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First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Mitzi Rapkin
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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 weeklyEpisodes577Founded11 years ago
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Artwork for First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Latest Episodes

Ramona Ausubel is a graduate of the MFA program at the University of California, Irvine. She is the author of the novel No One Is Here Except All of Us and the short story collection A Guide to Being Born. Her work has been published in The New Yorke... more

Hafeez Lakhani was born in Hyderabad, India and raised in suburban South Florida. His novel is called Abundance. His fiction and essays have appeared in Crazyhorse, Exposition Review, Salt Hill, Tikkun, The Cortland Review, and The Southern Review, a... more

Tom Perrotta is the bestselling author of eleven works of fiction, including Election and Little Children, both of which were made into Oscar-nominated films, and The Leftovers, which was adapted into a critically acclaimed, Peabody Award-winning HBO... more

Jim Newton is a journalist, teacher, and author of Justice for All, Eisenhower, Worthy Fights, and Man of Tomorrow. He was at the Los Angeles Times for twenty-five years as a reporter, bureau chief, editorial page editor, columnist, and editor at lar... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Hafeez Lakhani
Author of the novel Abundance
Author
Episode: First Draft - Hafeez Lakhani
Tom Perrotta
Author of Ghost Town; novelist and commentator on craft
Author, Ghost Town
Episode: First Draft - Tom Perrotta
Jim Newton
Author, journalist, and professor; author of Here Beside the Rising Tide, Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead and An American Awakening
Author, UCLA professor
Episode: First Draft - Jim Newton
Allegra Goodman
Author of This Is Not About Us; novelist and short-listed for major awards
Author
Episode: First Draft - Allegra Goodman
Rachel Khong
Author of My Dear You, Goodbye, Vitamin; founder of The Ruby
Author
Episode: First Draft - Rachel Khong
Kate Schatz
Author, activist, public speaker, writing teacher, queer feminist parent
Author of Where the Girls Were; Rad Women series; Do the Work
Episode: First Draft - Kate Schatz
Camille Dungy
Author of America, A Love Story; poet and editor
Episode: First Draft - Camille Dungy
Naeem Murr
Author of Every Exit Brings You Home
Northwestern University (Professor)
Episode: First Draft - Naeem Murr
Andrea Mara
Author of It Should Have Been You
Author
Episode: First Draft - Andrea Mara

Host

Mitzi Rapkin
Host of First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 293 ratings
  • What a great place to land!

    I couldn’t stop listening to the interview with Philip Schultz.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cool Dude's Wife
    United States2 months ago
  • 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
    Canada10 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 Statesa year 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

Listeners Say

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

Voices of respected authors create credibility and depth.
Thoughtful, thorough interviews with big-name writers.
Host asks insightful questions and does deep background prep.
Great for writers seeking actionable craft insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#170
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#34
United Arab Emirates/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#67
United Arab Emirates/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#143
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#175
Belgium/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

First Draft - Tom Perrotta
Q: What finally brought this story to the page for you?
It emerged from a convergence of personal grief, the act of returning home during the pandemic, and a longing to understand a past that felt both nostalgic and troubling. The process involved discovering how to frame the narrative so that the teen perspective could carry the emotional load without being overwhelmed by an adult commentator.
First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Michael Cunningham
Q: What was the genesis of The Snow Queen?
He describes starting with a vision for a regular guy and a mysterious apparition, then letting the plot unfold without knowing the ending.
First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Michael Cunningham
Q: Did you start writing as a kid?
Cunningham explains that he began writing more seriously in college after experimenting with painting and recognizing a growing interest in fiction.
First Draft - Jim Newton
Q: Did you learn anything during the writing that shifted your view of culture and the Dead?
Newton describes a personal awakening around sobriety and how Garcia's life illustrates the costs and beauty of creativity, pushing him to see the Dead as a living, communal art form rather than a static icon.
First Draft - Naeem Murr
Q: Can you read a passage from an author that speaks to you as a writer?
He reads from Mary Gateskill and describes how observing another writer's intimate prose helps him slow down language, appreciate minutiae, and articulate love and relationships with precision.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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?

The show features in-depth conversations with fiction, non-fiction, essay, and poetry writers, focusing on craft, process, and the literary life. Episodes center on how writers approach voice, structure, revision, and collaboration, with guests ranging from prize-winning novelists to poets and critics. Listeners are likely aspiring writers and avid readers seeking practical insights into writing craft, publishing journeys, and the realities of literary life. A notable strength is the host's thorough, thoughtful interviewing style and a consistent emphasis on craft across diverse literary forms, making it a strong fit for audiences who want actionable takeaways from established writers and up-and-coming voices alike.

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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. Writers on Writing
2. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry
3. Poured Over
4. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
5. Writer's Routine

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

First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing launched 11 years ago and published 577 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. Hafeez Lakhani
2. Tom Perrotta
3. Jim Newton
4. Allegra Goodman
5. Rachel Khong
6. Kate Schatz
7. Camille Dungy
8. Naeem Murr

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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