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 Thi...
Apr 22, 2021•51 min•Ep. 300
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 Mentio...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 299
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 h...
Apr 08, 2021•56 min•Ep. 297
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 , th...
Apr 01, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 297
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 virtua...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 295
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 fa...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 296
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-...
Mar 11, 2021•57 min•Ep. 294
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 fir...
Mar 04, 2021•48 min•Ep. 293
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 her...
Mar 02, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 291
First Draft Episode #291: Anna Carey Anna Carey is the author of This is Not The Jess Show . She’s also the author of The Eve Trilogy ( Eve , Once , Rise ) and the Blackbird series ( Blackbird , Deadfall ) . Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Listen to Anna’s first First Draft interview here ! Catie Disabato , author of The Ghost Network and the new adult contemporary novel U Up? Hear her First Draft interview here . Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert , and her TED Talk, “ Your Elusive Creat...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 291
First Draft Episode #290: Loan Le Loan Le , editor at Simon & Schuster’s Atria Books and debut author of A Ph ở 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 Ph ở Love Story 🎙️ Enjoy this episode? Che...
Feb 18, 2021•49 min•Ep. 290
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 ,...
Feb 11, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 289
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 Fi...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 288
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 Marcia...
Jan 28, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 287
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...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 286
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 Schol...
Jan 14, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 285
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 Feminis m: 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. Ch...
Jan 07, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 284
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 ...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 283
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 S...
Dec 10, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 282
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 Re...
Dec 03, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 281
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 ...
Nov 26, 2020•48 min•Ep. 280
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 o...
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 279
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...
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 278
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 Hopkin s by Katherine Paterson Sarah Neal-Estes , direct...
Oct 29, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 277
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 f...
Oct 22, 2020•57 min•Ep. 276
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 Sewe...
Oct 15, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 276
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 Whe...
Oct 09, 2020•47 min
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...
Oct 06, 2020•57 min•Ep. 274
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 Jaigirda r, 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...
Oct 02, 2020•49 min
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 sho...
Sep 29, 2020•57 min•Ep. 273
