep 11, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 155
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...
Sep 04, 2018•41 min•Ep. 154
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 Nights ...
Aug 28, 2018•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 153
Jessica Spotswood , author of the CAHILL WITCH CHRONICLES , WILD SWANS , and T HE 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 Va...
Aug 21, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 152
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 forthcoming ...
Jul 31, 2018•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 151
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 ...
Jul 24, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 150
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 Tao...
Jul 17, 2018•59 min•Ep. 149
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 Greatest ...
Jul 10, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 148
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...
Jul 03, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 147
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 o...
Jun 25, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 146
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...
Jun 19, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 145
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)...
Jun 12, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 144
