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Artwork for It Was A Book First

It Was A Book First

It Was A Book First
Book-To-Screen Adaptations
The Odyssey
It Was A Book First
Off Campus
The Sheep Detectives
Christopher Nolan
Three Bags Full
The Testaments
Heated Rivalry
Craig Mazin
Streaming Adaptations
Apple TV
Project Hail Mary
Emmys
The Handmaid's Tale
Kyle Balda
Booktok

It Was A Book First is a weekly podcast about new book-to-screen adaptations. Hosted by culture reporters and former colleagues Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg, IWABF dissects the TV and film adaptations everyone is talking about, what you'll be reading and watching next, and the business behind what actually makes it off the page.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes11Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsTV & Film

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Artwork for It Was A Book First

Latest Episodes

This week, screenwriter Samy Burch joins Sophie and Rudi to discuss her new film “Late Fame,” based on Austrian novelist Arthur Schnitzler’s 1895 novella of the same name. Directed by Kent Jones, the movie stars Willem Dafoe as a postal worker whose ... more

This week, Vulture TV Critic Roxana Hadadi joins Rudi and Sophie to discuss Apple TV’s “Cape Fear,” a streaming adaptation of John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel “The Executioners” that’s also based on a pair of “Cape Fear” films from 1962 and 1991.

Aft... more

This week, Sophie and Rudi take a deep dive into Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey” with Classics professors Kyle Gervais and Il-Kweon Sir from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

After Kyle and ... more

This week, It Was an Epic Poem First! Sophie and Rudi discuss one of the most anticipated adaptations of the year: “The Odyssey,” director Christopher Nolan’s take on Homer’s epic poem. The blockbuster adaptation of the ancient Greek work follows Ody... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kyle Gervais
Professor of Classics
Western University (London, Ontario)
Episode: Two Classics Professors on Why Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Works (with Kyle Gervais and Il-Kweon Sir)
Il-Kweon Sir
Assistant Professor of Greek Literature
Western University
Episode: Two Classics Professors on Why Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Works (with Kyle Gervais and Il-Kweon Sir)
Gary Goldstein
Journalist, screenwriter, and author; LA Times contributor
LA Times
Episode: What the Emmys Tell Us About Book-to-Streaming Adaptations (with Gary Goldstein)

Hosts

Sophie Vershbow
Culture writer and book-to-screen analyst with bylines in Esquire, New York Magazine, and The Atlantic; covers literary adaptations, publishing history, and industry trends.
Rudi Greenberg
Entertainment journalist and book-to-screen analyst with experience covering film, television, and industry dynamics; known for discussions on casting, adaptation choices, and audience reception.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 75 ratings
  • Love this concept!

    It was fun to revisit one of my favorite movies of the year through a new lense. Will definitely keep listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mrg1389
    United States2 months ago
  • Loving this podcast!

    Incredibly well researched, fun rapport

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CharlotteSM12
    United States2 months ago
  • It’s the chemistry

    Sophie knows books and the publishing industry. Getting to know Rudy. The banter sounds great together. Hooked right away.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bdurlester
    United States2 months ago
  • Ideally tailored for my interests!

    Brilliant! I love books and I love movies, and I love when someone makes a book into a movie - and I love discussing it! This podcast does all the things and is very chill to listen to

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CatLon42
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • So excited for this pod!

    I’ve been following Sophie’s book recommendations for years and have yet to be steered in the wrong direction. Excited to hear more of her thoughts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Powerspacer
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans enjoy the book-to-screen angle, appreciating practical takeaways for readers and viewers.
Listeners praise the hosts' rapport and deep industry knowledge, calling it well-researched and engaging.
The show is seen as a reliable source for understanding how adaptations are developed and marketed, with a candid, conversational vibe.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#14
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#44
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#41
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#93
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#96
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#137
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Two Classics Professors on Why Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Works (with Kyle Gervais and Il-Kweon Sir)
Q: What do you think Nolan is trying to achieve with this adaptation beyond simply retelling The Odyssey?
The guests agree Nolan is translating the Odyssey for our times, engaging with a tradition of storytelling and exploring inner psychology, trauma, and modern social questions rather than offering a straightforward adaptation of the epic.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About It Was A Book First

What is It Was A Book First about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on book-to-screen adaptations, with a focus on how novels morph into TV series and films, including casting decisions, tonal shifts, production context, and the business side of bringing pages to screens. Episodes typically dissect notable adaptations, compare source material to on-screen versions, and explore audience reception, industry incentives, and upcoming projects. The hosts' chemistry and industry savvy help listeners understand why certain adaptations land with readers, what changes are made for the screen, and what this means for future IP-driven storytelling. The format often blends close-reading of source material with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, making it engaging for readers, viewers, and decision-makers in... more

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Which podcasts are similar to It Was A Book First?

These podcasts share a similar audience with It Was A Book First:

1. Feedback with Ira Madison III
2. Code Switch
3. Planet Money
4. Pop Culture Happy Hour
5. Freakonomics Radio

How many episodes of It Was A Book First are there?

It Was A Book First launched 2 months ago and published 11 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 It Was A Book First?

Recent guests on It Was A Book First include:

1. Kyle Gervais
2. Il-Kweon Sir
3. Gary Goldstein

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