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Artwork for Drafting the Past

Drafting the Past

Kate Carpenter
Writing Process
American History
Public History
Historical Writing
Teaching
American Revolution
Labor History
Historical Narrative
History
Port Of Los Angeles
US History
Immigration
The Black Tax
Literary Sources
Narrative History
Haitian Revolution
Local Tax Systems
Covid-19
Racial Injustice
Housing Inequality

Drafting the Past is a podcast devoted to the craft of writing history. Each episode features an interview with a historian about the joys and challenges of their work as a writer.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes109Founded4 years ago
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Artwork for Drafting the Past

Latest Episodes

Dr. Dolly Jørgensen is professor of history at the University of Stavanger in Norway. As you'll hear in this episode, Dolly is one very busy historian. She is the author of three books, including her newest, Ghosts Behind Glass: Encountering Extincti... more

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Sign up for the Drafting the Past newsletter for updates on the show and more.

In this episode, Kate welcomes Scott W. Stern and Dr. Charles O'Malley to the show.

Scott is a writer and lawyer who is the author of two previous books of narrative ... more

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In this episode, Kate Carpenter interviews Dr. Anna O. Law, a political science who retrained herself in historical methods to write her new book, Migration and the Origins of American Citizenship. Anna is a professor of political science and Herbert... more

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It's not every day that I find myself so invested in the characters of a history book that I stay up way past my bed time to find out what happens next, but that's exactly what happened when I read the new book by today's guest, Dr. Charlotte Brooks.... more

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Recent Guests

Dolly Jørgensen
Professor of History at the University of Stavanger in Norway
University of Stavanger
Episode: Episode 106: Dolly Jørgensen Always Has Another Project Up Her Sleeve
Scott W. Stern
Writer and lawyer; co-author of the book
Author of Shakespeare's Margaret, The Dramatic Life of a Warrior Queen
Episode: Episode 105: Charles O'Malley and Scott Stern Collaborate On A Book and A Life
Dr. Charles O'Malley
Dramaturg and writer; co-author of the book
Co-author of Shakespeare's Margaret, The Dramatic Life of a Warrior Queen
Episode: Episode 105: Charles O'Malley and Scott Stern Collaborate On A Book and A Life
Anna Law
Dr. Anna Law, political scientist and author
CUNY Brooklyn College
Episode: Episode 104: Anna O. Law Reads Her Way Into History
Charlotte Brooks
Professor of history at Baruch College, CUNY; author of The Mois of New York and Shanghai
Baruch College, CUNY
Episode: Episode 103: Charlotte Brooks Is Always Thinking About Research
Dr. Gautham Rao
Historian of American law and politics, associate professor of history at American University
American University
Episode: Episode 102: Gautham Rao Completes Each Vacation with an Archive Trip
Dr. Tara Mulder
Assistant professor at University of Wisconsin–Madison; specialist in medicine, sex and gender in antiquity
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Episode 101: Tara Mulder Describes the Conditions of Labor
Jessica Riskin
Historian of science, Frances and Charles Field Professor of History at Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: Episode 100: Jessica Riskin Lets the Story Carry the Argument
Craig Fehrman
Author of This Vast Enterprise, A New History of Lewis & Clark
Author, This Vast Enterprise
Episode: Episode 99: Craig Fehrman Wanted to Write an Epic Page-Turner

Host

Kate Carpenter
Host of Drafting the Past; guides conversations on the craft of writing history and the publication journey.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 111 ratings
  • I never miss an episode

    I get so excited when I see that a new Drafting the Past episode has released. The show is as entertaining as it is enlightening. So grateful to Kate for creating these conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laurrnn
    United States2 years ago
  • My favorite poscast

    When I heard a historian mention this podcast, I was so excited to listen. And it did not disappoint. I await the release of every episode with that same anticipation and excitement I first felt. Every episode offers me a valuable lesson whether it’s the introduction to a new-to-me author’s work, the affirmation that there’s not just one way to write, the teaching of research methods and questions, the imparting of best writing advice nuggets of gold, or suggesting another way to think and see t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SpencerA+
    United States2 years ago
  • Love at first listen

    This is the podcast of my dreams. Thank you for bringing us into conversation with so many great writers about the craft of writing history well. I now have a long reading list filled with titles I never knew I’d be so excited to read!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Astor Lynn
    United States2 years ago
  • Amazing questions and great guests

    Kate Carpenter manages to ask the most interesting questions and elicit the best responses from the historians that she has as guests on the show. It’s a real treat to listen to every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    public historian
    United States4 years ago
  • Inspiring and interesting!

    I am not writing history but am loving every episode of this podcast as I write my dissertation. I enjoy learning a bit about each guest’s research while also hearing how they approach their work both technically and socially. I highly recommend this podcast to academics in a variety of disciplines, as well as writers of other forms.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pignoli
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The discussions feel accessible to grad students and general readers while remaining analytically rigorous.
Guests are consistently high‑caliber historians offering practical writing and publishing insights.
Episodes are described as inspiring and supportive for researchers and writers.
Listeners praise the host for thoughtful questions and deep digs into the craft of historical writing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#153
Israel/History
Apple Podcasts
#204
Netherlands/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 104: Anna O. Law Reads Her Way Into History
Q: What strategies helped you manage the second-book challenge alongside caregiving and teaching duties?
Creative time management, treating writing as a separate, focused activity (write in one session and edit in another), and using writing as a refuge helped maintain progress despite structural demands of academia and family responsibilities.
Episode 104: Anna O. Law Reads Her Way Into History
Q: How did you handle feedback and revisions across multiple disciplines (history, political science, law)?
I relied on a broad network of historians, legal scholars, and political scientists for chapter-specific feedback, and I worked with different readers for the introduction and prospectus to ensure clarity for readers who are not specialists.
Episode 104: Anna O. Law Reads Her Way Into History
Q: Did it take work for you to achieve a voice that reaches a general audience while still remaining rigorous?
Yes, it required deliberately stripping jargon, seeking feedback from readers who are smart laypersons, and balancing scholarly depth with accessibility to avoid losing general readers.
Episode 106: Dolly Jørgensen Always Has Another Project Up Her Sleeve
Q: What was it like to shift from a traditional historical narrative to a more evocative, image-driven approach?
She discusses consciously adopting a more visible voice, integrating full-color images, and guiding readers through exhibitions to convey atmosphere and presence, not just facts.
Episode 106: Dolly Jørgensen Always Has Another Project Up Her Sleeve
Q: How did Ghosts Behind Glass come to be, and what was the core idea behind you choosing this project?
Dolly explains that the book grew from a fascination with extinction narratives and how museums tell those stories, particularly prompted by encounters with famous specimens like Martha the passenger pigeon; the work aims to show how these stories are constructed in museum spaces and how they invite readers to engage emotionally with history.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Drafting the Past

What is Drafting the Past about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Drafting the Past centers on the craft of writing history, featuring in-depth conversations with historians about research methods, narrative technique, and the publication journey. Episodes balance practical writing tips with behind‑the‑scenes stories—from archival sleuthing and editing workflows to coordinating with publishers and public audiences—often highlighting collaboration with mentors, editors, and Indigenous or community voices. A standout angle is how guests translate rigorous scholarship into accessible, engaging narratives, making the series valuable for historians, graduate students, and writers seeking actionable craft guidance and industry insight.

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Which podcasts are similar to Drafting the Past?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Drafting the Past:

1. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
2. On the Nose
3. Pod Save America
4. Strict Scrutiny
5. Galaxy Brain

How many episodes of Drafting the Past are there?

Drafting the Past launched 4 years ago and published 109 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Drafting the Past?

Recent guests on Drafting the Past include:

1. Dolly Jørgensen
2. Scott W. Stern
3. Dr. Charles O'Malley
4. Anna Law
5. Charlotte Brooks
6. Dr. Gautham Rao
7. Dr. Tara Mulder
8. Jessica Riskin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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