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...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 329
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 Empire...
Oct 21, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 328
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 Book...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 327
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 sev...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 326
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 To...
Sep 30, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 325
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...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 324
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...
Sep 20, 2021•9 min
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 Reve...
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 322
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 Publish...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 322
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 t...
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 321
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 Br...
Aug 26, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 320
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 B...
Aug 19, 2021•53 min•Ep. 319
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 bestselli...
Aug 12, 2021•59 min•Ep. 318
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 of ...
Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 317
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 i...
Jul 29, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 316
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...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 315
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 , Cald...
Jul 15, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 315
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? Chec...
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 313
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 Bone s by Alice Sebold Thrity Umrigar, Parsi author of The Space Between Us Rohinton Mistry, Parsi author of A Fine Ba...
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 312
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 Ben S...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 311
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...
Jun 24, 2021•55 min•Ep. 310
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 Ge...
Jun 15, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 309
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 , an antho...
Jun 10, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 308
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 J...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 307
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 invo...
May 27, 2021•58 min•Ep. 306
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: @melanin...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 305
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 s...
May 13, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 304
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 T...
May 06, 2021•49 min•Ep. 303
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% discoun...
May 04, 2021•55 min•Ep. 302
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 also o...
Apr 29, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 301
