First Draft Episode #233: Maggie Levin Maggie Levin is a director & screenwriter with rock n’ roll roots. She recently completed her debut feature My Valentine for Hulu & Blumhouse’s Into the Dark horror anthology series. She worked as a director and staff writer on Season 2 of Miss 2059 , and is the director of The Friendless Five and more. This episode of First Draft is brought to you by Lovely War , the national bestselling historical young adult novel by Julie Berry , now available i...
Feb 11, 2020•1 hr 1 min
First Draft Episode #232: Maureen Johnson Maureen Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of several YA novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes , Suite Scarlett , The Name of the Star , and Truly Devious: A Mystery . She has also done collaborative works, such as Let It Snow (with John Green and Lauren Myracle ), and The Bane Chronicles (with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan ). Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin The Hound of the Baskervi...
Feb 04, 2020•59 min•Ep. 232
First Draft Episode #231: Marie Lu and Sarah Enni open the mailbag! Marie Lu is is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Legend trilogy, The Young Elites trilogy, the Warcross duology, and more. Her newest book, a historical YA fantasy, The Kingdom of Back , comes out March 3, and Skyhunter will be out in fall 2020! The presenting sponsor for this episode is The Slow Novel Lab , a six-week online writing and creativity course developed and taught by bestselling and award-winning noveli...
Jan 30, 2020•53 min•Ep. 231
First Draft Episode #230: Miranda Popkey Miranda Popkey , essayist and debut author of Topics of Conversation . The presenting sponsor for this episode is The Slow Novel Lab , a six-week online writing and creativity course developed and taught by bestselling and award-winning novelist Nina LaCour (listen to her First Draft episodes here and here ). The next six-week session of The Slow Novel Lab begins on February 16th, and you can enroll today by going to NinaLaCour.com . This episode was brou...
Jan 28, 2020•53 min•Ep. 230
First Draft Episode #229: Chani Nicholas Chani Nicholas is a Webby award-winning astrologer, and the New York Times bestselling author of You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance . Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode As a kid, Chani loved: Judy Blume, author of Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret and Forever ; Toni Morrison, author of The Bluest Eye and Beloved ; Maya Angelou, author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ; and Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple D...
Jan 21, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 229
First Draft Episode #217: Stuart Gibbs Stuart Gibbs , New York Times bestselling author of the Spy School series, the FunJungle series , the Moon Base Alpha series , and The Last Musketeer series. His newest series kicked off in 2019 with Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation . The newest FunJungle book, Tyrannosaurus Wrecks , is out March 24, and Spy School Revolution will come out in fall 2020. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The life path of MIchael Crichton , who studied to become ...
Jan 14, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 228
First Draft Episode #227: Courtenay Hameister Courtenay Hameister, debut author of memoir Okay Fine Whatever: The Year I Went From Being Afraid of Everything to Only Being Afraid of Most Things, and former host, co-producer and head writer of Live Wire Radio . Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Books by Beverly Cleary (author of Ramona Quimby, Age 8 , Beezus and Ramona , and The Mouse and the Motorcycle ) and and Judy Blume (author of Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret , Forever , and...
Jan 07, 2020•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 227
First Draft Episode #221: Tahereh Mafi and Sarah Enni open the mailbag! Tahereh Mafi is the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award nominated author of the Shatter Me series , as well as A Very Large Expanse of Sea . The final book in her Shatter Me series, IMAGINE ME , hits shelves March 31, 2020. Watch this episode as a video on the First Draft podcast IGTV channel on Instagram! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode I mention the previous mailbag episode (check out the podcast ...
Dec 31, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 226
First Draft Episode Re-release: Libba Bray (Eps (#18 and 19 ) 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, joins me to talk about having her rock collection stolen as a kid, that one time Wes Anderson helped stage a play she wrote, and how growing up in Texas set her head at a certain tilt. The episode originally released on Nov 3, 2014, and No...
Dec 24, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 225
First Draft Episode #224: Tim Baltz Tim Baltz , comedian and actor, co-created, co-wrote, and starred in Shrink , and can now be seen on HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones . He has also appeared in Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ , The Opposition with Jordan Klepper , and Drunk History . Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Tim’s dad was a professional actor and he toured in one production starring Bill Daly , an actor who was in Newhart and I Dream of Jeanie Other early comedy influences for Tim w...
Dec 17, 2019•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 224
First Draft Episode #223: Amanda Montell Amanda Montell , debut author of Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language , joins Sarah to talk about socio-linguistics, and her upcoming book Mindfuck: The Secret Language of Cults (Spoiler: You’re Already Using It) . Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Amanda loved reading memoirs growing up, including David Sedaris (author of Calypso , Me Talk Pretty One Day , and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim ), Angela’s Ashes by...
Dec 10, 2019•59 min•Ep. 223
First Draft Episode #222: Ryan La Sala Ryan La Sala , debut author of fantasy YA novel Reverie . If you enjoy this conversation with Ryan, hear more from him over at the What Book Hooked You? podcast! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Some of the animation that inspired young Ryan came from seminal video game Final Fantasy , and epic superhero series Sailor Moon Glee (TV show) Ryan found Alex London ’s book Proxy (listen to Alex’s First Draft interviews here and here ) and books written...
Dec 03, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 222
First Draft Episode #221: Zan Romanoff and Sarah Enni open the mailbag! Got five minutes? Help First Draft by taking this 2019 Listener Survey ! Zan Romanoff , author of A Song to Take the World Apart , Grace and the Fever , and the forthcoming Look (out March 31, 2020) joins Sarah Enni to answer listener questions. Have a question about writing or creativity for Sarah Enni or her guests to answer? To leave a voicemail, call (818) 533-1998. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Make sure to...
Nov 26, 2019•42 min•Ep. 221
First Draft Episode #220: Rick Yancy, Cindy Pon, Justin Reynolds, and Sarah Enni LIVE at YA-Hoo Fest Got five minutes? Help First Draft by taking this 2019 Listener Survey ! YA-Hoo Fest kicked off with this LIVE recording of the First Draft with Sarah Enni on Sept. 21, 2019. Hear writers talk about plotting the end of humanity, domed Chinese playgrounds, reef-keeping, the universal experience of grief. Featuring: Rick Yancey , New York Times bestselling author of the Fifth Wave series, the Monst...
Nov 19, 2019•58 min•Ep. 220
First Draft Episode #219: Janet Varney Janet Varney , Emmy-Nominated actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcaster. She has appeared in dozens of TV shows, including You’re the Worst , Take My Wife , Burning Love , Stan Against Evil , and Fortune Rookie , and the voice of Korra in The Legend of Korra . She is also the co-founder, creative director, and producer of SF Sketchfest: the San Francisco Comedy Festival (now in its 19th year!), and hosts The JV Club podcast. Links and Topics Mentione...
Nov 12, 2019•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 219
First Draft Episode #218: Kyle Flynn Kyle Flynn is the keyboardist with indie rock group Father John Misty , as well as writer of television and movies. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization: Part II , is absolutely incredible Kyle taught himself to play guitar using tablature in Guitar World magazine Kyle and I both went to the University of Washington and graduated from the English department Acceptance (check out their debut album Phan...
Nov 05, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 218
First Draft Episode #217: Ruta Sepetys Ruta Sepetys , #1 New York Times bestselling and Carnegie-winning author of Between Shades of Gray , Out of the Easy , and Salt to the Sea , talks about her newest novel, Fountains of Silence . This episode was brought to you by Freedom — upgrade to Premium and use code FIRSTDRAFT for 40% off a yearly or Forever plan! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode I was watching Goodfellas , and not having a great time, until I got sidetracked by reading all ab...
Oct 29, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 217
First Draft Episode #216: Mallory Kass (a.k.a. Kass Morgan) Kass Morgan, New York Times bestselling author of The 100 and Light Years (a.k.a. Mallory Kass, senior editor at Scholastic). Supernova , the sequel to Light Years, is out now! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Kass’s father wrote for Seinfeld Paula Abdul (her iconic Forever Your Girl is a great starting point) and Janet Jackson (oh my god, where to begin? Rhythm Nation is a must, and The Velvet Rope is everything— also apparen...
Oct 22, 2019•57 min•Ep. 216
First Draft Episode #215: Leigh Barudgo Leigh Barudgo , #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shadow and Bone series, the Six of Crows duology, and the King of Scars duology, discusses her first adult novel, Ninth House . This episode was brought to you by Freedom — upgrade to Premium and use code FIRSTDRAFT for 40% off a yearly or Forever plan! LINKS AND TOPICS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Please check out Leigh’s two previous First Draft interviews, here and here ! The Grishaverse has been ...
Oct 15, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 215
First Draft Episode #214: Jason Reynolds Jason Reynolds , New York Times bestselling author of critically acclaimed books, including National Book Award finalist Ghost , Newberry and Printz-honored Long Way Down , Coretta Scott King Honoree As Brave as You , and his latest, middle grade Look Both Ways , which was just named to the National Book Award Longlist for Young People’s Literature . This episode was brought to you by Freedom — upgrade to Premium and use code FIRSTDRAFT for 40% off a year...
Oct 08, 2019•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 214
First Draft Episode #213: Renee Ahdieh Renee Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn , The Rose and the Dagger , the Flame in the Mist duology, talks about her latest series, which kicks off with The Beautiful , out October 8. This episode was brought to you by Freedom — upgrade to Premium and use code FIRSTDRAFT for 40% off a yearly or Forever plan! Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Renee says The Flame in the Mist contains nods to Disney’s Mulan and the cla...
Oct 01, 2019•57 min•Ep. 213
First Draft Episode #212: Jen Wang Jen Wang, Eisner Award-winning author and illustrator of The Prince and the Dressmaker , In Real Life , and Koko Be Good stops by to talk about her new middle grade graphic novel, Stargazing . Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The seminal Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson was one of the only Western comics that Jen read as a young artist In high school Jen started a webcomic called Strings of Fate and took is super seriously! Jen’s first publishing e...
Sep 24, 2019•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 212
First Draft Episode #211: Gabby Rivera Gabby Rivera, author of Juliet Takes a Breath , which is out in hardcover on September 17, and writer of the America Chavez series for Marvel Comics. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode I couldn’t find Gabby’s first article for Bustle , but she recently wrote about love for the online outlet again, with, “ The Truth About ‘Big Love’ is You’ve Got to Manifest It For Yourself .” The Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City is where Gabby discovered her cr...
Sep 19, 2019•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 211
First Draft Episode #210: Josh Gondelman Josh Gondelman , comedian, TV writer for shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Desus and Mero , and debut author of memoir Nice Try: Stories of Best Intentions and Mixed Results , talks about coming up in comedy, fumbling his breakout moment with the viral Modern Seinfeld Twitter account, and learning that being a “nice” person isn’t the same as being a good person. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode In addition to Nice Try , you shoul...
Sep 17, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 210
First Draft Episode #208: David Yoon David Yoon , debut author of Frankly in Love , talks about how writing a rom-com turned into writing about his greatest fears; portraying aspirational male friendships; and working to be able to write from a place of unconditional love. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode The term “ latchkey kid ” refers to a child who returns from school to an empty home, or a child who is often left at home with little parental supervision, because their parent or pa...
Sep 10, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 208
First Draft Episode #208: Mary H. K. Choi Mary H. K. Choi, New York Times bestselling author of Emergency Contact , and host of podcasts Hey, Cool Job and Hey, Cool Life! . Her newest YA contemporary book, Permanent Record , is out now! We talk about addiction and fiction, loving and writing boys who fight against toxic masculinity, and fighting against “I’ll be perfect when…” thoughts. Links and Topics Mentioned In This Episode Stephen King , John Grisham , and airport novels were some of the f...
Sep 03, 2019•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 208
First Draft Episode #207: Sara Farizan, Katie Cotugno, and Sarah Enni at Trident Booksellers and Cafe in Boston I was thrilled to do an event with Sara Farizan --author of Here to Stay , Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel , and If You Could Be Mine --and Katie Cotugno --New York Times bestselling author of How to Love , 99 Days , Top Ten , and Fireworks . We met at Trident Booksellers and Cafe, Sara and Katie’s local bookstore in Boston, to discuss sexy first responders for all your needs, wr...
Aug 27, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 207
First Draft Episode #206: Stephanie Perkins and Sarah Enni I was thrilled to do an event with Stephanie Perkins , New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss , editor of My True Love Gave to Me , and many more. We met at Malaprop’s, Stephanie’s local bookstore in Asheville, North Carolina, to discuss villains in contemporary stories, our favorite podcasts, and the upcoming Netflix movie based on Stephanie’s most recent novel, There’s Someone Inside Your House ! Links and Topics...
Aug 20, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 206
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 Goldb...
Aug 13, 2019•43 min•Ep. 205
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...
Aug 06, 2019•48 min•Ep. 204
