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First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Mitzi Rapkin
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David James Duncan
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Alice Mcdermott
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First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing is a weekly show featuring in-depth interviews with fiction, non-fiction, essay, and poetry writers. First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing highlights the voices of writers as they discuss their work, their craft, and the literary arts. This weekly show hosted by Mitzi Rapkin is a celebration of creative writing and the individuals who are dedicated to bringing their... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes553Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Latest Episodes

Marisa Silver⁠ is the author of the novels At Last, The Mysteries; Little Nothing, which was a New York Times Editor's Choice; Mary Coin, which was a New York Times bestseller and winner of the Southern California Independent Bookseller's Award; The ... more

Devon O’Neil is a freelance journalist based in Breckenridge, Colorado, and the author of The Way Out: A true story of survival in the Heart of the Rockies, published in November 2025 by HarperOne. In the past he has worked as a daily newspaperman, a... more

Michael Kleber-Diggs is a poet, essayist, and literary critic. He was born and raised in Kansas and now makes his home in Saint Paul, Minnesota. His debut poetry collection, Worldly Things, won the Max Ritvo Poetry prize and will be published by Milk... more

Elizabeth McCracken is the author of nine books: Here’s Your Hat What’s Your Hurry, The Giant’s House, Niagara Falls All Over Again, An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, Thunderstruck & Other Stories, Bowlaway, The Souvenir Museum, The He... more

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Recent Guests

Devon O'Neil
Author of 'The Way Out: A True Story of Survival in the Heart of the Rockies.'
Episode: First Draft - Devon O'Neil
Michael Kleber-Diggs
Author of the poetry collection Worldly Things, awarded the 2021 Max Ritvo Poetry Prize.
Episode: First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Michael Kleber Diggs
Elizabeth McCracken
Author of nine books of fiction and nonfiction, including A Long Game, Notes on Writing Fiction
Episode: First Draft - Elizabeth McCracken (Returns 4th Time)
Ruben Reyes Jr.
Author of the novel Archive of Unknown Universes and the short story collection There is a Rio Grande in Heaven
Episode: First Draft - Ruben Reyes Jr.
Megha Majumdar
Author of the novel A Guardian and a Thief
Episode: First Draft - Megha Majumdar
Paula Saunders
Author of the novels, The Distance Home and Starting from Here.
Episode: First Draft - Paula Saunders
Diane Seuss
Poet and author of multiple poetry collections including Frank, Sonnets
Episode: First Draft - 12th Anniversary Best Of - Diane Seuss
Stewart O'Nan
Author of the novel Evensong
Episode: First Draft - Stewart O'Nan
Angela Flournoy
Author of The Wilderness and The Turner House, with literary accolades including the National Book Award finalist and NAACP Image Award finalist.
Episode: First Draft - Angela Flournoy

Host

Mitzi Rapkin
Host of the podcast, she specializes in interviewing authors and exploring the art of writing and literary expression with them, showcasing insights into their creative processes and experiences.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 280 ratings
  • One Pilgrimage after the other

    THE absolute best podcast on a writers' process from a prism of angles. Ultra-inspire time and again

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stone Statue
    Canada5 months ago
  • Dear Podcasters..

    I find it hard to believe that on an Anniversary episode, picking the best of 500 interviews to choose from, you chose the one about Iran on the VERY week Trump bombs their nuclear sites. We come here for anything but that stuff. We all have our own brains, our own opinions our own perspectives, we don’t need anyone else’s political agenda pushed. Sick of audiences being taken advantage of that were originally organically grown, for the sake of politics. It’s not subtle.

    Give us a freaking break... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    littlebird1983
    United States6 months ago
  • Super helpful for writers

    Also really enjoyable for readers!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pang Dynasty
    Canadaa year ago
  • Inspiration

    Love this podcast. It’s a daily source of inspiration for my next read and for my writing. Go on, give it a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vialG
    United Statesa year ago
  • Such thoughtful questions and answers

    I appreciate the depth of these exchanges. Each guest seems grateful for how thoughtful the interview goes. Such a benefit for us writers in the trenches. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RKRK7312
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the depth of conversation that sheds light on the complexities of writing and the creative process.
Listeners praise the podcast for its thoughtful and thorough interviews with authors.
The host's research and engagement resonate with audiences, leading to favorable comparisons with other author interviews.
Some feedback expresses concerns about the inclusion of political topics, indicating a desire for a more focused literary discussion.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#150
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#212
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#99
Switzerland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#106
Philippines/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#179
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#196
Norway/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

First Draft - Elizabeth McCracken (Returns 4th Time)
Q: Can you describe the writing process and how you approach writing?
For me, writing should come with enjoyment and surprise, where I follow the characters and story rather than adhere strictly to outlining.
First Draft - Elizabeth McCracken (Returns 4th Time)
Q: How do you deal with rejection?
I experience initial frustration, but I move on. I inherited a poor memory for unhappiness which helps me not to brood over rejections.
First Draft - Elizabeth McCracken (Returns 4th Time)
Q: What are your insights about imposter syndrome and how you see it with your students?
Imposter syndrome is a normal feeling where writers doubt their worth or abilities, but it generally improves with experience. The best advice is to focus on writing and not the self-doubt.
First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Michael Kleber Diggs
Q: Do you want to say anything else about that poem?
He reflects on how the poem allowed him to confront family trauma and express understanding for his mother's experience of grief.
First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Michael Kleber Diggs
Q: Tell me about writing your poem, Ode to My Mother's Face.
Kleber-Diggs describes how he wanted to write about his mother while reflecting on her life experiences and the challenges she faced after losing his father.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

What is First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features insightful interviews with a diverse array of authors, including fiction, non-fiction, essay, and poetry writers. Each episode explores the creative processes behind the writers' works, delving into themes of craft, identity, and societal impact. The discussions often touch on personal experiences, emotional complexities, and the transformative power of storytelling, making it a rich resource for writers and readers alike. Noteworthy is the host's ability to engage authors in profound conversations that illuminate both the struggles and triumphs of the writing journey, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and the writing craft.

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Which podcasts are similar to First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing:

1. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry
2. The New Yorker: Poetry
3. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
4. Poured Over
5. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker

How many episodes of First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing are there?

First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing launched 10 years ago and published 553 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 First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing?

Recent guests on First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing include:

1. Devon O'Neil
2. Michael Kleber-Diggs
3. Elizabeth McCracken
4. Ruben Reyes Jr.
5. Megha Majumdar
6. Paula Saunders
7. Diane Seuss
8. Stewart O'Nan

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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