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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 weeklyEpisodes566Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Latest Episodes

Andrea Mara is a number one international bestselling Irish author. Several of her books have been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year awards.  Someone in the Attic was her U.S. debut and her novel All Her Fault was adapted into a televisio... more

Philip Schultz is the author of nine poetry collections, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning Failure. Some of his other works include Like Wings, winner of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters award in literature; Deep within the R... more

Tayari Jones is the author of four novels including An American Marriage, which was an Oprah’s Book Club Selection and also appeared on Barack Obama’s summer reading list as well as his year-end roundup. The novel was awarded the Women’s Prize for Fi... more

Bret Anthony Johnston is the author of the award-winning short story collection Corpus Christi, the novels We Burn Daylight and Remember Me Like This and the editor of Naming the World: And Other Exercises for the Creative Writer. His short stories h... more

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Recent Guests

Philip Schultz
Author of nine poetry collections including Enormous Morning; founder/director of Writer Studio
Writer Studio, East Hampton, New York
Episode: First Draft - Philip Schultz
Tayari Jones
Author of Kin,Kin is about mothers and daughters and the complexities of being a woman in the American South
Author; Emory University; Cornell University
Episode: First Draft - Tayari Jones
Bret Anthony Johnston
Author of Encounters with Unexpected Animals; director of the Michener Center for Writers, University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin, Michener Center for Writers
Episode: First Draft - Bret Anthony Johnston
Sebastian Barry
Irish playwright, poet, and fiction writer
Episode: First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Sebastian Barry
R.L. Maizes
Author of the novel A Complete Fiction and Other People's Pets
Episode: First Draft - R.L. Maizes (Returns)
David Guterson
Acclaimed author of the novel 'Evelyn in Transit' and winner of the Penn-Faulkner Award for 'Snow Falling on Cedars'.
Episode: First Draft - David Guterson
Ann Packer
Author of four best-selling novels including Some Bright Nowhere.
Episode: First Draft - Ann Packer
George Saunders
Author of the novel Vigil, and multiple award-winning writer known for his short stories and essays.
Author, Syracuse University
Episode: First Draft - George Saunders (Back Again)
Daniyal Mueenuddin
Author of the novel 'This is Where the Serpent Lives' and the short story collection 'In Other Rooms, Other Wonders'
Episode: First Draft - Daniyal Mueenuddin

Host

Mitzi Rapkin
Host of First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing, engaging deeply with authors about their writing processes, themes, and experiences.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 288 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
    Canada8 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 States9 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.

Some critiques mention a desire for more diversity in guest authorship, particularly regarding underrepresented voices.
Overall, there is a strong recurring sentiment that this podcast offers insightful and engaging conversations that resonate well with its audience.
The podcast is seen as a vital resource for both writers seeking inspiration and readers wanting to understand literary processes.
Listeners appreciate the depth of the interviews and thoughtful questions asked by the host.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#168
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#183
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#92
Spain/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#106
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#132
Singapore/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#180
New Zealand/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

First Draft - Bret Anthony Johnston
Q: Do you think about theme while drafting, or does it come later?
Theme rarely drives the drafting; instead, the writer follows the characters and what feels necessary for the narrative, with theme emerging through the dynamics of the scenes and the evolving voice.
First Draft - Bret Anthony Johnston
Q: How do you approach endings in your short stories and collections?
Endings emerge from a process of listening to the story and letting the characters dictate the final turn; endings often reveal a pivot that the draft has been guiding toward, rather than a preplanned conclusion.
First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Sebastian Barry
Q: Where do you write and how do you balance the private and public life of a writer?
Barry describes his Wicklow rectory workspace, the B room, and the tension between a writer's inner life and the external demands of publication, first nights, and readers, underscoring the importance of a quiet, focused space and a trusted editor to keep the manuscript honest.
First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Sebastian Barry
Q: Can you read a passage from an author that speaks to you as a writer or influenced you?
Barry cites Joseph Conrad as a favorite, emphasizing how early reading shaped his sensibilities, but he also frames that influence within the specific emotional and narrative risks of his own work, noting how Conrad's atmosphere and chattiness can be a model for crafting voice without collapsing into heavy-handed explanation.
First Draft - R.L. Maizes (Returns)
Q: Can you discuss the two main characters, PJ and George, and their moral dilemmas in the story?
Both characters face ethical questions about publishing and personal sacrifices for success in their writing careers.

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?

Interviews feature conversations with both established and emerging writers across various literary forms, including fiction, essay, non-fiction, and poetry. Episodes engage deeply with themes surrounding the writing process, the intricacies of character development, storytelling, and the personal experiences that shape an author's work. The host skillfully navigates discussions that often include reflections on industry challenges and the power of language, examining how writers address complex societal issues through their narratives. Unique aspects include the emphasis on authentic and transparent dialogue, where writers are encouraged to share creative insights and struggles, fostering a sense of community among writers and readers.

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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. Writer's Routine
3. Poured Over
4. City Arts & Lectures
5. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

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

First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing launched 10 years ago and published 566 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. Philip Schultz
2. Tayari Jones
3. Bret Anthony Johnston
4. Sebastian Barry
5. R.L. Maizes
6. David Guterson
7. Ann Packer
8. George Saunders

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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