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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
Literary Sources
The Black Tax
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes99Founded4 years ago
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Artwork for Drafting the Past

Latest Episodes

In this episode, host Kate Carpenter is joined by Dr. Daniel Neep to talk about his new book, Syria: A Modern History.

Daniel is a non-resident fellow at the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University and is currently senior editor... more

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In this episode, Kate is joined by Dr. John Garrison Marks, whose new book is Thy Will Be Done: George Washington's Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory. This is a fantastic book that takes a careful, and often surprising look, at how ... more

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In this episode, Kate welcomes back episode 1 guest Dr. Megan Kate Nelson as the very first return guest on Drafting the Past! Megan is a historian and the author of five books, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist. In our first conversation, we talked abo... more

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Before we get to the episode, I need a favor: Will you take a minute to fill out this survey about Drafting the Past, and let me know what is and isn't working for you about the show? It will help me bring even better episodes to you. Thanks in advan... more

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Recent Guests

Daniel Neep
Dr. Daniel Neep, author of Syria, A Modern History
Episode: Episode 96: Daniel Neep and the Power of Immersion
Dr. John Garrison Marks
Historian and author
Public historian; VP of research and engagement at the American Association for State and Local History
Episode: Episode 95: John Garrison Marks Starts Writing Before He's Awake
Megan Kate Nelson
Historian and author of The Westerners
Ye Olde Publishing? (discussed during interview)
Episode: Episode 94: Megan Kate Nelson Returns!
Matthew Avery Sutton
Historian of religion
Washington State University
Episode: Episode 93: Matthew Avery Sutton Religiously Opposes the Block Quote
Rhae Lynn Barnes
Assistant Professor of History at Princeton University; author of Darkology, Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment
Princeton University
Episode: Episode 92: Rhae Lynn Barnes and the Writing Advice She Didn't Take
Emily Lieb
Historian and writer; author of Road to Nowhere
Derfner & Sons Writing Agency; formerly Seattle University
Episode: Episode 91: Emily Lieb Writes (and Rewrites) Through It
Richard Bell
Professor of History at the University of Maryland, author of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
University of Maryland
Episode: Episode 89: Richard Bell Boils and Distills
Sonya Bonczek
Director of Publicity and Communications for the University of North Carolina Press
University of North Carolina Press
Episode: Episode 88: Sonya Bonczek Gives Us the Scoop on Book Publicity
Andrew Edwards
Historian and lecturer at the University of St. Andrews, specializing in capitalism, money, and early America.
University of St. Andrews
Episode: Episode 87: Andrew Edwards Wants to Make You Feel Something About Money

Host

Kate Carpenter
Host coordinating interviews and guiding discussions; central figure in episodes discussing writing craft and publishing.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 105 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 States3 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.

Listeners praise the host for thoughtful questions and engaging interviews.
Guests are consistently strong, offering practical writing and research insights.
The show is described as a valuable resource for graduate students and writers focusing on writing history.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#228
Spain/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 96: Daniel Neep and the Power of Immersion
Q: How do you approach revision and drafts?
I don't typically generate huge draft piles; I aim for a final version in my mind and work to minimize revisions, though I value editing and feedback from others to tighten prose.
Episode 96: Daniel Neep and the Power of Immersion
Q: When and where do you like to do your writing?
I value long, immersive sessions but end up writing in bursts; my ideal environment is quiet and solitary, though I adapt to various settings when needed.
Episode 92: Rhae Lynn Barnes and the Writing Advice She Didn't Take
Q: What is the most influential writing advice you've received, and how did it shape your work on this book?
She shares two pieces: the idea that writing is generative—just write a sentence to get started—and the lesson from a mentor that perseverance matters more than talent, because rejection and setbacks are a normal part of the process.
Episode 92: Rhae Lynn Barnes and the Writing Advice She Didn't Take
Q: When do you start writing in relation to your research, and how has that relationship evolved over time?
Her approach evolved from long, patient research to more integrated writing once she recognized the scale of the project and the need to build a narrative that could guide readers through complex history.
Episode 94: Megan Kate Nelson Returns!
Q: Why did the title and subtitle go through such changes, and how did marketing considerations shape the final choice?
The title was initially attached to the Westerners, but a publisher shift and a changing argument led to a new combined title Mythmaking and Belonging on the American Frontier, while keeping The Westerners as the main brand; the subtitle and cover design were adjusted to improve marketability and visual coherence.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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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?

A thoughtful exploration of historical writing and narrative craft, this show pairs a seasoned host with historians and authors to unpack research methods, storytelling decisions, and publishing realities. Episodes emphasize how writers shape voice, balance scholarly rigor with accessibility, and organize vast notes into compelling narratives across vast time periods and global contexts. Listeners often gain practical tips on research workflows, collaboration with editors, and strategies for engaging diverse audiences, from graduate students to general readers. A notable strength is its clear focus on the writing process itself, featuring guests who bridge academia and public-facing storytelling, along with a consistent emphasis on ethics, ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Drafting the Past?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Drafting the Past:

1. Ben Franklin's World
2. Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia
3. History Unplugged Podcast
4. The Three Questions with Andy Richter
5. On the Media

How many episodes of Drafting the Past are there?

Drafting the Past launched 4 years ago and published 99 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. Daniel Neep
2. Dr. John Garrison Marks
3. Megan Kate Nelson
4. Matthew Avery Sutton
5. Rhae Lynn Barnes
6. Emily Lieb
7. Richard Bell
8. Sonya Bonczek

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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